170 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING- FISHERY. 



' reeking of any vessel for the said fishings of the said 

 ' companies, is and shall be free of all manner of imposi- 

 ' tions whatever; commanding hereby the lords and 

 ' masters of the ground, in all places through the said 



* kingdom where there is loch or other fishings, not only 



* to protect, maintain and defend the said company and 

 ' society, and all masters of ships, fishers, and others 

 ' whatsoever, going about the said trade, and belonging 

 ' to the respective companies of fishing, from all harm, 



* trouble, or damage whatsoever, or else to satisfy and re- 

 ' fund their loss and damage which they shall sustain 

 ' upon their land, but also that they nor none of them 

 ' presume nor take upon hand to exact or levy any more 



* from the said fishers, merchants, or their servants be- 

 ' longing to said companies for ground leave, but 

 ' only twelve shillings Scots for every last, and that in 

 ' full satisfaction of the Saturdayes fishing, or any manner 

 ' of dues whatsoever ; and for the greater encouragement 

 ' of merchants, fishers, masters of ships, and other vessels 

 ' and their servants, to attend the said trade of fishing, 

 ' his Majestie by his sovereign authority and prerogative 

 ' royal, not only by these presents declares the ships, 

 ' boats, and other vessels with their furniture provided 



* for, and in exercise of the said trade of fishing, no 



* ways to be arrestable by any creditor, but that the 

 ' same and those that shall serve them shall be free from 

 ' all actions, and no ways conveenable before any judge 

 ' judicatory whatsoever, for any cause or causes civil, 

 ' which may be intended against them, but also by the 

 ' tenour hereof, declares the said fishers, masters, and 

 ' their servants above written, shall be free of captions, 

 ' arrestments, or other attachments, on their persons or 

 ' against their materials and instruments of fishery dur- 



