2954 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



were without duty. Shall we repel a people and a trade so inviting as this ? In yonr 

 own and the general interests of the city I hope not. It was said in the days of the 

 Roman Empire that all roads lead to Rome. In the commerce, capital, credit, trade, 

 and the general thrift of the new world it may be said that all roads lead to New 

 York. We have but to do our whole duty, fairly aided by the general government, not 

 only to secure property for ourselves, but to contribute largely to the prosperity of 

 others. 



Mr. Archibald Baxter spoke of the importance of the treaty, and of the advantages 

 of the old one, the abrogation of which did not remove any disadvantages under 

 which the United States then labored. He insisted that nature intended the two 

 countries to reciprocate commerce ; we had only to look to their contiguity and the 

 facilities provided to promote it. The speaker urged an emphatic demonstration by 

 the meeting in favor of maintaining the treaty. 



The resolutions were then unanimously adopted. 



Q. I will now read you the following from the Cape Ann Advertiser 

 of October 18, 1877 : 



THE TONNAGE OF GLOUCESTER. The statement of the tonnage of the district of 

 Gloucester for the quarter ending September 30, 1877, shows a total of 523 vessels, 

 aggregating 34,743 tons, an increase during the quarter of 6 vessels and 1,375.54 tons ; 

 4 are under permanent registers, 1,189.34 tons ; 1 temporary register, 533.67 tons ; 462 

 permanent enrollment, 29,873.08 tons ; 6 temporary enrollments, 2,525.58 tons ; 66 

 (less than 20 tons) under licenses, 698.83 tons; 5 vessels, 1,653.01 tons, are employed in 

 foreign trade ; 91 vessels, 9,013.2*2 tons, in the coasting trade; 3 in yachting, 182.47 

 tons ; and 417 vessels, 22,994.80 tons, in the fisheries. During the quarter, 2 vessels, 

 158.83 tons, have been built in the district ; and 2, 109.97 tons, have been lost at sea. 

 Cape Ann Advertiser. 



Is that true, or do you dissent from the statement ? A. I should 

 think it is true. 



Q. That does not show the decrease you have just spoken of? A. I 

 understood that you were speaking of fishing in Canadian waters when 

 you mentioned the decrease. 



Q. You do not then dissent from the statement that after the treaty 

 was passed the tonnage increased to that extent, no matter where they 

 went fishing? A. The tonnage has been increasing in Gloucester ever 

 since I can remember. 



Q. The tonnage of the fishing fleet fell from 18G6 the time of the 

 Reciprocity Treaty to 1869 to G2,000 tons ? A. I thought you asked 

 nie about the tonnage in Canadian waters. 



Q. Did it not fall after the abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty ? A. 

 There was not so much tonnage in Canadian waters. 



Q. Did the tonnage fall ? A. I don't think it did in Gloucester. 



Q. Did the whole American tonnage fall after the abrogation of the 

 Reciprocity Treaty? A. I cannot say, except as regards Gloucester. 



By Mr. Dana : 



Q. Do you know anything about the Boston Board of Trade 22 years 

 ago ? A. No. 



Q. Had it anything to do with the fishing business ? A. Not that I 

 know of. 



Q. Did you ever know any member of the Board of Trade who had 

 anything to do with the fishing business ? A. No. 



Q. Was Boston or Gloucester the representative of the fishing busi- 

 ness, or even now, as regards the ownership and employment of ves- 

 sels ? A. Gloucester. 



Q. Was there any ownership or employment of vessels with which the 

 Boston Board of Trade had anything to do ? A. Not that I know of. 



Q. Has not the whole business of cod and mackerel fishing changed 

 since that time? At that time, 22 years ago, was seining or trawling 

 practiced by the vessels? A. Seining was not, and I do not think trawl- 

 ing was to any extent. 



