198 HISTORY OF SEA-FISHERIES. 



to be borne out by the circumstances of our having, 

 since this report was delivered, been still more 

 abundantly supplied with fish for our tables; 

 while the cry of distress on the part of the fisher- 

 men has passed away, doubtless owing to the 

 greater degree of skill and industry which they 

 have since exerted. 



A complaint, the opposite to that brought for- 

 ward by the committee, was pre erred against our 

 fishermen by the owners of the boats, who alleged 

 that, having advanced all the capital necessary for 

 the undertaking, and having probably also contri- 

 buted to the support of the men during the dead 

 season, under the faith of an agreement to receive 

 at stipulated prices all the produce of their nets, 

 the men so bound to them sold a considerable 

 part of the fish which they had taken to boats dis- 

 patched from the coast of France. 



These circumstances have been mentioned be- 

 cause a great and it is thought a groundless 

 impression was created by the result of the inquiry 

 of 1833, which inquiry, it has been alleged, was 

 undertaken to satisfy the desires of certain in- 

 terested parties, who wished to make out a case 

 for the interference of government. 



