PK&IOD FRO 3,1 1371 TO 1905. 717 



I tried to reason with these people, and told them that I had a right 

 to take bait or other fish without being restricted to any distance 

 from shore; and that I should not interfere with them, and they had 

 no right to molest me. I told them the United States had paid a 

 large sum for this privilege, but they declared they knew nothing 

 about it and cared nothing about it. They told me I should not 

 catch my bait, but should buy it of them. I kept on fishing, and they 

 then attempted to board my vessel, they threatened to cut my cable, 

 and threatened other violence. Finding myself powerless against so 

 many, I told my crew to haul in their lines and stop fishing, which 

 they did; this pacified the mob and they then left me. 



The next morning I determined to fish and not submit to this vio- 

 lence. I manned my lines and commenced to fish. The boats came 

 off in large numbers, and the men were very violent; they said, " We 

 warned you not to fisi . yesterday, and we will cut your cable and 

 drive you on shore if you don't stop." They came alongside, struck 

 at my men with their oars, and some of the men leaped on the vessel 

 and gathered around the windlass. I went forward and asked them 

 if they were aware what they were doing; they told me they were 

 and that I should not fish there; at the same time I saw a heavy 

 oar lifted over my head and jumped oneside to avoid the blow which 

 if it had struck me would have struck me down. In the meanwhile 

 the mob had entirely destroyed our lines and jigs, leaving me no 

 means of fishing. The boats being around my bow at the cable, and 

 knowing if it was cut my vessel would be likely to go on shore, as the 

 wind blowed directly on, I had to submit again to mob violence and 

 agreed not to fish any more. 



They then left my vessel and went for the American schooner 

 Mpro Castle, which had come in and was trying to catch bait. The 

 wind blowed so hard that I was obliged to get under way and leave 

 without my bait. As my trip depended on my getting bait speedily, I 

 returned there and bought my bait the next day, paying one himdrsd 

 and twenty dollars for squid. I was obliged to do this, as there was 

 no squid at any other place. It is universal in the baiting places at 

 Newfoundland to experience the same feeling and action, and it is 

 impossible for American vessels to take their own bait, as the local 

 fishermen will not allow it, but compel us to purchase it of them. 

 We are thus compelled to pay at least $100.000 yearly, although the 

 treaty of Washington gives us a perfect right to take these fish, and 

 I am satisfied that the United States receives absolutely nothing for 

 the immense sum paid for the privilege of fishing on the coast of 

 British North America. 



JOSEPH BOWIE, 

 Master of Schooner Victor. 



I, Charles G. Ferguson, one of the crew of the schooner Victor of 

 Gloucester, Mass., do on oath depose and say that I was on board (he 

 schooner and know that all the facts stated by Captain Bowie are 

 true. 



CHARLES G. FERGUSON, 



One of the Crew. 



