THE RENAISSANCE OF THE FISHERIES 135 



of 1789 was inadequate for the purpose for which it was 

 designed, that is, relief to the men engaged in the fishery. 

 Since the average price of fish per quintal was about two 

 and one-half dollars, the additional allowance of five cents 

 was only about one-fiftieth the value of the fish. To be 

 sure it did afford extra income, perhaps a total of $12,000 

 for the year 1790; but that meant assistance to the fisher- 

 man to the extent of less than three dollars per man. 

 Further demands for assistance came in April, 1790, when 

 a representation of the government of the Commonwealth 

 of Massachusetts on the subject of the cod and whale fish- 

 eries was laid before Congress. That body promptly re- 

 ferred the matter to the Secretary of State, Thomas Jeffer- 

 son. After a ten months' consideration of the subject the 

 secretary made a report, February 4, 1791, in which he 

 enumerated the advantages and disadvantages of the Ameri- 

 can fisheries. Mr. Jefferson summed up the advantages 

 thus: 



-."1. The neighborhood of the great fisheries; which per- 

 mits our fishermen to bring home their fish to be salted by 

 their wives and children. 



'2. The shore fisheries so near at hand as to enable the 

 vessels to run into port in storm, and to lessen the risk, 

 for which distant nations must pay insurance. 



"3. The winter fisheries, which, like household manu- 

 factures, employ portions of time which would otherwise 

 be useless. 



"4. The smallness of the vessels, which with the short- 

 ness of the voyage, enables us to employ, and which, con- 

 sequently requires but a small capital. 



* 5. The cheapness of our vessels, which do not cost above 

 the half of the Baltic fir vessels, computing price and dura- 

 tion. 



"6. Their excellence as sea boats, which decreases the 

 risk and quickens the returns. 



