64 



the operation of those prohibitions, so as to reach and put 

 down the stake-nets which have been erected IN THE OCEAN, on 

 the coasts in the neighbourhood of the Toy. 



In pursuing this object, the word stake-net has been 

 carefully avoided. But this circumstance only evinces 

 more strongly, the insidious policy by which the origina- 

 tors of the Bill are guided. 



The principal clause in the Bill, by which it is at- 

 tempted to effect this purpose, and to which the others 

 are entirely subsidiary, is in these comprehensive terms. 



* And be it further enacted, that from and after the 



, if any person or persons shall 



' place ANY THING in, over, across, or NEAR the said river 

 ' Toy, or the rivers or streams running into the same, so as 



* to prevent the Jish from ENTERING, or going up or down 

 6 the said river or streams; then, and in every such case, 

 every person so offending, shall, for every such offence, 

 c forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding , 

 4 and not less than .' By a sub- 

 sequent clause, the cruives, yairs, dam-dikes, or other 

 works, already legally erected, are specially excepted. 



Under the expressions here employed, it is not difficult 

 to see, that the Bill, if carried into a law, would in fact 

 amount to a prohibition of all modes of fishing, except those 

 presently in use- It would prevent all future improvement. 

 And it would secure and perpetuate the monopoly at 

 present enjoyed by the river proprietors. 



Its more immediate effect, however, would be to put 

 down all stake-nets which have been erected in the ocean, 

 * NEAR the said river Tay.' As the law now stands, 

 there is at least a doubt as to the illegality of stake-nets 

 in such a situation. And it certainly is at present a pos- 



