So indeed it happened. But there were not wanting occasions, when the admirals awaked from their lethargy, and shewed a steadiness in asserting the dormant powers lodged in them by the statute. These were when the adventurers and merchants perceived the government at home were making any attempt to introduce a better system of law and order into Newfoundland. Accordingly, we have seen, that upon the appointment of a civil governor and justices, in the year 1729, the admirals bestirred themselves; and, from the impulse which the competition inspired for the moment, they actually took upon them all the authority they possessed under the statute. They even went further, and claimed a criminal as well as a civil judicature; and proceeded to issue warrants, and do acts which belong to justices of the peace. In these usurpations they were supported by the western merchants, whose language it was to represent the provisions of stat. 10 and 11 Will. 3 as competent to the complete government of the island in all matters, both civil and criminal. But with all this support, so limited a power, lodged in such feeble hands, could not sustain the contest; and the admirals soon fell back into the inactivity, neglect, and contempt, where they had before slumbered. As they sunk, the commanders of the king’s ships rose into importance; the statute of William grew to be looked upon as a dead letter; and the administration of justice, in all the points there conferred on the admirals, was expected from nobody but the commanders of the king’s ships, when they came to the island in the summer season. [Sidenote: Surrogates.]