318 WIIALE-FISHEHY. 



connected with the prosperity and regulation of the 

 fishery. 



Eesides the preceding regulations, which were 

 subscribed to on oath by every fishing captain and 

 chief officer before sailing, there was another set of 

 rules adapted for the crews of each ship, to the ob- 

 servance of which, every man was sworn before one of 

 the Commissioners, v;ho went on board of each ship 

 to administer the oatli. This affidavit was a kind 

 of charter-party, importing, that they would attend 

 prayers morning and evening, on pain of an amerce- 

 ment at the discretion of the captain ; that they 

 would not get drunk or draw their knives, on for- 

 feiture of half their wages ; and that they would not 

 fight on forfeiture of the whole. That no one should 

 lay wagers on the good or ill success of the fishing, 

 nor buy or sell on these conditions, in case they took 

 one or more fish, on penalty of 25 florins ; that they 

 would be contented with the provision allowed them, 

 and that they would never light fire, candle or 

 m.atch, by night or day, without the captain's leave, 

 under the same penalty*. 



Among the British wliale-fishers, it does not ap- 

 pear that any particular laws were ever expressly laid 

 down, for the adjusting of differences ; yet custom 

 has established certain principles, as constituting the 

 rule of right, the legality of which is sufficiently ac- 



*^' Reece's Cyclopaedia, Art. Fisherii. 



