27 



that proposed for regulating the Tay Fisheries. 

 Neither, on the other hand, can we exactly appre- 

 ciate the effect of the general system of stake 

 fishing, proposed by the opponents of that Bill ; 

 because the stake-nets have hitherto enjoyed only 

 a precarious existence, and have been constantly 

 resisted with more or less success by the upper 

 heritors. The agitation of the question tends 

 only to keep all parties in suspense, and although 

 the judges may declare the law, it cannot be ex- 

 pected that any regular plan of protecting the 

 fishing will be established while the stake-net 

 fishers are enabled to shake the whole system by 

 law-suits and petitions. In the present circum- 

 stances, whatever facts are brought forward, must 

 be regarded with civil suspicion and caution, 

 without conveying any disagreeable imputation ; 

 and it may be reasonably expected, that the Board* 

 of Trade will place the interest of individuals en- 

 tirely out of their view, and will not be easily in- 

 duced to alter a system of laws which agrees in its 

 main points with the system under which the 

 Salmon Fisheries in the other parts of the kingdom 

 are placed. 



* It appears now, that this question is to be referred to a Par- 

 liamentary Committee. 



J. Green, Printer, FxMccster-strect, Leicester-square. 



