CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 183 



duty, "cordage, hemp, pitch, tar, cork, plank board, knaples, 

 skews, hoops, Dutch netts," and all other materials im- 

 ported for the use of the fishers ; and that herrings 

 exported should be free of duty on exportation ; it pro- 

 hibits the curing of fish with Scotch salt, and the impor- 

 tation of English or Irish salt, and ratifies all privileges 

 and immunities granted by former Acts. The following 

 is the Act in question : — 



* ACT FOR ADVANCING AND ESTABLISHING THE FISHING 

 TRADE IN AND ABOUT THIS KINGDOM. 



' Our Sovereign Lady and the estates of Parliament, 

 taking into consideration the great and many advantages 

 that may arise to this nation by encouraging the salmon, 

 white, and herring fishings, they being not only a natu- 

 ral and certain fund to advance the trade, and increase 

 the wealth thereof, but also a true and ready way to 

 breed seamen, and set many poor and idle people to 

 work, and albeit there be several good Acts already 

 made to encourage and carry on that trade, yet they 

 are either in desuetude, defective, or do not answer the 

 present circumstances : Therefore, that so great and 

 general a concern may take efi'ect in time coming, her 

 Majesty, with advice and consent of the estates of Par- 

 liament, authorises and empowers her goodsubjects of this 

 kingdom to take, buy, and cure herring and white fish in 

 all and sundry seas, channels, bays, and firths, lochs, 

 rivers, &c., of this her Majestie's ancient kingdom, and 

 islands thereto belonging, wheresoever herring or white 

 fish are or may be taken, and, for their greater conveni- 

 ency, to have the free use of all ports, harbours, shores, 

 foreland, and others, for bringing in, packing, drying, un- 



