HISTORY OF THE 



, But fuppofmg that the herrings were more certain, 

 affording the traders fufficient encouragement, not 

 only to remain on thefe fhores, hut to ered villages 

 or towns ; the mode of granting a premium per 

 barrel would open a door for boundlefs frauds upon 

 government, which neither divine nor human laws 

 could prevent. At prefent, the natives are an honeft, 

 fimple people; but when intermixed with flrangers 

 of loofe morals, hackneyed in all the rogueries and 

 mercenary ftratagems of the great world, they will 

 become more or lefs tinctured with the manners of 

 the perfons with whom they affociate in trade, and 

 to cheat the king, as it is called, will be reckoned 

 dexterity in bufmefs. Frauds, and abufes, are daily 

 pradtifed, even in the capital itfelf j in the face of 

 king, lords, and commons ; in defiance of all laws, 

 checks, and regulations, that wifdom can devife. 

 It may therefore befuppofed, that (till greater abufes 

 will become the common practice of perfons fettled 

 in the mod remote parts of our ifland, far re^ 

 moved from the infpedtion of fuperiors, and under 

 the ftrong temptation of four Ihillings on every bar- 

 rel of herrings that can be prefented to the view of 

 the refident officers. 



Upon the whole, this plan, however feafible in 

 theory, cannot be reduced to practice, unlefs govern- 

 ment fhall be able to accomplifh the following 

 purpofes. 



1. To induce the adventurers to build quays, ftore- 

 houfes, and private dwellings, at their own expence, 

 upon the precarious hope of being repaid with 



. intereft, on a future day. 



2. To perfuade the herrings to come annually to 

 thefe places that they may be taken, faked, and 

 cured, by the inhabitants, inftead of rambling 

 from place to place, and thereby eluding the vi- 

 gilance of the boats. 





