CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 181 



' the 34th Act, 2d session, of this Parliament, in getting 

 ' due payment of ten pounds four shillings Scots, from the 

 ' customers of his Majestie's customs, hy way of drawback, 

 ' for each last of herrings and white fish exported out of 

 ' this kingdom : Therefore his Majesty, with advice and 

 ' consent of the estates of Parliament, does statute and 

 ' ordain, that in all time coming the tacksmen or coUec- 

 ' tors of his Majestie's customs and foreign excise shall 

 ' pay to the merchants, exporters of all herrings and white 

 ' fish that they shall export out of this kingdom, or to 

 ' take at sea, by busches, or other vessels, and export im- 

 ' mediately, without being put on shore, the sum of ten 

 ' pounds four shillings, for each last of herrings or white 

 ' fish so exported ; and that immediately, upon the 

 ' merchant exporter thus producing (at the custom-house 

 ' where they reside) a bill of loading for the c[uantity they 

 ' have exported, together with a certificate of the deposi- 

 ' tions, duly taken before any inferior judge, of two of 

 ' those that cured the said herrings or white fish, that 

 ' they were all true and loyally cured with foreign great 

 ' salt ; and in case of the collector's refusal of payment 

 ' upon production of the said bill of loading and certificate 

 ' of depositions, then it shall be leisume to the merchant 

 ' exporters to pursue them before any inferior judge for 

 ' the said ten pounds four shillings per last, and that no 

 ' advocation be given of any such process, or suspension of 

 ' decreets thereon shall pass, except on payment, and a 

 ' discharge produced. And his Majesty, with advice and 

 ' consent foresaid, statutes and declares that all materials 

 ' proper, and imported for the busch fishing, shall be free 

 ' of all custom and excise at their import, and that the 

 ' said busch fishers exporting from sea, as said is, sh|ill be 

 ' allowed to prove the quantity exported, and the loyal 



