188 



It will be seen, that while more th;in one half of tlie Massacliusetts 

 vessels, in 1851, were owned in four towns, more than one quarter be- 

 longed to the single port of Gloucester. At present, Gloucester is the 

 great mackerel market of the country, and the merchants of many of 

 the principal cities have agents there to purchase and ship for them. 

 Twenty years ngo, Gloucester employed but about sixty vessels in the 

 fishery; nnd such are the uncertainties nnd fluctu.ations ot the businesS) 

 that its (lecliiie viaij be a,? rapid as has been its increase. 



