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 late 1700s narration about how Newfoundland was ruled, paying close attention to the troubles that arose between the people who lived there and merchants, mostly over how to use the resources and who had the authority. The book examines legal documents, rules, and how the government changed over time. It begins with the author thinking about his time in Newfoundland, which made him want to study its history of governance. From his research, it lays bare the complex relationship between the planters who wanted protection and the merchants who didn’t want the government to mess with their fishing businesses so they could make money. Reeves also explains important laws and events that molded Newfoundland's government, preparing readers for the struggles and solutions its early people had to deal with.