162 NEWFOUNDLAND.

faulty. After the fishing season was over, masters beat their servants, and servants their masters.

The war with France in 1702—as the French, at that period, were masters of Canada, Cape Breton, &c., and were also established in Newfoundland, at ‘ Placentia—disturbed the fisheries and other affairs of Newfoundland; and in 1708, the French took St John’s, and some places in Conception Bay, which they held until the peace of Utrecht.

In 1708 the House of Commons addressed Queen Anne on the subject of the better execution of laws in Newfoundland, when it was, as usual, referred to the Board of Trade, which only went so far as to get the opinion of the Attorney-General on the statute of King William.

Two years after, fifteen very useful regulations were agreed upon at St J ohn’s, for the better disci- pline and good order of the people, and for correcting irregularities contrary to good laws and acts of Par- liament. These regulations, or by-laws, were debated and resolved on at courts, or meetings, held at St J ohn’s; where were present, and had all a voice, a mixed assemblage of merchants, masters of merchant- ships, and planters. This anomalous assembly form- ed, at the time, a kind of public body, exercising executive, judicial, and legislative power.

By the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, Placentia, and all other parts of Newfoundland occupied by the French, were, in full sovereignty, ceded to Great Britain; the French, however, retaining a license to come and go during the fishing season.