j. A new century

Consequently, following a century of warfare between Britain and France, deportations, poverty and political upheaval, the exiles of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon would no longer be the pawns of Empires. By the end of the 19th century the population would expand eight fold and Saint-Pierre would become one of France’s most important harbours.

The seasonal French Fishery expanded quickly. As well, important commercial links were established with Spain for salt, the United States and France for supplies such as lumber, fishing equipment and food staples. Hundreds of seasonal workers were brought over to cure, dry and salt fish. Hundreds more worked on the fishing Banks. Despite three major fires and many losses at sea, the town of Saint-Pierre kept expanding towards the hills, and the Island of Dogs (Ile aux Chiens) across the harbour soon became a town of its own.

This growing importance of Saint-Pierre and the expansion of the French Fishery before long raised the ire of merchants and politicians of Saint John’s, who realized that the islands’ influence on the Southern Shore of Newfoundland and the French Shore was strengthening. New treaties between France and Britain over the French Shore in 1857 caused significant unrest, fanning anti-French sentiment in Newfoundland politics. For example by 1887, the Bait Bill came into play, prohibiting the sale of bait to French fishermen. This measure in fact was more damaging to the economy and commerce of the Southern Shore of Newfoundland itself. It symbolized, of course, the rising tensions between Saint John’s and Saint-Pierre.