THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING 37 



fishings were to be for herring. The third fishing was to 

 begin in March and end on the 31st of May, and was to be 

 for ling and cod. Each vessel was to be manned by 16 men 

 and boys, the wage to be 13s. 4d. a month for each man.^ 

 After deducting all expenses of building ships, fitting 

 out, victualling and wages, the king estimates the clear 

 amiual gain from the undertaking to be not less than 

 £165,414. 



The intention was that there should be one general joint 

 stock company for the three peoples, and that there should 

 be a " severall companie " in every " cheefe citie, toun or 

 burrow" in which all " adventurers " of that district should 

 join " both in the charge and contributioun for setting 

 furth the shippes and in sharing the benefite." 



Since the fishing season varied with particular parts of 

 the coast, it was to be understood that the adventurers 

 might " fish freelie in all places and at all tymes." It was, 

 however, expressly stated that all adventurers must be " our 

 owin liege sub j ects . " No foreigners ' ' of what natioun soever ' ' 

 were to be admitted, except as servants, unless they became 

 naturalized. 



Further, as the king regarded the island of Lewis as " the 

 most proper seate for a continuall fishing along the westerne 

 coasts," he intended to take it " as adherent to our crowne," 

 on the understanding that he would render to the Earl of 

 Seaforth such satisfaction " as sail be honourable and just." 

 It was also his intention to erect one or more free burghs 

 in the Lewis, in such places " as sail be fittest for advancing 

 of the fishing and for magazines and stages." 



The king concluded by asking that it be ascertained how 

 much money Scotland would be prepared to contribute as 

 its share, and directed the Privy Council to apply themselves 



1 Detailed in "Britain's Buss " thus, " 16 men and boys ; a master, 

 mate, 4 ordinary sailors, 4 fishermen, 6 landsmen & boys to be trained 

 by the ten former men m the Art of Sailing and Craft of Fishery." 



