THE ROYAL FISHERY 115 
The company for the fishing established in Scotland under 
the patronage of Charles II. had, naturally, laboured 
under the same disadvantages as that established by him 
in England, and like it, but at an earlier date, had 
succumbed under the untoward set of circumstances pro- 
duced by the Dutch wars.1 The Royal Company, however, 
although it had ceased to prosecute the fishing, still 
continued to exact a tax of six pounds Scots on all herring 
exported from Scotland. In 1690, by Act of Parliament, 
the Company was formally dissolved; the right to exact 
this tax was now withdrawn and the merchants of the 
Royal Burghs were invited “to employ their stocks and 
industry in the trade of fishing and cureing of herring,” all 
privileges taken from them at the erection of the Royal 
Company being now restored.” 
With the accession of William and Mary, renewed efforts 
were made to encourage the fishing industry, efforts which 
ultimately were crowned with success. The seventeenth 
century had witnessed a long series of unsuccessful attempts 
on the part of Britain to cope with her Dutch rivals in the 
fishing trade; the eighteenth century was to see Britain 
supreme in the North Sea. 
1 Convention of Royal Burghs of Scotland, vol. iv., p. 72. 
2 Act. Parl. Scotland, vol. ix., p. 224. 
