capable of carrying on the trade of this country to any extent?

A. I believe, that were the New England Fisheries to be stopped, the Merchants who carry on the Newfoundland Fisheries could not furnish, at this time, either Men or Money to carry on such additional Fisheries.

Q. How does he know that?

A. I deliver it as my opinion, from general commercial knowledge only.

Q. Whether he knows there ever was a time when the trade on the banks of Newfoundland have been stopped for the want of Men?

A. Have no doubt but that during the late war, when Men were scarce, that the Newfoundland trade decreased; but since the peace it has increased very much, which I attributed to the facility of getting Men.

Q. Does he know of any time when the Newfoundland Fishery stopped for want of Men?

A. Can't point out the precise time when stopped; but have heard from the Newfoundland people complaints of the great difficulty of getting Men, when the Nation was lately arming against Spain.

Q. Whether Nova Scotia and Quebec could not carry on these Fisheries?

A. Nova Scotia and Quebec have neither Vessels nor Men of their own; nor could they be supplied with either but from New England, even should you supply them with all the Money necessary for carrying them on.

Q. Whether the New England people do not get our countrymen to fish for them?

A. Believe not.

Q. Whether there is not among the West country fishermen a general complaint of want of employment?

A. Do not know of any such complaint.

Q. Did he ever know it?

A. Don't recollect I ever did.

Q. Whether the people of New England can't fit out their Vessels cheaper than those sent from the West of England?

A. I have no doubt but the people of New England can carry on the Fishery at a much less expense than any other people.

Withdrew.

Mr. Stephen Higginson.

Q. Of what country is he?

A. From Salem, in the Massachusetts Bay; a Merchant.

Q. Whether there is as much Corn and other Provisions produced in that Province as will supply the inhabitants?

A. Apprehend not.

Q. Whether there is sufficient Corn and other Provisions produced in all the New England Provinces for their support?

A. No.

Q. From whence do they receive additional support?

A. About seven hundred Vessels.

Q. Of what burthen are they?

A. Five hundred of them estimated from forty to seventy tons; the other two hundred from about fifteen to forty.

Q. How many hands do seven hundred Vessels carry?

A. On an average they carry about six.

Q. How many hands are employed on shore for the Cod Fishery?

A. About half the number are employed in curing the Fish that there is in taking of them.

Q. How many Vessels employed in carrying the Fishery to market?

A. Should imagine about three hundred and fifty, from seventy or eighty tons, to about one hundred and seventy or one hundred and eighty; they carry about eight hands, one with another.

Q. What would these people do if the Fishery was stopped?

A. I can't readily resolve that question; suppose they would remain where they are as long as they could subsist, in hopes of being engaged in their old employment.

Q. But when that hope failed, and they could no longer subsist?

A. Then they will probably go elsewhere.

Q. Whether they would settle at Halifax?

A. In general, I think not.

Q. Why?

A. Several reasons; one is, the Fishermen in Salem and other Towns are a very quiet and steady set of men. They esteem the people of Halifax to be dissolute, and of a quite contrary turn. I think, therefore, they would not sit down among a people so different in their manners. Another reason is, that they think the Government of Halifax is arbitrary, and have a terrible notion of it. Another; those who have been there, have disliked the country very much, as being inhospitable, and affording but a very hard and coarse fare.

Q. Would they go to Miguelon and St. Pierre, and fish for France?

A. Don't think they would generally; from Marblehead some perhaps would.

Q. Why would they from thence?

A. Because the people there are of various Nations, Spaniards, Portuguese, and Dutch; but the others are born in the Towns where they live, have tenements and freeholds there, and would not leave their place of abode, I conceive.

Q. From whence do the Manufactures used in New England come?

A. I suppose from Gnat Britain.

Q. How do they pay for them?

A. By the proceeds of the Whale and Cod Fisheries chiefly.

Q. Do you receive Molasses in return for Fish?

A. A great quantify.

Q. What do they do with it?

A. It is chiefly manufactured into Rum; part is consumed in America, and part exported.

Q. Are the Merchants of Massachusetts Bay in debt to Great Britain?

A. Certainly.

Q. If the Fishery is stopped, what other means of paying their debts?

A. I know of no means but the articles of Pot and Pearl Ash, Lumber, Furs, Ships, and Flaxseed.

Q. What would that be in comparison to the debts?

A. Very small.

Q. Whether, supposing the Fishery stopped in New England, and allowed in Nova Scotia, they would not follow the Fishery in Nova Scotia?

A. I don't think they would.

Q. Whether there is not a constant export of Provisions from New England to the West Indies?

A. There is from Connecticut and the Massachusetts; they export Cattle and other live stock.

Q. Whether Indian Corn is not exported to the West Indies?

A. Don't know that there is any.

Q. Is not Provisions carried to Newfoundland?

A. They supply the Newfoundland Fishery considerably, with Rice, Bread and Flour.

Q. Why the Spaniards and Portuguese, of Marblehead, would be more afraid of going to Halifax, than Miguelon and St. Pierre.

A. I don't know that they would.

Q. If they send their Fish to Spanish markets this year, would they not bring back the proceeds to America, and not to Great Britain?

A. I imagine the proceeds of the Fish would centre here this year as usual.

Withdrew.

Called in again.

Q. Whether the Indian Corn and Flour exported from the Bay for the Newfoundland Fishery, is not imported from Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New-York?

A. It is. The Bread and Corn exported to Newfound-