[FISHING]

The Case of the Coasting Fishermen

London? 1715. Broadsheet. [1] p. plus printed docket title on verso. Disbound. Small folio. Early folds and early stab holes in left margin. Mild foxing.

A rare petition to Parliament relating to a current bill concerning the mesh size of fishing nets used along the coast of Great Britain. The fishing lobby here argues that the clause limiting mesh size to four inches, except for use with "Herrings, Pilchards, Sprats and Sardenas," will prevent the catching of various larger fish and lobster and thereby ruin much of the national fishing industry. They claim that the fishmongers, who support the regulation, would prefer "to bring in Foreign Fish caught in Foreign Bottoms" and profit from the higher prices. A leaflet published the same year, entitled, An Answer to the Case of the Coasting Fishermen, indicates the present document was authored by the lobsterman lobby. An early example of commercial lobbying literature, which first began proliferating in the lobby of the House of Commons at the time of the accession of King George I and the British general election of 1715. ESTC records copies at only two institutions: Oxford and the University of London.

Hanson 2118.

Item #21182

Price: $450.00