GROWTH AND EXPANSION 63 



after considerable delay, but the enterprise was a failure. 1 

 It was some time before the New England fishery at New- 

 foundland became important. 



As the fisheries developed, more legislation regarding 

 the industry became necessary. The acts that were 

 passed were generally for the encouragement of the men 

 engaged in the enterprise; but sometimes repressive 

 measures had to be enacted. Frequent depredations were 

 committed by foreign fishermen who took wood and 

 timber along the coast wherever it was most con- 

 venient for them. The inhabitants of Marblehead peti- 

 tioned for redress. Accordingly, the General Court made 

 it unlawful for any person, whether a fisherman or not, 

 to enter upon land and to take wood and timber; but 

 fishermen who were in that jurisdiction could use harbors 

 and adjoining lands in the process of drying their fish, 

 and also take what timber was necessary for firewood 

 where it could be spared, upon making due payment to the 

 owner. 2 The Marblehead petitioners were almost wholly 

 sea-faring men, and their catch of fish for the season of 

 1647 was valued at 4,000. 3 It can readily be seen that 

 their petition was instigated by reasons of justice rather 

 than for their own convenience in following the practice of 

 procuring wood. 



This salutary protection to property owners was ex- 

 tended, in 1652, to cover similar conditions prevailing 

 on the coast of Maine. At that time Pemaquid was the 

 center of the fishing industry of Maine and the principal 

 shelter for vessels passing to and from the French and 

 English settlements that were scattered along the coast. 

 Not only had the fishermen committed acts of depredation 

 in the way of taking wood and timber, but they had also 



1 Ibid, p. 236. 



2 Mass. Col. Rec., II, p. 147. 



3 Felt, Salem, II, p. 212. 



