PEEIOD FEOTVI 1836 TO 1854. 409 



At the commencement of the fishing, early in May, an abundant 

 supply of caplin and herring are obtained for bait, and when the 

 influx of these ceases, mackerel make their appearance, and our 

 fishermen, by putting out nets and moorings have, until lately, been 

 amply supplied with that fish as a substitute to bait their hooks. 

 But the United States fishermen having adopted a new system of 

 mackerel fishing, by feeding them under their vessels, (large schoon- 

 ers at one hundred tons, and frequently fifteen to twenty men) not 

 only take immense quantities, but by their proximity to the shores 

 entertain the fish from being taken in nets; and it has now become 

 a universal practice with them to intrude wherever they please, 

 without reference to any given law or restriction; and I have de- 

 tected, with various success, several of their vessels under such 

 circumstances. 



On a recent voyage in the custom-house boat, down the bay of 

 Gaspe, I met three large schooners fishing for mackerel between 

 the shores and the fishing barges, not two miles from land, and 

 remonstrated with the master of one (the Bethel, of Provincetown.) 

 They were all in the act of fishing, and although I advised the said 

 master to go off, he declined doing so, offering nothing in vindica- 

 tion but scurrilous contempt, and my means were inadequate to 

 enforce any measures of redress. 



As each succeeding year renders the foregoing evils more manifest, 

 coupled with reiterated complaints by the merchants engaged in the 

 trade here, and carrying on fishing, I have considered it my duty 

 respectfully to draw your attention to the case, begging, in behalf 

 of our enterprising settlers, that you will be pleased to lay the same 

 In fore vice-admiral the commander-in-chief, at Halifax. 



For several years after my appointment to this survey, we were 

 favored with at least annual visits of his Majesty's cruisers, and 

 particularly during the commands of Admirals Griffith, and Sir 

 Charles Ogle, and a knowledge of this presence or vicinitv was a 

 salutary and efficient protection to the Gaspe fisheries, but for some 

 time past scarce any snip of war has called here. 



It is unnecessary to remark that the harbor of Gaspe, a harbor 

 which may rank almost first in his Majesty's dominions, affords safe 

 and convenient anchorage, easy of access, and capable of entertain- 

 ing any ship of his Majesty's navy; and if the commander-in-chief 

 would lie plea-ed to direct a cruizer to be stationed during the sum- 

 mer months between Point Misco and the entrance <>t* the river St. 

 Lawrence, or so far as the island of Anticosti, including Gaspe !>ay, 

 our fisheries would be very materially benefited, and a deserving 

 community protected in their pursuits. 



In offering the foregoing imperfect detail. I do so as a duty de- 

 volving on me in my public capacity, with a hope that I may be 

 excused, and under a conviction thai the vice-admiral commander 

 in-chief, will be pleased to take the case into his high consideration. 

 All of which is most respectfully submitted to him. 



I have. &C, 



I>. MiCowiii. Sub-Collector, 



The ("or. I i.i TOH \ M> ( lOMFl BOLL! B, 



Of h'< Majesty's Customs^ (Quebec. 



