HISTORY OF THE 



1784, they did not appear till the 3Oth of December, 

 and then in one place only. Had the Irifh fifhery 

 been under the fame reftri&ions as that of Scotland, 

 confined to a bufs fifhing only, no great capture could 

 have been made during the few remaining days of the 

 fifhing feafon. But by means of 450 country boats, 300 

 bufles were nearly loaded between the joth of Dec. 

 and the middle of January, which from the failure of 

 the Scottifhand Swedilh fifheries, brought an extraor- 

 dinary price, both for home and foreign demand. 



Of the Reftraints refpetfing the Irijh Fijhery, by the 

 Commiffioners of the Cuftoms at Edinburgh, contrary 

 to the Statutes. 



As the great weftern fhoal of herrings falls upon 

 the north coaft of Scotland, and continues its courfe 

 fouthwards till interrupted by the coaft of Donnegal 

 in Ireland, nature feems to have intended this fhoal 

 for the joint benefit of both kingdoms, and confe- 

 quently, the refpeclive inhabitants being the confti- 

 tuent members of the fame empire, fhould be 

 allowed to follow the fifhing from place to place, 

 and in all refpects to enjoy the fame privileges and 

 protection in their perfons and property. 



This being the idea of the Scottifh adventurers, 

 they refolved to follow and to take the herrings upon 

 any part of thofe extenfive fhores; but the conftruftion 

 put by the commiflioners of the cuftoms, upon the 

 prefent exifting laws for regulating the herring fifheries, 

 involved thole devoted men in new and unexpected 

 calamities. It was declared that no herrings could 



O 



be admitted to entry, either for home confumption 

 or exportation, that did not appear upon the oath 

 of the mailer or owners to have been caught on the 

 coaft of Scotland, excluding by this means, all her- 

 rings taken or procured upon the coafts of Ireland and 

 thelfle of Man. 



The adventurers on the other hand, upon look- 

 ing 



