121 



■with thankfulness by every poor Canadian of Lower Cana- 

 da ; for I feel confident that a proper protection of the 

 Salmon Fisheries will bring about a great field for em- 

 ployment, and a large increase of valuable food for all 



classes. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



The subject of the protection of the Fisheries, and the 

 Artificial propagation, is of far greater importance, than 

 it is generally supposed to be. In it is involved the so- 

 cial condition of the people. 



I have always been of opinion, that true Legislation 

 consisted, in devising the means whereby the people shall 

 be made contented and happy. To produce these results, 

 it is necessary that they should be enabled to procure the 

 food, which is essential to their existence. Idleness pro- 

 duces want — crime, discontent, and numerous other evils 

 follow in the train, — hence it becomes apparent, that em- 

 ployment should be found for the people, if these results 

 are to be obtained. 



In Lower Canada where there are abundant resources 

 for the employment of the inhabitants, amid theirforests and 

 their fisheries ; the people are being led, — not into crime, — 

 for it is against the principles which are early instilled 

 into them, but, — to emigrate. "We constantly hear, that 

 our rural population are leaving us, and emigrating into 

 the States and elsewhere, for want of employment. — This 

 should not be ! — Here is a vast field for employment. — The 

 fisheries alone could be rendered so abundant and lucrative, 



