History of the government of the island of Newfoundland With an appendix containing the Acts of Parliament made respecting the trade and fishery

"History of the Government of the Island of Newfoundland" by John Reeves is a historical account written in the late 18th century. The book explores the development and complexities of governance in Newfoundland, highlighting the conflicts between local planters and merchants concerning resource management and authority. It promises a detailed examination of legal charters, regulations, and the evolving political landscape of the time. At the start of the book, the author reflects on his recent experiences in Newfoundland, inspiring his research into the island's governance history. This research reveals the intricate interplay of interests between the settled planters seeking protection and order, and the transient merchants aiming to maintain their profitable fishing operations without governance interference. Reeves outlines the significant legislative acts and historical events that shaped Newfoundland's governance, setting the stage for a narrative that will delve into specific struggles and resolutions faced by its early inhabitants. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Reeves was a legal historian, civil servant, British magistrate, conservative activist, and the first Chief Justice of Newfoundland. In 1792 he founded the Association for Preserving Liberty and Property against Republicans and Levellers, for the purpose suppressing the "seditious publications" authored by British supporters of the French Revolution—most famously, Thomas Paine's Rights of Man. Because of his counter-revolutionary actions he was regarded by many of his contemporaries as "the saviour of the British state"; in the years after his death, he was warmly remembered as the saviour of ultra-Toryism.