OLAF JANZEN (PhD, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON) is Professor Emeritus of History at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in Corner Brook. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and member of several organizations, including the International Maritime Economic History Association, the Canadian Nautical Research Society, and the Newfoundland Historical Society. Dr. Janzen’s research specialization is the trade, society and defence of eighteenth-century Newfoundland, and he has published frequently on those themes in peer-reviewed journals, including Newfoundland & Labrador Studies. He contributed the chapter on the eighteenth century to A Short History of Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s, 2008). In 2013, a collection of many of his previously published articles was released by the International Maritime Economic History Association under the title War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland as No. 52 in the Association’s series, “Research in Maritime History.” He is the author of a comprehensive annotated “Reader’s Guide to the History of Newfoundland and Labrador to 1869" which he updates regularly. It can be found on-line at: <http://www2.swgc.mun.ca/nfld_history/index.htm>.
Olaf Janzen’s essay is the first in the volume’s initial section examining livelihoods dependant ... more Olaf Janzen’s essay is the first in the volume’s initial section examining livelihoods dependant on the ocean; seamen, fishermen, and explores the origin and multiple disruptions of French fishing settlements in seventeenth and eighteenth century Newfoundland.
<p>This chapter examines the French raid of the Newfoundland Fishery in 1762 in attempt to ... more <p>This chapter examines the French raid of the Newfoundland Fishery in 1762 in attempt to determine the motivation for targeting that fishery in particular. It explores the effect of the Seven Years' War on French trade, the dominance of the British Empire at sea; the benefits and risks of the raid; the vulnerability of the fishery; and the decision of the raid's commander to permanently occupy St John's, despite knowing France did not have the means to support the occupation. It also explores the British response, negotiation efforts, and the toll the raid took upon the British fish trade. It concludes that the end of war negotiations took place shortly after the French occupation of St John's, though a clear link between the two events has not been proven and seems unlikely.</p>
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter provides an analysis of the American attack on the Newfoundland fishery, undertaken ... more This chapter provides an analysis of the American attack on the Newfoundland fishery, undertaken in effort to position America as a threat to Britain despite the overwhelming British dominance of the Atlantic. By striking a core British asset in the Atlantic, America was demonstrating its political power and desire for independence. First, the value of fishery to Britain is explored, followed by the weaknesses of the station due to its size and small military presence, followed by the actions of officials and privateers alike during the attack. The defence of St John’s, the involvement of the French, and the impact on fishing merchants during the American Revolution also come under consideration. It concludes that in response to the vulnerability of British Newfoundland as proven by the American attack, British policy began to evolve the fishery into a full colony.
<p>This chapter explores the expulsion of the Acadians from their Canadian settlements by t... more <p>This chapter explores the expulsion of the Acadians from their Canadian settlements by the British in 1755, with particular focus on Newfoundland and the forcible deportation of French fishermen that took place several weeks beforehand. It argues that the Newfoundland incident was driven by the way English and French fisheries were perceived by naval authorities; the circumstances and opportunity of the moment; and the motives of the Captain John Rous, who orchestrated much of the operation. It charts the events in detail, and concludes that the deportation of the fishermen of Port aux Basques and Codroy could conceivably be seen as a 'dry-run' for the larger deportation to come. It also suggests that the maritime career of John Rous requires further investigation, as existing records leave many questions about his role in the deportations unanswered.</p>
<p>This chapter examines two cartographic surveys carried out during the eighteenth century... more <p>This chapter examines two cartographic surveys carried out during the eighteenth century on the southern coast of Newfoundland, in order to determine their purpose. It seeks to prove that the rationale was not, as stated, for the benefit of trade and commerce, but instead a question of sovereignty and a response to the shift from French to British rule due to the Treaty of Utrecht. It places the sovereignty struggle into historical context, then explains how it affected activity on the Newfoundland fishery. It analyses the treaty and explores how French fishermen were reluctant to give up their lucrative fishing territory. It then analyses the surveys themselves, and concludes that these early surveyance efforts demonstrate the way British maritime merchants became involved in asserting British to serve their own commercial needs.</p>
<p>This chapter is a study of maritime trade during the 'mercantilism' period of th... more <p>This chapter is a study of maritime trade during the 'mercantilism' period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It explores the way oceans functioned as highways for ships, people, and commodities, and briefly introduces the Newfoundland fish trade in the eighteenth century - the framework through which the rest of the journal approaches the subject of maritime trade. It offers an overview of the developments in commodity trade in the period, primarily in the Atlantic community; the environment factors such as wind or current patterns that plagued sailing vessels; the risks inherent to ocean voyages during the period; the way family and kinship influenced maritime commerce; the types of trade undertaken; the safeguarding of investments; and the increase in both the military and government presence in maritime trade affairs. It concludes that in order to fully understand the importance of oceanic highways the intricacies of the land-sea relationship must be considered in detail.</p>
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter explores the brief resurgence of piracy in Newfoundland between the years 1717 and 1... more This chapter explores the brief resurgence of piracy in Newfoundland between the years 1717 and 1725. It places the developments in Newfoundland within the context of North Atlantic piracy in the aftermath of the War of Spanish Succession, whilst linking the presence of pirates in Newfoundland to the working conditions of the Fishery. It details the fish trade’s vulnerability to piracy, particularly from North African ‘Sallee Rovers’; the increase in state protection; the differing approaches of Britain and France when dealing with piracy; and the difficult working conditions in the fishery and how that contributed to the recruitment of pirates. It concludes that once the Royal Navy’s presence in Newfoundland increased and the working conditions in the fishery eased during economic recovery, piracy was quick to disappear from the area.
In April 1740 the merchants of Bayonne complained to the Chamber of Commerce that a French vessel... more In April 1740 the merchants of Bayonne complained to the Chamber of Commerce that a French vessel had arrived with a quantity of dry English cod. It had attempted without success to deliver this fish at the Spanish ports of Bilbao and San Sebastian before making for Saint-Jeande-Luz, where it discharged part of its cargo. Now it had arrived at Bayonne, where it would remain briefly before renewing its efforts to carry the fish to Spain. Because Spain and England were at war, the normally substantial trade in English cod between those countries had beeninterrupted. French merchants, whose own cod trade with Spain had diminished considerably since the end of the previous century, had welcomed the war as an opportunity to regain their position.' To discover that English cod continued to penetrate the Spanish market was quite alarming; to learn that French dealers were responsible was a scandal. The Bayonnais merchants therefore demanded that appropriate steps be taken to put a stop to the commerce. But while the authorities were sympathetic to the complaint, effective countermeasures were
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter explores the efforts of both the French and British in refusing the indigenous Mi’km... more This chapter explores the efforts of both the French and British in refusing the indigenous Mi’kmaq from migrating to the Newfoundland between 1763 and 1766. It is particularly concerned with activities and procedures of the British Royal Navy in Newfoundland that reflect the Navy’s role as a projector of British power and an agent in the process that forced the Mi’kmaq to abandon their attempts and instead settle on the remote western Newfoundland. It begins by placing the migration into context, the explores the events of 1763-1766 in more detail; before concluding that the Mi’kmaq were thwarted in their efforts to pursue their priorities by the constant imperial friction between the English and the French.
This chapter is a case study of the vessel Christian, a sack ship that carried fish to Spain in 1... more This chapter is a case study of the vessel Christian, a sack ship that carried fish to Spain in 1727, and a rare Scottish presence in eighteenth century Newfoundland,. It seeks to determine what motivated the crew to venture into an unfamiliar trade, whilst revealing the complexity and difficulties of sack shipping by studying the unusually large quantity of business documentation relating to this particular vessel. It charts the voyage with thoroughness and comes to the conclusion that after the 1707 union between Scotland and England, Scottish merchants sought to take advantage of the economic opportunities available through the English colonial trade. It also confirms that though the Christian didn’t make a profitable voyage, it was a successful commercial experiment in that it demonstrated Scotland’s potential.
<p>This chapter explores the continuous struggle between the French and British empires ove... more <p>This chapter explores the continuous struggle between the French and British empires over each others' presence in Newfoundland. It examines the question of sovereignty and the way each nation interpreted the Treaty of Utrecht in their own favour. It is particularly concerned with settlements in the western Newfoundland and the significance of Hugh Palliser's actions whilst Governor of Newfoundland, the increases to British warship presence in the west, and the role of the Royal Navy as an agent of both defence and diplomacy.</p>
'their new countries. The usual implicit critique of emigration comes within the typical merc... more 'their new countries. The usual implicit critique of emigration comes within the typical mercantilist model. Following Campbell's gloomy beginning are eight considerably more chirruppy accounts. And well they might be, for unlike the mixed tale of Scots in Scotland, those of Scots overseas re full of success and prosperity. The several uthors do focus on economic development, although without much agreement as to how to proceed. R.A. Cage details the considerable Scottish input in English economic life. David Macmillan demonstrates the crucial role Scots played in Canadds transatlantic trade, particularly in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, emphasizing that Glasgow must be included in any metropolitan Version of Canadian development. Bernard Aspinwall describes a host of ongoing connections between Scotland and the United States. Eric Richards for Australia nd Tom Brooking for New Zealand document the importance ofScots in the antipodes. James Parker argues that Scots merchants controlled the trade of British India, while Manuel A. Fernandez shows that they were more important inLatin America especially Argentina than usually thought. Olive Checkland concludes by describing how active Scots were in Meiji Japan during the peiod of Europeanization. With considerable art the various authors do momentarily persuade the reader that compilations of names can be analytical devices. But neither they nor the editor attempt to provide any serious common ground for comparative investigation of the phenomenon of diaspora, even in terms of the economic developments they all focus upon. The sense one gets is of a disproportionate economic significance for Scots in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, and a surprising impact in the United States, Latin America, and Japan. The authors offer few explanations for Scottish success, resting for the most part content with its documentation. Nor does the reader gain much appreciation of the dialectic between developments in Scotland itself and the activities of its people overseas, although everyone seems agreed on its importance. Nevertheless, while The Scots Abroad provides few answers, it does help to focus the problems and serves as a useful introduction to one crucial dimension of the diaspora. .j.M. Bmas•rED University of Manitoba
<p>This final chapter continues to explore the American threat to the Newfoundland fishery ... more <p>This final chapter continues to explore the American threat to the Newfoundland fishery between 1776 and 1777, but pays more attention to the toll it took on the mercantile fishing community. It argues that American privateers targeted Newfoundland fishing vessels less out of purposeful strategy and more out of incidental circumstance. It examines the role of the privateer; the creation of the Continental Navy; attacks on the fishery; the role of public warships; the refitting of vessels for war; naval prizes; and risks taken by privateers, in order to fully assess the threat to the fishermen of Newfoundland. It concludes that America fundamentally struggled to wage an effective offensive against the British Newfoundland fisheries during the War of American Independence, though Newfoundland fishermen endured tremendous disruption during the campaign.</p>
Olaf Janzen’s essay is the first in the volume’s initial section examining livelihoods dependant ... more Olaf Janzen’s essay is the first in the volume’s initial section examining livelihoods dependant on the ocean; seamen, fishermen, and explores the origin and multiple disruptions of French fishing settlements in seventeenth and eighteenth century Newfoundland.
<p>This chapter examines the French raid of the Newfoundland Fishery in 1762 in attempt to ... more <p>This chapter examines the French raid of the Newfoundland Fishery in 1762 in attempt to determine the motivation for targeting that fishery in particular. It explores the effect of the Seven Years' War on French trade, the dominance of the British Empire at sea; the benefits and risks of the raid; the vulnerability of the fishery; and the decision of the raid's commander to permanently occupy St John's, despite knowing France did not have the means to support the occupation. It also explores the British response, negotiation efforts, and the toll the raid took upon the British fish trade. It concludes that the end of war negotiations took place shortly after the French occupation of St John's, though a clear link between the two events has not been proven and seems unlikely.</p>
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter provides an analysis of the American attack on the Newfoundland fishery, undertaken ... more This chapter provides an analysis of the American attack on the Newfoundland fishery, undertaken in effort to position America as a threat to Britain despite the overwhelming British dominance of the Atlantic. By striking a core British asset in the Atlantic, America was demonstrating its political power and desire for independence. First, the value of fishery to Britain is explored, followed by the weaknesses of the station due to its size and small military presence, followed by the actions of officials and privateers alike during the attack. The defence of St John’s, the involvement of the French, and the impact on fishing merchants during the American Revolution also come under consideration. It concludes that in response to the vulnerability of British Newfoundland as proven by the American attack, British policy began to evolve the fishery into a full colony.
<p>This chapter explores the expulsion of the Acadians from their Canadian settlements by t... more <p>This chapter explores the expulsion of the Acadians from their Canadian settlements by the British in 1755, with particular focus on Newfoundland and the forcible deportation of French fishermen that took place several weeks beforehand. It argues that the Newfoundland incident was driven by the way English and French fisheries were perceived by naval authorities; the circumstances and opportunity of the moment; and the motives of the Captain John Rous, who orchestrated much of the operation. It charts the events in detail, and concludes that the deportation of the fishermen of Port aux Basques and Codroy could conceivably be seen as a 'dry-run' for the larger deportation to come. It also suggests that the maritime career of John Rous requires further investigation, as existing records leave many questions about his role in the deportations unanswered.</p>
<p>This chapter examines two cartographic surveys carried out during the eighteenth century... more <p>This chapter examines two cartographic surveys carried out during the eighteenth century on the southern coast of Newfoundland, in order to determine their purpose. It seeks to prove that the rationale was not, as stated, for the benefit of trade and commerce, but instead a question of sovereignty and a response to the shift from French to British rule due to the Treaty of Utrecht. It places the sovereignty struggle into historical context, then explains how it affected activity on the Newfoundland fishery. It analyses the treaty and explores how French fishermen were reluctant to give up their lucrative fishing territory. It then analyses the surveys themselves, and concludes that these early surveyance efforts demonstrate the way British maritime merchants became involved in asserting British to serve their own commercial needs.</p>
<p>This chapter is a study of maritime trade during the 'mercantilism' period of th... more <p>This chapter is a study of maritime trade during the 'mercantilism' period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It explores the way oceans functioned as highways for ships, people, and commodities, and briefly introduces the Newfoundland fish trade in the eighteenth century - the framework through which the rest of the journal approaches the subject of maritime trade. It offers an overview of the developments in commodity trade in the period, primarily in the Atlantic community; the environment factors such as wind or current patterns that plagued sailing vessels; the risks inherent to ocean voyages during the period; the way family and kinship influenced maritime commerce; the types of trade undertaken; the safeguarding of investments; and the increase in both the military and government presence in maritime trade affairs. It concludes that in order to fully understand the importance of oceanic highways the intricacies of the land-sea relationship must be considered in detail.</p>
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter explores the brief resurgence of piracy in Newfoundland between the years 1717 and 1... more This chapter explores the brief resurgence of piracy in Newfoundland between the years 1717 and 1725. It places the developments in Newfoundland within the context of North Atlantic piracy in the aftermath of the War of Spanish Succession, whilst linking the presence of pirates in Newfoundland to the working conditions of the Fishery. It details the fish trade’s vulnerability to piracy, particularly from North African ‘Sallee Rovers’; the increase in state protection; the differing approaches of Britain and France when dealing with piracy; and the difficult working conditions in the fishery and how that contributed to the recruitment of pirates. It concludes that once the Royal Navy’s presence in Newfoundland increased and the working conditions in the fishery eased during economic recovery, piracy was quick to disappear from the area.
In April 1740 the merchants of Bayonne complained to the Chamber of Commerce that a French vessel... more In April 1740 the merchants of Bayonne complained to the Chamber of Commerce that a French vessel had arrived with a quantity of dry English cod. It had attempted without success to deliver this fish at the Spanish ports of Bilbao and San Sebastian before making for Saint-Jeande-Luz, where it discharged part of its cargo. Now it had arrived at Bayonne, where it would remain briefly before renewing its efforts to carry the fish to Spain. Because Spain and England were at war, the normally substantial trade in English cod between those countries had beeninterrupted. French merchants, whose own cod trade with Spain had diminished considerably since the end of the previous century, had welcomed the war as an opportunity to regain their position.' To discover that English cod continued to penetrate the Spanish market was quite alarming; to learn that French dealers were responsible was a scandal. The Bayonnais merchants therefore demanded that appropriate steps be taken to put a stop to the commerce. But while the authorities were sympathetic to the complaint, effective countermeasures were
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland, 2013
This chapter explores the efforts of both the French and British in refusing the indigenous Mi’km... more This chapter explores the efforts of both the French and British in refusing the indigenous Mi’kmaq from migrating to the Newfoundland between 1763 and 1766. It is particularly concerned with activities and procedures of the British Royal Navy in Newfoundland that reflect the Navy’s role as a projector of British power and an agent in the process that forced the Mi’kmaq to abandon their attempts and instead settle on the remote western Newfoundland. It begins by placing the migration into context, the explores the events of 1763-1766 in more detail; before concluding that the Mi’kmaq were thwarted in their efforts to pursue their priorities by the constant imperial friction between the English and the French.
This chapter is a case study of the vessel Christian, a sack ship that carried fish to Spain in 1... more This chapter is a case study of the vessel Christian, a sack ship that carried fish to Spain in 1727, and a rare Scottish presence in eighteenth century Newfoundland,. It seeks to determine what motivated the crew to venture into an unfamiliar trade, whilst revealing the complexity and difficulties of sack shipping by studying the unusually large quantity of business documentation relating to this particular vessel. It charts the voyage with thoroughness and comes to the conclusion that after the 1707 union between Scotland and England, Scottish merchants sought to take advantage of the economic opportunities available through the English colonial trade. It also confirms that though the Christian didn’t make a profitable voyage, it was a successful commercial experiment in that it demonstrated Scotland’s potential.
<p>This chapter explores the continuous struggle between the French and British empires ove... more <p>This chapter explores the continuous struggle between the French and British empires over each others' presence in Newfoundland. It examines the question of sovereignty and the way each nation interpreted the Treaty of Utrecht in their own favour. It is particularly concerned with settlements in the western Newfoundland and the significance of Hugh Palliser's actions whilst Governor of Newfoundland, the increases to British warship presence in the west, and the role of the Royal Navy as an agent of both defence and diplomacy.</p>
'their new countries. The usual implicit critique of emigration comes within the typical merc... more 'their new countries. The usual implicit critique of emigration comes within the typical mercantilist model. Following Campbell's gloomy beginning are eight considerably more chirruppy accounts. And well they might be, for unlike the mixed tale of Scots in Scotland, those of Scots overseas re full of success and prosperity. The several uthors do focus on economic development, although without much agreement as to how to proceed. R.A. Cage details the considerable Scottish input in English economic life. David Macmillan demonstrates the crucial role Scots played in Canadds transatlantic trade, particularly in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, emphasizing that Glasgow must be included in any metropolitan Version of Canadian development. Bernard Aspinwall describes a host of ongoing connections between Scotland and the United States. Eric Richards for Australia nd Tom Brooking for New Zealand document the importance ofScots in the antipodes. James Parker argues that Scots merchants controlled the trade of British India, while Manuel A. Fernandez shows that they were more important inLatin America especially Argentina than usually thought. Olive Checkland concludes by describing how active Scots were in Meiji Japan during the peiod of Europeanization. With considerable art the various authors do momentarily persuade the reader that compilations of names can be analytical devices. But neither they nor the editor attempt to provide any serious common ground for comparative investigation of the phenomenon of diaspora, even in terms of the economic developments they all focus upon. The sense one gets is of a disproportionate economic significance for Scots in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, and a surprising impact in the United States, Latin America, and Japan. The authors offer few explanations for Scottish success, resting for the most part content with its documentation. Nor does the reader gain much appreciation of the dialectic between developments in Scotland itself and the activities of its people overseas, although everyone seems agreed on its importance. Nevertheless, while The Scots Abroad provides few answers, it does help to focus the problems and serves as a useful introduction to one crucial dimension of the diaspora. .j.M. Bmas•rED University of Manitoba
<p>This final chapter continues to explore the American threat to the Newfoundland fishery ... more <p>This final chapter continues to explore the American threat to the Newfoundland fishery between 1776 and 1777, but pays more attention to the toll it took on the mercantile fishing community. It argues that American privateers targeted Newfoundland fishing vessels less out of purposeful strategy and more out of incidental circumstance. It examines the role of the privateer; the creation of the Continental Navy; attacks on the fishery; the role of public warships; the refitting of vessels for war; naval prizes; and risks taken by privateers, in order to fully assess the threat to the fishermen of Newfoundland. It concludes that America fundamentally struggled to wage an effective offensive against the British Newfoundland fisheries during the War of American Independence, though Newfoundland fishermen endured tremendous disruption during the campaign.</p>
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