<P> In the Treaty of Utrecht ( 1713 ) , France acknowledged British ownership of the island . However , in the Seven Years ' War ( 1756 -- 63 ) , control of Newfoundland became a major source of conflict between Britain , France and Spain who all pressed for a share in the valuable fishery there . Britain 's victories around the globe led William Pitt to insist that nobody other than Britain should have access to Newfoundland . The Battle of Signal Hill was fought in Newfoundland in 1762 , when a French force landed and tried to occupy the island , only to be repulsed by the British . In 1796 a Franco - Spanish expedition succeeded in raiding the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador . </P>
<P> In the Treaty of Utrecht ( 1713 ) , France acknowledged British ownership of the island . However , in the Seven Years ' War ( 1756 -- 63 ) , control of Newfoundland became a major source of conflict between Britain , France and Spain who all pressed for a share in the valuable fishery there . Britain 's victories around the globe led William Pitt to insist that nobody other than Britain should have access to Newfoundland . The Battle of Signal Hill was fought in Newfoundland in 1762 , when a French force landed and tried to occupy the island , only to be repulsed by the British . In 1796 a Franco - Spanish expedition succeeded in raiding the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador . </P>
who founded a fishing expedition in newfoundland after claiming the area
who founded a fishing expedition in newfoundland after claiming the area
British
British