CHAP. XXXV. EXCKOACHMENTS ON CANADIAN FISHEKIES. 243 



the past year (1860) adds another to the many existing 

 proofs that, however severe may be exceptional and 

 merely local failmres, and however fluctuating individual 

 success, the inexliaustible fisheries of Canada yield every 

 returning season an increasing amount of wealth to re- 

 ward the industry and enterprise engaged in them.' 



Table showing the value of the produce of Canadian 

 fisheries fi:om 1857 to 1861, mclusive : — 



1857 540,113 dollars 



1858 718,296 „ 



1859 817,423 „ 



1860 832,646 „ 



1861 663,700 „ 



The protection afforded by one armed schooner is utterly 

 insufficient to secure the Canadian fisheries ao^ainst un- 

 lawful usurpation. Complaints without number are made 

 on the coast of the audacity and insolence of many 

 American fishermen. It is quite reasonable to suppose 

 that when so many thousand men visit our waters, 

 hundreds among them will be inchned to take advantage 

 of their numbers, and, in the absence of any controlhng 

 power, encroach beyond the bounds assigned to them 

 by treaty. But their usurpations do not stop here. 

 Too many instances have recently occurred of injuries 

 and cruelties committed by them, which are permitted 

 to pass unredi'essed, because no means of bringing the 

 offenders to justice are within reach of the unfortunate 

 and oppressed Canadian fishermen. Captain Fortin says, 

 in his Eeport for 1860 : 'In speaking of American fisher- 

 men, I do not intend to allege that all of that nation who 

 frequent our coasts deserve the reprobation which I have 



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