DESPATCHES, REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 339 



of the " little and small place of Hull," within the jurisdiction of 

 Massachusetts, to be allowed to continue to fish for mackerel at Cape 

 Cod; and stated, among other reasons, that they and others of Hull 

 were some of the first who went there ; and that by " beating about 

 by evening," and " travelling on the shores at all times and seasons," 

 they had ''discovered the way to take them in light as well as in dark 



nights.' 1 '' This shows the practice of the early settlers. The 

 201 court of Plymouth, however, in 1684, prohibited " the taking 



mackerel ashore with seines or nets," and ordered the forfeiture 

 of these implements, and the vessels and boats, of persons who vio- 

 lated the decree. 



THE HERRING FISHERY. 



[From its commencement to the year 1852.] 



We hear of this fishery among the Pilgrims. In 1641 they rented 

 the herrhig wear at Plymouth for three years to three men, " who 

 were to deliver the shrr^s of fish, and receive one and sixpence per 

 thousand for their trouble." * * * 



EXAMINATION OF THE BRITISH PRETENSIONS, AND OF THE DOCUMENTS 

 WHICH SUPPORT THEM. 



* * * As regards the shore fishery, for kinds usually dried, 

 that in the region of Harrington is of itself a mine of wealth. Co- 

 lonial fishermen, here and elsewhere along the coast, may be at home 

 after every day's toil, and look out upon their American competitors 

 in the offing, rejoicing in advantages of pursuing their avocation in 

 open boats, and the consequent advantages of social life, and of fish- 

 ing and of attending to their little farms between " slacks of the 

 tide," in " blowy weather," and when the fish " strike off," 



No. 117. 1853, July 9: Circular addressed to the United States 



Directors of Ports. 



(Private and Confidential.) DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 



Washington, July 9, 1853. 



SIR, The President has learned with much surprise the excite- 

 ment which exists among our fellow citizens who are interested in 

 the fisheries of British North America, and that they are appre- 

 hensive of molestation during the approaching fishing season. It 

 is also stated in the public prints, that some of the American fishing 

 vessels have already sailed, or are about to do so, armed and prepared 

 to sustain their real or supposed rights by the employment of actual 

 force. The President feels a deep interest in this important branch 

 of national industry, and he is now anxiously engaged in negotia- 

 tions respecting the conflicting interests of Great Britain and the 



