FISHERIES OP THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 109 



ships Hunter and Viper, and Mr. Smith's ship Bonaventure, 

 the latter was here the first and fired at them. On their ap- 

 proach the Americans took in their privateer all the dry 

 goods they could come at and went away. I had concealed 

 a little (a third of the goods) which they could not come 

 at they had found the best part of our furs, which they put 

 on board, but having coiled the cable on them were obliged 

 to leave them behind as well as the powder and ammunition, 

 which I did not expect, neither that they would leave the 

 ship without setting her on fire, both privateers having been 

 taken since at Restigouche, so that I have recovered my goods 

 to a trifle which they bartered with the Indians for canoes 

 for their escape. I am to pay 1/8 salvage on the Bee. 



'I keep four shallops fishing and the Perce gang, but 

 they don't absent themselves at night, the crew sleeping on 

 board.' Nervousness and anxiety are written large all 

 through this very disconnected letter, but the times had indeed 

 become nerve-racking for one whose argosies were all on this 

 coast. Very soon again he writes of more trouble : 



" 'July '25, 1778, Neptune left for Miscou to collect fish 

 was taken the next day by American privateer of 2 guns 

 and 26 swivels, with 1,050 quintals of fish, which they put in 

 their privateer and sank the shallop they also took another 

 shallop belonging to the place, which shallop has since been 

 retaken by H. M. ship St. Peter, the privateer escaped. Al- 

 though there are armed ships of war stationed in the Gulf, 

 these small privateers find means to be along the shore. 



" 'The Bee is still fully manned, and you may be per- 

 suaded we shall do our utmost to defend ourselves and pro- 

 perty these are very embarrassing times and heavy charges 

 upon my weary shoulders, this is no more a place for an 

 Englishman, the inhabitants being all inclined toward the 

 Americans. 



" 'Vessels to call at Falmouth for orders and how to 

 proceed in case Jersey should be taken.' (War with France 

 was then imminent.) 



"Before the season was over his apprehensions got the 



