2 5 4 HISTORY OF THE 



when his country calls, to co-operate with the 

 brave tars of the fouth, in whatever fervice that 

 country 'may require. 



And, it may be further obferved, that though 

 the boats contribute lefs to the revenue, in building 

 and repairs, than the large vetfels, yet they contri- 

 bute a moiety > which, with the proportionable in- 

 creafe of the fifhery, and confequently of exports, 

 freights, wear and tear of fhipping, and returns 

 of foreign produce, paying confiderable duties, may 

 be fuppofed to refund in the aggregate, the gratuity 

 received from government. 



The boat fifhery upon this plan, cannot, however, 

 be fully eftablifhed until the poor natives {hall be 

 accommodated with fait, without the perplexities 

 of cuftom-houfe forms, attendancies, and fees, re- 

 quired by the prefent laws, even fuppofing all other 

 obftr notions were removed. 



In the mean time, the boats may be permitted to 

 fell their frefh herrings to the bufTes, which would be 

 a relief to both parties, and enable the bufies to load 

 full cargoes, at lefs expence, and in lefs time than 

 they can, by the prefent laws, fifh half a cargo. 

 But here a new difficulty occurs. By the Dutch re- 

 gulations, the herrings fhould be gutted and cured 

 immediately after they are taken; and by no means 

 remain above twenty-four hours without fait. 

 Any herrings therefore, that cannot be cured with- 

 in the time ftipulated by the law, are thrown over- 

 board. 



This very necefTary regulation, unlefs enforced 

 by a fpecial claufe, will not be obferved on the ex- 

 tenfive fhores of the Highlands, where the buffes 

 who wifh to purchafe, and the boats who wifh to fell, 

 may happen to be wind-bound at the diftance of 50 

 miles or upwards from each other ; thus, the boat 

 cargoes might remain a week or upwards uncured, 

 and the reputation of the Scottifh fiiheries be thereby 

 a confiderably 



