CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 165 



The objectionable parts of this otherwise liberal enact- 

 ment are, that no herrings taken by Scotsmen, not be- 

 longing to the companies, were to be sold to any but 

 natives ; that the return from foreign places was to be 

 sold only " in free burghs to free burgesses, provided 

 they do not retail by selling less quantites nor five tun of 

 wine, or the equivalent in value ;" but the only great 

 error in this Act was the erecting of companies and placing 

 the funds at the disposal of managers and council. The 

 following is the Act in question : — 



' ACT FOR FISHING AND ERECTING OF COMPANIES FOR 

 PROMOVING OF THE SAME. 



' Our Sovereign Lord, considering the best and readiest 

 means for improving the benefit and advantages which 

 properly belong unto him, by the fishes which are or 

 may be taken within the seas, channels, firths, and 

 lochs adjacent and surrounding this his ancient king- 

 dom ; and perceiving the same may be of great ad- 

 vantage many wayes, especially in that the said trade 

 will not only be a nursery for seafaring men, and a 

 speedy occasion of building ships for his Majestie's 

 and his subjects' use, both in peace and war, but, like- 

 wise, will set many poor and idle persons awork, and 

 furnish the materials of a great native export for the 

 continual enriching of his Majestie's kingdoms by a sure 

 foundation of trade and commerce ; for which ends, and 

 that the said trade of fishing may be the more effectually 

 advanced and promo ved within this his Majestie's ancient 

 kingdom ; his sacred Majesty, with consent of his estates 

 now conveened in this present Parliament, hath erected, 

 and by the tenour hereof erects, and creates, and estab- 

 lishes particular societies and companies of his Majestie's 



