174 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



allows all the lieges to fish, it prohibits exportation 

 except by the merchants of the Koyal Burrows.* This 

 act is as follows : — 



' ACT ANENT THE FISHERY. 



'Our Sovereign Lord and Lady, with consent of the estates 

 ' convened in Parliament, considering that the late Koyal 

 ' Company erected for fishing, is now dissolved by retir- 

 ' ing their stocks and quitting the prosecution of that 

 ' trade in company, as was designed in its institution, and 

 ' yet they continue to exact six pounds Scots per last of 

 ' all herrings exported forth of the kingdom, to the hurt 

 ' and prejudice of their Majesties lieges : Therefore their 

 ' Majesties, with the advice and consent of the estates of 

 ' parliament, do rescind, reduce, and annul, the foresaid 

 ' gift of erection of the company, called the Eoyal Com- 

 ' pany of Fishing, with the whole priveledges and im- 



* munities belonging thereto, together with all acts, con- 

 ' firmations, and ratifications thereof, and declares the 

 ' foresaid company to be dissolved ; discharging hereby, 

 ' and strictly prohibiting the exacting of the six pounds 

 ' Scots for the last of herrings, or any other imposition, 

 ' or exaction upon herrings, or any other fishings what- 

 ' somever, on the account of the foresaid company, or 

 ' any having their right, from the takers or importers of 

 ' herring, salmon, and white fishes, or any other fishes in 

 ' all time coming. And for the further encouragement of 



* the trade of fishing, their Majesties, with advice and 



* consent foresaid, do allow, invite, and encourage, the 

 ' merchants of the royal burghs, and others of their good 

 ' subjects, to employ their stocks and industry in the trade of 

 ' fishing and curing of herring, in which they shall enjoyall 



* William and Mary, 26tli April 1690, 1st Pari. 2d sect. cap. 34. 



