[ Sporting Magazine ]
The Sporting Magazine (1792 - 1870) is considered the first general sporting magazine, though in its later decades it gave considerable emphasis to fox hunting. But it published all manner of sporting-related material, from news stories to poetry to calendars of upcoming sporting events. The subtitle of this magazine was "Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chace, and every other Diversion interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprize and Spirit." [more at Wikipedia]
The May, 1844, issue carried an article, by "Ringwood," entitled "Matters Connected with the Gun," and is of relevance to Newfoundlands only as regards coat color, for at one point the author, discussing what he sees as the pointer's preference for "standing at game" rather than also retrieving it, writes:
What I have said of pointers may also be applied to setters, provided also that they are of original blood, and not crossed with the rough greyhound to give them speed, or with the Newfoundland dog for the sake of the black color. (348)
Which suggests/implies that black coat color in Newfs is becoming more prominent, and/or is recognized as dominant? I'm no geneticist but this may be another datum in the long and uncertain history of coat color in Newfoundlands.
This article mentions Newfoundlands one more time:
But what is a retriever? many will exclaim; and the answer may be given — any dog from a Newfoundland to a pug that the fancy of any man may select to find and fetch wounded game. . . . (349)