IRISH WHITE FISHERIES. 317 



cefs*. Of thefe banks and fifheries, the following 

 particulars, communicated by Sir Lucius O'Brien irr 

 the Irifh Houfe of Commons, feem highly imercft- 

 ing both to Britifh and Irifh fubjefts. This pa- 

 triotic fenator, after explaining the nature of the 

 Newfoundland fiihery, for which the fituation of 

 Ireland is well adapted, proceeds thus : 



" And now let me appeal to any man, and afk, 

 does he know another trade fo likely to produce 

 profit as this fifhery from Ireland, or on which fo 

 many encouragements have been accumulated in fo 

 fhort a period? If the landed men (hall confider it 

 in its proper light, not only as providing a flrength 

 and defence for the whole empire, but as fecuring 

 employment for their people, and certain markets 

 for every production of their efrates ; a-nd if fuch 

 confiderations fhall induce them either to become 

 joint adventurers, or otherwife to afliftwith capitals, 

 the merchants in the out-ports of this kingdom, I 

 ihould not defpair of feeing fifhing veilels fitted out 

 from every harbour of the kingdom, to the infinite 

 emolument of the whole. Some ports, however, 

 and thofe hitherto the mod neglected of all, may 

 poflibly have advantages, the knowledge of which 

 is not yet fufficiemly afcertained: I mean in the 

 northern and north -weftern parts of Ireland, off of 

 which there is the (Irongeft reafon to believe there 

 are fifhing banks, perhaps as prolific as thole of 

 Newfoundland, though their nature and extent hath 

 not hitherto been explored; and if fo, the fifhery 

 may be carried on dill cheaper from the neighbour- 

 ing ports. In fcveral very ancient maps I find the 

 bay of Galway called the bay of Hakes, from the 

 quantity of that fifh with which it was fupplied. . 



* Some years ago, a company of Irifli merchants engaged in 

 the Irifli white fifliery, which they were obliged to relinquish, 

 after having loll groat part of their capital. 



"Sir 



