2112 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



limits ? A. I had not been captain when I was there before, and I did 

 not know but that I would do better there than some others. 



Q. Had you not a very shrewd suspicion that a large portion of the 

 fish would be caught within the 3-mile limit that year f A. I had not, 

 honest ; but I was liable to go inshore for water. 



Q. You could do that without a license ? A. Yes ; and sometimes I 

 would want to put into Malpeque for letters, &c. 



Q. And you could have done that without a license ? A. One had to 

 pay light money in those times on going in. 



Q. Letters had nothing to do with it. The people were not so in- 

 hospitable as to refuse you your letters ? A. No j I always found them 

 very obliging at Malpeqne. 



Q. Were the fish which you caught within the three-mile limit poor 

 affairs ? A. I cannot tell you how they looked ; I have not thought 

 that. up. 



Q. You say that you would prefer a duty on Canadian fish entering 

 the American market, to the privilege of fishing within three miles of 

 the shore in the bay ? A. Yes ; I should if I went fishing. 



Q. Why? A. Because I do not think that the privilege amounts to 

 as much as the duties to us. 



Q. Why do you want the duty kept on ? A. Because, in the first 

 place, we would get more for our fish in the United States. 



Q. And when the duty is abolished the price naturally comes down ? 

 A. The fish might then be a little cheaper. 



Q. That is your opinion? A. I do not think that the -price would 

 come down much. 



Q. Then why do you want the duty kept on ? Do you not think that 

 you gave a rather hasty answer ? You say you would prefer the duty 

 to the privilege of fishing in the Bay of St. Lawrence, within the 

 limits? A. Yes. 



Q. Why, I understood you to say it was because this would keep the 

 price up. A. That was a little erroneous, I think. Let me think the 

 matter over. 



Q. Why would you rather prefer the duty to the privilege men- 

 tioned ? A. Because that would keep the price up, and we would then 

 get more for our fish. I thought you had me a little. 



Q. I merely want your statement on the poiut. A. That is my candid 

 opinion. 



Q. You now speak as a fisherman ? A. Yes ; if I was fishing, that 

 would be my idea. 



Q. All classes of men have selfish motives ? A. I want to get all I 

 can for what I have to sell, and to buy as cheaply as possible. 



Q. And in order to get a high price for your fish, you want the duties 

 on ? A. Yes. 



Q. You wound up by telling Mr. Trescot that the Gulf of St. Law- 

 rence fisheries were of no account to you at all, and that you could 

 prove it ? A. I meant as respects Wellfleet. I am speaking with ref- 

 erence to the last three or four years I do not say never. I will say 

 at all events, within the last seven or eight years, as far as I can re- 

 member, and for the last three or four years. I can give you some idea 

 why I think so. 



Q. You will extend the period to seven or eight years ? A. Y'es; 

 during this time they have been of no account to us at all. 



Q. What do you mean by that ? A. That we never get any fish 

 there. 



Q. Was no quantity of fish taken by American vessels in our waters 



