119 



ABSTRACT OF THE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMIT- 

 TEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 



Mr. John Wilson, a proprietor on the Tweed, 

 and a partner in a large company, tenants of fish- 



NOTES. 



ON reading through this report, I was much gratified 

 to find that in all material points the witnesses before the 

 committee have unequivocally confirmed the suggestions in 

 this pamphlet, which were, with a few slight alterations, 

 submitted to the public through the Western Luminary? in 

 a series of weekly papers about three years ago. The pro- 

 posed Act remains exactly as it was then printed (in May, 

 1820), and has been given to the publisher of the present 

 edition in print. Before I indulge in any observations on 

 the detail of this evidence, I would wish briefly to state the 

 general impression which it has made on my mind, and the 

 particular objects of its consideration. With the exception of 

 the testimony respecting cruives, it may be said that there 

 is a general concurrence of all the witnesses in the propriety 

 of protecting the breeding fish, extending the close time, 

 and such other measures as are suggested in the course of 

 this pamphlet ; though it is rather to be lamented that a 

 few more respectable people, such men as Mr. Drummond, 

 perfectly disinterested in the fisheries, had not been ex- 

 amined, instead of interested fishermen. To expect per- 

 fectly impartial evidence from people who are interested in 



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