APPENDIX. 83 



the fishings were less numerous, and limited to the rivers, the 

 fish were so abundant in the land, that it formed an article 

 of general consumption among domestic servants. It is 

 even on record that in some places convenient to fishing sta- 

 tions, they protested against being kept on it too exclusively. 

 So different is the case now, that even with persons of com- 

 fortable means the salmon is but a rare luxury. It finds its 

 way only to the tables of the well conditioned and affluent. 

 Let it be universally understood, that this arises from over 

 fishing by persons who have no more right to do so than 

 thousands in this city who never so much as taste salmon. 

 We think, therefore, that some public movement should 

 really be made in this matter. The influence to contend 

 against is great. Vested interests, if not vested rights, 

 are deeply involved in the question ; but if a determined 

 movement were made, we have no doubt that justice 

 would ultimately triumph, arid that with the fishings 

 placed under proper restrictions, the salmon would soon 

 become so abundant as to form an important article in the 

 general consumption. Once let the fish begin to multiply 

 faster than they are taken, and no one can prescribe a 

 limit to the numbers which they will soon attain. It is 

 difficult and dangerous to interfere with private rights ; but 

 where there are really no rights, or none that are not 

 derived from the Crown, there is no difficulty in the case. 

 A single year of jubilee might do wonders, and this might 

 be universally enforced as preliminary to placing the 

 whole system under proper regulations. 



" In the approaching general election, which cannot be 

 far distant, we hope the constituencies throughout the 

 country will make this a capital point, in electing their 

 future representatives. Let them be all pledged, if need 

 be, to protect the salmon. Let them be at least pledged 

 to see justice done in this matter. We hold it to be a 

 point of great importance, as involving the abundance or 

 scarcity of what was once a material article of food. It 

 may seem ridiculous to attach, so much importance to it 

 now in the present dearth of fish, but who is to thank for 

 that dearth ? We hold this to be the very circumstance 

 that calls for a general, immediate, and united movement 

 on the subject. 



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