A. I never had any concern in that trade; I speak at random; perhaps two Shillings four Pence, or two Shillings six Pence.

Q. What is the reason that the people in New England can distil Rum cheaper than they can in the Islands?

A. They carry cargoes from New England of Lumber and Fish to the Islands, with the proceeds of which they purchase Molasses, which they distil into Rum, and carry part of it to Africa, where they buy Slaves and carry them back to eat up the Fish.

Question repeated.

A. The Jamaica Fish, which is not fit for the market, they sell at the foreign Islands in the West Indies. The French are not allowed to distil the Molasses, therefore they sell it cheap, and take in return Fish and Lumber, which the New England people would not sell elsewhere.

Q. Whether the Fishermen are employed all the year in the same Fisheries, or in succession?

A. I did not say the Seamen were employed in different Fisheries; I said, that the Mackerel Fishery could only employ them during the Summer months, and I will now add, that when the Cod Fishermen come home, they lay up till they go out again the next season, and the like with the Whale Fishermen. Some of the Ships employed in carrying the Fish to Europe may come here from Spain to load with the Manufactures of this country for North America.

Q. Is there not a trade of consequence with the Ports of Alicant, Barcelona, and other Ports of Spain, for inland consumption?

A. I believe that they casually send to such Ports; but such is the nature of their Fish that it will not bear land carriage, therefore is generally consumed in their sea-ports.

Q. Whether it is not carried to the Ports of Italy?

A. I believe very little.

Q. Is there not a trade established in the Baltick from Christianstad and Archangel, in order to rival our Fisheries?

A. Fish taken in the Baltick is called Stock Fish—that is, Cod cured by the frost, and do not hold in that estimation with our Fish.

Q. Whether if upon a supposition the trade to the Ports of the Mediterranean from America being stopped, it would not give advantage to the trade of the Baltick?

A. A very probable consequence.

Q. If Spain could not provide herself with New England Fish could she supply herself any where else?

A. I can't tell.

Q. Will France supply it?

A. France having free access to the Ports of Spain would supply them with Mud Fish.

Q. Whether the people of Great Britain carry on the Newfoundland Fishery with equal advantage with France?

A. No doubt with much greater advantage.

Q. How, if this restriction lakes place, are the West Indies to be supplied with Fish?

A. The West Indies would not be supplied in that case.

Q. Are Christianstad or Archangel in the Baltick?

A. No.

Q. Is Christianstad in Russia or Denmark?

A. In Denmark.

Q. Does he know of the Fish trades established there?

A. I do not; but believe it is particularly in the Stock Fish, with which the Navy have been supplied.

Q. Is the Stock Fish equal to our Cod Fish.

A. There is not any Salt used in curing Stock Fish, and it bears a greater price; it is much drier, and does not weigh near so much in proportion to its bulk.

Q. Is it used in the Mediterranean in the room of our Cod?

A. Can't say.

Q. Whether it is for the interest of Great Britain to have the Newfoundland Fishery supplied with New England Rum, or with British Corn Spirits?

A. I believe it is the interest of this country to supply the Fisheries with every necessary on the cheapest terms, and that New England Rum is supplied them at a much lower price than British.

Q. Whether there is not a trade between Russia and the other Powers of the Baltick, with the Mediterranean for Stock Fish?

A. I can't say.

Q. Whether it is not exported from Christianstad and Archangel?

A. I don't know whether Spain and Italy use Stock Fish or not; that it is exported from those parts I am certain.

Q. Whether Stock Fish was not formerly used on board the King's Ships?

A. I believe it was.

Q. Is it now?

A. Don't know.

Q. How many Vessels sailed from New England for the Cod Fishery, to the banks of Newfoundland?

A. I believe that the Vessels from New England which proceed on the Fishery in February, do not generally go so far as the banks of Newfoundland.

Q. Whether the refuse Fish and Lumber which goes Bo the West Indies, the Merchants to whom they are consigned are not sometimes authorized to sell the whole, both Ship and Cargoes, and send home the proceeds to this country?

A. Yes.

Q. From what Ports do the Shipping employed in the New England Fishery fit out?

A. The greater part of them from Marblehead, Salem, and Cape Anne, for the Cod Fishery, and for the Whale Fishery from Nantucket.

Q. Whence do they draw the materials for carrying on their Fisheries?

A. From Gnat Britain all.

Q. Whether, supposing the trade of New England was stopped for five years, the Vessels fitted out in England for the banks of Newfoundland would not supply the markets with Fish now supplied by New England?

A. I believe not, and that a very valuable part of the Fishery belonging to Great Britain would thereby be lost.

Q. Whether that is matter of fact, or of opinion?

A. Of opinion.

Question repeated.

A. It is not possible for me to say what will certainly be the consequence of such a stoppage.

Q. Whether the banks of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia would not supply the loss of the New England Fisheries?

A. Nova Scotia is an infant Colony; it has not a capital to support this Fishery.

Q. Whether if the New England Fisheries were stopped they could not be carried on from Great Britain?

A. I am of opinion that the stopping of one Fishery, and the creation of another, would take up much time, and in the interval the trade would be lost.

Q. Whether there is not an established Fishery on the banks of Newfoundland from the West of England; and if the Fisheries of New England were stopped, they would not increase to supply its deficiencies?

A. The West country people carrying on the Fishery on the banks of Newfoundland would no doubt exert their endeavours, but their efforts would fall short.

Q. Why?

A. In the first place, one great material necessary for carrying on the Fisheries is men, and you have them not; the next is money, and I am pretty clear their capitals are fully employed; having, therefore, neither men nor money, nor Ships built for the trade, hence I think it could not be carried on.

Q. How do you know they want men?

A. On this foundation I have given my opinion: that now, when all Ships are supposed to be at home, I have been obliged to pay thirty-eight Shillings per month for Seamen, when this time twelve months, I paid only twenty-eight Shillings.

Q. How does he know this country will not furnish a capital to carry on this trade to any degree?

A. I have no doubt but if Government would supply Men, Money, and Ships, they will find Merchants enough to carry it on.

Q. How does he know the Merchants of this country will not furnish Money to carry on this trade?

A. Only from general knowledge that the Merchants' capitals, who are concerned in the Fisheries, are already fully employed.

Q. Is the trade of this country carried on by Government, in Men, Ships, or Money; or are not the Merchants