364 DEFENCE OF THE BUSS FISHERY. 



fhoals. The expence of the bufs fifhery is alfo con- 

 fiderably augmented by parliamentary regulations, 

 which obliges them to employ more men than are 

 really neceflary for the filhery in the prefent prac- 

 tice of curing 3 and it is partly on this account that 

 the bounty is given. 



The prices of all kinds of materials, provifions, 

 wages, and whatever is connected with the fifheries, 

 are alfo raifed very confiderably; fome of them, as 

 herring barrels, above 100 percent, within thefe laft 

 40 years. 



The vexatious, and expenfive journies and fees in 

 confequence of the fait laws -, the enormous fees de- 

 manded at the cuftom-houfes upon all occafions ; the 

 delay and expence in the rendezvoufes ; the obliging 

 veflels to fifh their own cargoes, and to, remain three 

 months upon the voyages; and other circumftances 

 unknown in former times : Thefe combined, we 

 lhall find the bounties to be in effect little more than 

 a name, placing the adventurers of the prefent day, 

 with a bounty , in much the fame ilate as their prede- 

 cefibrs without that general aid*. Some of thofe par- 

 ticulars, as the cuftom-houfe fees, either did not occur 

 to the doctor, or they were kept purpofely out of the 

 way, as is the cafe fometimes with evidence in lawfuits. 

 . The fecond pofition : cc That the ufual effed of 

 fuch bounties is to encourage rafh undertakers to ad- 

 venture in a bufmefs which they do not underftand, 

 and what they lofe by their own negligence and ig- 

 norance, more than compen fates all that they can 

 gain by the utmofl liberality of government." This 

 is a fevere infmuation againft a body of people, the 

 leaft pofiibly deferving of it within thefe kingdoms. 

 Had I never feen Scotland, or that part of it where, 

 the adventurers refide, I fhould moft probably have 

 given implicit belief to whatever came from the pen 

 of doctor Smith ; I fhould have imagined thefe wefl 

 country merchants and fifhers were a fet of defperate 



* The bounty was formerly given, not on the fifh taken, but on, 

 the fiih exporte'd. . 



