FISHERY PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. 245 
States. But a large proportion of the total production was derived 
from the Middle Atlantic States, which may be regarded as the 
chief original source of American oysters, and this quantity had 
decreased from 20 million to 17 million bushels. 
In conclusion we may refer to the account in the Commissioner’s 
particular report of an investigation, by the United States Senate, of 
certain charges brought against the administration of the Commis- 
sion,—charges of want of discipline, inefficiency, and corruption. <A 
committee of the Senate thoroughly inquired into the charges, and 
found none of them to be established, but decided from the evidence 
that the Commission was properly administered, and was performing 
valuable work worthy of its cost to the State. On this result all 
who know anything of the Commission will heartily congratulate it 
and its energetic chief, Colonel McDonald. 
