504 THE HISTORY OF DUTCH SEA FISHERIES. 



Harlingen in 1824,* the King being one of the principal 

 participators. A similar company was formed at Rotter- 

 dam about the same time. Notwithstanding the very con- 

 siderable amount of premiums awarded, I have not found 

 any evidence of these whaling attempts having been success- 

 ful ; indeed the " Nederlandsche Hermes" of December 1826 

 distinctly states the contrary, and whaling was the only 

 branch of Dutch sea-fishery which did not perceptibly 

 survive the ruin of the ancient Republic. 



Not content with restoring every detail of the ancient 

 system of fishing regulation and protection, the Govern- 

 ment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands soon began 

 to out-Herod Herod, and add fresh fishery restric- 

 tions and monopolies to those made in former times. A 

 minimum charter for herring busses allowed to cure 

 and entitled to the premium of fl.5oo was established, 

 by a Decree of June i6th, 1815 ;t twenty-four lasts and 

 thirteen men being prescribed as the minimum size and 

 crew for such vessels. The same Decree contained a 

 clause by which the Grand Fishery College's virtual 

 power was very much extended, and it became indeed a 

 matter of some difficulty to assign its exact limits. All 

 laws whatever emanated on fisheries in former years, 

 and aiming at the maintenance of the credit of Dutch 

 herring were declared to continue in vigour, unless ex- 

 pressly repealed; and the publication of May 3Oth, 1800, 

 against curing Zuider Zee "panherring" and importing 

 foreign herring unless for re-exportation in the same 



* Bijvoegsel op het Staatsblad, p. 612. 



f Staatsblad No. 39. Although virtually a modification of the law 

 of 1 80 r, the enactment was disguised in the shape of a simple regula- 

 tion prohibiting the College of the Grand Fishery from issuing licences 

 for vessels not responding to it. 



