250 BUITISH . seamen for her navy ; and the republic of the United States has derived from them, at the same time, great commercial profit, and vast political strength. In the event of a war with either of those powers, the effect would be, in respect to their fishermen, that, by being thrown out of peaceable employment, they would at once enter the navies of their respect¬ ive countries.* About 8000 of the inhabitants of Newfoundland can only be justly considered sea-going men. These are principally the crews of the sealing vessels, who go also in summer to Labrador . The seal fishery is increasing fast, and deserves every encouragement. The men employed in the schooners fitted out for the Labrador fishery, from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick , may also be considered regular sea-going men. The provincial governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have extended every possible encou¬ ragement to the fisheries, in the shape of bounties; but, as these are drawn from the colonial revenues, it is disposing of a portion of those funds, to enable their fishermen to compete with their rivals, which would be more judiciously expended on internal improve¬ ments. Yet it is found absolutely necessary to grant these bounties to protect the fishing adventurers from ruin. The Newfoundland fishermen receive no en¬ couragement of this kind, nor can the condition and circumstances of the colony afford any. * Note C.