THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING | 37 
fishings were to be for herring. The third fishing was to 
begin in March and end on the 31st of May, and was to be 
for ling and cod. Each vessel was to be manned by 16 men 
and boys, the wage to be 13s. 4d. a month for each man. 
After deducting all expenses of building ships, fitting 
out, victualling and wages, the king estimates the clear 
annual gain from the undertaking to be not less than 
£165,414. 
The intention was that there should be one general joint 
stock company for the three peoples, and that there should 
be a ‘‘severall companie’”’ in every “cheefe citie, toun or 
burrow ” in which all “‘ adventurers ” of that district should 
join “both in the charge and contributioun for setting 
furth the shippes and in sharing the benefite.”’ 
Since the fishing season varied with particular parts of 
the coast, it was to be understood that the adventurers 
might “ fish freelie in all places and at all tymes.” It was, 
however, expressly stated that all adventurers must be “ our 
owin liege subjects.”’ No foreigners ‘‘ of what natioun soever ”’ 
were to be admitted, except as servants, unless they became 
naturalized. 
Further, as the king regarded the island of Lewis as ‘“ the 
most proper seate for a continuall fishing along the westerne 
coasts,” he intended to take it “‘ as adherent to our crowne,”’ 
on the understanding that he would render to the Earl of 
Seaforth such satisfaction “as sall be honourable and just.” 
It was also his intention to erect one or more free burghs 
in the Lewis, in such places “as sall be fittest for advancing 
of the fishing and for magazines and stages.” 
The king concluded by asking that it be ascertained how 
much money Scotland would be prepared to contribute as 
its share, and directed the Privy Council to apply themselves 
1 Detailed in “Britain’s Buss” thus, “16 men and boys; a master, 
mate, 4 ordinary sailors, 4 fishermen, 6 landsmen & boys to be trained 
by the ten former men in the Art of Sailing and Craft of Fishery.” 
