THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING 49 
English or Irish, to administer justice during the whole time 
of the voyage. 
Anyone “who is native or denizat’”’ was eligible for 
membership of the society, provided he was willing to abide 
by its statutes, and this membership was “ without anie 
exactioun whatsomever.” The society was given the right 
to all sea-fishing, with the reservation of the salmon fishing 
and of the fishing in the creeks and firths specially mentioned. 
Sheds and landing stages were to be built at certain points 
on the coast to be agreed upon, a fair price to be paid to 
ground landlords for ground so used. The fish were either 
to be brought to land, when the usual dues were to be paid, 
or were to be transported to foreign ports and retailed there. 
The society’s fishers and servants, boats and ships, were not 
to be seized upon for the king’s service, except by special 
warrant ; while members of the society and those engaged 
in its work were excused from service on “ recognitiouns or 
inquisitiouns,” from being collectors of tithes, “or other 
burdens or impositiouns.”’ 
The society was granted an absolute monopoly in the 
trade in fish. It was expressly ordered that “‘ No person 
whatsomever not being in the said Societie Transport or 
caus to be transported anie sea fishe takin within his 
Majesty’s dominiouns, or brought within the same ellis where 
furth of the saids dominions in merchandice.” The society 
so far as property held in common by its members was 
concerned, was freed from the ordinary tithes and taxes, 
“ granted by Parliament or any other way.” 
It was, however, to pay the usual harbour tolls and local 
dues “in harbereis, mercats, faires, bridges, villages, or 
hie wayes,” “according to the law and custome of the place 
where they ar exacted.” ? 
1 Act, Parl. Scotland, vol. v. p. 242. 
2 Act. Parl. Scotland, vol. v. p. 243; Reg. Privy Council, vol. iv. (2nd 
series) p. 353. 
D 
