APPENDIX. 129 



meTce, but almost every other, been completely an- 

 nihilated. In 1731, the Americans had about 

 thirteen hundred tons of shipping employed in this 

 fishery along their coast. About the year 1750, 

 the whale left the American coast. The hardy en- 

 terprise and activity of the American sailor, how- 

 ever, soon followed him in every part of the North- 

 ern and Southern Seas, 



From 1771 to 1775, Massachusetts employed, 

 annually, one hundred and eighty-three vessels, 

 of thirteen thousand eight hundred and twenty 

 tons, in the northern whale fishery, and one hun- 

 dred and twenty- one vessels, of fourteen thousand 

 and twenty-six tons, in the southern ; navigated by 

 four thousand and fifty-nine seamen. The peculiar 

 mode of paying the seamen, in these hazardous 

 voyages, has contributed not a little to the success 

 of the voyages themselves. Each has a share in the 

 profits of the voyage, and is dependent on his own 

 exertions for the reward of his toils. Whether, he 

 shall be rich or poor, depends on his activity in 

 managing the boat, in pursuit of the whale, and 

 his dexterity in directing the harpoon. This has 

 led to a spirit of enterprise and hardihood, never 

 surpassed, if ever equalled, by the seamen of any 

 nation in the world. 



g5 



