1716 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION 



Richard McGrath, sub-collector H. M. customs, residing at Oderiu, 

 Newfoundland, p. 64, Hid.: 



I have seen United States vessels in this neighborhood. In 1874 four or five of these 

 vessels called in at the back of Oderin Island, having procured ice in Burin, and twelve 

 miles from here hauled caplin for bait. 



Kobert Morey, supplying merchant and planter, residing at Caplin 

 Bay, Newfoundland, p. 67, ibid.: 



1 have become acquainted with the fisheries of Newfoundland from being connected 

 therewith since I was a boy. I have during the last two years seen a number of United 

 States fishing-vessels in this neighborhood. Last season I can safely say I saw upwards 

 of a hundred of such vessels either in this harbor or passing close by ; there were five 

 or six of these vessels in this harbor last year ; they came for bait for capliu during 

 the " caplin school," and squids afterward. This bait they hauled themselves in part, 

 and jigged squids. I saw six dories belonging to one of their vessels on the "jigging 

 ground " busily employed jigging for squids. They also purchase bait from our people, 

 being always in a hurry to get their bait as quickly as possible to proceed again to the 

 Banks. Caplin they regularly haul for themselves when caplin is abundant, which it 

 always is until the season advances. Each vessel takes about eighty barrels fresh 

 caplin, which they preserve in ice purchased from our people. The bait hauled and 

 jigged by these United States fishermen was taken in the harbor close to shore. 



Peter Wiuser, planter, residing at Aquaforte, Newfoundland, p. 68 

 ibid. : 



I have been connected with the fisheries of Newfoundland by either prosecuting the 

 same or supplying therefor since 1 was fourteen years of age. 



I have seen United States fishing-vessels in this harbor the past season as well as the 

 year previous, getting bait ; they jigged squids themselves in part, and what they were 

 short of catching they purchased from our fishermen. Caplin they hauled themselves, 

 using a seine belonging to a person residing in this harbor, which was worked by 

 American fishermen, except one young man, the son of the seine owner. Four of these 

 vessels have been in this harbor at one time catching bait ; as many as fifteen have 

 been at one time in Cape Broyle; I saw ten there one day whose crews were all en- 

 gaged catching squids. In this immediate vicinity there were last summer not fewer 

 than seventy of these United States vessels in our harbors during the caplin school : 

 and I am well informed that between St. John's and Trepassy not fewer than two hun- 

 dred have frequented the harbors for the supply of fresh bait, which they procured 

 partly by catching for themselves and partly by purchasing. I am led to believe that 

 it is the intention of the United States vessels to come in upon our shores and into our 

 harbors to catch bait to convey to their schooners on the Banks, so that they may 

 prosecute the cod fishery uninterruptedly. The supply of bait by each United States 

 vessel per trip is about as follows: forty barrels caplin during the caplin school, and, as 

 I wa* told by one of the captains, fifty barrels squids. United States vessels make two 

 mid three trips for bait. 



I might multiply these instances ad infinitum, but I will only further 

 call your especial attention to the affidavits read at the end of the re- 

 buttal testimony, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government (No. 1 to 8, 

 Appendix Q), which amply prove the state of affairs above referred to, 

 and that United States vessels have this year been engaged in Fortune 

 liay trawling bait with very large seines, and supplying the French. 



I would add with reference to the evidence of Mr. Joseph Tierney, 

 quoted by Mr. Foster in his speech, that immediately after the answer 

 with which Mr. Foster concludes his extract, the following question and 

 answer occurs in cross-examination : 



Q. You employ them and they go and catch so much bait for you ? A. Yes, that is 

 the custom; that is, out of Gloucester. 



We have it also in evidence from witnesses of the United States, that 

 when vessel* proceed to prosecute the cod fishery in the Gulf of Saint 

 Lawrence, they take herring nets with them, and by that means, them- 

 selves, catch the bait they require. This is a practice which has existed 

 for a number of years, and it must not be forgotten that the right to 

 obtain bait on the coast of Newfoundland is an entirely new privilege; 

 and is it to be supposed for a moment that the same mode of operation 



