French rights in Newfoundland lapsed during the Seven Years War (1756-1763), and their reinstatement was a crucial factor in the peace negotiations, especially as France had lost to Britain all its territorial possessions in North America. The French government demanded the right to fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the Newfoundland coast as provided in the Treaty of Utrecht. It also insisted on being given a place which the fishing fleet could use as a shelter. After much bargaining, Britain agreed to these terms. The shelter would be the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, which were handed over with a number of conditions.
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TREATY OF PARIS, 1763
Article 5. The subjects of France shall have the liberty of fishing
and drying, on a part of the coasts of the Island of Newfoundland,
such as is specified in Article 13 of the Treaty of Utrecht .... And
His Britannic Majesty consents to leave to [French] subjects ...
the liberty of fishing in the gulf of St. Lawrence, etc.
Article 6. The King of Great Britain cedes the islands of St. Pierre
and Miquelon, in full right ... to serve as a shelter to the French
fishermen; and [the French king] engages not to fortify the said
Islands; to erect no buildings upon them, but merely for the
convenience of the fishery; and to keep upon them a guard of
fifty men only for the police.
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