21 



done to the business. Nothing short of the abrogation of the 

 treaty, with renewal of duties on her fish, will bring her to 

 terms. 



I am glad, for one, that this administration, both State and 

 National, understand the importance of the interests at stake, 

 and have shown backbone in the matter. Tlie members of 

 Congress and others from the fishing district, as also from the 

 " heart of the Commonwealth," have rendered valuable assist- 

 ance toward having the fishery clauses of the Washington 

 treaty abrogated, with the duties on fish renewed. When this 

 is done, then will the American fishermen keep the American 

 markets supplied, by increasing their fleet and fishermen, in- 

 stead of decreasing them. But now our government is al- 

 lowing a foreign marine to build itself up by entering our 

 ports, duty free, to supply our markets and drive out a home 

 industry that has stamped upon the records of our country, 

 from the time of the first plantation on Cape Ann to the pres- 

 ent time, its services upon sea and land, so that it should upon 

 a future page be recorded, " The industry that furnished such 

 men has been blotted out of existence bij the acts of the National 

 Government.''' When such a record is made, will it not be an 

 everlasting disgrace, to American statesmanship ? 



It was my intention to have traced tlie progress of the 

 planters as I have that of the fishermen, but time and space did 

 not admit. You, being better acquainted with the farmers' 

 industry than I am, will pardon me for the time I have devoted 

 to your sister industry, and if I have awakened in you, and by 

 you in the farmers of our land, a fresh interest in the success 

 of American fisheries, I shall feel that in addressing you I 

 have no just cause for repentance. 



There have been as great changes in the mode of farming 



