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To the Editor of the British .dmcrcian.

Mn. EDITOR,

Some time since I suggested same crude remarks relative to the establishing a Fishery at this end of the Island, which had they been operated on, might, I think by this time, have. made suﬂicient progress to have. produced beneﬁcial results [say by this time, for my proposition was in the year 1827, and according to my notions at that period, it would have taken perhaps ﬁve or six years to have realized a fund by small subscriptions, adequate to a com- mencement on a respectable footing.

My plan was the formation ultimately of campany, similar to that ofa joint stock ; not for the peculiar beneﬁt of a few indi- viduals, but on that extensive system, that alarge portion of the public might avail themselves of the advantage, and a fund produced from the many without any cousiderable outlay, or without any incon- venience being felt.

It is somewhat singular that the very in- teresting subject of a fishery should have been for a consuderable time neglected, that it should be lost sight of by the inhabi- tants of this Island, possessing no regular staple to attract commerce is certainly unaccountable.

The same resource must certainly exist that ever did, and this source of wealth cannot have left our seas which the nume- rous sail of American ﬁshing, crafts that constantly visit our ﬁshing ground, is a suf- ﬁcient proof. It is certainly a peculiar mortitication to see our neighbours carrying oﬁ‘the spoil in abundance, and enriching themselves, and the inhabitants of our shores looking supinely on, many of whom have the tail of a scanty ﬁsh for the use of their families, when by a triﬂing exertion of the public we have within our grasp a never failing source, if We would only con- descend to avail ourselves of the good be. fore us. Mention any thing having a re- ference to the establishment of a ﬁshery ; and it is more than ten to one but it will end by the parties lamenting that capitalists do not come and make at commencement. No person I believe will doubt, that if the rich would come amongst us for this pur- pose, a great deal of time and trouble would be saved, as we should then be in possession of the very object, that every over ofthe country must desire, namely, a brisk trade, which till we obtain by some means or other, we shall ever be of little import; and the same sluggish system will prevail with its endless train of privation. But asI before hinted, and again reiterate —and cannot be too often impressed on the minds of the public, to wait for the ar- rival of the rich to vest their capital with us who cannot be supposed to enter into our feelings on this subject, or feel its im- portance when places of far greater conse- quence hold out allurements for commerce

THF BRITISH AMERICAN

that time alone can afford us. It is with this as every other circumstance which can give rise to wealth,——it must be enterprise, genius, and industry ofa country that trust find the resource ; these long experience has conﬁrmed, are the true riches of a country. With the aid of them the most gigantic effects have been produced, ster- ility of soil, im'lcmeicy of climate, and almost insuperable difficulties, have not been barriers sufﬁcient to arrest the con- centrated efforts of a people determined to accomplish their object. It has been by thejoint efforts of a multitude bringing their strength to one focus, that the most magniﬁcent and stupendous works of art have been left mementos of wisdom and national perseverence I am aware that many obstacles will be adduced, but I do not see any but what may be overcome by time ; and when Isay time, I do not mean any Very considerable period. I feel con- ﬁdent that on some such plan as before su 0' ted, ﬁve or six years would be quite tto raise a lund adequate for a be- n a very respectable scale.

I an ipate no greater impediment to its accomplishment than that luke warm in- difference or apathy that has so long pre- vailed on this important object. Ifit were possible for the many to be brought to feel that interest that the importance of the subject really deserves more than half would be at once effected. In oﬂering rthese crudeiremarks, I have mo favorite system to propagate, it Would'be an Her— culean task to enter into the multifarious opinions on this head. WhatI would wish principally in the ﬁrst instance, is to awa- ken the mind of the public to an object so truly interesting; and by my feeble efforts to induce others possessing more talent than myself, to take up the subject so long neglected.

It is not presumed that such general ob- servations as these can have any other ten- dency than to awake public sentiment, for where so many must necessarily be con- cerned, it would be to arrogate too much to lay down any thing than quite a general outline. Should however, the theme be taken up by men of talent on the Island, and become a popular notion in the Various districts, public meetings must be the pre- lude to future regular plans.

On a former occasion I endeavored to lay before the public what [then consider- ed a feasible way as regarded subscriptions to be entered into by all persons in fur- therance ofthe object, and foreseeing that the dearth of cash in country places might have been an obstacle to some, I thought, that after the harvest every one might contribute his mite according to circum- stances, the poor man what he could spare, and the rich farmer more muni.:cently, and all agreeable to their ability. A gran-

ny might have been established, commit-

£0.19

tees appomted, of responsible persons to receive and give receipts, the gram shi ped oﬂ'and turned into specie, thereby to form ultimately a fund. More mature re. ﬂections however, has given rise to differ. ent ideas, for th-- consequent trouble and expense would I think, be more than the receipts in this way could Compatiny Ii. quidate. From hence it would appear, . more rational mode of procedure for the offering to the shrine of the public welfare, though it should be smaller, would render the business more safe and less complex by being paid in cash. There is an adage known to the votarys of the blind goddess Fortune, viz. ‘Nothiug venture, nothing have.’ Without some triﬂing sacrifice, not any thing of this nature can be expec. ted to be accomplished. I can hardly ima. gine that if the sentiment could be gene- rally diffused, that there are many indi- viduals to be found so poor in purse or pa. triotism, or so dead to public feeling, but would cheerfully contribute some small matter, to serve the depressed trade of the Colony.

“ What bosom beats not in his Country's cause.”

Having cursorily proceeded thus far, it may not be deemed inexpedient to be somewhat more explicit.

I should suppose ifthe public should a- dopt methods in furtherance of a Fishery, it must under proper regulations be con- ducted on the system generally adopted in all public works ; VIZ. by shareholders, and tliese when the business commences must necessarily be circumscribed to a li- mited number according to circumstances. It may then be said, who are to be the Holders ol'these shares? the answer will be simple, those who can best afford to pur- chase: it may then as a natural impression, be asked,-—what interest can the many have who have contributed the annual sti- pend, that perhaps amounts to not one- third the share: are they whom consisting of far the greater number not in common with the wealthy shareholders to partici- pate; most assuredly they must, according to a ratio ofthcir subscription. And this must be regulated on a system of equity as circumstances may direct, and the inte- rest accumulates, or by selling their inter- est at choice, or by several amalgamating to form one share.

On the event of public meetings and so- cieties being constituted, and annual sub- scriptions entered into, the persons volun- tarily subscribi g, should be given to un- derstand, that for a given time, he or they must positively deposit the money in t fund to be sunk, and remain inviolable.-—- When a regular system shall be digested, a Certain number of persons, principal ly Shareholders, may be chosen by vote or ballot, whose particular province shall be to make application to the government for some central spot of land, or some sm