INTRODUCTION. 



The present unpretending Historical Sketch of the 

 " Schuylkill Fishing Company ,^^ derives whatever of in- 

 terest it possesses from its locality and its origin in prim- 

 itive colonial times, amongst our independent liberal mind- 

 ed ancestors, associated for laudable recreative objects. 

 The cement of their durable and happy union w^as formed 

 of those sound principles and rules of social order and 

 correct deportment, characteristic of our virtuous fore- 

 fathers. 



They built upon a sure foundation, and exhibited the 

 singularly novel spectacle of a pleasurable Institution, 

 well governed and prosperous beyond human calculation, 

 in the assumed dignity, form and feature of an Indepen- 

 dent political Commonwealth. 



Their admirable Constitution, was held sacred and in- 

 violable. 



Their Laws, Statue or Common, unvacillating. Changes 

 were infrequent, and only made with great deliberation, 

 in adaptation to altered times and circumstances. 



Thus they nobly inculcated an invaluable lesson of en- 

 lightened wisdom and just administration, to the political 



