164 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING- FISHERY, 



speedy occasion of building sliips for his Majesty's and 

 his subjects' use, both in peace and war, but likewise will 

 set many poor and idle persons awork, and furnish the 

 materials of a great native export, for the continual en- 

 riching of his Majesty's kingdom, by a sure foundation of 

 trade and commerce." And it accordingly authorises the 

 erection of corporations, each member admitted to which 

 shall pay not less than one hundred merks into the funds ; 

 that the company, or companies, " shall have full powers 

 to fish" herring, or white fish, " build houses and little 

 cottages," to make laws and regulations, and to constitute 

 councils and courts to decide in all matters regarding 

 the fishery, and none was to be of the council who did 

 not subscribe at least one thousand merks ; that his 

 Majesty, "out of his innate beneficence, and royal bounty, 

 ordained that salt, cordage, hemp, cork, pitch, tar, clap- 

 board, knaple, ske whoops, and Holland nets, imported by 

 said companies, should be free of duty ;" that such herrings 

 should be " free of any manner of taxation or burden" on 

 exportation ; that " strange fishers," who came to reside 

 in Scotland, should be, on the application of said com- 

 panies, naturalised, and free of any taxation for the space 

 of seven years ; released and discharged the said company 

 of the teind herring, and the excise herring, due to his 

 Majesty (except the herring of Dunbar), for the space of 

 nine years ; " freed " the beer, strong waters, and other 

 provisions, for outfitting of any vessel, of all duty ; 

 charging all proprietors of lands to protect said companies 

 and their people, and discharging them from exacting 

 more than twelve shillings Scots (Is. English), per last of 

 twelve barrels in full of all dues ; and declares the ships, 

 boats, vessels, and people, free of detention, arrestment, or 

 caption, during the time of fishing. 



