HERRING FISHERIES. 25 1> 



3. To enforce honefty, and a drift adherence to the 

 fpirit of the law, amongft the claimants of the 

 bounty, as well as the officers appointed by go- 

 vernment. 



Such being the infurmountable difficulties at- 

 tending this fcheme in the Highlands, we recur to 

 the plan fuggefted in the former editions of this, 

 work : a propofal adapted to the natural (late of 

 the country, the feas, the climate, the uncertainty 

 of the herrings, and other circumftances worthy of 

 notice. 



^The utility of a boat fifhery around the whole 

 kingdom, and particularly in the weft Highlands, 

 being readily admitted -, that plan which can be car- 

 ried into execution upon the fimpleft principles, 

 with the leaft danger of frauds, and confequently 

 the leaft expence in revenue officers, hath a prefer^ 

 able claim to the attention of the public. 



We have confidered the bufs fiihery as abfolutely 

 necefTary in thofe feas -, the ftamina of the whole Scot- 

 tifh fifheries, by which the Weft India markets are> 

 fupplied, the mercantile trade affifted in freights, 

 and the royal navy ftrengthened, though at no ex- 

 pence to government. It hath alfo been propofed 

 to admit vefTels of ten tons burthen within the de- 

 fcription of buffes, for the conveniency of fubordi- 

 nate orders of men, who have an equal title to the 

 protection of government as thofe of fuperior for- 

 tune. Let the fame munificence be extended ftilt 

 further; to that numerous clafs of people, whofe 

 united exertions are limited to the equipment of 

 open boats. Let thefe boats be regiftered, and 

 placed under the fame regulations as the bufles, re-- 

 fpecting the dimenfions and conftruction of the boat, 

 the quantity of netting, and the number of men.' 

 Each boat containing five men and a boy, might be. 

 entitled to a bounty or premium of lol, or 15!. an- 

 s which fum, though fmall, would, in unfuc- 



cefsful 



