began to decline from the time that nation was driven out of the North American fisheries by the conquest of Louisburg.

It has been said by Mr. John MacGregor, M. P., late secretary to the Board of Trade, that the possession of Cape Breton would be more valuable to our people, as a nation, than any of the British West India islands; and that if it were once obtained by them as a fishing station, and a position to command the surrounding seas and neighboring coasts, the American navy might safely cope with that of all Europe.

By the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, France ceded to England the country called "L'Acadie," now known as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but reserved to itself the "Isle Royale," since called Cape Breton. In order to maintain their position in America, the French took formal possession of the harbor of Louisburg soon after this treaty, and in 1720 commenced there the construction of the fortress of that name, so well known and celebrated in history. Upon this fortress the French nation expended thirty millions of livres-a very large sum in those days. It was captured in the most gallant and extraordinary manner by the forces of New England, in 1745, but was restored to France by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1747, in return for Madras. It was recaptured by the British and colonial forces in 1758; and after the treaty of 1763, by which the French gave up all their North American possessions to England, the British government demolished the fortifications of Louisburg, at an expense of $50,000, fearing they might fall into the hands of some hostile power. Since then the famous harbor of Louisburg has been deserted; although previously-during its occupation by the French-it exported no less than 500,000 quintals of cod annually, and six hundred vessels, of all sizes, were employed in its trade and fisheries.

Cape Breton was formally annexed to Nova Scotia, by royal declaration, in 1763; but in 1784, a separate constitution was granted to it, and it remained under the management of a lieutenant governor, council, and assembly until 1820, when it was re-annexed to Nova Scotia.

Owing to the returns of trade for Cape Breton being mixed up with those for Nova Scotia, it is now difficult to obtain an accurate account of the value of its products annually.

The products of the fisheries of Cape Breton, in 1847 and 1848, were as follows:

The estimated value of the foregoing articles was $302,616.

There is reason to believe, however, that the above gives but an imperfect idea of the extent of the fisheries at Cape Breton. It has been ascertained that, from the portion of this island within the strait of Canso, the following quantities of fish were exported in the year

No returns can be procured from the northern and western portions of this island, the fish caught near which being generally carried direct to market from the fishing-grounds by the fishermen themselves, without reference to any custom-house. It has been ascertained, however, on good authority, that the quantity of herrings and mackerel caught and cured at Cheticamp, (the western extremity of Cape Breton,) during the season of 1851, was not less than 100,000 barrels.

It is alleged that the banks in the vicinity of Cape Breton are thickly covered with shell-fish, and consequently are the best feeding-grounds for cod found anywhere in those seas; hence, also, the superior quality of the cod caught and cured there.

The total quantity of coals raised in Cape Breton, and sold during the year 1849, amounted to 24,960 chaldrons (Newcastle measure) of large coal and 11,787 chaldrons of fine coal; of this quantity, 12,090 chaldrons of the large coal and 1,210 chaldrons of fine coal were shipped to the United States in 1849; in 1850 the quantity shipped to the United States was 10,796 chaldrons of large coal and 1,586 chaldrons of fine coal.'

The entries and clearances of trading and fishing vessels at Cape Breton in 1850 were as follows:

The value of imports and exports at Cape Breton, in 1850, is thus stated in the official returns made to Halifax:

The total value of imports into Cape Breton, in 1850, was

$137,475.

Total value of exports in 1850 was $339,010.

It is believed that the foregoing statements do not give a correct account of the whole import and export trade of Cape Breton, as much is imported and sent away through Halifax, to and from which there is at all times an extensive coasting trade. But sufficient has been stated to show that Cape Breton possesses a very considerable trade, which might be very largely increased with our country under a system of free interchanges, inasmuch as Cape Breton greatly needs, and will always continue to purchase, many products of the United States, the quantity being limited solely by the power of paying for them in the produce of her forests, mines, and fisheries, the exports from which could be increased very considerably.

SABLE ISLAND.

This low, sandy island, the scene of numerous and melancholy shipwrecks, lies directly in the track of vessels bound to or from Europe. It is about eighty-five miles distant from Cape Canso. Its length is about twenty-five miles, by one mile and a quarter in width, shaped like a bow, and diminishing at either end to an accumulation of loose white sand, being little more than a congeries of hard banks of the same. The sum of $4,000 annually is devoted to keeping a superintendent from Nova Scotia, with a party of men, provided with provisions and other necessaries, for the purpose of relieving shipwrecked mariners, of whatever nation, who may be cast upon its shores.

Of late years it has been found that mackerel of the finest quality can be taken in great abundance, quite close to the shores of Sable island, during the whole of every fishing season; and this fishery is every year becoming of greater importance. Several of our enterprising fishermen have found their way there of late, in schooners of about ninety tons, and have succeeded very well.

By observations of Captain Bayfield, R. N., the well known marine urveyor, made in the autumn of 1851, the eastern extreme of this sland has been found to be in latitude 43° 59' north, and longitude 59° 45′ 59′′ west. Two miles of the west end of the island have been washed away since 1828. This reduction, and consequent addition to the western bar, is reported to have been in operation since 1811, and seems likely to continue. There has been no material change in the east end of the island within the memory of any one acquainted with it. The western bar may be safely approached by the lead, from any direction, with common precaution. The length of the northeast bar,

it is said by Captain Bayfield, has been greatly exaggerated; but still, it is a most formidable danger. Its real length is fourteen miles only, instead of twenty-eight, as heretofore reported. For thirteen miles from the land it has six fathoms of water, with a line of heavy breakers in bad weather; in the fourteenth mile there is ten fathoms of water, and not far from theextremity of the bar 170 fathoms, so that a vessel going moderately fast might be on the bar in a few minutes after in vain trying for soundings.

Captain Bayfield has recommended to the government of Nova Scotia to establish a light-house on the east end of this island, and measures are now in progress for its erection.

Sable island lies eighty miles to the southward of Nova Scotia, and in the immediate vicinity of the gulf-stream. Throughout nearly its whole length of twenty-five miles, Sable island is covered with natural grass and wild pease, sustaining, by its spontaneous production, five hundred head of wild horses, and many cattle.

The Hon. Mr. Howe, Principal Secretary, of Nova Scotia, visited this island in 1850, and reported favorably as to the extent and value of the fishery upon its coast. The superintendent informed Mr. Howe that, a few days before his arrival, the mackerel crowded the coast in such numbers that they almost pressed each other upon the sands. Mr. Howe himself saw an unbroken school, extending from the landing place for a mile, within good seining distance, besides other schools at various points, indicating the presence, in the surrounding seas, of incalculable wealth. It is believed that a good boat fishery for cod might be carried on here. Seals are numerous all around the island, being very little disturbed. Hitherto the government of Nova Scotia, to which this island belongs, has not permitted any fishing establishments to be set up upon it. It has been feared that discipline would not be maintained at the government establishment for the relief of shipwrecked mariners, if persons not under the control of the superintendent were allowed to land upon the island, and that the obligations of humanity might be disregarded by mere voluntary settlers, or that the temptation to plunder the unfortunate might prove too strong to be resisted by such a population when the hand of authority was withdrawn.

The natives of Nantucket,* if permitted, would soon build havens and breakwaters at Sable island, and make what is now but a dreaded sand bank amid the solitudes of the ocean, a cultivated centre of mechanical and maritime industry; and, as population increased, employment would be found for the hardy race which this stern nursery would foster and train, to draw wealth from the deep.

* A writer in that valuable work, Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, thus describes Nantucket. which, in many respects, is very similar to Sable island:

"NANTUCKET-A small crescent of pebbly soil, just lifting itself above the level of the ocean, surrounded by a belt of roaring breakers, and destitute of all shelter from the stormy blasts which sweep over it, there is nothing about it but doth suffer a sea change.' Its inhabitants know hardly anything but of the sea and sky. Rocks, mountains, trees, and rivers, and the bright verdure of the earth, are names only to them, which have no particular significance. They read of these as other people read of angels and demi-gods. There may be such things, or there may not. But, dreary and desolate as their island may seem to others, it realizes their ideal of what the world should be; and probably they dream that Paradise is just such another place-a duplicate island, where every wind that blows wafts the spray of the sea in their faces!"