130 APPENDIX. 



in all the practical, and technical details, known only 

 to the professional salmon-fisher. I would pray your 

 Excellency's attention to a paper written by me in 

 1844, and published by the Commissioners of Fish- 

 eries, in their Fourth Annual Report. The Commis- 

 sioners communicated to me, their sense of the import- 

 ance to be attached to that document, and requested 

 me to verify it on oath, which I did, and it is published 

 in their Fourth Annual Report to Parhament. 



If your Excellency will peruse that document, you 

 will see the demonstration it affords, in facts which 

 it authenticates, that the complete restoration of the 

 Irish Salmon-fisheries is within the control of the 

 Government, and requires nothing but a suitable 

 enactment. 



If the Commissioners of Fisheries be asked, who 

 is the individual competent to undertake this task, 

 it is not for me to say, what their answer may be. 

 They have, however, already expressed it, and writ- 

 ten it. If the Fishery Proprietary of Ireland be 

 consulted, they also, I believe, will express their opi- 

 nions ; they are aware of the danger of rash legisla- 

 lation, and they know the perplexities and legal dif- 

 ficulties which surround the subject ; their property 

 is at stake, and they conceive, that in the prepara- 

 tion of a proper measure, legal knowledge should be 

 combined with a thorough, and intimate acquaintance 

 with all the practical details of salmon-fishing ; and 

 that, without this, any Fishery Act will be a nullity. 



If desired, or commanded, I shall, without fee or 



