178 NEWFOUNDLAND.

preference ; and the remaining assets, if there be any, to be divided ratably among all the other creditors. A certificate, granted by the court, with the con- sent of one-half in number and value of the creditors, is a bar to all suits for debts within the jurisdiction of the courts of Newfoundland. The Surrogate Courts were, from the beginning, considered at once grievous and exceedingly objec- tionable, as the judges were no other than the com- manders or lieutenants of his majesty’s ships on the station, whose pursuits and education could not qua- lify them, however just their intentions might be, for competent expounders of the intricate labyrinth of commercial laws. At the same time, it is but justice to remark, that the task was by no means agreeable to many of those officers; and, with few exceptions, if they erred, it was not from the influence of fear or interest, but from an ignorance of matters that no one should expect them to understand. But in this way the jurisdiction of Newfoundland was conducted until 1824, when a bill was passed, enti- tled, “ An act for the better administration of justice in Newfoundland, and other purposes.” This act, like all others passed relative to Newfoundland, being experimental, was limited to continue in force only for five years. By the provisions of this act, a chief judge and two assistant judges are appointed, and the island divided into three districts, in each of which a court is held annually. The regulations of this law are considered by many,

both residing in the island, and in connexion with the