of the fisheries, and for not deserting them ; prohi- 

 bitions against taking fish, except of proper sizes, 

 and at suitable periods of the year., companies 

 almost innumerable established with capitals, vary- 

 ing in amount up to the extent of half a million, 

 which for the most part have adopted the measure 

 of becoming themselves concerned in the trade, 

 and engaging in fishing adventures, and which also 

 for the most part have thus completely failed in 

 their purpose, and broken up their establishments. 

 For in this case little of that superintendance can be 

 exercised, which in other cases must serve to pro- 

 mote attention and so quicken industry. Here, 

 there is no inviting spot where the owner of the 

 soil may survey the progress of cultivation, and 

 daily ascertain the sloth or diligence of those who 

 labour in it. The scene of operation is in this 

 instance remote from observation. The produce 

 of these toils is such as baffles all calculations of 

 its probable amount, and whether his servants 

 have been negligent or industrious, whether they 

 have brought home all their produce, or done that 

 which is known to have been frequently done in 

 these cases, sold it on the opposite coast, he has 

 no means of ascertaining. 



The Committee endeavoured to profit by the 

 attempts which have been before made to promote 

 the general supply of fish, and the effects which 

 have followed them, and to avoid, as much as 

 possible, the errors which they had the advantage, 



