HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 167 



that I should offer here something more than a few cursory observations. Among the 

 earliest enterprises undertaken in New England, it has at all times been zealously pros- 

 ecuted and liberally encouraged ; those engaged in it have always been among our most 

 industrious, respectable citizens, and its existence and prosperity have ever been a sub- 

 ject of State pride. The rise, progress, extent, and value of this fishery are full of inter- 

 est, and I shall offer no apology for presenting the following valuable article, by Benjamin 

 W. Hale, Esq., of Newbury, from the " Newburyport Herald" of February 12, 1840. 



" The commencement of this fishery takes its date prior to the landing of the Pil- 

 grim Fathers, and it is believed to be the first, if not the only business, the prosecution 

 of which they encouraged by a bounty. 



" The first fishin°- company in New England was established at Gloucester in 1624, 

 which continued its operations but two years. It was, however, incorporated as a 

 fishing plantation in 1639, and that the early operations in this branch of business 

 were successful appears evident, as its products are mentioned as forming the first of four 

 articles of export as early as 1655, and in 1668, when the trade of the Colony was 

 represented as being in a very flourishing condition, there being upwards of one hun- 

 dred and thirty vessels, of all descriptions,* owned in the Colony, it was assigned the 

 first place in the list of exports to the West Indies and Europe, and was considered the 

 most lucrative branch of industry carried on in the Colony. 



" In a report of the commerce and resources of the Colony, in 1763, the number of 

 vessels of all classes employed in this business is stated to be three hundred sail, and its 

 products still occupy the first place on the list of exports to the West Indies and Europe. 



" The principal ports in Europe to which shipments were made, were those in the 

 Bay of Biscay, Cadiz, and Lisbon. This trade was prosecuted for several years, before 

 and after the war of the Revolution, so extensively from Marblehead (their operations 

 being confined to the Grand-Bank Fishery, the products of which were suitable for 

 those markets), that they not only shipped what was cured in that town, suitable for 

 those markets, but purchased from other ports in the State. 



" The increase of business was rapid after the peace, from the encouragement of a 

 bounty granted by government ; and from the representations of some Nova Scotia fish- 

 ermen, who settled in this district and prosecuted the salmon-fishery on the coast of 

 Labrador, a vessel was fitted out in 1799 for cod-fishing, which was the first attempt 

 from the United States on that coast. This voyage proving successful, one or two 

 others fitted out the next year ; and the success attending these operations encouraged 

 others to engage in the business. Discoveries were extended, and new fishing-grounds 

 explored, so that, in 1807, four vessels from Newburyport (the first from the United 



