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COD-FISHING. 



Although I had seen, as I thought, abundance of fish along the 

 coasts of the Floridas, the numbers which I found in Labrador quite 

 astonished me. Should your surprise while reading the following state- 

 ments be as great as mine was while observing the facts related, you will 

 conclude, as I have often done, that Nature's means for providing small 

 animals for the use of larger ones, and vice versa, are as ample as is the 

 grandeur of that world which she has so curiously constructed. 



The coast of Labrador is visited by European as well as American 

 fishermen, all of whom are, I believe, entitled to claim portions of fishing- 

 ground, assigned to each nation by mutual understanding. For the pre- 

 sent, however, I shall confine my observations to those of our own country, 

 who, after all, are probably the most numerous. The citizens of Boston, 

 and many others of our eastern sea^ports, are those who chiefly engage in 

 this department of our commerce. Eastport in Maine sends out every 

 year a goodly fleet of schooners and " pickaxes" to Labrador, to procure 

 cod, mackerel, halibut, and sometimes herring, the latter being caught in 

 the intermediate space. The vessels from that port, and others in Maine 

 and Massachusetts, sail as soon as the warmth of spring has freed the gulf 

 of ice, that is, from the beginning of May to that of June. 



A vessel of one hundred tons or so, is provided with a crew of twelve 

 men, who are equally expert as sailors and fishers, and for every couple 

 of these hardy tars, a Hampton boat is provided, which is lashed on the 

 deck, or hung in stays. Their provision is simple, but of good quality, 

 and it is very seldom that any spirits are allowed, beef, pork, and biscuit, 

 with water, being all they take with them. The men are supplied with 

 warm clothing, waterproof oiled jackets and trowsers, large boots, broad- 

 brimmed hats with a round crown, and stout mittens, with a few shirts. 

 The owner or captain furnishes them with lines, hooks, and nets, and also 

 provides the bait best adapted to ensure success. The hold of the vessel 

 is filled with casks of various dimensions, some containing salt, and others 

 for the oil that may be procured. 



The bait generally used at the beginning of the season, consists of 

 mussels salted for the purpose ; but as soon as the capelings reach the coast, 



