[A1573/4/5]¹

Concerning the measure of salmon and herring barrels

Item, forasmuch as it is considered that by packing of salmon, herring and white fish by the merchants and other inhabitants of this realm, there is great hurt and damage sustained by the buyers thereof, and great slander sustains the whole nation, through the default of a few number, in so far as every trafficker with such merchandise causes the coopers make their barrels and trees of such quantity as he pleases for his own particular profit, not keeping therein one universal measure; and therefore it is statute and ordained by our sovereign lord, with advice and consent of [James Douglas, earl of Morton], his dearest regent, the three estates and whole body of this present parliament, that every salmon barrel to be made hereafter shall contain 12 gallons of the Stirling pint, and that every barrel of herring and white fish contain nine gallons of the same stop; and that the cooper, maker of the barrel, shall burn and mark the same with his own proper mark, so that the buyer may be assured the same contains such quantities; and whoever fails herein, being called and convicted thereof, shall be punished according to the laws made thereupon of before.