CO882-(1-2) — Page 378

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NEWFOUNDLAND.

། ། ། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

THIS ancient British possession has been the last in the group of North American colonies to which responsible government has been con- ceded. It was granted simultaneously with the appointment of the present Governor, Mr. Dar- ling, who arrived in the island on the 2nd May, 1855. As far as the experiment has been tried the respective parties seem perfectly to appre- ciate their position towards each other, and the Governor, well disposed to give the system a fair trial, is apparently on good terms with the inhabitants. The chief cause of disturbance in this island has hitherto had its foundation in the disagreement between the Roman Catholics and Protestants. The latter is the most numerous body of the two, but not the most energetic, and has habitually leant on the Imperial Govern- ment for that support which it had not spirit enough to dispense with when in difficulty. But these religious feuds seem disappearing. We certainly gradually hear less of them, and they may possibly diminish altogether, now that the liberal and Roman Catholic party has obtained possession of power. In justice to that party it should be observed that no com- plaints of partiality have been preferred against them by the Protestants. Advantages are expected to flow from the construction of an electric telegraph scross the island for upwards of 300 miles, and thence by a submarine cable to the continent of America. By the means of this enterprise the state of the markets in the

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NEWFOUNDLAND.

United States, the West Indies, and South America will be rapidly made known to New- foundland, whose insular position and the con- sequent want of prompt information have been detrimental to its interests.

The revenue and expenditure, its population, &c., are subjoined.

TABLE A.

Table A.