"This Fishery Has Not Of Late Years Been Prosecuted With The Same Spirit It Was Fifty Or Sixty Years Ago, When The Shores Were Covered With Fish-Flakes, And Seven Or Eight Ships Were Annually Loaded For Spain Or Portugal, Beside What Was Carried To The West Indies.

Afterward they found it more convenient to cure the fish at Corscaw, which was nearer to the banks.

It was continued there to great advantage till 1744, when it was broken up by the french war. After the peace it revived, but not in so great a degree as before. Fish was frequently cured in the summer on the eastern shores and islands, and in the spring and fall at home.

"Previously to the late revolution the greater part of remittances were made to Europe by the fishery; but it has not yet recovered from the shock which it received by the war with Britain: it is however in the power of the Americans to make more advantage of the cod-fishery perhaps than, any of the european nations. We can fit out vessels at less expense, and by reason of the westerly winds, which prevail on our coasts in February and March, can go to the banks earlier in the season than the Europeans, and take the best fish. We can dry it in a clearer air than the foggy shores of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. We can supply every necessary from among ourselves; vessels, spars, sails, cordage, anchors, lines, hooks, and provision.

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