450 HISTOKT AND METHODS OF THE FISHEKIES. 



Finally, in tbe spring of 1881, a compromise was suggested by which each Government should 

 make certain concessions. By the terms of this compromise the British Government were to pay 

 the actual losses incurred by the various vessels, which amounted to $52,977.26, the vessel-owners, 

 in turn, agreeing to withdraw their claims for the additional $50,000 representing the probable 

 profits of the business. A settlement was made on this basis, and during the following summer the 

 money was received by our Government and paid over to the proper parties.* 



NEW BRUNSWICK FISHERMEN. The New Brunswick fishermen are, as a class, far superior to 

 those of Newfoundland. They are very much less dependent upon the fisheries than the people of 

 Newfoundland, and many of them only engage in the business during the winter months, when 

 there is a scarcity of employment at their various trades, or when little can be done about the small 

 farms of the region. They manifest a disposition of friendliness toward the American fleet, and 

 do not seriously object to Americans engaging regularly in the work of catching the herring. 

 The bulk of the catch is taken by the various islanders and people living along the shore, but 

 perhaps a quarter of the entire catch is secured by the American fishermen living in the vicinity 

 of Eastport or by those coming in small vessels from the fishing towns in the eastern part of 

 Maine. 



5. METHODS OF OAPTUEE. 



METHODS AT NEWFOUNDLAND. The vessels on reaching Fortune Bay usually proceed to 

 Long Harbor, where they are securely moored, head and stern, and, in addition, two lines are put 

 out and made fast to objects on the shore. Owing to the lack of a. market the fishing does not begin 

 until the American vessels arrive, though the natives from other portions of the coast often come 

 to the harbor and make full preparation before the vessels arrive. 



When the fishing began gill-nets were almost exclusively used, but, as the work became exten- 

 sive, some of the more provident of the Newfoundland fishermen provided themselves with large 

 haul-seines. The seine-owners are usually the masters of small vessels locally known as "jacks." 

 The first vessels owned were quite small and of an inferior model and rig. These, however, have 

 gradually been replaced by those of larger size, until the fleet, at the present time, average from 

 20 to 40 tons. These vessels are employed in summer for running the catch of herring and capeliu 

 to the island of St. Pierre, where it is sold to the French fleet engaged in the cod-fisheries. These 

 vessels are also a great convenience in the winter herring fishery, as they enable the men to follow 

 the herring from harbor to harbor and transport the fish to other localities in case no market offers 

 where the fish are taken. 



* The following quotation includes those articles of the treaty of Washington which bear upon the points under 

 discussion : 



" XVIII. It is agreed by the high contracting parties that, in addition to the liberties secured to the United States 

 fishermen by the convention between the United States and Great Britain, signed at London on the 20tb day of 

 October, 1818, of taking, earing, and drying fish on certain coasts of the British North American colonies therein 

 defined, the inhabitants of the United States shall have, in common with the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty, the 

 liberty for the term of years mentioned in Article XXXIII'of this treaty, to take fish of every kind, except shell-fish, 

 on the sea-coast and shores, and in the bays, harbors, and creeks of the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New 

 Bruswick, and the colony of Prince Edward Island, and of the several islands thereto adjacent, without being 

 restricted to any distance from the shore, with permission to laud upon the said coasts and shores and islands, and also 

 upon the Magdalen Islands, for the purpose of drying their nets and curing their fish : Provided, That in so doing they 

 do not interfere with the rights of private property, or with British fishermen, in the peaceable use of any part of the 

 said coasts in their occupancy for the same purpose. 



It is understood that the above-mentioned liberty applies solely to the sea-fishery, and that the salmon and shad 

 fisheries, and all other fisheries in rivers and the mouths of rivers, are reserved exclusively for British fishermen. 



XXXII. It is further agreed that the provisions and stipulations of Articles XVWI to XXV of this treaty, inclu- 

 sive, shall extend to the colony of Newfoundland, so far as they are applicable. * 



XXXIII. * The said articles shall remain in force for the period of ten years from the date at which 

 they may come into operation, <fec. 



