18

think it is less, This would give 3200 days work in the year,
or the work of 9 men; four times this number would I think give
a sufficient number to provide for the unusual demand for Pilots
which occurs at times.

CROSS INTERROGATIONS.

To the 11th he says, that commerce has been found by ex-
perience to be the most prosperous when most, free and its wants
best supplied when left to the usual observation of the law of
supply and demand.

To the 12th he says that the Pilots are entitled to half pilotage.
By the law of 1852 the half pilotage was abolished and the rate
of pilotage was left open. By the law of 1853 the rates of fall
pilotage were largely increased and a license tax imposed upon
vessels not using Pilots; these concessions having been made
by the mercantile interest as a compromise although opposed to
all compulsory pilotage.

Mr. William Mason, sworn.—To the 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th, he has
no knowledge.

To the 5th he says, he believes the present law of 1853 affords
the Pilots sufficient protection without any compulsory feature
being engrafted thereon.

To the 6th he says, the best interest of commerce would be
subserved by open competition regulated by a Board of Trade.

To the 7th he says, in his judgment the effect would be
injurious to the best interest of Maryland, as the coal trade and
trade in agricultural products, conveyed in all registered vessels
would be materially affected by the proposed law.

To the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, he has no knowledge.

To the 14th he says he does not recollect.

To the 15th he has no knowledge.

To the 16th, he says he has been commander of a vessel a
number of years, but has been out of service some time, he thinks
the present law better subserves the interest of commerce than
the old laws.

To the 17th, he has no knowledge.

To the 18th, he says he is a manufacturer and has a small in-
terest in tonnage.

To the 19th, he has no knowledge.

To the 20th, he says it is a common practice for masters to
navigate vessels up and down the bay drawing under 14 or 15
feet of water, without the aid of a Pilot.

To the 21st, he says he was in favor of competition, in pref-
erence to the old laws, but was glad when the compromise was
substituted, because he supposed it was a settlement of the en-
tire controversy.

To the 22nd, he says he thinks so.

CROSS INTERROGATIONS.

To the 1st, he he has no knowledge.
To the 2nd, he says about three days.