A 



' [; W i\ iv ' 

 COLLECTION OF THE LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS 



EEl.ATING "TO 



INLAND FISHERIES, 



1623—1886. 



PLYMOUTH COLONY FISH LAWS. 



1623. 



(Page 30.) Article 8. That fowling, fishing and hunting be 

 free to all the inhabitants of this government : provided, that all 

 orders from time to time made b}' this General Court for the due 

 regulating of fishing and fowling be observed in place or places 

 wherein special interest and propriet}' is justh' claimed by the court 

 or an}' particular person. 



1633. 



(Page 34.) It is enacted by the Court, That fishing, fowling and 

 hunting bee free : provided, if any damage comes to any particulare 

 by the prosecution of such exercise, restitutions bee made or the case 

 actionable. But if any man desire to improve a place and stocke it 

 with fish of any kind for his private use, it shalbee lawfull for the 

 court to make any such graunt and for bid all others to make useof it. 



[Re-enacted in 1636 and lefjS.] 



1637.— October. 



(Page 57.) Of Fish. — It is enacted by the Court, That six score 

 and twelve fishes shall be accounted to the hundred of all sorts of 



fishes. 



[Re-enacted in 1658.] 



_^ i— 



1670. 



(Page 161.) Whereas the providence of God hath made Cape 

 Cod comodious for us for fishing with saines ; and some careles 



