TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 185 



bounties of nature, which are so abundantly spread around this 

 small island. It is said, that not less than seventy-six different 

 kinds of tish are in these seas,* some of which are large, and of 

 excellent quality : and if double or triple the quantity that is now 

 supplied to individuals, could, by any means, be procured, it 

 would evideutly diminish the demand for imported beef and 

 pork, t 



* Tlie fish most commonly taken and used, are mackarel, albacore, cavalloes, jacks, 

 congers, soldiers, yellow tail, old wives, and bull's eyes ; and of shell-fish, stumps and 

 long legs. 



f During the active and meritorious administration of Governor Byfield, between the 

 years 1727 and 1731, the quantity of fish caught was more than the blacks could consume. 

 The consequences are stated to have been very advantageous to the Company's interests, 

 by reducing (or rather withdrawing) the demand for salt beef and pork: and it seems the 

 health of those who had formerly subsisted on salted meat, was much improved by a 

 change of diet to fish and potatoes. 



If we suppose a population of 3600 to consume 2400 pounds of fish per day, and the 

 established average price to be two-pence per pound, instead of the present rates, the 

 value would be 20/. per day, or more than 7000/. a year. This, exclusive of salting fish, 

 would be a good speculation for a few professed fishermen from England ; having proper 

 fishing-boats like those used at Brighton. In these they might anchor at the distant fish- 

 ing banks, and daily send on shore the fish iu the smaller boats 



Extracts from the General Letters to England regarding the Fishery, \'J27 to 1731. 



1727. Mai/ 6th. Paragraph 36. " We have taken care tiiat your blacks have always 

 had their belly full of provision. We still get fish in great plenty, and have done so the 

 year round, and in the coldest weather ; and don't at all doubt of getting the like plenty 

 this year ; for we don't loiter our time and dream out our days, but attend to our duty 

 and mind your interest. If the fish, in cold weather, go a great way out into deep water, 

 where our yawls can't la)', we get coarse salt on the mountains, fit out our long-boat, 

 and go after them, and catch what we want, and salt them upon the spot ; and it often 

 happens that they return with a very great quantity of neat fish, after their guts are out 

 and their heads off. Those who say otherwise deceire you : what we write is truth." 



Bb 



