_Mr. Palliser_ carried into execution upon the coast of _Labrador_ (which by proclamation, the 7th of October 1763, had been separated from _Canada_, and annexed to the government of Newfoundland) that plan of a free fishery, to be carried on by ships from Great Britain, which was practised at Newfoundland, and which he had shewn himself so determined to maintain upon its original principles. In order to accomplish this he had contest with exclusive property. Several persons claimed on that coast a property in fishing-posts and settlements; some under grants from the French governors of _Canada_; some from _General Murray_. These he broke in upon, and withal he treated the American subjects of Great Britain, who were concerned in some of these settlements, as excluded from this fishery, by Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3. which statute he held to apply to _Labrador_, now it was brought within the government of Newfoundland, and under the authority thereof he contested the private rights set up on that coast. To give effect to these principles, he made some _rules and regulations_ for carrying on the fishery in those parts. These novelties caused many complaints to be brought before the board of trade, which led to very long enquiry for three or four years, at different times. Upon these questions, the board of trade took some measures; with regard to the Americans, they were of opinion that it was not the design of the Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3. to exclude from the fishery ships fitted out from America. With regard to the other points which turned upon considerations of property and legal topics, they referred to the attorney and solicitor general, some cases of grants from French governors. Upon view of these cases, the law officers were of opinion, that these could not be allowed as valid in any judicial enquiry, and ought not to stand in the way of any rules, or regulations to be made in the government of that coast[76].