In the year 1711, I find, what is called, _a record of several laws and orders made at St. John’s for the better discipline and good order of the people, and for correcting irregularities committed contrary to good laws, and acts of parliaments, all which were debated at several courts held, wherein were present the commanders of merchants’ ships, merchants, and chief inhabitants; and witnesses being examined, it was brought to the following conclusion between the 23d day of August and 23d day of October 1711._ Then follow fifteen articles of regulation[15], that must have been very useful; and it is worth considering whether such a local legislature, which the people seem in this instance to have created for themselves, might not legally be lodged somewhere, for making bye-laws and regulations, as occasion should require. The commander _Captain Crowe_, presided at this voluntary assembly. His successor, it seems, followed his example, and held a meeting of the same sort. These assemblies were somewhat anomalous, a kind of legislative, judicial, and executive, all blended together[16]; and yet perhaps not more mixed than the proceedings of parliaments in Europe, in very early times. At the peace of Utrecht we were put into possession of Newfoundland in a way we had not enjoyed it before, for some years. Placentia, and all the parts occupied by the French, were now ceded to the king of Great Britain, in full sovereignty; the French retaining nothing more than a licence to come and go during the fishing season. A new prospect now opened; and the government, not less than the merchants, turned their thoughts to that trade with a spirit that promised itself all the fruits of this new acquisition. A _Captain Taverner_ was employed to survey the island, its harbours, and bays; a lieutenant-governor was appointed to command the fort at _Placentia_; the merchants beseeched the board of trade that the French might be strictly watched, and kept to their limits, and that a ship should go round the island, to see they left the different harbours at the close of the season. _Captain Taverner_, who had great experience in that trade, and was much attended to at this time, gave in to the board some remarks on the Newfoundland fishery and trade; and also heads of a proposed act of parliament[17]. It appears from the observations made by this gentleman, as well as many others, that nothing was more strongly expressed by all persons, who shewed any anxiety, or experience on this subject, than the inefficiency of Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3, and the necessity of going to parliament for new regulations.