Tt^J" 



394 



Tliis is an instance whore the idea which Mr. Foster has mentioned is reversed. 



In 1873, it is stated in tlic atfidavit No. 54, tliat two trips were made and 4li() harreU 

 of mackerel aken ; and, in 1873, tliey are pleased to suy in tlie statement, Appendix (O), 

 that four trips were made in the bay, and C72 barrels taken. Here the cateh of ti72 

 barrels is admitted, while in the other aflidavit that catch is represented as having been 420 

 barrels. 



In 1874, they say in aflidavit No. 54 that they took 383 barrels in the Bay of St. 

 Lawrence, while they admit in the last statement, Appendix (O), that the cateh in the hay 

 that year was 720 barrels, taken in two trips. In ltS75, tliey say none were taken, and in 

 1876 also none. Now there is a discrepancy of 1)1 1 barrels between these two statements, 

 which are utterly irreconcilable. 



If you will now pass over to Appendix (O), letter 11, to the statement of Dennis and 

 Ayer— the corresponding affidavit is No. 59 — you will find that Dennis and Aver say that 

 "since the Washington Treaty, so called, has been in effect, our vessels have been 

 employed as follows: " since 1871, they state that they made six trips in the Bay of St. 

 Lawrence, and caught 1 ,800 barrels of mackerel ; while, in 187 li according to this state- 

 ment. Appendix (0),they took 2,585 barrels of mackerel in the Bay of St. Lawrence. In 

 1872, tliey sav in this statement, Appendix (O), that the catcli in the Bay of St. Lawrence 

 was 2,287 barrels; in 1873, 2,504 barrels; in 1874, 2,465 barrels; in 1875, IIG barrels, 

 and in 1870, 13G barrels, contrasted with the catch of 1,800 barrels, according to affidavit 

 No. 59. If the figures are rightly given, your Honours will see that, for that period, their 

 catch was 10,083 barrels — that is to say, they caught in the Bay of St. Uiwrence 10,083 

 barrels of mackerel according to this statement, which was filed last October, while they 

 swear in their affidavit No. 59 that the cateh amounted to 1,800 barrels. 



Mr. Trescot. — This number was put in for six trips. 



Mr. Thomson. — Oh, no ; if you look at the head of the affidavit, you will observe it is 

 stated that — 



" Since the Washington Treaty, so cpJled, has been in effect, our vessels have been employed as 

 foUows." 



And again, they swear to hating made six trips during that time. 



Mr. Trescot. — During which they got 1,800 barrels. 



Mr. Thomson. — But it turns out that they made a great many more trips during this 

 period, and caught 10,083 barrels of mackerel. 



Mr. Trescot. — Tiiey are only credited with having made six trips. 



Mr. Thomson. — Then Mr, Trescot wishes your Excellency and your Honours to 

 understand that, although the heading of this affidavit is that it purports to be a statement 

 of all the flips made since the Washington Treaty up to the time wiien the affidavit was 

 made, it is, in fact, a supjircssio vvri, and that they only swtar to six trips. 



Mr. Trescot, — I do not say anything about it. 1 have not, as yet, had a chance to 

 look at it. 



Mr. Thomson. — A discrepancy, at all events, exists between the number 1,800 barrels 

 and the number 10,083 barrels, and a difference of 8,283. That is against us this time; 

 and, moreover, this is a pretty large sum. The first affidavit was entirely against us, as 

 they say in it that their catch in the bay was only 1,800 barrels. 



Mr. Foster. — 1 have already called your attention to the fiict that the last statements 

 are more correct than the earlier ones. 



Mr. Thomson. — What must be the character of these books, when this gentleman 

 who sends this last statement swears that it was taken from them f What can bz the 

 character of these books, or the character of the men who have made up this statement 

 from the books, and sent in such an affidavit as No. 59, from which I have just read. It 

 is either a gross attempt to deceive the Commission, or else the books are wholly inaccurate 

 and unreliable. 



If your Excellency and your Honours will now look at letter T, to which I call your 

 attention, you will find the statement of James Tarr and Brothers. The corresponding 

 affidavit in Appendix (M) is No. 72. It is stated in affidavit No. 72 that the number of 

 trips made in the Bay of St. Lawrence in 1H71 was four, and the catch 1,287 barrels of 

 mackerel; while, according to tiiis other statement in 1871, they made three trips with a 

 catch of 1,054 barrels. In 1872 two trips were made according to the affidavit No. 72, 

 and 888 barrels were taken ; while, in ltS72, two trips were made according to this state- 

 ment, Appendix (Oj, with a catch of 727 barrels only. In 1873, accurding to the ailidavil, 

 four trips were made, and 072 barrels were caught; while in 1873, according to this last 

 Btatement, the catch of inaekciel in the Bay of St. Lawrence was only (iOO barrels. In 

 1874 three trips were made according to affidavit No. 72, with a catch of 1,124 barrels; 



