FISHERIES. 24]

that physical strength which would enable them to cope with other nations.

The policy of the French, from their first plant- ing colonies in America, insists particularly on rai— sing seamen for their navy by means of the fisheries. The nature of the French fishery was always such, that one-third, or at least one-fourth, of the men“ employed in it were “ green men,” or men who were never before at sea; and by this trade they bred up from 4000 to 6000 seamen annually.

Those who negotiated on the part of Great Britain, could not possibly have understood the eminent poli- tical and commercial value of the boons thus unneces- sarily conceded to France and America.

‘With France the case was widely different. Every Frenchman acquainted with the history of his coun— try, knew well that the sun of their naval splendour set on the day that Louisburg, the emporium of their fisheries, was taken. Neither were the Americans so ignorant of the rich treasures which abounded on the coasts of British America, as to allow the favourable moment for obtaining a participation in the fisheries to escape.

France now (1829) employs from 250 to 300 vessels in her fisheries 0n the British American banks and coasts, and 25,000 sea—going fishermen, who, by treaty, are bound not to become residents. The French ships are from 100 to 400 tons burden, carrying from 40 to 120 men each to and from the .

fisheries. These men, by experience alone, must VOL. 1. Q