AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 2505 



from within three miles of the shore, it would have been a profitable 

 business from 1854 to 1868? A. Yes; the mackerel have been drop- 

 ping off since as early as 1866. Since the period I have mentioned it 

 has not been profitable anywhere. 



Q. "Was that true at that time that which I have read ? A. I guess 

 it wants to be qualified some. 



Q. Nobody seems to have controverted it in Congress ? A. If that 

 refers strictly to within three miles of the shore, they attach more con- 

 sequence to that three-mile restriction than the fishermen generally do. 



Q. You said Senator Hamlin was a popular man. Didn't he repre- 

 sent the fishermen's views at that time ? A. I suppose he thought he 

 was. 



Q. Are you able to state that he did not ? A. What do you say ? 



Q. What great authority can you give us now that took a different 

 view of the case at that time? A. I say he attaches a greater conse- 

 quence to it than the fishermen generally. 



Q. Give me the name of any man of eminence. A. I should very 

 much rather have an opinion on that question from practical mackerel- 

 men than from the honorable Hannibal Hamlin. 



Q. Can you give me the opinion of practical mackerel-men obtained 

 at that time? A. I have seen them since I came to Halifax. I have 

 conversed with a great many that know more about the fisheries than 

 ever he did. 



Q. Your own experience that morning exactly coincides with Senator 

 Hamlin's views ? A. Yes. 



Q. Well, now I ask you if you can give me the name of any practical 

 mackerel-man who understood the question in 1852, and who would 

 differ from Senator Hamlin ? A. I recollect that there was that con- 

 troversy, since you have brought it up, but it has left my mind, and 

 perhaps 1 never should have thought of it unless you had brought it 

 up. 



Q. What was the feeling of your best fishermen ? A. I am unable 

 to say. 



Q. But what their feelings are now, that we claim money, you are 

 able to say ? A. Are you claiming money ; is that so ? 



Q. You know that, don't you? A. Well, I have heard something 

 about money compensation, but I didn't know you were sincere in it r 

 really. 



Q. You think this is a farce ? A. I believe every word you say. 

 Q. I ask you whether you were not aware that the proceedings under 

 which yon were produced here were in consequence of a claim on the 

 part of Great Britain for money? A. Well, I recollect it has been 

 talked of that you claimed money. 



Q. Did you know you were brought as a witness to give evidence to 

 resist it ? A. I know I came here to testify what I knew of the fishing 

 in the bay. 



Q. Did you know that the parties who brought you here were resist- 

 ing a claim for money ? A. No ; I did not. 



Q. Do yon know the provisions of the Washington Treaty with regard 

 to the fisheries? A. Well, the main part of the Washington Treaty I 

 suppose I do know. I know we have a right of fishing inshore. Is not 

 that correct ? 



Q. Certainly. A. And I thought that the Englishmen thought the 

 free fishing on our coast was insufficient to compensate you for our privi- 

 lege of fishing inshore, and you wanted so much money on top of that. 

 I never knew there was any sum or anything of that kind. 



