2858 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



you here, I should say it was a very small one. I dou't think my opin- 

 ion would be worth much. 



Q. You were in business on the island at the time the Reciprocity 

 Treaty ended ? A. I was. 



Q. What was the effect of the abrogation of the treaty upon your 

 business? A. The treaty was abrogated, I think, in 1866. We had to 

 pay duties on mackerel from 1806 down to 1870. From 1866" to 1868 we 

 had a very superior quality of fish, as you will see by the estimate I have 

 given you here. The prices were high, and we got good fish, and were 

 enabled to do very well until the close of the year 1870 or the beginning 

 of 1871, when the market completely broke down and we lost everything, 

 you may say. It was in 1870 that the raid was made on us there from 

 the Dominion Government, and that, coupled with the fall of the mack- 

 erel, was a very heavy loss to us. Then, in 1870 we had a very large 

 catch of mackerel, but of poor quality, and, having to pay duties, our 

 mackerel netted us very little. I have an estimate of the exact amount 

 of what they netted us that year. The net sales of No. 1 were 87.31 in 

 1871 ; No. 2, $4.81 ; and No. 3, which is the largest portion, $3.44. The 

 average for the year was $4.09, at which we sold 14,289 barrels. 



Q. What caused that fall? A. There was a very large catch in 1870 

 on the American coast, and the market completely broke down at the 

 close of the season. 



Q. They had a pretty large catch the year preceding and a good deal 

 was carried over ? A. Yes. A large part of the catch of 1870 was con- 

 sumed before our fish came in in 1871. Our prices fell from $23 or $24 

 a barrel down to $7. We had very heavy stocks and it completely 

 crushed us. 



Q. What part did you take in getting the fishery clause of the Wash- 

 ington Treaty enacted ? A. Well, I had a very large interest in it. Of 

 course, I went on at the time the resolutions were being got up from 

 the city of Boston recommending that the bill should pass. I wanted 

 free fish and free fishing. 



Q. You met your Gloucester friends taking the other view ? A. I 

 met Mr. Procter, who was one of the delegates from Gloucester, with 

 others. He had charge of them and seemed to be the leading man. 

 There was a gentleman from Cape Cod. I labored with him a good 

 deal, and tried to have my view accepted. 



Q. You finally beat him? A. Well, I would not say I beat them, but 

 my plan was successful. 



Q. What was the opinion of the people of Prince Edward Island as 

 to the effect upon their fishing interests of the clauses of the Washing- 

 ton Treaty? A. I have never seen any one that was interested in the 

 fishery, either actually engaged or otherwise, but what, so far as the 

 fishing interest was concerned, looked upon it as a great boon, worth 

 anything to the fishing business. 



Q. After the repeal of the Reciprocity Treaty, and before the fishing 

 clauses of the Washington Treaty took effect, were you able to add the 

 duty of $2 a barrel, or any part of it, to your fish, or did it come out of 

 you as a fish-seller? A. I always supposed, and still believe, we had 

 to take it out of the fish. There was pretty good evidence of that in 

 1871 ; when it came out there was not much left. 



Q. If the duty were reitnposed upon mackerel going from the island 

 to the United States, what effect would it have on your business ? A. It 

 would have a very disastrous effect. We could not carry it on with 

 the ordinary price to make it a success. 



Q. Explain that matter. Explain your views to the Commission. A. 



