THE FISHERIES. 167 



aotwithftanding this precaution, cut off his garrifon 

 to a man. 



In 1 66 1, Charles II. the duke of York, lord 

 Clarendon, and other perfons of rank or fortune, 

 refumed the bufmefs of the fiiheries with greater 

 vigour than any of their predeceflbrs. For this pur- 

 pofe the mod falutary laws were enacted by the 

 parliaments of England and Scotland, in virtue of 

 which, all materials ufed in, or depending upon, the 

 fifheries, were exempted from all duties, excifes, or 

 impofts whatever. In England, the company were 

 authorifed to fet up a lottery, and to have a vo- 

 luntary collection in all parilh churches ; houfes 

 of entertainment, as taverns, inns, ale-houfes, were 

 to take one or more barrels of herrings, at the dated 

 price of thirty fhillings per barrel j* alfo two /hil- 

 lings and fix-pence per barrel was to be paid to the 

 (lock of this company on all imported ftlh taken by 

 foreigners. 



Some Dutch families were alfo invited, or per- 

 mitted, to fettle at Stronaway; the herrings cured 

 by the royal Englifh company gave general fatif- 

 faction, and, as mentioned above, brought a high 

 price for thofe days. Every circumftance attending 

 this new eftablifhment feemed to be the refult of a 

 judicious plan, and thorough knowledge of the bu- 

 fmefs, when the neceflities of the king obliged him 

 to withdraw his fubfcription or bounty, which gave 

 fuch umbrage to the parties concerned, that they 

 ibon after diflblved. 



In 1777, a new royal company was eftablilhed in 

 England, at the head of which was the duke of 

 York, the earl of Derby, &c. Befides all the pri- 

 vileges which former companies had enjoyed, the 

 king granted this new company a perpetuity, with 

 power to purchafe lands ; and alfo twenty pounds 



* The p-.efent average price of Scotch herrings, at the port of 

 London, though burdened with a duty of three Ihiiiimjs and 

 pence per barrel* 



14 to 



