In the year 1702, the war with France broke out, and our fishery and concerns there were greatly disturbed by the French. During this, the questions agitated at the board of trade mostly concerned the defence of the island by sea and land. Notwithstanding this state of war, an order was made by the House of Commons, the 16th of January 1705-6, for laying before the house a state of the trade, and fishery; a state was for this purpose drawn up by the board; in this they give their opinion upon the different abuses and grievances; and, amongst other things, recommend that power should be given by parliament to the commanders of the queen’s ships, and to the admirals, to inflict fines and penalties on the breaches of Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3, c. 25. they recommend also, that the commanders of the queen’s ships should have the power of custom-house officers to search ships from _New England_[6]—In the same year they recommended to her majesty, that the mayors of the towns in the west, should be written to, requiring them to enjoin the masters of ships, who might become admirals, to keep journals, and discharge the other duties required of them by Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3, c. 25[7]. The board were called upon again the next year by the House of Commons for a state of the trade[8], which was accordingly furnished, and in this statement the same abuses were recounted and the same remedies were suggested for their correction. On the 31 of March 1708, the House of Commons addressed her majesty, beseeching her to give directions, that the laws relating to the trade and fishery of Newfoundland might be effectually put in execution against such commanders of her majesty’s ships of war, or forts, or fortifications there, as should presume to exact, demand, or receive sums of money, or other rewards from any of the queen’s subjects, in their voyages, trade, or fishery to, from, or at Newfoundland: And that such commanders and officers should be strictly forbidden to keep, use, or employ any fishing boats for their own private use or advantage: further, that the laws relating to the fishery should be duly executed[9]. This address was occasioned by some complaints made against a _Major Lloyd_, who commanded the troops at _St. John’s_; but of this gentleman’s conduct there were different accounts; the most unfavourable seem to have prevailed with the House of Commons to come to this resolution.