I undertook the task with all my heart, and with a determination to 

 complete it, if possible, in a manner to meet the expectations of the 

 department and of yourself. ' It iS finished. Whatever the judgment 

 pronounced upon it, T have still to express my grateful acknowledg- 

 ments to Mr. Corwin for the kindness which has allowed the partial 

 gratification of a long-cherished wish, and to you for the original sug- 

 gestion, for your countenance, your sympathy, and your personal super- 

 vision. 



If I may venture to hope that, as the result of my labors, an import- 

 ant branch of national industry will hereafier be better understood and 

 appreciated by such of our countryinen as have never devoted particu- 

 lar attention to its history, I may venture to repeat that all commenda- 

 tioH rightfully belongs to you. 



Nor would I forget that my thanks are also due to William A. Well- 

 man, esq., your principal deputy collector, who, at our second inter- 

 view, generously relinquished his own favorite plan of writing a report 

 upon our cod and mackerel fisheries, and expressed a decided wish 

 (that the duty should be transferred to me, as well as his readiness to 

 afford me all possible aid. His knowledge and experience have been 

 of material assistance. I am indebted to him for important facts w^hich 

 were to be obtained of no other person, for information which has cor- 

 rected my views and opinions in several particulars, and for statisti- 

 cal matter of great value. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



L0REN20 SABINE. 



Philip Greely, Jr., Esq., 



Collector of the Customs port of Boston and Charlestowu. 



