However, they said, there were some irregularities, which could be corrected by the king’s own authority, without the interposition of parliament; those were, the irregularities of the garrison, and the disorders committed in the winter season. With respect to the former, they recommend, that considering the lieutenant governor of _Placentia_ thought himself accountable to no one but the king, a nearer controul and check over his conduct would keep him within bounds; and therefore, that the commodore on the station should be commander in chief both by sea and land, as had formerly been the practice, which would at once put an end to the competition, and jealousy, which had so long subsisted between the land and sea forces. As to the second, they recommend, that the commodore might have power to appoint judges, and justices of the peace, to decide disputes between the inhabitants, and distribute justice amongst them during the winter season. This they thought would alleviate the misery of those unhappy people, which was great enough without additional evils from the anarchy in which they lived. They say, that heretofore much encouragement had not been given the settlers, to continue in the island, and therefore regular governors, as in other colonies, had very seldom been appointed for them; and it was their opinion, that these poor people, should rather be encouraged to settle in _Nova Scotia_. They were about _three thousand_ in number, with their wives and children, and might be of service there, where inhabitants were wanted. They took into consideration the claim of property made to stages, &c. in prejudice of the fishing ships, upon which _Mr. Fane’s_ opinion had been taken; and they thought many such titles, if enquired into, would be found to be defective; they therefore proposed, that some person, skilled in the laws, might attend the next commodore, and assist him to enquire into them, in behalf of the crown. The same person might likewise be useful in forming regulations for the better government of the inhabitants, during the winter season, so long as they continue there. They also recommended, that the bishop of London, as ordinary of the plantations, should send a clergyman, whose salary might be put on the establishment of the garrison at _Placentia_[33].