THE TRADES Increase▪  
LONDON, Printed by Nicholas Okes, and are to be sold by Walter ●●rre. 16●●.   

To the Reader.  
GEntle Reader, I commend unto you a Polidorus his Treasure; yet without either murder or theft, but else as rich. So I confess without leave, neither may the Author be offended, if what I have borrowed for my private use, I have paid to the service of the Commonwealth, in that what he intended at the instance of one, being written, is behoveful o every one.  
One Pithius, a crafty Sicilian, finding an honest Roman Gentleman, called Canius, Desirous of a pleasant Garden in the Island, he invited him to his; and conducted divers poor Fishermen to attend that day his Banks, with Boats and Nets; and to bring in plenty of fish, and to lay them at his feet. The Guest ask what that meant, was answered by the Huxter, That it was the Royalty of that place, there was more fish thereabouts, then in any other stream of Syracuse. And as oft as he repaired thither, that service was due, and done unto him. The poor Gentleman was taken with the Nets, and presently dealeth with the owner for the Garden, who suffering himself to be much improtuned, at the length was entreated to sell it full dearly: The day following, the buyer, disposed to show the magnificence of his purchase, inviteth divers friends to accompany him thither, and missing the concourse and confluence of his expected homagers, the Fishermen (For there was neither Boat, oar, Net, or Fin of fish to be seen) asketh his new neighbours whether it were a holiday for Fishermen? The plain folk answered, None they knew of; & further wondered at the former resort, for they never saw before Boats or Fishermen there. In a word, he was cozened. But it is not so in this fishing Project, to the which you are now invited frankly and plainly: Nullae hic piscatorum ferae; we may always fish here without fear of any Sicilian purchase, or scarcity of the Roman Macrobius his Table, where there was Piscis, but paucorum hominum. Here is fish, the King of fish, the meat and Merchandise of both remote and neighbour Nations. To persuade hereto, the Author hath dealt by way of comparison, not thereby to derogate from other Trades, but to advance this Mystery, and indeed, to show that they may all receive true nourishment from this nursery. Let therefore no man take that with the left hand which is offered with the right. And though, by the opinion of some of understanding in those faculties, there is a reasonable survey given of our Sea-trades, State, and Breeding; and out of others judgements, there is even candour animi in all particulars, without either suspicion of any personal taxation offered, or any States blot susspected: Yet I desire also to profess the Authors true and fair meaning herein, and to make good the oversights that may be committed in the particular traverse, with that of the Poet, Vbi plurima nitent, Non ego paucis offendor maculis. Of the subject itself I will only say thus much, That if Aurum portans hath been always welcome, hence you may receive gold, pay the King's duties, and do your Country service; and so I leave these businesses to their own abilities, and take my leave of you with this conclusion of them.  
Nisi peracta luduntur. I. R.   

The Trade's Increase.  
SEEING by chance a late Treatise entitled, England's way to win wealth, etc. and being easily invited to read the same, even for the Titles sake; I must confess myself so affected with the project, that I presently resolved to go a fishing, withal concluding with myself, that as there is no fishing to the sea: so there was no fish in the sea like to the Herring: and for that my estate is but mean, and myself a freshwater Soldier, it requireth cost, and I would have company: the sea is large enough, and hath room enough for us all, and there are Herrings enough to make us all rich: for that I say a man may run a course this way to enrich himself, to strengthen his country, to enable his Prince more honestly than many late sea-courses can warrant us in, more easily, more safely, more certainly than any other sea-course can persuade us to whatsoever; I could not choose, out of my allegiance to my Prince, out of my duty to my Country, out of my love to my neighbour, but commend these motives concerning the same to a further consideration, consisting, 

In the Necessity, Facility, Profit, and Use of fishing.    


The necessity out of want of 

Shipping.  
Mariners.  
Employment of men.      
As concerning ships, it is that which every one knoweth, and can say, they are our weapons, they are our ornaments, they are our strength, they are our pleasures, they are our defence, they are our profit; the subject by them is made rich, the kingdom through them strong, the Prince in them mighty; in a word, by them in a manner we live, the kingdom is, the king reigneth. If the sea fail, the Venetians they fall; and if we want ships, we are dissolved. Esop's Shepherd kept his flock well so long as he nourished his dog; but when the Wolf had persuaded him that he was superfluous, he cozened him easily of all his sheep. It is the kingdoms case in shipping, which made that heroical King of Denmark at his view of the King's majesties Navy at Chattam, confess he then saw the strength of England, the greatness of our King, In sola tanta est fiducia Nave.  

Want of shipping.  
Concerning the want of shipping, though to press the consideration thereof be very material, yet the point itself is to be handled very tenderly: for that as I have no pleasure to touch our own wounds, so I am loath in this case to discover our own wants; for that I fear the enemy will sooner take the advantage of them, than we will be stirred up thereby to make supply. To give therefore the true and faithful subject a dark Lantern whereby he may only see himself, and he not be seen, setting the contemplation of the King's royal Navy aside, so mighty, so well conditioned, which hath so many good Officers, and such worthy Overseers, which is so chargeable to his Majesty to maintain, as I hope it will never be safe for the enemy to meddle withal: setting, I say, this aside, our Merchant's Navy consisteth in the Ships 

For 

The straits.  
Spain.  
France.  
Hambrough and Middlebrough.  
The Sound.  
Newcastle.  
Island.  
New found Land.  
The East Indies.      
I have not named Moscow, because we have in a manner lost that Trade, the troubles of that kingdom, and our desire of security having deprived us thereof, which we may the more lament, because I have heard Merchants affirm, that in these uncomfortable days of adventuring, it was one of their best Trades, and with no small marvel yet upheld, and most providently followed by the Hollanders, 
The Country being afflicted with war, and the Hollanders will, petere cibum è flamma.  we being scared away from so good & profitable a trade, as birds from Cherrie-trees, with the show of dead carcases, or shout of boys, whilst other lusty and plump lads have wilily beat away the children, beat down the scar crows, and stolen the fruit away, to their great gain, and our disgrace, there repairing not thither above two Ships English in stead of seventeen of great burden for the company formerly, besides Enterlopers, to the great decay of our Merchants and shipping: whereas the Hollander (according to a credible report made) between the Ward-house and the Eastward, at Tippenie, Kilden, Olena, and the River Cole at Colmograve, and at Saint Nicholas in Russia, had above thirty five sails of their Ships the last year. Happily some will say, that they made so poor a voyage that they had been better kept themselves at home; and it is very likely, yet the year before, they had some thirty sail, and now this year they have again repaired their Navy, renewed their adventure, and sent near as many, as neither dismayed with troubles, nor yet discouraged with loss; and to make it the more strange that they should thus prevent our trade, & increase their own: as it was after us that they came thither even by leave, as it were, to glean with our Reapers, (for the fields were ours) the discovery of the Land, and Trade wholly ours, found out by chancellor and Willoughby, 
Primo Edw. 6.  and ever since continued by our Merchants) so again their best Trade thither, is maintained even by our own commodities, as Tin, Led, Course-clothes and Kerseiss: the inconvenience whereof, together with the prevention, I leave to the sensible consideration, to the sufficient ability of the Moscow Merchant, who I fear can scarce hear me, being (as I said) gone so far as the East-Indies; and if I should send to him, I fear I should not find him at leisure, having thither transported much of the Moscow Staple. For the Merchants that formerly used the Moscow Trade are now there seated; and because as we know it is warmer there, and as they find it, it is very profitable, we will also by Compass travel thither ourselves; that as Valeria a fair Lady, answering to Scylla in the Theatre, being demanded, Why she pressed so near, said; That thereby she might have so me of his felicity; so by being in their company, we may communicate with them of their good fortunes, or commune with them of our wants.  
The straits. So then, to begin our journey at the noblest place for worth, and one of the newest in knowledge, the worthiest in former remembrance, the worst in present reputation, for the bottom of the straits, the first in name, and whilom a very material business of Merchandise: I do find this Trade but easy, and the difficulties many and new, the Trade itself being lessened by the circumvention of the East-Indie navigation, which fetcheth the Spices from the well head; and I find the rest of the benefits allayed, by charges, by insultation of Pirates, and infidelity of servants. These make presents and profit of their masters goods abroad, so far, that some of the owners become lame at home: Pirates meet with that whereby others are extremely hindered, and by the charges the rest are exceedingly discouraged, so that the Merchant's return is but poor, and the navigation much lessened, the employment thitherward failing in near thirty ships, & those of such burden, that they were of defence and renown to the kingdom. I heard a worthy Merchant in his time Thomas Cordell of London say, that on the first beginning of the Turkey Trade, his self with other Merchants, having occasion to attend the late Queen's Majesties Privy Council about that business, they had great thanks & commendations for the ships they then builded of so great a burden for those parts, by the Earls of Bedford and Leicester, and other honourable Personages, with many encouragements to go forward (even to use their own words) for the kingdoms sake, notwithstanding it was then to their great benefit likewise, whose ordinary returns at the first were three for one, which I speak not out of envy. For as all callings are, and aught to be maintained through the profit that ariseth thereby, labours rewarded, dangers recompensed by the sweat and sweet of gain; nay, in our most Liberal Professions, the Divine for his spiritual nourishment hath temporal food; the Physician for the care of the body asketh the comfort of the purse; and the Lawyer must be paid for his Plea: so Merchants of all Companies the most liberal, are likewise of all sorts the most worthy to gain,  qui per universum orbem discurrunt, mare circumlustrantes & aridam; to use that hopeful Prince in his time King Edward the sixth his words in a Letter to foreign Princes, in Sir Hugh Willoughby his behalf. 
Being bound for discoveries Prim. Ed. 6.  But to end my long Parenthesis, I speak it I say out of pity, to see now the return so mean, the Merchant so discouraged, the shipping so diminished: and to conclude this point without love or anger, but with admiration of our neighbours the now Sea-herrs, 
See-herren.  the Nation that get health out of their own sickness, whose troubles begot their liberty, brought forth their wealth, and brought up their strength, that have out of our leavings gotten themselves a living, out of our wants make their own supply of Trade and shipping there; they coming in long after us, equal us in those parts in all respects of privilege and port; that have devanced us so far in shipping, that the Hollanders have more than one hundred sail of ships that use those parts, continually going and returning, and the chiefest matters they do lad outward, be English Commodities, as Tin, Led, and Bails of such like stuff as are made at Norwich.  
For the rest of the straits, one side, as the coast of Barbary, serves only for places and Cities of refuge, not after the Divine Levitical law, when one hath killed a man by chance there to be succoured: but after that diabolical Alcoran, when any have rob and murdered abroad, thither they may repair, be in safety, and enjoy.  
The other side, as Naples, Genoa, Leghorn, and Marseilles, employ some twenty sail, and they most with Herring. For the Ports near to the straits mouth, as Malega, etc. we have some store of shipping, as about thirty sail, that begin in june to set forth some for Ireland, to lad Pipe-staves in their way to Malega, they returning Malega wines. But the Hollanders likewise have found out that Trade, and be as busy amongst the Irish as ourselves for Pipe-staves: nay, by your leave, they have been too busy there of late with some of our poor countrymen's windpipes; but that is beside the matter here. But for Maleg a itself, the Inhabitants there have through our plentiful resort thither, planted more store of Vines, so that on our recourse thither, our merchants have withdrawn themselves much from Cherris.  
Spain. For Andalusia, Quantado, Lisbon, Portugal, it is easily known what shipping we have there by our Trade, which is but mean, consisting in Sack, Sugar, Fruit, and west-Indie Drugs, which may employ some twenty ships. Amongst these Cherris Sacks are likewise brought into England, especially in Flemish Bottoms.  
For the bringing in from thence any store of salt by us, it is excepted against, we being by report furnished principally by the Hollanders of most of the salt that our Fisher Towns do use for the salting of Island fish, and all other Fish for Herring and Staple-fish, as the Ports of London, Colchester, Ipswich, Yarmouth, Linne, Hull, Scarbrough, can testify. Albrough men were wont to bring it in, especially employing some thirty or forty Sail belonging to it, of some seven or eight score, or two hundred Tun; which for the most part, were set on work all the year long, with transporting of coals from Newcastle to France, and fetching salt from thence; which Trade is now much decayed with France, by the double diligence of the Hollanders, who serve us principally from Spain.  
France. For our Trade to Bordeaux, it is lightly as great as ever it was: For I do not think there was ever more Wine drunk in the Land. Yet that voyage appeareth not to be so beneficial in regard of the small rate that the Owners and Seamen have thitherward. France may every way employ, and those most small vessels, some threescore ships and barks.  
Hambrough & Middlebrough. To Hambrough and Middlebrough there are belonging six or seven ships to each place, and they lad for the Company (and are called Appointed Ships) every three months in all the year, there may be laden some thirty odd Ships, and they but 14 or 15 bodily. But as they make, as is said, two voyages the Ship, how it standeth with them, or how they will stand, it is uncertain in regard of the manner of the altering of Trading with their cloth. Once for certain the Merchant adventurers ships have been always formerly the sure stay of Merchant's services both for their readiness, goodness, and number of shipping touching the commonwealths affairs.  
The Sound. For Dansk, Melvin and Quinsbrough, there are not above five or six ships of London, that use those places, as many mote of Ipswich, and so likewise from Hull, Linne, and Newcastle, the like proportion resorteth thither for Trade. These make some two returns in the year: but in all those places the Hollanders do abound, and bring in more commodities by five times to us, than our own shipping. And for Liefland, the narve, Rye, and Revel, the Hollanders have all the Trade in a manner; the commodities from these former places being Corn, Flax, Soap-ashes, Hemp, Iron, Wax, and all sorts of Deal.  
For Norway we have not above five; and they above forty sail, and those double or triple our burden even for the City.  
Newcastle. The next is Newcastle Trade, and for certain the chiefest now in esse, for maintenance of shipping, for setting Seafearing men on work, and for breeding daily more, there may be about some two hundred sail of Caravels, that only use to serve the City of London, besides some two hundred more that serve the sea-coast towns throughout England, small and great, as Barks and other shipping of smaller burden, and more might easily be: for hither even to the Mines mouth, come all our Neighbour Country Nations with their Ships continually, employing their own shipping and Mariners. I doubt me whether if they had such a treasure, they would not employ their own shipping. The French sail hither in whole Fleets, some forty or fifty sail together, especially in Summer, serving all their Ports of Picardy, Normandy, and Britain, even as far as Rochel and Bourdeaux, with their own ships and sailors from Newcastle. So they of bream, Embden, Holland and Zealand do serve all Flaunders, and the Archdukes Countries, whose shipping is not great: These paying no more than his majesties own natural subjects, if they transport any coals. Which imposition, say our men, made our Country men forbear their carrying any more Coals abroad, because the Frenchmen would not give above their old rate: and which was worse, thereby they sold away their ships, some to France, some to Spain, some to other Countries. Whereby sure their faults are more apparent than their ill fortune, in that though their gain was less at the instant, by the imposition then formerly; yet to leave the Trade, argued neither good spirits, nor great understanding, nor any especial good mind to their Country. For whence I pray you came such a necessity to leave the Trade and to give over shipping, as if they could not live thereby; when presently foreign Nations fell to the Trade themselves, as is formerly set down, and fetch away our coals on the same terms which we do refuse? And by report, notwithstanding the five shillings imposed, the French do sell in France one Chauldron of coals for as much money as will buy three or four of Newcastle. Had they held to with patience, either they might have brought the stranger to their price, or else by due order and discreet fashion opened the inconueniency to the state, of the stranger's stomach in refusing their Coal, and fetching them their selves: so as they might easily have wearied them, and won their Trade and gain again; whereas now they are beggared, our Country disfurnished of shipping. The stranger keeping his coin at home, bringeth hither bare and base commodities, their shipping & Mariners are employed and increased; and notwithstanding the Argus eyes of the Searcher, carry gold away with them, always bringing more in stock with them, than they carry away in commodities.  
For to make a motion to have this five shillings excused in our own Nation, is rather profitable then necessary, in regard we see the stranger thriveth notwithstanding it, and it being done out of his majesties royal prerogative, & ex causa lucrativa, as is apparent by what the stranger gaineth; and the like is willingly embraced here in other transportations, as Beer, etc. were, me thinks, undutiful likewise. But to mention a motion very lately made, and generally amongst his majesties loyal subjects embraced; Might it please his Majesty to make and ordain a Staple Town in England for Sea-coal, and we have many fit places, and Harbours more near and proper then that of Tinmouth, at Newcastle (and herein as I am bound in affection to wish well to London, so I must, out of many men's judgements, commend Harewich, statio bene fida Carinis, and then lying fit for the Low-countries, and indeed open to all Nations by the benefit of the large sea which washeth it) whereby strangers shall be restrained from further Trade to Newcastle, and shall all repair to the said Staple Town to fetch their Coals: Besides that it would be an exceeding benefit to his Majesty, it would likewise help us in this our complaint of want of shipping. For by this means our English bottoms bringing all the Coals to the Staple Town, shall not only be set on work, but increase will follow in Shipping. The Venetians sometime passed being outgone by those of Zant in their custom, drew the Trade from the Grecians, and planted as it were, a Colony of Curranes at Venice. If for a little custom, and to pull down their suspected subjects swelling minds, they did so, why should not his Majesty for the increase of his Shipping, and the relieving of the prostrate estate of his faithful and humble subjects, take this warrantable course?  
Island. Island voyage entertaineth 120 ships and barks.  
New found land New found Land employeth some 150 sail, from all parts, of small ships, but with great hazard; and therefore that voyage, feared to be spoiled by heathen and savage, as also by Pirates.  
East Indies. Now followeth the consideration of the East Indie Trade, into whose seas, not only the River of Volga, as before you heard, disemboqueth itself, but even the bottom of the straits is emptied to fill up those gulfs, and not so only, but besides that many of our best Merchants have transported their Staples thither; it hath also begot out of all Callings, Professions, and Trades, many more new Merchants. Then where there is increase of Merchants, there is increase of Trade; where Trade increaseth, there is increase of Shipping; where increase of Shipping, there increase of Mariners likewise: so then rich and large East Indies. The report that went of the pleasing notes of the Swans in Meander flood, far surpassing the records of any other birds in any other places whatsoever, drew thither all sorts of people in great confluence, and with great expectation to hear, and enjoy their sweet singing. When they came thither, they found in stead of fair white Swans, greedy Ravens, and devouring Crows; and heard, in stead of melodious harmony, untuneable and loathsome croaking. In indignation that they were so received and deceived, in stead of applauding, they hissed; and of staying, fled away. You are now brave East Indies, Meander flood, your Trade is the singing of Swans, which so many journey so far to enjoy. God forbidden you should be found so discoloured, and we so ill satisfied. And howsoever that I may be sure to avoid any detraction, whereby my nature might have any imputation, or by calling up more spirits into the circle than I can put down again, I might incur some danger, and be taxed likewise of indiscretion, for that we only hitherto have complained of the want of Shipping; we desire now but herein to survey the store, and see how you help the increase. You have built more Ships in your time, and greater far than any other Merchant's Ships; besides what you have bought out of other Trades, and all those wholly belonging to you; there hath been entertained by you since you first adventured, one and twenty Ships, besides the now intended voyage of one new Ship of seven hundred Tun; and happily some two more of increase. The least of all your Shipping is of four score Tun: all the rest are goodly Ships, of such burden as never were formerly used in Merchandise; the least and meanest of these last is of some hundred and twenty Tun, and so go upward even to eleven hundred Tun. You have set forth some thirteen voyages, in which time you have built of these, eight new Ships, and almost as good as built the most of the residue, as the Dragon, the Hector, etc. so that at the first appearance you have added both strength and glory to the King doom by this your accession to the Navy. But where I pray you are all these Ships? four of these are cast away, of the which one was of three hundred Tun, another of four hundred, the third of three hundred, and the fourth of eleven hundred; two more are docked up there as Pinnaces to Trade up and down: the rest are either employed in the Trade in the Indies, or at home out of reparations; which if true, if the Kingdom should have need of them on any occasion, it shall surely want their service; and so then there is not only no supply to the Navy this way, but hurt even to the whole kingdom, the woods being cut down, and the Ships either lost, or not serviceable. Surely stories can show us, which we may read in the courses of Commonweals, how tolerable, nay how laudable it is in all States, to enlarge Commerce. Merchants whom we should respect, can tell us of the casualties which not only the Ships, but their estates are subject to by adventures. Mariners whom we must pity, can teach us of the ordinary dangers not only that Ships and goods, but their lives are subject to by sea. I must not then exprobrate that to them which is to be imputed to the Sea; nor are they to be blamed out of reason for that which deserveth, in humanity, commiseration; nor is England bounded by our Horizon, to go no further than we see. We have learned long since, that Mercatura si tenuis sordida, si magna splendida: the stranger the Country, the greater the adventure; the more famous our Nation, the more worthy the Merchant. Before we were, even Herace writ, Currit Mercator ad Indos. Loath then am I to borrow that saying of Demosthenes on his courting of Lais, to pay it to the Indian Trade, by alleging, that Non tanti Emam poenitentiam, only having now in common that Roman proviso, Ne quid detrimentiresp. capiat. Let us examine that which may move patience, that our woods are cut down, and the Ships either lost or not serviceable: Our woods I say, cut down in extraordinary manner, neither do the Ships die the ordinary death of Ships. Our woods extraordinarily cut down, in regard of the greatness of the Shipping, which doth as it were devour our timber. I am able out of sufficient testimony to affirm, that since the Indian Trade, and merely through their building of their ships of so great burden, and their repairing (the building notwithstanding began but five years since) that timber is raised in the Land five shillings, and more, in the load, nay, almost not to be had for money, which the Company (no question) being sensible of, very wisely seek to help themselves in, by building of ships in Ireland for their service: yet it seemeth their encouragement that was, is but necessitous in regard by their own saying, besides the hazard, the charges are little less; and which is worse, that kind of timber is but untoward for that use, being so extreme heavy, that a ship of small burden, draweth much water. If in five years space their building, together with their repairing of ships, almost equal to building, beget such a scarcity, what will a little continuance bring forth? Bring forth I cannot say aught, but a privation will follow even of all our timber-wood. The King's Navy must be maintained, other Merchants of lower rank must have shipping, and the sea-trade may increase, and then either we must trade without shipping, or make ships without timber.  
When the Norman Conqueror having subdued the most part of the kingdom, passed from Essex into Kent, which then made head against him, the Kent's, having by the advice of their politic Bishop, and their stout Abbot, cut down great boughs, and with them in their arms marched towards the Conqueror; whereby, besides the novelty of the sight, the Army appeared double as big. William himself so conceiving it, as also amazed to see woods walk; more feared and discontented with that sight, than otherwise assured with his former success, condescended to what demands soever were made by those people, to have such weapons laid down, and to gain such ingenious subjects; whereby, to their eternal benefit, and credit, their persons were never in bondage, nor their Laws altered. In this their Land-stratageme, I see our sea-Arts, in that and these woods being the fatal instrument of our fortunes, boughs of Trees kept the Kentish-men out of servitude, when they held them in their hands, and but for show; their bodies will keep us in liberty when they contain us, and are for service, and by their moving on the water they will amaze both French and Spanish, and whomsoever, and keep them, and all others, from coming near us: 
34. Hen. 8.17.13. Eliz. 25.  Out of which provident foresight, our most worthy Princes formerly reigning, have made divers Laws in favour of timber trees: 
Forbidding by Proclamation the building with Timber.  and our most noble King hath provided thereto with new accessions for the preserving and increasing of them; but that a parricide of woods should thus be committed by building of ships, it was never thought on by any of our royal Solons, and therefore there was no proviso for it: Nay, this inconvenience was so little suspected, that our said famous Princes have provided clean contrary, with great bounty and indulgence, having encouraged by reward out of their own purses the builders of great ships; as bestowing on the builders five shillings on the Tun for every Tun that is builded above one hundred Tun in a ship, so necessary did the Prince think his maintenance of shipping, the accession thereof consisting much in their greatness, to the honour and safety of the Kingdom; & such use he made account he should have of them. Whereas now this way he contributeth, to the spoil of his woods, to the loss of the ships, and to the hurt of the Kingdom. I heard a Shipwright say on the loss of the Trades Increase, that if you ride forty miles from about London, you could not find sufficient Timber to build such an other. It was a ship of eleven hundred Tun for beauty, burden, strength, and sufficiency, surpassing all merchants ships whatsoever. But alas! she was but shown, out of a cruel destiny she was overtaken with an untimely death in her youth and strength; being devoured by those Iron worms of that Country, that pierced her heart, and broke many a man's withal memorable in her misfortune, only redounding to the commonwealths loss. For as for the Merchants, though I pity their adventures with all my heart, yet in this their part of loss was least; for all their goods were on shore; and she had brought abundance out of the Mecha Fleet, which she did both tith and toll: And thanks be to God, they are more than saviours by what is returned from her, and more than that often, by the grace of God, will come from her to the merchants gain.  
The like untimely fall had the other three of great burden, gallant ships, never having had the fortune to see their native soil again, or the honour to do their Country any service, in respect of all other ships that wander ordinarily to other Countries, therefore I may justly say that they die not the ordinary death of ships, who commonly have summer est, and after long service die full of years, and at home, much of their timber serving again to the same use, besides their Iron-worke, and the rest otherwise serviceable, and not in this bloody and unseasonable fashion, rather indeed as coffins full of live bodies, than otherwise as comfortable ships. For the rest that live, they come home so crazed and broken, so maimed and vnmanned, that whereas they went out strong, they return most feeble: 
Our ships are feign to take in the natives of the Indian Countries to supply the wants of our dead Seamen to bring home their ships.  and whereas they were carried forth with Christians, they are brought home with Heathen. What the profits are to the Merchants, for so great an adventure, I know not. I am sure amends cannot easily be made for so great a loss, even in this point which is our special subject now, for waste of woods, & spoil of shipping.  
And thus we have surveyed all the fountains whence our shipping especially doth flow: which before I shut up, I remember me of a new Spring in Greeneland, that batheth some ships and burdeneth them likewise with her own natural freight, with the which the Whale is so richly loaden withal. This place is but of late frequented so especially, and hath employed this last year some fourteen ships, and more would do, but that the poor Fishermen, who though they knew the place before, yet being belike afraid of the Whale, 
The Moscovy Merchants have procured an inhibition for all others from fishing there.  are now swallowed up in the Whale's ships.  
I cannot find any other worthy place of foreign anchorage. For the Bermudas, we know not yet what they will do; and for Virginia we know not well what to do with it: the present profit of those not employing any store of shipping: and for this other it is yet but embryon: no question a worthy enterprise and of great consequence, much above the Merchants jevell & reach. And sure in regard of the great expenses they have been at, and the poor return that is made, they are much to be regarded & commended for holding out so long: I could wish, that as many of the Nobility and Gentry of the land have willingly embarked themselves in the labour, so the rest of the Subjects might be urged to help to form and bring forth this birth, not of an infant, but of a man; nay, of a people, of a kingdom, wherein are many kingdoms. When Alcmene was in travel with Hercules, the Poets say jupiter was feign to be Midwife; and sure, as we have the countenance of our earthly jupiter, so we are humbly to implore the propitious presence of our heavenly God, toward the perfection of this so great a work. And so leaving to meddle further with what we have nothing to do, let us return to our ships, out of whose entertainments we may either rejoice at their increase, or by other observations prevent their decay: & because we propounded to ourselves the necessity of our home-fishing out of the want of our shipping, we will affirm that by this our superficial view we find a decay thereof, & that out of two reasons; because that in places formerly frequented, our shipping lesseneth, and in places new found, they do not succeed: we have given reasonable probability of these already without any pleasure, & there is no need of repetition, and it will be more apparent in the preferring of this desire of Fishing, out of the examination of the next inducement thereto, which is want of Mariners.   

Want of Mariners.  
Mariners, they use the weapons, ships, they wear the ornaments, ships, out of them ships, are strength and pleasure: otherwise they are but Pictures, that have but a show, or are as carcases bereft of life. It is the good Pilot that bringeth the Ship to the Haven: It is the wise Master that governeth the men in the Ship; but without men the Master cannot govern, nor the ship go: What is a Leader without an Army, and that of Soldiers? the same reason of Seamen in a ship; the body must have life, blood and flesh: the same are Seamen to a ship. Columbus found out the new world, Drake brought home the hidden treasure in a ship; but they were both provided well of men, and governed well: therefore as Ships are manned; and as Masters use their men, so ordinarily their ships succeed. As for this last matter of government, it is beside our business, we will leave that to whom it concerneth. Now then, though we cannot use shipping without men, and therefore they must go together; yet we must consider the one after the other, and having looked into the strength of the one, we will view in them the state of the other, in the which we will not be long, for that the subject is unpleasant, and our Tale is half told already: for the consequence is necessary. As ships are employed, so men are busied.  
For Moscovy, it is apparent that the shipping thitherward is decayed; so neither Mariners are well employed that way, nor any. Seamen almost bred. The fleet that went ordinarily thitherward entertained three or four Novices in a ship, and so bred them up Seamen, which might make in the whole happily some four score men yearly, which was well for their parts. Now then there were some five hundred Mariners and Sailors employed withal: so than this way there is want.  
The like reason of the straits in their proportion, the very bottom of the straits failing in thirty ships, maketh yearly seven hundred Seamen and Mariners at the least, seek some other courses which were that way employed, besides the under-growth hindered of some hundred and forty seamen yearly. And but that I am loath to renew our complaints; I would say it were great pity of this so great an ebb of our men in these seas, for that besides the voyages were of encouragement even to the Fry, all in general commonly went and returned in good health, a ship seldom losing a man in a voyage; nay, I heard a proper Master of a ship say, that in eighteen years, wherein he frequented those parts, he lost not two men out of his ship: and whatsoever may be imputed to the incontinency of our men, or the unwholsomnesse of the women in other places, surely in those parts I hear the common sort of women to be as dangerous, and the generality of our men as idly disposed.  
Naples, Leghorn, Marseilles, and those parts of the straits, may employ some four hundred men, and breed of these about forty.  
Malega employing besides some four hundred men, the employment that may come by all other places in Spain and Portugal, not arriving to four hundred men, in regard of the poverty of the trade, and the superfluity of the commodities, it being indeed rather entertained because they will not be idle, otherwise then that they are well busied, like food that keepeth life, not else maintaineth strength; yet it hath a pretty mystery in it, that though the gain scarce provideth for the merchants livelihood, yet the commodities make the land merry: and howsoever, I am of the opinion that the former hostile state busied more Seamen than twice the Trade of Spain can nourish, yet I differ from those that would rather by reprisal make Soldiers, then by nourishing commerce increase Mariners.  
Our shipping into France, is not such as it hath been, but nourseth many young men, or rather showeth them the Sea, and may busy some seven or eight hundred men.  
Hambrough and Middlebrough always have been counted the ancient maintainers of Mariners for the State's service on all occasions, being ready at hand, and therefore as we wished well to their Ships, so we desire encouragement to the men. There may be belonging to their employment some four or five hundred Mariners and Seamen.  
Norway and the Sound may breed and employ some four hundred men, those parts being most frequented, those commodities most brought in by the Hollanders.  
Newcastle voyage is the next, and if not the only, yet the especial Nursery, and School of Seamen: For, as it is the chiefest in employment of Seamen, so it is the gentlest, and most open to land-men: They never grudging in their smallest vessels to entertain some two freshmen, or learners; whereas, to the contrary, in the Ships that voyage to the southward, or otherwise, far out of the Kingdom, there is no Owner, or Master, that will ordinarily entertain any land-man, be he never so willing, as being bound by their charter-party to the Merchant, as they say, not to carry but sufficient men, and such as know their labour, and can take their turn at the helm, top, and yard. It is by great favour that others slip in, and they very likely; and therefore whereas in former adventures I allow them the bringing up of two or three men in a voyage, it is in general to be understood, that they were first trained up, either amongst the Colliers in this journey: or else came out of fishermen's Boats, and yet but Novices to those Seas and Sailors, so then this Trade, without all exception, admits of all sorts that never see the Sea before: whereby are yearly bred and employed, out of the great store of ships busied therein, some two or three thousand people. A great comfort to youth, and men that want employment, and a great stay to the Sea state, that shall have need on all occasions of their help. I have showed my good will enough, being so private, to further their employment; and being so ignorant I must not be bolder.  
Island entertainment, asketh and nourisheth some two thousand five hundred men; after the number of shipping and barks set down, and ordinarily employed.  
Newfoundland may breed and employ some fifteen hundred; but seeing what discouragements they have, what casualties they are subject to we may judge of their incertainty.  
Out of the extraordinary number of all people busied in these two former employments; it is no unnecessary observation, that in any Trade in particular, our coal excepted, our special employment, nourishment, and increase of Seamen, is even in this foreign fishing, which I hope will prove but petty, when it cometh to be balanced with our home fishing.  
The last Consistence of Shipping propounded, was that of the East Indies: which though youngest, was found in show and state to have overtopped all the rest; as a bird that maketh herself gay with the feathers of all other fowls; having borrowed; nay, having bought the best Ships out of other Trades to honour their voyage, and plumed even Constantinople herself, of her shipping: therefore that men are entertained extraordinarily in this voyage, it is apparent out of the greatness of the Shipping; the entertainment of them increasing, it should be a consequent that Seamen increase this way: But that we may not by ambages triumph in their loss, or our calamities, we see this way that our Ships perish, and therefore our men they shrink. Nay, though ships come home, yet they leave the men behind: so in this voyage, there is a twofold way towards our want of Mariners.  
In that Ships, nay great Ships, are extraordinarily subject to be cast away, and then there must be loss likewise of men; In that though they come, they come home emptied of their men.  
By the loss of four Ships, we have lost at the least four hundred and fifty men: and in the adventure of some three thousand that have been employed since that voyage began, we have lost many above two thousand.  
David refused to drink of the Well of Betheleme, which the strong men had fetched, when he thirsted and longed, because it was the price of blood. This Trade, their commodities are at a far dearer rate, being bought with so many men's lives.  
But happily some will say th●● the greatest loss of these men was at the beginning, when as all things are difficult: but since our men, framed to a better composition of themselves, to the variety of this Climate, and heartened to the tediousness of this voyage, have better endured and overcome those difficulties, and returned more comfortably. Herein the latest voyages will inform us best, and we will instance it in the three last that have made returns.  
The first was under Sir Henry Middleton, whose former government in that kind of voyage, had approved his wisdom and moderation. His ship was that famous and infortunate vessel of eleven hundred Tun; 
The Trade's Increase.  his company in that ship some two hundred and twenty men. After four years errors up and down the sea, wherein he underwent many constructions at home, and overcame strange difficulties abroad; having, to his eternal reputation of policy and courage, out gone the perfidious Turk, and revenged their barbarous wrongs, to the merchants gain, and the kingdoms repute. After He, and his, had, I say, been accompanied with many sorrows; with labour, hunger, heat, sickness, and peril; That worthy Commander, with many a sufficient Mariner, with the whole number (ten excepted) of his live Cargazon, perished in that Acheldama, in that bloody field of Bantam.  
Nicholas Dounton, the vice-admiral of that Fleet returned, and of seventy he carried forth, brought home some twenty; the rest, their labours and lives were sacrificed to that implacable East Indian Neptune: 
Captain Pemerton that escaping imprisonment at Moha, journeying in that unknown Country 15 miles by night, got to the sea side, and finding a small Canow, made a sail of his shirt, and a mast of a stick, and so recovered the ships.  the Darling of that voyage is yet there, nor never will the Master, an approved Seamen, return, with divers others.  
The second was that of Captain Saris, and Captain Towerson, men formerly exercised in those journeys, and therefore thought meet to command. Whether they were short of the opinion conceived of them or no, I know not; if they were, I should attribute part of the loss of their men to their insufficiency, but that the destiny of that country challengeth it all to itself. Captain Towerson who first returned, having left behind him of some hundred and twenty carried forth, fourscore and five; and Captain Saris, of some 90 & odd not having brought home above two or three and twenty: the Thomas of that voyage, which went forth with some 60 men, was brought home by way of a wreck, 
By staying an Armenian ship, wherein at least were some 400 men bound to the Indies, and commanding the Port, he drew from them plain dealing, and made honourable conditions for the Merchants. He encountered four Galleons, wherein might be some two thousand men.  you know the destruction of men that name importeth.  
The third, that of Captain Tho. Best, Admiral of the Fleet, a man whose former behaviour in Sea-affaires, drew into that journey with great expectation, and which is very seldom and hard, his carriage in this employment went beyond the great expectation of a reposed demeanour, indulgent to his men, vigilant in his charge, his courage like to his carriage; and his fortune above all: he checked the Indians, he mated the Portugals: those honour our King, these fear his forces: he settled a trade in Cambaya, reduced things in order in Bantam, brought riches home for the Merchants, and kept reputation for himself; yet for all this he had, Nemesin in dorso, the Indian vengeance haunted his ship even to our coasts; of some hundred and eighty men under him when he went forth, depriving him of one hundred and odd men for ever. Some four or five and twenty of the remainder are left, on the desperate account of men, for the Country's facteridge, only thirty are returned. In two great Sea-fights with the Portugals and their Galleons, which continued four whole days, he lost not four men. It was not then the fortune of the war; neither out of want of aught that victuals and good government could afford; imputations to some other voyages: Nor had the length of time any fault, part of others bane; he having made the voyage in shorter space than any other ordinarily; the dogged Star of those Climates, the stench of those Countries were his Fatality.  
As one Swallow maketh no Summer, so it is not much to be marveled, that in all these voyages some one Ship hath not been scared, and not else much hurt in this journey: She indeed but even seeing those Coasts, and presently on so great a glut of our men and ships, with the which it seemeth the Sea and Land was then busied and full: when as Captain Newport returned with little loss, and in short time.  
Now then as we have said before, that the Indian ships die not the ordinary death of Ships: and that we have shown likewise before, that men do die extraordinarily in this voyage, which is almost incredible: they are distressed likewise after their death, and that is very apparent by the mean account made to their heirs of what they had in possession in their life time, by what should otherwise be due to them in their purchase, by the calamities of their wives, children, and friends, after their death. Fabulous and fantastical Legends have been made of the restless death of many concealed extortioners, and murderers, whose ghosts have been said to walk in pain and penance. On the contrary, how many live bodies, indeed the true images of the deceased, complain on the death, call for the due of their friends, Fathers, Husbands, Children, Kinsfolks, and Creditors? Poor Ratlife, Lime-house, Black wall, Shadwell, Wapping, and other Sea-townes abroad can sensibly tell. The Merchant he is at home, and therefore he cannot embezzle the goods abroad: and it is likely, that what is directly proved due, is paid here to theirs. Then is the calamity of that journey more fearful, because out of his own ill Planet it maketh so many miserable. How this is recompensed it is neither my purpose, nor my part to examine: For certain there is want of Trade: the Hollander would grow greater, if he had all this Trade in his own hands. The King's customs are now advanced: This way Shipwrights are set on work, which must be maintained; and other Mechanical Trades live hereby, with a number of poor busied. And surely he that would not have the poor to live, I would he might beg: And he that would not advance the King's profire in all liber all manner; and Merchandise is a fair means, I would he might die: and he that regardeth not his Country's good, it is pity he was ever borne. I desire not, like a second Phaeton, to make a combustion. All that I would enforce at this time is, that in this trade our men are consumed, and thereby more want of Mariners. Let the Straights-men, and the Lisbone-Merchants complain of their hindrance this way, and say their traffic before was more beneficial by much, and more certain to the Custom-house then the Indies be now. Let others report that the foundation of this trade was laid in the ruin of a Caricke that Sir james Lancaster took in the first voyage, and that the main of this after-iollity proceeded of the forced trade driven with the Mecha Fleet by Sir Henry Middleton, 
Wherein he was his own Trade-caruer out of ten hundred thousand pounds worth of goods.  whereby divers durst not go presently after to the straits, as the Angel, and other ships, out of rumour of revenge for violence offered by our Indian men to the Turks in the red sea. Let the common people say that their commodities are unnecessary: ask the Tradesmen, nay all men, what they have cheaper: look into the price of victuals how it riseth out of their great provisions. Let the whole land murmur at the transport of treasure, and bring in Charles the fifth his opinion, 
Hall Chron. An. 25. Hen. 8.  speaking to the Portugals of their trade to the East Indies, who said that they were the enemies to Christendom, for they carried away the treasure of Europe to enrich the Heathen. Let go the speech of the small relief thereby to the poor, and they whom it doth concern, may suggest the Indian home state and particular profit. Once I am sure, that as Vespasian the Emperor said, He had rather save one Citizen, then kill one thousand enemies; so his royal Majesty had rather have his Subjects, than Custom for them: and you see plainly, that his majesties subjects, our countrymen, fall this way, and this way is want of Mariners.  
Greenland ships, which before I had forgotten, entertain some Mariners, and help to breed others; as of late being fifteen sail, employ some four hundred men, and may breed of these some fourscore, which help somewhat, and may be, by reasonable encouragement, far more beneficial, if it be more public.  
And thus we have run over the material trades state and condition in them of seamen. In all in general we conceive want, in regard of the small increase of what is needful to furnish this great Machina, this goodly Engine of our Sea-state, either by supporting their own members, (the Newcastle trade excepted) or all joined together, to make up the great body of our Lands Navy: witness that general press that was made of men from all the Coasts, to man the ships that were to attend that matchless pearl, that peerless Princess the Lady Elizabeth her grace, with her hopeful and happy mate, the illustrious Palatine, at their departure; and our nakedness that would appear if there were sudden occasion to furnish some six of his majesties ships: all which maketh for the furtherance of our proposition of fishing.   

The third motive hereto was Want of Employment.  
As the Cosmographers in their Maps, wherein they have described the habitable Globe, use to set down in the extremity of their Cards, on unknown Regions and Climates, That beyond those places they have noted there is nothing but sands without water, full of wild beasts, or congealed seas, which no ship can sail, or Scythian live in: so may I write in the Map of employment, that out of it, without it, is nothing but sordid idleness, base condition, filling the mind with a hundred Chimeras and gross fantasies, and defiling both body and mind with dissolute courses and actions; like fat ground neglected, that bringeth forth a thousand sorts of weeds, or unprofitable herbs. And with this disease is our Land affected, our people infected; whereby so many come to an untimely & reproachful death in the Land, & many more live so dissolutely, and so wickedly on the seas. I do not think that in any two kingdoms in Europe, there are so many justized for Murderers and Felons yearly, as in England. And above all Nations we are most infamous for Piracies; wherein, against the law of sea-robbers, or at least, besides ordinary example of any other Nation, we forbear not to pray on our own Countrymen; nay, we forbear not our own acquaintance. Sure the want of grace, and fear of God, is much in most of these: but that men should leave their wives, children, and family, and rebel against their own Sovereign's laws, and make war on all people, proceedeth more out of want of means, want of employment at home. Besides, how many that have more grace, and the same wants, are straightened in their Fortunes, notwithstanding their abilities of body and mind; and are, as it were, damned to poverty? and more than all these, that have a little grace, and less means, that lead the loathsome life of begging?  
Now, if the means may be found, nay, if the means long found already be offered unto us, to redeem us out of this disaster, why should we not understand them? why should we not apprehend them? why should we not be industrious in them? We are not those rebellious Israelites that could not see the flowing Land, much less enjoy it: we have this place in possession, and if my Ephemerideses fail me not, I dare say, Natam inde esse artem, that shall not only take away all those discontents and miseries, that want of employment breeds in any of our infortunate countrymen, but that shall also repair our Navy, breed sea men abundantly, every the subject, advance the King's custom, and assure the kingdom; and all this in our own Seas, by fishing, and especially out of Herring. Towards the which, apparent necessity having hitherto made us the way, we are to persuade you to follow in it by the 

Facility,  
Profit, and  
Use of this fishng.    
The Facility, in that the means are in our own hands. 
The Place, our own seas.  
The Art, well known.   
The means in our own hands, in that we have all things that shall be used about this business, growing at home in our own Land (Pitch and Tar excepted) whereas the Hollander, having nothing growing in their own Land for it, is feign to go to six several Countries, and those remote, and under divers Princes, to furnish themselves, and do furnish themselves merely with the barter of Fish and Herring taken out of our seas.  
Then the place is not far removed, if in our own Seas, if in his majesties Dominions, on the coast of England, Scotland, Ireland, is this principal fishing: for by the report of many exercised in this mystery, and the relation of two especially, painful herein by their Treatises, Hitchcockes and Gentleman,  
The Herrings first, and towards the ending of Summer, shoot out of the deeps on both sides of Scotland and England; and begin to do first so, on the Scots coast at Midsummer, when is the first and worst fishing.  
The second and best is about Bartholomew-tide, from Scarbrough in Yorkshire, till you come to the Thames mouth.  
The third, from the Thames mouth through the narrow Seas, but not so certain, for that extreme weather maketh them shoot on both sides of Ireland, likewise on the Coast of Ireland is good fishing for Herring, from Michaelmas to Christmas.  
On the Northwest seas of England, over against Carliel, about Wirkentowne, is good fishing for Herring from Bartholomew-tide till fourteen days after Michaelmas. So than it appeareth by these reports, that this fishing for Herring is especially on his majesties dominions. And to this end ask the ancient custom of the Hollanders and Fleming, that before they began their fishing for Herring, craved leave of Scarbrough aforesaid: which easily obtained, they then laid their Nets. And howsoever it pleaseth his Majesty to allow of his royal Predecessors bounty, in tolerating the neighbour Nations to fish in his streams: yet other Princes take more strait courses. For whereas till Christmas, on the coast of Norway, called the Mall Strand, all strangers do fish, as Hitchcockes writeth, they then paid a youhendale on every Last of Herring, to the King of Denmark. And I can likewise remember, that certain of our Merchants of Hull had their goods and Ships taken away, and themselves imprisoned, for fishing about the Ward-house, and not paying the duty imposed on them by the King of Denmark.  
The place, our Seas likewise, for other necessary and profitable fishing: on the Coast of Lancashire from Easter to Midsummer, for Cod, for Hakes; twixt Wales and Ireland, from Whitsuntide until Saint james-tide, for Cod, and Ling about Padstow, within the Lands end of Severne, from Christmas to middle Lent, and in seven or eight several places more about the Coasts, and within his majesties Dominions, the which is largely set down by Hitchcockes.  
Now besides this fishing treasure lieth easily to be found in our own Seas, what good Harbours fitting thereto lie open to us in our own Coasts, as Colchester, Harwich, Ipswich, Yarmouth, with a number of other, set down painfully by Gentleman, together with the commodities they afford for Timber, Workmanship, furnishing, and harbouring Busses, Nets, and Men?  
As the Havens lie open to us, as the Seas be our own, and as we have all things almost fitting for such a business at home, and naturally, so that nothing may be wanting to us but ourselves; the Art is well known to us likewise. Masters for Busses may be had from Yarmouth and Sold, and the rest of the coasts down the river. Use maketh Fishermen, and these places afford store of Seafaring men for the purpose. In Orford Haven and Alborough be many good Fishermen, whose abilities exercised in Busses, would (by Gentleman's report) put down the Hollander. The like may be said of Sold, Dunwich, Walderswich, which breed Fishermen. In all these, and many other places, is this rich Art known, but not used. In all these, and all other, the Hollanders swim like Elephants, we wading like Sheep. We keep the Banks and shoals, when as they are in the depth.  
Besides, to encourage us the more, the charges are not great, the pains are not great, the time is not long, the hazard is nothing at all. This is very apparent, and exactly set down in Gentleman his Treatise, whom I shall but obscure to contract; neither is he long.  
The next motive to this fishing, was that of profit; wherein if ever it were true, that a good cause maketh a good Orator, here is a subject to enable all mean Rhetoricians. Every man almost is taken with the attention to profit. Love doth much, but Money doth all. Here is money, here is profit in abundance, and divers ways. In abundance, for that the whole charge of a Buss, 
That is between sixty and eighty tun.  with all furniture and appurtenances, between thirty and forty Last, will cost about five hundred pounds: the charges for keeping her a whole summer at Sea, may be some three hundred three score and five pounds: the whole Summer filleth her three times, with making one hundred Last of barrels, amounteth to one thousand pounds; whereby, allowing one hundred pounds for wear of ships, and reparations of nets, there is gained five hundred sixty five pounds by one Buss in one year, and this is after ten pounds the Last, which was so rated in Hitchcockes' time, which is some thirty three years ago; the Hollander, now, selling them for fifteen, twenty pounds, and upward the Last, at Dansk. Hence one may gather of the great gain, that even riseth to a private purse, by this fishing, with a small adventure, Busses being the main (and those likely likewise to continue, by God's grace, some twenty years) So then her charges returned for keeping her at sea; the first year also she quitteth her own self, and there is, I say, five hundred sixty five pounds, as long as she liveth afterwards, de claro. I would feign know, not desiring to be too curious in a strange Commonwealth, but rather to invite my Countrymen into this society, what Trade in the Land did ever in his strength promise so much; howsoever, never any, I am sure, performed so much, so easily, so continually.  
When Antiochus, in his show to Hannibal of his glorious Army in battel-range, his Elephants being most richly adorned, and all his Soldiers in very brave and costly harness and habiliments, willing to draw some acknowledgement from him of his power and strength, asked his opinion of it: the warlike Soldier replied again, That it was an Army able to satisfy the most covetous enemy. No question, though the Carthaginian noted the people of cowardice; yet it would require great charges, & cost some blood, to overcome such an Army.  
In the best Trade in appearance now that is, (and in those Country's certain there are infinite riches) you see how remote it is, and with what cost of purse, and loss of people followed, yet without such satisfaction. Here is wealth enough to satisfy the most thirsty thereof, without much cost, without any spoil; even almost Salmacida spolia; if not, sine sudore, sine sanguine, and not for a time, but permanent. All other Trades are fetched as it were, out of a Well, out of the Deep, I mean from far, here is a mere spring which is in superficie hard by us, out of our own inexhaustible Sea, from the everlasting store of Herring, whence only the Hollander reapeth a million of gold yearly; beside, the most gainful fishing with other vessels for Cod and Ling. Hitchcockes' long ago discovered the same, his book is extant; and forenamed Gentleman hath very plainly set down, and in very probable and particular manner disclosed the mysteries thereof. And the conceit the Hollanders have of it, calling it their Chiefest Trade and Gold-mine: and the confidence they have in it, as laying out their children's money given them by friends, in adventuring in Busses, and fathers likewise putting in their children's portions into Busses; presume of the increase that way, and so proportion a sum certain out of that gain, in a certain time; as also that there is for Orphans laid out, and so increasing that way for the maintenance of them. Here than we may get treasure in abundance, and certainly; and besides the gaining of it, we shall stay the unnatural tide of the departure and transportation of our gold; a mischief, which notwithstanding our royal King was sensible of in the raising of it, yet it still departeth with Vestigia nulla retrorsum, out of the lazy and disgracious Merchandise of our Coasters, that give away our coin to the stranger for our own fish. Which unseasonable and unprofitable humour of Cauponation, is this way to be diverted only.  
But some will say, that our men are not so apt, nor disposed thereto: which cannot be, in regard of the store of Fishermen that our Coasts nourisheth, which live as hardly, and take as great pains in their fashion; only wanting the use of Busses, & seem to rejoice at the name of Busses, and may on very good reason; for that this Busse-fishing is more easy than any other kind of fishing, which now we use in Crayers and Punts, as being armed this way better against all weathers, which others suffer and perish in, in other vessels yearly. And as their provisions are better, and the dangers less, so their pains are likewise less.  
Again, who will not be exceedingly encouraged with the benefit of such gain, in so honest a manner, when once the sweet is tasted of, when as otherwise our Countrymen run such laborious and desperate courses, especially out of want.  
Others will say that our Land will not utter them in any quantity, in regard that the feeding on herring, and fish, doth not taste us, nor is so received as amongst those Holland and Sealand Mermaids. And sure, if those necessary Laws provided by our advised State, for the keeping of fish days clean through our Land were better observed, it would be more wholesome for our bodies, and make much for the advancing of our fish, & plenty of other victuals; besides the dearness of our fish victual, which more hurteth our purse then our appetites, for that the price is within this 20. years almost trebled, which indeed maketh the true distaste, as all Householders find, and thereon feed their households with flesh, and otherwise; this fish victual being now obtained by Merchandise, which indeed is our own Staple commodity, whereon groweth this penury to the poor, this great price to others, this disuse to all, and in these the Kings, the kingdoms loss. Yet notwithstanding there is such quantity of herring, besides other fish, consumed amongst us, that Hitchcockes alloweth 10000 Lasts for our provision of herring to be spent here in the Realm; so that it would save at home 100000 pounds of treasure, which to our great shame and loss, the Hollanders carry away, even for our own provision: beside, that provision is of the worst, such as they call Roopsicke, & such as they are forbidden to bring home. Now to be served of our worst, whereas we might be our own carvers, and to give our gold for that we may have for nothing; judge of the loss, of the indignity. And as we may easily remedy this by our own industry, so we cannot otherwise excuse the fault: our gracious Prince, no question, 
1399 the Art of making cloth, being grown to good perfection, King▪ Henry the 4. first prohibited the invention of forrainemade cloth.  being ready to assist us herein by the same favourable authority which other Trades for their benefit taste most plentifully of, by forbidding the sale and uttering of herring to his loyal subjects by any foreigner or stranger whatsoever. And in Holland it is not lawful for them to buy any of our Herring, if they be brought thither; Nay, if we bring any thither they are burned. Besides what other effects of his incomparable clemency would bless our industries herein, he being Lord Paramount of these Seas where this fishing food groweth, and which now is taken by strangers? and therefore he would not questionless allow strangers to eat up the food that was provided for the children; the crumbs we would not envy them, though we are now fed under their Table.  
Now farther it may be alleged, that we can utter no such quantity, nor can afford no such penny worth. For the first, that must arise out of our diligence. No question we once attaining the Art of the Flemish usage of these Herring, they will be in as great estimation as the Hollanders, in Normandy, Nants, Bordeaux, Rochel, and other such Countries; for which, return is made of Wine and Woad, for which is always paid ready gold, with a number of other commodities: They will be in as great estimation in the East Countries, Revel, Rye, Russie, Dansk, Poland, Denmark, the returns whereof are set down in Gentleman. And the quantity of Herring that these forenamed Countries consume is infinite. Therefore though the Hollanders spend more Fish and Herring by much, in their Countries than we do, yet it is their foreign Trade with all other Nations that is their Basis, else they could never employ so many Ships, nor gain such wealth, or get such strength thereby. And in all these places we can and do Trade, and all their returns we need and use, and therefore may utter them in as great a quantity as they do.  
Then for the affording of Herring and Fish at as good a rate as they can, let any consider of the likelihood in our behalf. First it standeth with reason, if we have the like vessels, we can go with as few men: and our fishermen on the Coast, by divers reports, can live as hardly as they. And let any judge of the hardness, when the principal time of fishing for Herring is in September and October, and a six weeks time, and they are almost in sight of our own Coasts; and beside good provision of butter and cheese and Beer, they have the plenty of the sea-fish: then this way we may afford as good penniworths as they. But I go further, and say that we have great vantages of them.  
The Seas be our own, therefore we journey not so far as the Hollander doth, whereby likewise our travail and charge must be lighter: our ports, harbours and roads be at hand; nay, which is more, all utensils and appurtenances belonging to shipping, as is before showed (Pitch and Tar excepted) are found in our own Land; whereas they with great cost, pains, and hazard, fetch them from six several places. So then we shall be able to afford better cheap than the Hollanders; 
You English we will make you glad to wear our old shoes.  and so we may sell when they cannot, and so the English shall and may weary them, and wear out those flouts wherewith our poor Fishermen are scorned. For if they be put by the uttering of their Herrings abroad, they will be driven to leave their great Ships, and fish in smaller vessels near the shore to serve their own turns, as heretofore they have caused us to do; when as likewise on every tempest they openly triumph over us, for not taking the blessings of God powered into our laps.  
These hindrances objected taken away, we may now resort again to the sweet fountain of profit: which besides that it watereth our private estates with the continual spring of great gain, keepeth in our treasure, which exceedingly now wasteth, bringeth in all commodities that either the East and North Countries, France, or Flaunders, affords even for this barter; it runneth into the sea of the King's custom: the venting only of ten thousand Last of Herring beyond sea, cometh to five thousand pounds after the rate of the ordinary poundage, besides the custom of Cod and Ling, very near as valuable as the benefit of Herring, the particular view whereof is set down by him whom I have so often named, & in whose book you may see the greatness of the custom amounting to above 50000 pound starling, that accrueth to those Countries out of this fishing Trade. And yet all this to them is nothing: their keeping in their treasure, their carrying away our treasure, their abundance with all other commodities, their greatness of their custom this way, is nothing in regard of their profit, honour, safety, that their increase of shipping, increase of Mariners this way begetteth to themselves, amongst all nations, to their state.  
The life of the sea is in shipping, nay one may say to ships, Mare non est mare, vos estis mare. The beauty of the Sea is in Shipping: and sure the Poets affirming Venus to be the daughter of the sea, might mean a Ship by her. For Haec una Venus omnium surripuit Vener●s: and this little land of the Hollanders, exceeded in quantity by Norfolk and Suffolk, hath gotten this sea, hath gained this Venus; England, Scotland, France, and Spain, for shipping and seafaring men, not answerable to them; and all spawned out of fish and fishing.  
There hath been numbered in sight two thousand sail of Busses, and other good vessels, gone out to sea at once of the Hollanders: and there hath been found (by computation) some thirty seven thousand Fishermen in divers sorts of vessels at one time employed herein. Hence proceed their great undertakings, and prodigious adventuring to all places: hereby they outgo us, and overbear all Trades where ever they come. We think the West-Indie gold to be the cause of the pride and presumption of Spaniards: we may assure ourselves, that our North-Indies countervail that treasure, and are the only confidence of the Hollander; even by breeding seamen, and increasing of shipping in that abundance, as that hereby they both swarm evety where, and France, Spain, and the East Countries are full of their shipping. Hence they fetch our coals, and carry them abroad; from Norway and Dansk they bring us all commodities, and carry forth ours, at a far better rate than we can ourselves: they have filled Moscovy, whence we are emptied, with thither shipping; and the straits abound with them, once our possession. They go into, nay they arm in the West Indies where we may not be seen; and in the East Indies they have had long settled Factories before us, and have four men to one of ours there, and go beyond us as far, besides the number in store of goodly shipping; whereby, as they hinder our trade, so they forbear not (which I cannot but write with stomach) the honour of our King and kingdom, as presuming sometimes to call themselves English, and pretend Embassage, and presents from his Majesty. Which they did to the King of Siam: in other places calling the Crown and State of England into comparison; which made the King of Achem ask captain Best, whether the King of England, or the King of Holland, were the greater Monarch.  
Besides, what an infinite number of ships and men of war have they always in a readiness at home? And as the Innkeeper of Chalcis said to his guest, admiring tantam ferculorum varietatem, It was with Art all cooked out of pork; this their store, this their abundance, is raised all out of fishing. Who then would not be moved? who would not be stirred up therewith? Who would not go a fishing? You see what want we have of shipping, what want we have of Mariners, what discouragements we have in trades, what wants our men are in. When Naaman the Sirian complained to Elizeus of his leprosy, he was bid wash himself in jordan seven times. He looked for other miraculous courses to be taken by the Prophet, and could hardly be persuaded thereto, because Abna and Pharphar (floods of Damascus) were better. Naaman was a Heathen, and had never any experience of God's jordan: yet he was in the end persuaded. To supply our wants, to satisfy our hunger, to heal our diseases, there is not a river, but a Sea, shown us, and that not in another kingdom, but in our own; we are but bidden go and take fish out of it. We are Christians, and it is God that hath provided this remedy: and we see by experience no water like ours, and we see our neighbours from every place resorting thereto, and healing themselves thereby. You see how it concerneth us; let us in the end likewise be persuaded. What the number is of our Seamen, bred and employed by all sorts of Sea-trades, (our petty fishings excepted) may easily be guest at; and whatsoever it may amount to. If out of our whole Land there be but four hundred Busses built, and set forth, of seventy tun the piece, there are in two years nine thousand Mariners more than was in the Land before: let men of experience and state judge of the proportion by the way of comparison, every one can perceive the increase simply. Besides, by the report of some of our best Mariners, these thus bred, prove not only equal, but better able than any bred otherwise, for Sea-affaires, and public service.  
On this public profit of fishing thus spread abroad the maintenance of Havens and Haven towns in England beside, have no small dependency, and are so material to the land, so plainly understood of all his majesties subjects; and so wel-wished to by Hitchcockes and Gentleman, that it is enough for me but to point at them: we all know the use of them: they show the decay; and this Art, the reparation and maintenance of them.  
The use of this fishing is implied much in the profit, but more eminent by the consideration again of the infinite number otherwise of idle people, & out of employment. Only by this Art, it is reported not one goeth a begging in all the Low-countries; and what a number of people have we, that, now destitute of means, may this way have a calling? It is a grievous sin, Idleness, and bringeth forth, as we see, horrible effects: to get a living by the sweat of our brows, is the ordinance of God, & this way there is a recompense. There were found in Yarmouth the last year, three or four hundred, and those of honest disposition, that wanted means: & how many hundred more are there in other places, that would gladly be thus used? Hichcockes' alloweth to every one in this employment, twenty pounds yearly, besides his diet, for his reward, a good savour to honest men that now have no means; and this only out of two voyages for Herring. A number of Carpenters and Shipwrights shall be set a work, Cooper's busied numbers of people making lines, ropes, cables,, dressers of hemp, spinners of third, makers of Nets, bred; many salt-houses set up, besides what store of poor people, all along on the sea-coasts, which are now very poor and idle in England and Wales, to be used in splîtting of fish, washing of fish, packing, salting, carrying and recarrying of fish. And on these foresaid occupations depend an infinite number of servants, boys & daily labourers, for the use of things needful. Nilus, whose fertility is envied, affordeth not so many sorts of fish, of monsters, as this fishing entertaineth sorts of people: which humbly committing to the high disposer of all hearts, & to the due consideration thereby of his Ministers here on earth, I will leave further to enlarge; and shut up this abrupt discourse with the allusion of that of Basil to this sea-businesse, Putei dum hauriuntur speciosiores.  
Now for a Corollary to all these imperfect lines: whereas in the superficial survey of want of shipping, we find most of our sea-trades, either decaying, or at a stay, let me out of themselves, without offence, propound the consideration of one remedy thereto; even by a freedom of Traffic for all his majesties subjects to all places. Hereby his majesties customs will increase, the navy & seamen will receive nourishment out of more employment, the whole incorporation of merchants reap comfort, in that they may communicate with all adventures, and the universal body of the subjects of the land content, in that they may become merchants; being very ready in this adventurous world to make new discoveries: whereas now otherwise merchandise, sorting & settled in companies, confineth merchants into those limits that private orders tie them in, so that they may not help themselves through any discouragements in one trade, but by suit and submission of themselves to the other; though, I say, their trades fail them, and other have too much: nor may any else of the kingdom come amongst them, though never so able and well disposed, unless they come in on such conditions as the victor pleaseth to propound. A thing in ordinary sense somewhat harsh to fellow-subiects, and equal Citizens in this great Monarchy, to be so serviceably tied and subject one unto the other; and the rather for that those privileges, by the indulgency of the Prince, being granted as a reward to some for their industries, and exemplary to others encouragements, are strictly used to the eternal benefit of a few, and the wrong of all the residue.  
The French company manifesteth this plainly, which if it had continued (and it began but the other day) had undone all the Western men.  
The Moscow company declareth the same, as being granted on condition of serving his Majesty of all materials (as Flax, Oil, Wax, Tallow, Cordage) belonging to shipping: whereas now it is supplied by strangers, even ten for one ship, and those double our burdens; and notwithstanding they do not perform, and have let fall their Trade, yet none may enter but on their conditions.  
The Greenland company, out of the pretence of their first Whale-hunting, keep all Fishermen, notwithstanding they knew and used those seas, from further resort thither: and some Merchants of Hull were taken by them in that journey, and brought back; notwithstanding, as I am informed, those countrymen found it first.  
The Virginia company pretend almost all that Main twixt it and Newfoundland to be their fee-simple, whereby many honest and able minds, disposed to adventure, are hindered, and stopped from repairing to those places, that either knew or would discover unfound even for fishing.  
The East India men, not able to furnish those places they resort to, keep out other from coming amongst them, and to look into those parts they know not, and would give out of their largeness and riches, entertainment to all the Merchants in the Land. Besides, how tedious and costly they, and all other Companies, make it to their own Associates, when as out of orders, and cause of upholding their Trade, men can neither dispose of their own as they would, nor have the benefit under a long time. Besides, how private do they, and other Companies, make it, when as out of orders and maintaining their Trade, how plentifully soever the commodities are brought in, and at what advantage soever they buy them, they will be sure to keep up the price, either by sending forth most part of the commodities abroad, or else by buying all others into their hands? that other is hard for the owner sometimes, but he doth it in his own wrong; but to the buyer this is always injust, for that he suffereth against his will, the commonwealth being made private, suffereth by all; this, that, the first, and all the more discontentful, in that besides that all other Nations resort freely to all those places whence they keep out their own Countrymen, the like fashion of Companies and Societies is not used in all Christendom else; it being lawful and usual to all other amongst themselves, promiscuously to frequent and communicate with places, and Trades, one by the other. Nay, this separation of Trading, and excepting of Subjects from places, between divers Princes that had but peace one with the other, was so admired and disallowed of, 
Hall. Ann. 15. Hen. 8.  formerly, that Charles the 5 Emperor, being moved by the Portugals, being under their own absolute King then, to forbear the Eeast Indie Trade, because they had found it; answered, That he had peace with them, and therefore he would have Trade with them; for they were not his friends, but his enemies, that would hinder him of it. How much more we, murmuring at this iniquity, may affirm that we are all Britain's, all subjects to one royal King, all combined together in one natural league, and therefore not to be barred from trading equally to all places? which his gracious Majesty, together with the whole assent of the high Court of Parliament, openly professeth, 
Ann. 3.1 jacob. 6.  when as there was enacted free liberty for all his majesties Subjects, to Trade into the Dominions of Spain, Portugal and France, with most sufficient reasons therefore; for the increase of shipping, mariners, thousands of Handicrafts men, of prices of their own commodities, and augmentation of them, together with the plenty of foreign commodities, & a cheapness of them, & the bettering of his majesties customs. No one man ever invented all Sciences, nor any Merchant found all places: yet they make a compensation one to another. Society first began, and knowledge and civility, by communication. But if the world in his infancy had been resolved to have held private what they had in possession, and to have concealed what they knew, there had not only been no civility, but no society. Yet as the first maintainers of Society had their honour; the first inventors of Sciences and Arts their rewards; and in all well-disposed States, the Industries of those that do benefit them, have their encouragements: so is not this my proposition of free Trade otherwise entertained, then that there should be a due respect had of all worthy adventurers, an especial consideration of the charges and hazard of the first discoveries: which the solertious Hollander examples us, by forbidding their own Subjects to trade to those places which some particular purse hath, or shall find out, before that the first Founders have received reasonable benefit of their pains and charges; allowing them some six returns to their own private adventures, before any else set thitherward. If those adventures or returns were increased here for the Finders content, and profit: there is no man would grudge it. But to keep others out for ever, unless they pay, and submit themselves according to their order, and to their government; or under the pretence of one place found to include more than was ever meant; seems very injurious. Again, my Proposition is not any way so tumultuous, as that thereby I would excuse all order and form of Government, in Trades, or otherwise to intend a promiscuous kind of calling, or rather confusion of all sorts. Who knoweth not that the Commonwealth consisteth, Non ex medico, & medico; sed ex medico, & Agricola? as also that there must be an Economical and discreet partition and proportion among the members; divers trades, to maintain the general body Commerce? I have only pointed at some aberrations, but as the Novice, traveling through strange Countries, Topmando, or tanquam canis ad Nilum. The prosecuting of this Argument would draw on a larger discourse than all the whole former, and would then exceed a Corollary, and detain the Reader too long. Neither like I the issue of meddling, when men tyre themselves with controlling of public matters, yet many times cannot manage their own affairs. I make no intrusion into Merchant's Mysteries, neither desire to pry into the State's secrecy. It was a foolish complaint of the Poet, Curio aliquid vidi? it is much more for me to say, Cur aliquid scripsi? I am so far from giving any cause of public offence, that I would not justly provoke any private person. I was borne in the City, and live amongst Seamen. And as some Almanac-makers, when they pretend exactness in their Calculations, though they do but rove, use to appropriate their observations to the place they live in: so I, writing with the same knowledge, would say I desire good to the Meridian of these two places; notwithstanding, as they say also, These may serve alike to all the Land.   
FINIS.