74 



fishermen of AcRclian descent retain to this day the dress, the customs, 

 language, and rehgion of their ancestors. 



The herring fishery at these islands at times is very extensive. The 

 catch, in some seasons, has been from eighty thousand to one hundred 

 thousazid batrels; and as many as one hundred and fifty vessels fi-om 

 the United States have been seen there at once. The quality of the 

 fish is, however, poor, and the curing and packing carelessly performed. 

 I have seen whole cargoes that, unfit for human food, were entirely 

 "worthless, excej)t as dressing for grass lands. 



Large seines are used in the fishery, and hundreds of barrels are 

 often taken at a single haul. The inhabitants welcome the an-ival of 

 our fishermen, and treat them kindly. No serious difficulties have ever 

 occurred, and in no part of British America, probably, have the rela- 

 tions of the people of the two nations been more intimate or more har- 

 monious.* 



By a singular arrangement, these islands are included in the govern- 

 ment of Canada. As communication with the capital of that colony is 

 interrupted by ice and inclement weather nearly half of the year, and 

 is generally free with Nova Scotia, annexation to the latter is much to 

 be desired. 



Statistics of the year 1848. — Exports. 



FISHERIES OF THE BAY OF CHALEURS. 



The Bay of Chaleurs was explored by Jacques Carticr, in 1534 

 He gave the name it bears — the "Bay of Heat." On its shores are 

 some of the oldest settlements in North America. 



As at the Magdalene islands, many of the fishermen here are Aca- 

 dian French, a people whose story possesses a melancholy interest, and 

 whose sufferings at an eventful period of their history have been com- 

 memorated by the poet Longfellow, in "Evangeline." They continue 

 to live in villages distinct from the English settlers, and within sound 

 of the chapel bell. The most devout and decided Catholics, they seldom 

 intermarry with protestants. After the services of Sunday, they as- 



* Perhaps the year 1852 forms an exception. There was a difficulty of some sort in the 

 spring, but the exact facts have not been ascertained. The Halifax Sun, in giving an account 

 of the trouble, says: "The Ameiicans, not satisfied \vith infringing the provisions of the treaty 

 by casting their nets side by side with the British residents and subjects within the limits pre- 

 scribed, per force of numbers and audacity took possessios of the fish in the nets of their com- 

 petitors. The indignant residents rallied in strong force ; an American vessel and crew were 

 captured in way of reprisal, and taken into harbor. The Americans during the night following 

 gathered in their strength, and triumphantly 'cut the vessel out,' leaving the skipper, however, 

 in durance under lock and key." 



