8 



not possessed by their predecessors in this sphere 

 of exertion, of having thus suggested for their 

 caution. They have therefore entirely avoided 

 any immediate and direct interference in the ob- 

 taining of the fish : they have attempted collate- 

 rally to afford the fishermen encouragement, to 

 contribute to their existing and natural induce- 

 ments to exertion, and not further to connect 

 themselves with their concerns. The nature and 

 effect of these attempts will now be noticed. 



Many years since there existed a Cod Fishery, 

 carried on from the shores of this country to the 

 North Seas and Iceland, in which about two hun- 

 dred vessels were employed ; but this fishery, from 

 the operation of the duties on salt, had been nearly 

 if not completely annihilated. 



In the year 1782, some gentlemen of Yarmouth 

 represented this public loss to a Committee of the 

 House of Commons, and offered to re-establish 

 that important fishery, if this impediment were 

 removed. It not being found expedient that 

 the measure should then be adopted, the fishery 

 was not revived. The willingness which had 

 been discovered in the manufacturing districts to 

 receive, and even to purchase supplies of fish, 

 together with the prospect offered of the sale of it 

 in the general market of the metropolis for home 

 consumption, encouraged the Association to pro- 

 pose to the general body of fishermen to purchase, 

 at the rate of < 18 per ton, all the corned cocj 



