He says, the fishermen confessed, that of late years the planters had done no prejudice to the fishery; so that, when they returned, they found their stages in as good order as could be after a winter; so that they were not obliged to come sooner to the island for the purpose of repairing them—the planters affirmed, they did not meddle with any of the adventurers’ fishing places, nor did they desire to do it, provided they might quietly enjoy the same room they had possessed for several years—the fishermen complained, that the planters took up the best places to cure their fish, did damage to their stages, and took possession of more than they had hands to manage—the planters affirmed, that it was impossible to live six miles from the sea-side, by reason of the barrenness of the country—the fishermen did not desire the removal of the planters, but only a better regulation—the planters could not keep a constant number of men or boats, unless they were supplied every year with servants from England—the planters did not take so much fish, proportionably to the number of men and boats they kept, as the fishers did, who were better artists; nor sell it so cheap, by reason of the greater wages they were obliged to give their servants—it was not possible for the planters to observe the charter punctually—the planters all sold drink contrary to their charter—the fishermen rinded the trees, and employed six and seven stages for seventy men, contrary to the rule of their charter—the French managed their fishery generally by fish-ships from Europe, and their trade for fur was very inconsiderable—the French planters were very much encouraged by the governor, and had the same accommodation in their harbours as the fishermen had—the fishermen confessed the planters were of great use to them—the planters prepared materials for the fishermen against their coming, which otherwise could not be made ready without a great loss of time; they preserved in their houses the salt that remained of the fishery until the next season; and when shipping was wanting, the fishermen were glad to lodge their fish in a planter’s house until the following year—in case the fishermen were visited with sickness, or were obliged to stay for their ships on their first arrival, they used the convenience of the planters’ houses—when the fishermen wanted provisions, the planters supplied them out of their stores; or when they had an overplus, the planters bought it of them for fish. Such were the answers given by the commander of the king’s ships on this station to the first _heads of enquiry_ concerning the trade and fishery. This method of enquiry was followed in after times; and the information it produced, in this first attempt, may be made useful matter of comparison.