12 THE IMPORTANCE OF 



employing 10,000 fishermen, were again upon the 

 ocean, — thus exhibiting the sagacity and prompt- 

 ness with which the sons of New England avail 

 themselves of such circumstances as affect individ- 

 ual or public prosperity. 



This branch of the fisheries has been pursued 

 since that period, with a success somewhat change- 

 able, but within the few last years, apparently 

 more sure and increasing. 



The enterprise with which our fisheries have 

 been prosecuted has attracted the attention and 

 excited the jealousy of our colonial neighbors. A 

 late writer* upon the British dominions of North 

 America, in remarking on their fisheries says, 

 " By encouraging bounties to secure the adven- 

 turer against the serious loss consequent upon an 

 unsuccessful voyage, the number of vessels would 

 soon be considerably increased, and this important 

 branch of trade so effectually carried on by the 

 hardy inhabitants, as to compete in some degree 

 at least, if not rival, that of our American neigh- 

 bors, who are now almost in the exclusive enjoy- 

 ment of it, and carry on their enterprising fisheries 

 at the very mouths of our bays and harbors." 



The inhabitants of the British dominions pos- 

 sess very great facilities for the promotion of this 



* Bouchette. 



