[297] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



for the privilege of participating in the inshore fisheries of the Domin- 

 ion. For this sum a license was granted which, for the purpose above 

 specified, continued good for the year. Afterwards this tax was in- 

 creased to $2 per ton. 



Capt. Fitz J. Babson, collector of customs of Gloucester, Mass., 

 writes : " This tax was considered as an onerous burden by American 

 fishermen, but was submitted to, more in order to prevent capture and 

 confiscation than for the fishing privileges accorded ; upon the increase 

 of this tax American vessels generally refused to pay it, preferring 

 rather the risk of annoyance and capture." 



18G7. — First arrival from the eay.- reported scarcity of 



MACKEREL. 



Schooner "Addie M. Story" arrived from the Bay of Saint Lawrence 

 on Tuesday, with 250 barrels of mackerel, having been absent about 

 eight weeks. This is the first arrival of the season. Captain Bowe 

 reports mackerel scarce and the lieet not doing much. The prospect 

 now is that most of the vessels will make but one trip. — (Cape Ann Ad- 

 vertiser, August 9, 1807.) 



1807. — Arrivals from the bay. 



Seventeen vessels have arrived from the bay since our last issue, 

 making twenty in all this season — less than one-half the number that 

 had arrived last year up to this time. About 3,500 barrels have thus 

 far been landed, which is exceedingly slim doings. The fleet come 

 along very slowly, and the prospect now is that a large proportion ol 

 them will make but one trip. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 23, 1807.) 



Fifty-three vessels have arrived from the bay during the past week, 

 leaving about twenty sail to come. About 12,000 barrels of mackerel 

 have been brought in by the above fleet, averaging 230 barrels to a ves- 

 sel, most of which have been in the, bay all the season, making but one 

 trip. The market is rather quiet the present week and buyers are 

 not disposed to purchase very freely. Holders are firm at $15 for No. 

 l's, although a few lots caught early in the season have been sold at 

 $14. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, November 8, 1807.) 



Forty vessels have arrived from the bay since our last issue, bringing 

 about 8,000 barrels of mackerel. — (Ibid.) 



Thirty-eight vessels, with a total of 7,000 barrels of mackerel, had 

 arrived from the Bay of Saint Lawrence during the month of August. — 

 (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 30, 1807.) 



1807.— Good mackerel fares from George's. 



Schooner "B. K. Hough" arrived from George's last Friday and the 

 "Kearsarge" on Monday, with full trips of mackerel. These vessels 

 have made two trips to George's the present season, landing in the ag- 

 gregate 1,180 barrels of mackerel. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, September 

 0, 1807.) 



