31 S WHALE-FISHERY. 



SECT. XIII. 



Laws of the Whale-Fisher ij. 



Wherever a number of individuals in different 

 interests, but under similar circumstances of time 

 and place, are embarked in the same traffic or oc- 

 cupation, their advantages generally clash v/ith each, 

 or at least interfere in such a way that they arc 

 liable to strive to promote their own advantage on 

 every occasion, though it be at the expence of their 

 neighbour. The generality of this fact in a greater or 

 less degree, has induced some manufacturers, merch- 

 ants, and tradespeople, to establish amongthemselves, 

 where the Legislature has omitted it, a suitable, and, 

 as nearly as possible, an equitable system of regula- 

 tions, for their mutual benefit. 



Thus, in the Greenland Whale-fishery, the import- 

 ance of a code of laws was, at a very early period, ap- 

 parent. A fish struck by the people of two different 

 ships, became an object of dispute, the first striker 

 claiming the whole, and the second demanding a share 

 for his assistance. Stores saved from wrecked vessels, 

 and especially the cargoes of wrecks, being objects of 

 much moment, were also liable to occasion disputes 

 in a still higher degree. Hence, about the year 1677, 

 the Dutch issued a code of regulations, founded on 

 equitable principles, for the prevention of quarrels 



