62 APPENDIX TO REPORT ON OYSTER CULTURE 



to grant these applications, to take care to leave every facility to the 

 inhabitants of the shores to have access to the sea, so that they may 

 not be deprived of the right of reaping what the waves carry there. 



The Minister Secretary of State for the Marine and Colonies. 

 (Signed) P. De Chasseloup-Laubat. 



Enclosure No. 5. 



Ministry of the Marine and Colonies. 



Report to the Emperor. 

 Sire, 



For some time past numerous applications for grants of land for 

 the formation of oyster beds, and for other deposits for shell-fish, on the 

 sea coast, have been made to the Department of the Marine. 



Although always revocable, the authorization to create private estab- 

 lishments on the public maritime domain would have, in certain cases, 

 for a consequence, if they multiplied, the prevention in some sort, of free 

 access to the shore, by the population who find means of subsistence in 

 gathering whatever the sea throws up ; lastly, it would hinder, paralyse 

 even, fishing on a productive and important domain. The population on 

 the shore have thus a great interest in knowing the applications for 

 grants made to the superior administration, and it also should wish to 

 be informed of the rights and interests to be conciliated, since it has to 

 call for and hear them. 



It is for the attainment of this end, that having taken the advice of 

 the permanent commission on fisheries and maritime domains, I venture 

 to submit for the approbation of the Emperor, a draft of a decree, of 

 which the object will be to submit all the applications to an exami- 

 nation, prompt, without doubt, but regular, in which all interests may 

 present themselves. 



From the date of this decree, the applications will be submitted to an 

 open inquiry for fifteen clays in the commune of the territory. 



The observations to which these applications will give rise will be 

 received by the maritime authorities, and to prevent all local interest, 

 not only the maritime authorities, but the mayors of communes, also 

 those persons interested, will be able to address their observations 

 directly to the prefects maritime, who will transmit the papers of the 

 inquiry to the minister with their own suggestions. The maritime pre- 

 fects will, besides, be able to know the real state of things, either by agents 

 placed on the spot, or by the chief of the division of the shore. 



Lastly, as has taken place since the decree of the 20th March, 1861, 

 these applications will be submitted to the commission on fisheries, who 

 fills with so much zeal the double mission of assisting the development 

 of the means of production placed in the hands of private industry, and 

 to watch over and keep for the shore population and for the fishermen 

 the enjoyment of the public maritime domain. 



I hope, Sire, that the decree I have the honour to submit to Your Majesty 

 will thus give all the guarantees desirable to the different interests that 

 it behoves us to protect. 



I am, with the most profound, respect, Sire, Your Majesty's very hum- 

 ble obedient servant and faithful subject, 



The Minister Secretary of State for the Marine and Colonies, 

 (Signed,) C ;e - P. De Chasseloup-Laubat. 



