HISTORY OF THE 



cefsful feafons, prove a comfortable relief to men of 

 humble views, whofe cares are folely directed to the 

 mere fubfifte nee of their families, on the moft fimple 

 fare, and at the fmalltft expence. 



By this mode ofdiffufing parliamentary munifi- 

 cence, proportioned to the fize of the vefiels and the 

 expence of the equipment, the buffes and boats 

 would mutually afiift, and be aflifring to each other, 

 of which the whole Highlands, and the commu- 

 nity at large, would foon feel the benefits. By 

 means of the propofed bounty j by removing all re- 

 ftraints ; fhortening the channel of commercial inter- 

 courfe with the Clyde, and the Murray Firth; erecting 

 ftorehoufes or towns, and other regulations that re- 

 main to be mentioned, the increafe of flout, well- 

 manned boats, would exceed the moft fanguine hopes 

 of the public. It hath already been obferved, that 

 in old times, 9^0 boats, built after the form of little 

 galleys, have been engaged in the Clyde fifhery only ; 

 and I am informed by the perfon who was infpector, 

 or admiral of the boat fleet, from 1749 to 1757, 

 that he fome years reckoned 1600 boats between 

 Lochryan and the found of Mull.* 



When we reflect that thefe boats compofed only a 

 part of the whole out-fit of the wefrern fhores , and if 

 we alfo take into the account, the boats of Rofs-fhire 

 and the northern iflands, we cannot ftate the whole 

 number employed in favourable years at lefs than 



2000. 



Combining this circumflance, with the powerful 



* I have feen 8 or 900 boats in the Clyde, as high as Greenock. 

 In September 1784, 500 boats were in Lochfine. The herrings, 

 from the want of lalt, were fold at a trifle. The weft fide of the 

 peninfufa was equally crowded. But the fisheries in thefe parts 

 are cafual, owing to fome uncommon circurnftances of wind and 

 weather. The great fifliery lies on the coafts of Rofsfliire, and 

 the Long Ifland. 



incentive 



