AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1753 



Q. But they came in large numbers after that date ? A. Yes ; they came in large num- 

 bers for about six or seven years. But after that they came in less numbers. 



Q. You mean during the last years? A. Yes. 



Q. At the time they were frequenting that part of the river, how many sail have you any 

 knowledge of as visiting the coast ? A. From Cape Gaspe" to Cape Chatte T 



Q. Yes, on the north shore also ? A. About 260 or 300 sails. 



Q. Schooners? A. Yes. 



Q. What was the general tonnage ? A. About 70 or 80 tons. 



Q. That is the average t A. Yes; there would be some 50 tons and some 120. 



<J. You say that many visited during one season? A. From spring to fall ; O, yes. 



Q. After the Treaty of Reciprocity? A. Not so much. 



Q. You mean not so much after the treaty was terminated ? A. Yes. 



<J. But during its existence ? A. Well, about the number I have stated. 



Q. Were they fishing for fish to trade with f A. Yes. 



Q.'What kind of fish was it? A. Cod. 



Q. Where was the cod caught ? A. Do you mean what distance from the shore T 



Q. Yes. A. Within three miles. 



Q. Well, out of these 300 miles you have spoken of, where could cod be fished for out off 

 the coast ? A. Well, for about 15 or 20 miles off the north shore. On the south shore there 

 are none at all outside. Yon can't catch off beyond three miles on the south shore. 



Q. Where are those 15 or 20 miles ? A. From Mingan. 



Q. Have you any knowledge of the catch that one of those schooners would take ; neither 

 the largest nor the smallest ? Take an average. A. About between 500 or 60U barrels, each 

 vessel. 



Q. For the whole season ? A. Yes ; because some of them made two trips and some 

 three. 



Q. Well, then they would not take 500 or 600 barrels each trip? A. No, no; I mean for 

 the whole season. 



Q. Is the cod as abundant now as it was 30 or 40 years ago ? Do you get as much ? A. 



0, yes ; as much as 30 or 40 years ago. I am sure of it. 



* ** * * 



Q. Have you any idea what quantity of fish is taken by the Canadians in that part of 

 the river? A. O, yes; I have a memorandum here. I calculate that the catch of codfish 

 from Cape Chatte to Cape Gaspe, along the coast, is about 20,000 quintals of dry fish, 

 valued at $4.50 a quintal. 



Q. Do you know if much of that is exported to the United States ? A. Not at all ; not 

 any. 



' Q. Now, as to the mackerel. Is that the fish for which the Americans were fishing on 

 that part of the river ? A. Yes. 



Q. Where is the mackerel taken generally ? A. It is within three miles, because always 

 the fat mackerel is inside of a mile close by. 



Q. Well, from the knowledge you have of the locality, do you think you would see any 

 American schooners if they were prevented from fishing within three miles of the shore T 

 A. No. 



Q. Would it be profitable for them ? A. They cannot do it. They would not come be- 

 cause they would not catch enough to pay expenses. 



Mr. James Jessop, of Gaspe, examined by Mr. Weatberbe, testifies as 

 follows : 



Q. As a matter of fact, where do they get most of the bait, on the shores or on the 

 Banks ? A. More inshore than on the Banks. 



Q. Do the Americans come inshore constantly for bait ? A. They may not come on o 

 shores, but on other shores they do. Most of them go to Shippengan, which is a great place 

 for fishing herring. The herring come in from the Banks of Shippegan ; the Americans 

 catch them and also follow them inshore. 



Q. The Americans come from the Banks on purpose to catch bait T A. les ; and wne 

 they go out of the bay they get fresh bait when the herring school is passing out. 

 . Q. How long does fresh bait last ? A. It will only keep freah one day. 



Q. That is when there is no ice on board to preserve it ? A. Yes. 



Q. Where there is ice, how long will the bait keep fresh ? A. Two or three days. 



Q. From Cape Chatte to Cape Gasp6,.how fur from the shore did the Americans fish T- 

 From Cape Chatte to Cape Gaspe" the Americans came in along the shore. I n^ver I 

 there. I have passed up and down and seen American vessels fishing for mackerc 

 along the shore. 



Q. Did you see or hear of Americans fishing for mackerel outside of thro* i 

 shore ? A. No ; all within one mile, one mile and a half, and two miles of the si 



Q. Did you ever hear of any fishing outside three miles ? A. Not on that coast. 



Q. On the north side of Bay Chaleurs where are mackerel found ? A. The great b 

 mackerel is along the shore. A few may be caught outside in deep water, bi 

 make into the shore and come after small bait. 



