208 LABRADOR.

foundland. Eight or nine schooners from Quebec frequent the coast, having on board about 80 sea- men and 100 fishermen. Some of the fish caught by them is sent to Europe, and the rest carried to Quebec; besides which, they carry annually about L.6000 worth of furs, oil, and salmon, to Canada.

From Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but chiefly from the former, 100 to 120 vessels resort to Labrador : the burden of these vessels may amount to 6000 or 7000 tons, carrying about 1200 seamen and fishermen. They generally carry the principal part of their cargoes home in a green state.

One-third of the resident inhabitants are English, Irish, or Jersey servants, left in charge of the pro- perty in the fishing rooms, and who also employ themselves, in the spring and fall, catching seals in nets. The other two-thirds live constantly at Labra- dor, as furriers and seal-catchers,on their own account, but chiefly in the former capacity, during winter; and all are engaged in the fisheries during summer. Half of these people are Jerseymen and Canadians, most of whom have families.

From 16,000 to 18,000 seals are taken at Labra- dor in the beginning of Winter and in spring. They are very large, and the Canadians, and other winter residents, are said to feast and fatten on their flesh. About 4000 of these seals are killed by the Esqui- maux. The whole number caught produce about 350 tons of oil,——Value about L.8000.

There are six or seven English houses, and four

or five Jersey houses, established at Labrador, uncon- 4