1466 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



pleased to order that an armed steamer, drawing but little water, be 

 placed upon this station every season, to protect our fisheries from the 

 encroachments of the Americans. 



And, as in duty bound, we shall ever pray. 

 Council chamber, 24th March, 1843. 



R. HODSOX, President. 

 House of assembly, 24th March, 1843. 



JOSEPH POPE, Speaker. 



No. 10. 



[Extract of dispatch from Commander Cochran to Vice- Admiral Seymour, dated Her 

 Majesty's sloop Sappho, Halifax, Octobers, 1851. ] 



I have the honor to inform you that on leaving Pictou I proceeded to 

 visit, in accordance with your orders, the north shore of Prince Edward 

 Island. Off the eastern shore and about East Point, from fifty to sixty 

 schooners were catching mackerel. Five of these were English, the 

 rest Americans. One of these, being within the limits, I ordered off. 



St. Peters. A small schooner named the Experiment, fitted out by 

 Sir Alexander Banuerman to test the value of the cod fisheries to the 

 northward of the island, was at anchor in the bay. She had not been 

 very successful, being too small to ride on the grounds in blowing 

 weather. 



Warned off four American schooners hove to within the limits, though 

 not actually fishing. Passed thirty sail of schooners at night. 



Richmond Harbor. Four schooners were absent, engaged in the 

 fisheries. 



New London. Two schooners engaged in the mackerel fisheries. 



Casunq)eque. Two schooners belong here, engaged in fishing, and a 

 few boats. Forty English and 120 American schooners have been seen 

 at anchor in this harbor at one time, engaged in mackerel fishing. 



Mlscou Island, The only firms residing are those of Mr. Botillier and 

 Mr. Alexander. They have caught 2,000 quintals of cod, which is con- 

 sidered a good average. The firm of Mr. Boutillier think of abandon- 

 ing the island, as the fishing is falling off very much. This island, once 

 famous for the quantity of bait that used to strike in, is now compara- 

 tively deserted. I was informed that forty American schooners had 

 been fishing close off the beach a few days previous, catching No. 1 

 mackerel. 



Paspebiac. Mr. Robins and Mr. Boutillier have large establishments. 

 Five vessels of Mr. Robins's were at anchor, representing 1,056 tons. 

 The catch of fish had averaged 50 quintals per "boat, which was con- 

 sidered very good. The number of boats twenty-five. Complaints of 

 the American fishermen catching mackerel close to the shores, and of 

 their attracting and drifting off shoals of fish. Thirty or forty are said 

 to have been fishing close to the beach. 



Neic Carlisle, 1 was informed, has eighteen boats. 



Port Daniel. Though open to the southeast, is said to be a very safe 

 anchorage during the summer. Winds from that quarter are said not 

 to blow home. The cod fishing has been very successful, the boats, of 

 which there are thirty, having taken four or five quintals per day. The 

 fishing-grounds are about five miles from the land. 



Pierre. The quantity of cod taken is very large, averaging per boat 



