1718 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



ent time. Mr. Fraser, at p. 173, British Evidence, estimates tbe num- 

 ber at 500. The demands of a population of over forty millions necessa- 

 rily call for an extensive area for the fishing industry of the United 

 States, and wherever they can pursue their labors with success, there 

 will tbe United States fishermen be found. And the inshore fisheries of 

 Newfoundland, containing an area of upwards of 11,000 square miles, 

 is a valuable acquistion to their present fields of operation. The French 

 enjoy a similar liberty on the northeast and west coasts of the island 

 to that which the United States now have upon the east and south 

 coasts. The latter are more productive fishing- grounds, and are in closer 

 proximity to the Grand Bank[aud other Banks. By the evidence before 

 you it appears, and the fact is, that the French can and do carry on an 

 extensive fishing business on the coasts where they have a right to fish. 

 They send their vessels, of from 200 to 300 tons, from France, which an- 

 chor and lay up in the harbors, fishing in their boats in the neighborhood, 

 close inshore, during the summer, and returning to France with their car- 

 goes in the fall of the year. Again, other smaller French vessels pur- 

 sue the cod-fishing all around the west coast ; and as to the value set 

 upon these fisheries by the French, some approximate idea may be ar- 

 rived at from the jealousy with which their right has been guarded by 

 their government throughout the long and frequent negotiations which 

 have from time to time taken place between France and Great Britain 

 upon the subject. It is true that heretofore the cod and halibut fishery 

 has not been prosecuted by United States fishermen to any considerable 

 extent on most parts of the coast of Newfoundland, but still there is evi- 

 dence of their having fished successfully on the southern coast. Will- 

 iam N. Mulloy, of Gloucester, master mariner, states in his affidavit (p. 

 51, British Affidavits 



I know of two United States vessels that fished for codfish inside the keys, Saint 

 Mary's, that is on the inshore ground. I fished there myself. 



Philip Snook swears (p. 57, British Affidavits): 



United States fishing vessels have fished on the inshore fishing grounds, but I cannot 

 give particulars further than that I have seen them so fishing off Danzig Cove, near 

 south point of Fortune Bay. 



George Sims (p. 133, British Affidavits) says : 



I have Keen United States fishing vessels and crews catching codfish on the New- 

 foundland inshore fishing grounds, but cannot state the number, having made no 

 records. 



George IJisbop, of Burin (p. 131, British Affidavits) also states : 



American vessels have fished for codfish on our grounds off Cape St. Mary's. Amer- 

 ican ma*t*rs partially refit their vessels occasionally at this port but have not here 

 traniuibipped their cargoes. 



William Collins (p. 62, British Affidavits) says : 



American fishermen do sometimes fish on the "inshore fishing-ground " of Cape St. 

 have seen as many as three of these vessels fishing there. 



Samuel George Hickman, residing at Grand Bank, Newfoundland (p. 

 53), says : 



I have aon our shore surrounded by American fishermen fishing for halibut and cod- 

 ; nay that all these vessels were inside three miles of a line from head- 

 1 have frequently seen United States vessels fishing between Pass 

 B Wand ; in some instances these vessels have been fishing np the 

 UK I cannot speak of the quantity or value of their catches, bat I 

 they destroyed the halibut fishery about Pass Island, and largely dam- 

 B rod twlM-ry of Fortune Hay ; one of their captains told me < it was no use for 

 irraen to go fishing after United States fishermen." 

 George Rose, of Little Bay, Fortune Bay (p. 54), says : 

 United S'ftten fishing vessels have fished about Pass Island, and formerly made good 

 there. Captain Jacobs, of schooner , is said to have been offered nine 



cat 



