Kilkenny.
_American Fisheries._--Almost from the first settlement of the colony of
Massachusetts Bay, this has been a troublesome question; and now that it is
under the consideration of the English and American governments, it is to
be hoped that it may be finally settled.
In June, 1623, a vessel arrived at Plymouth, Cape Cod, commanded by Admiral
West, who had been sent from England for the sole purpose of preventing all
persons, whether subjects of Great Britain or foreigners, from fishing on
the coast, unless they had previously obtained permission for that purpose
from the Council of New England. The admiral meeting with much opposition,
and finding he could not settle the question in an amicable manner, left
Plymouth in disgust, and sailed for southern Virginia. The colonists then
appealed to Parliament, and an act was passed that the fisheries _should be
free_.
Query, In what year was this act passed, and has the permission then
granted ever been annulled?