THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING 49 



English or Irish, to administer justice during the whole time 

 of the voyage. 1 



Anyone " who is native or denizat " was eligible for 

 membership of the society, provided he was willing to abide 

 by its statutes, and this membership was " without anie 

 exactioun whatsomever." The society was given the right 

 to all sea-fishing, with the reservation of the salmon fishing 

 and of the fishing in the creeks and firths specially mentioned. 

 Sheds and landing stages were to be built at certain points 

 on the coast to be agreed upon, a fair price to be paid to 

 ground landlords for ground so used. The fish were either 

 to be brought to land, when the usual dues were to be paid, 

 or were to be transported to foreign ports and retailed there. 

 The society's fishers and servants, boats and ships, were not 

 to be seized upon for the king's service, except by special 

 warrant ; while members of the society and those engaged 

 in its work were excused from service on " recognitiouns or 

 inquisitiouns," from being collectors of tithes, "or other 

 burdens or impositiouns." 



The society was granted an absolute monopoly in the 

 trade in fish. It was expressly ordered that " No person 

 whatsomever not being in the said Societie Transport or 

 caus to be transported anie sea fishe takin within his 

 Majesty's dominiouns, or brought within the same ellis where 

 furth of the saids dominions in merchandice." The society 

 so far as property held in common by its members was 

 concerned, was freed from the ordinary tithes and taxes, 

 " granted by Parliament or any other way." 



It was, however, to pay the usual harbour tolls and local 

 dues " in harbereis, mercats, faires, bridges, villages, or 

 hie wayes," " according to the law and custome of the place 

 where they ar exacted." 2 



1 Act, Parl. Scotland, vol. v. p 242. 



2 Act. Parl. Scotland, vol. v. p. 243 ; Reg. Privy Council, vol. iv. (2nd 



) p. 353. 



D 



