Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L29/598c/7/3
  • Title
    Précis of Alleyne Fitzherbert's letter (copy) [Mouiseur de Vergennes proposes a possible means of compensating France for the loss of the fishing and drying from Cape Bonavista [Newfoundland] to Cape St. John, [Newfoundland], which would leave England all the coast from the latter Cape and fishing to the North and North West as far as Cape May [Greenland]. He suggests that England cedes to France one or two of the small islands situated on the North East coast of Newfoundland, provided the island contained a port suitable for the defence of French fishermen in the area. L 29/598c/7/3 (In French: translated) [On wrapper in English] Copy. In Mr Fitzherberts of 20th August 1782 1st Point M le Comte de Vergennes has done me the honour of proposing, as a possible means of compensating France for the loss of the fishing and drying areas from Cape Bonavista to Cape St John, that we might give up to His Very Christian Majesty (to serve simply to the effect specified below) all the coast from the latter Cape turning to the North and North West as far as Cape May which is situated at about 48 degrees latitude and 54 degrees longitude. 2nd Point That as the port of the island of St Pierre is found to be too small for the needs of the French fishermen, H E proposes , on the same footing, a possible arrangement by which England might cede to France (to enjoy in complete ownership and sovereignty) one of those little islands to be found off the North East coast of the island of Newfoundland, or any other island which British Court might find more suitable, as long as such an island possessed a port from which the French Commander in that part of the world, can protect and contain the fishermen of his nation.
  • Date free text
    20 Aug 1782
  • Production date
    From: 1782 To: 1782
  • Level of description
    item
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