292 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Cameron & Co., the New York agents of the New South "Wales Gov- 

 ernment, and dated 23 South William street, New York, September 5, 

 1881: 



"We are informed by Mr. Yardley, secretary of the New South Wales 

 Government agency, London, that the fishery instruments mentioned 

 below have been ordered from you for shipment to Sydney, New South 

 Wales, through us. We are also instructed to pay for the same, and 

 will be pleased to know when you can forward the goods, for the cost 

 of which we will have pleasure in sending you our check. 



"A purse-seine, such as is used in the menhaden fishery on the 

 Maine coast. 



"A bultow or set-line, such as is used by the French fishermen of 

 Newfoundland." 



I immediately corresponded with parties in Boston and Gloucester 

 relative to the construction of the apparatus required, and had the sat- 

 isfaction of engaging the well-known firm of H. & G. W. Lord, of 

 Boston, to make the seine, and Capt. George Merchant, jr., an experi- 

 enced fisherman, of Gloucester, to construct the trawl-line and prepare 

 the necessary attachments. 



Soon after this an attack of illness rendered it necessary for me to 

 leave Washington and go to Gloucester, where I might profit by the 

 cool sea air. 



After reaching Gloucester I wrote, under date of September 13, 1881, 

 the following letter to Messrs. R. W. Cameron & Co., the New York 

 agents, relative to the procurement of certain articles not specified in 

 the letter of the Agent-Geueral of New South Wales, but which 1 

 thought indispensable : 



"I think it quite important that a set of seine-boat fittings, such as 

 those named in the inclosed list,t should be sent with the seine to Syd- 

 ney, New South Wales. My opinion is fully indorsed by those having 

 the widest knowledge of the American fisheries. All the articles marked 

 with a (*) are indispensable for the management of a purse-seine, while 

 the rowlocks and sockets, though not absolutely necessary, are never- 

 theless the result of many years' experiments, and will no doubt be 

 valuable to those to whom the seine is sent. * * * The whole cost 

 delivered in New York would scarcely exceed $31. 



" With the trawl 1 am also anxious to send a roller and nippers, all 

 of which will cost only about $3.50. They are exceedingly valuable, 

 and not obtainable in any other country. 



" Before deciding fully to send these articles, I wish to consult you 



t Tho following is tho list referred to in the letter: *1 pursing davit; *1 davit 

 guard and step ; * 1 pair largo pursing blocks; * 1 pair small pursing blocks; * 1 set 

 of cleats; * 1 set of oar-holders ; * 1 set (6) of eye-plates; 1 set of rowlocks and sockets; 

 * steering rowlock and. socket. 



