Untitled - Memorial University's Digital Archives - Memorial ...

away the servants and fishermen. and for ignoring the local method ofdisposing ofgurry
(fish ofTal) and dumping it where it suited them_ A letter from Lieutenant 1.1-1. Morrison
to Vice Admiral Gower dated 13 September 1804 stated that the English fishermen at
L'Anse au Loup had placed four guns at the entranec ofthc bay to keep the Americans
out in consequence oftheir ha\;ng set fire to the woods and Olhcl"\\;se having annoyed
the English fishery.12l
The following rear. Captain Nonhey stated that the British themselves \\ere often
the aggressors and this he firmly belie,-ed "to proceed from the jealous)' ofthe Americans
\\ ho are certainly much more expert and indefatigable than the British:· 1lJ Northey
contended that the fire. like a similar one in e\\foundland. was caused by the extreme
heat ofthe atmosphere. He also stated that the Americans had tcn to fifteen times as
many boats on the fishing grounds and thatthc)' fished on Sunday. contrary to English
practice. More importantly. the letter stated that Northey had. in more than onc instance,
been requested by the British to "refrain from intcrrering and using threatening language
to thc Amcric.Il1S." giving for reasons '·we arc all good friends'" "And. no doubt;- wrote
Northey, "but they understand eaeh other,'·12Q
The prevniling complaint was that oflhrowing the gurry (oITal) overboard. The
newspaper and archival accounts demonstrate the lishennen's interest in conserving the
fishing grounds. With regards to having more boats and fishing on Sundays. while that
127 Letlers pertaining to the Labrador 1773-1820. Admiralty in leiters. Admiralty 1/470­
1/475. MilA. 15-D-8-9. pholocopies.
u'lbid.
129 Ibid.
99