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Complaints against the French by the English settlers of the community usually were concerned with the fishery - whether the English were allowed to catch salmon and what specific areas were open to them. There are some reports that the English settlers were forced to fish at night while the French slept but the accuracy of these is doubtful. However, even during those years when there was constant friction between the English settlers and the French fishermen, the French priest and doctor ministered to the English settlers during the fishery season.
Relations between the two gradually improved after the mid - 1870's or probably a sort of tolerance developed. Older residents of the community who fished alongside the French in Cape Rouge harbour have given favorable reports of them and had learned to speak the language.
Perhaps the most serious breach of this goodwill, in later years, occurred in 1890-91, when the French Banking fleet visited the area. These were different from the French shore fishermen to which the settlers had become accustomed. They were naturally suspicious and even took to carrying guns as a measure of self-defence.
The residents of Conche have always depended upon the cod fishery for survival, with income supplemented by salmon and herring fishing whenever possible. The cod fishery in the area during this first half century of settlement had always been quite successful, with the possible exception of the years 1873-74. Even during those years the salmon fishery was quite good and partly made up for the loss suffered because of the poor cod fishery.
The abundance of land available in the community lessened considerably the settler's dependence upon the fishery. From at least 1857 onward, the settlers grew enough vegetables during summer for home use all year round. These, combined with cattle, sheep and poultry products supplied nearly all of their food needs. The food supply was supplemented by wild animals and sea birds; and with the drift ice each spring came numerous seals, a source of food and income.
The settler's dependence upon the yearly fishery caused them to be victims of the credit system, which has operated in Newfoundland since the first fishermen settled here. The earliest settlers in Conche, the guardians of the French rooms, depended upon the French for supplies. Soon, however, trading ships came from St.John's each spring with supplies, returning in the autumn to buy the fish and receive payment. This continued until the late 1870's when two merchants set up business in Conche. Only the suppliers changed, however, the credit system remained, probably because it was the only workable system in the situation. If fish prices were low, or if the fishery was a failure, bills remained unpaid for another year. The narrow line between debt and profit extended over the lifetime of most fishermen, fluctuating from year to year.
The life of the settlers was rarely influenced by anything more remote than climatic conditions or the current state of the fishery. Available transportation - boat in summer and dogteam in winter, with long periods during spring and autumn when any sort of travel was virtually impossible, made travel very uncomfortable and thus very rare. Mail service was highly irregular, dependent upon weather conditions. The trading ships that arrived twice each year were the main sources of news from the outside world.
Medical attention was rare under the same circumstances. The only remedy for any sort of illness was usually some home-made concoction, since medical attention was available only during summer, while the French doctor was in the area. This situation continued until 1892 when Dr.Grenfell established a hospital at St.Anthony. He visited the community twice each year.