. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 143 



the Eealme, and the great eiicris of Riches to be brocht 

 within the Eealme of other countries, that certain Lordes, 

 spiritual and teraporal, and Burrowes gar make greate 

 schippes, Busches, and other great pinck boats with 

 nettes, and all abuilzements ganand therefore for fis- 

 chinge, and the execution of this matter, and the form 

 and number of the seamen, to be had at the continuation 

 of the Parliament."* 



In the reign of King James IV. the Scottish nation 

 saw the propriety of maintaining their own rights as to 

 the fishery ; for in 1488 the following Act was passed : 

 " That the strangers buy na fish but salted and baralled, 

 nor buy nane other merchandice, but at free burrowes, 

 and there pay their deuties and customes, and take their 

 cocquet as efifeires, and that they make na merchandice 

 at the Leuvis, nor other places, but at free burrowes."! 



The Act of 1471 was in 1491 extended and confirmed 

 by James IV., Pari. 4, cap. 49 ; but at same time it was 

 improperly enacted, that no ships should go to the her- 

 ring-fishery under twenty tons, a restriction which must 

 have done much injury, viz. : — 



" ANENT THE MAKING OF SCHIPPES AND BUSCHES ON THE 

 QUHILK ALL IDLE MEN SULD LABOUR. 



" Item, anent the greate innumerable riches that is 

 tinte in fault of Schippes and Busches to be disponed 

 for fishing sic like as etheris Realmes his, that are mer- 

 chand with the sea, and for the Police and conquest, 

 that may be had here intil, and to cause idle men and 

 avengeours to labour for their living, for the eschewing 



* 6th Pari. King James III., 6th March 1471, sect. 48. 

 t 1st Pari. James IV., 6th October 1488, sect. 3. 



