HERRING FISHERIES. 197 



Of tbe Weftern Fijhery, including a Review of the Re- 

 gulations as tbe Law now ftands, with their Ope- 

 rations and Ef efts upon tbe Fi/berics, and tbofe con- 

 cerned therein. Alfo> a Retro/peel into tbe Proceed- 

 ings of tbe Commiffioners of tbe Revenue in Scotland ; 

 :btir Interpretation of tbe Law in certain Cafes ; 

 and tbe Fees impofed on tbe Fijhcries ; with other 

 Particulars. 



Of tbe Non-payment of tbe Bounty. 



Having brought down the hiftory of the eaftern 

 fifheries to the prefent time, it is now propofed to 

 relume the fubjeft of the weftern fifhery, from the 

 period when the Britifh company abandoned their 

 cnterprize, and fold their veilels and materials.* 



It hath been obferved, that in the years 49-503 

 government, to encourage the herring fcfherieSj 

 whether carried on by companies or individuals, 

 granted a bounty of 30 (hillings per ton on the buf- 

 fes employed therein; and that, in 1757, it was 

 found expedient to extend that bounty to 50 Ihillings. 

 Upon the ftrength of fuch encouragement, and re- 

 lying on the punfbual payment thereof, the enter- 

 prizing fpirit of the weft country exerted itfclf to 

 the utmoft ; drained every nerve ; bid defiance to 

 the inclemencies of the fevereit weather ; the dan- 

 gers of the turbulent Atlantic ; and thus maintained 

 their ground, and extended the fiflieries, after all 

 attempts in other parts* of Scotland had totally 

 failed. 



The number of bufll-s increafcJ with aftonilhing 



iity ; the nets, and all the apparatus of the filh^ 



cries, were every year improved ; the men became 



more expert in navigating thofe difficult feas, and 



in taking, and curing the herrings. 



The demand to Ireland, the Weft Indies, and for 

 home confumption, was great. A filhery thus car- 

 ried on by a perfevering people, flimulated by quick 

 * Which brought them only 7'. per cent, of their capital. 



N z fales 



