6 THE IMPORTANCE OF 



on them with the more useful design of fostering 

 the fisheries as a branch of industry, as wise 

 economy for a state or nation like our own. 



The first knowledge we have of the fisheries on 

 the American coasts, was in the year 1504, when 

 vessels from Biscay, Bretagne and Normandy, 

 were employed in the cod fishery, on the coasts 

 of Newfoundland. In 1517, the French, Spanish 

 and Portuguese had vessels engaged in this fish- 

 ery. England had then one ship employed in 

 this lucrative trade. Prince was in error w T hen he 

 dated the commencement of the English fishing 

 trade in 1560, because in 1548, an act was passed 

 by Parliament, prohibiting the admirals and others 

 from making exactions in money or fish, from 

 English fishermen, going on the service of fishing 

 at Newfoundland. This was the first act of par- 

 liament which had any relation to this country ; 

 and it indicates the sagacity of the English states- 

 men, in protecting a trade which has ever since 

 been of great value to their nation. 



In 1578, England employed fifteen vessels in 

 the trade, France one hundred and fifty, Spain one 

 hundred, and Portugal fifty. In 1615, the num- 

 ber of British vessels had increased to two hun- 

 dred and fifty, and those of other nations to four 

 hundred. 



It is an interesting fact to us, that had it not 



