4 Mass. 140 | Mass. | 1808
The action being continued nisi, the opinion of the Court was delivered at this term by
who, after shortly stating the nature of the action, the provisions of the statute on which it was [ * 144 ] * brought, and the terms of the agreement on which the verdict was found, proceeded as follows : —
The defence relied upon is, that the defendant took the fish in Cambridge.; that he put in his seine from the Cambridge shore, and having extended it into the river, he drew it upon the same shore, and there took the fish ; and that the fishery, thus carried on in Cambridge, is an accustomed fishery for the inhabitants of that town, in this place, and carried on in the accustomed manner.
The plaintiff insists that this fishery by the defendant is prohibited by the act, because Watertown is situate on the other side of the river, opposite to this place, and the defendant extended his seine across the channel, and over the flats on the Watertown side.
The decision of the question must depend upon the construction of the statute. It is stated that higher up the river, Watertoion is situated .on both sides of the river, where there is a convenient place for the shad and alcwive fishery, and which is called the Watertown fishery; and that the inhabitants of that town have been accustomed to fish there, and in no other place.
Towns adjoining, or extending across a navigable river, may own the soil of the flats, and even of the channel, if a grant has been
The power of appropriation only not meeting the wishes of many towns, acts have been passed authorizing them, not only to fix the times and manner of taking the fish, but also the places, and the disposition of them when taken ; and to sell the exclusive right of fishing; and guarding this authority by pecuniary penalties. And the place of fishing is always understood to be that part of the shore used for employing seines and nets, or other engines, and for bringing the fish to land; and not any part of the tide waters in which they were swimming.
Independently of the statute in question, the defendant, or any other, might have put his seine into the river from the Cambridge shore, and might have landed his fish, if he had committed no trespass on the land ; and the inhabitants of that town might have appropriated the fish, and have secured to themselves a several fishery. But the plaintiff" supposes that these privileges are restrained, or at least that the fish shall not be caught on the Watertown side of the river.
Private statutes, made for the accommodation of particular citizens or corporations, ought not to be construed to affect the rights or privileges of others, unless such construction results from express words, or from necessary implication. But every part of this statute may have a reasonable effect without any such construction. The
It is, therefore, our opinion that the verdict be set aside, and a verdict of not guilty be entered, upon which the defendant must have judgment.