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APPENDIX. F.

TRADE OF ICELAND.

In what man

ner the fish

be continued by

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THE fishing in boats, being the

in boats a chief employ of the inhabitants the inhabitants. on the coast, is permitted to every person having a fixed residence in Iceland, from which neither the clergy, nor civil officers are excluded. Our appointed magistrates, and especially the inspectors of the districts, have it likewise in charge, that whatever we have ordained, as well as whatever else we may in due time think proper to ordain, be attended to in the strictest manner possible, and also that they shall by all means encourage the inhabitants of the fishing villages to cleanliness, and

industry. They have in particular to attend to supplying the fishing villages with good and wholesome water, wherever it may be deficient; and for such purpose the taxgatherers shall oblige all the fishermen in their several districts, to do the needful work, on pain of punishment according to the nature of the offence. It is our farther will and pleasure, that the lieutenant of the county, the high bailiffs, and bailiffs of theseveral districts, shall give information to our treasury, of whatsoever in their judgment may contribute best and most effectually to the encouragement of the fisheries in general, either by the introduction of new and more suitable regulations, or by removing such obstacles, as may possibly hitherto have laiu in the way; and we shall more especially expect to receive their sentiments, concerning the mode by which the so denominated loan. of men, may in time be set aside, or restricted; in like manner as it is our intention of doing, on the estates to us belonging.

§ II.

The fishermen are otherwise not to be obstructed in seeking the best places for

fishing, and even in their own boats, on condition of their paying to the farmer, on whose possessions they may have taken their stations, for landing their boats, house-room, and services for the season, according to what has been the usual custom at the place. But, in case of all the room 'being so completely occupied that they cannot find sufficient convenience for themselves, either of houses, or place of landing thereto attached, and that they can find some other landing-place, it shall be permitted them to put into it, and, if they are so inclined, there remain under the cover of tents, or of their own boats. In such case, no claim for ground-rent shall take place, provided the strangers shall not, by treading, have caused any damage in the fields or meadows. In case that they, from deficiency of fishhuts, proper heath, or other places, should be under the necessity of drying their fish near the shore, and in places where grass might possibly grow, it shall not be considered that the farmer thereby sustains any damage, but rather that he therefrom derives a benefit, as the roes, with the fish which are there laid, manure the land, and render it capable of producing grass, if the soil be

capable of it; neither can it be deemed hurtful, that fish are dried, even on good grazing-fields, in such parts where the Vortiden ends on the twelfth of May. But, in case of any dispute arising between the farmer and the strangers, the bailiff of the place shall nominate two independent persons to survey the place, and estimate the damage, according whereto the highbailiff will give his decision. But, on the contrary, should the summer-quarter be taken for this purpose, the drying of fish on useful grass meadows cannot be permitted, unless that the consent of the landholder be thereto previously obtained.

In what manner the whale

larly is to be conducted.

§ III.

In case of any whale being fishery particu- driven on another person's ground, the method prescribed by the re script of the twenty-third June, 1779, is to be adhered to; and it is farther to be observed, that such of the inhabitants of the country, or strangers, as intend to pursue this fishery, may expect to receive particular assistance for the purpose, according to circumstances, and the utility of the plan. Such persons, more especially, as inhabit

1

the vicinity of the fiords or bays most convenient for such pursuits, as the market-town at Isefiord, and divers other fiords, from Patrix-fiord to the Jökul-fiords, in the west country, and Hvalfiord in the district of Kiose, may expect having assistance granted them for procuring the necessary implements, on due request being made. And, for the same purpose and intent, we will also in such cases give the needful directions for having some young and active persons from those places, duly instructed in the art of the said fishery, and in the manner of using the fish, free of any expence to themselves; and they shall likewise afterwards receive farther assistance for enabling them to establish themselves in Iceland, at some place or other most convenient for such fishery, and there practice the knowledge they have obtained of it.

Encouragement

§ IV.

It appearing to us as a matter porpoises, seals, of essential consequence, as well

for catching of

and salmon; as

also for herring for the inhabitants of Iceland in particular, as also for our domi

and flounder

fisheries.

nions in general, that, exclusive of the cod

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