BRITAIN'S BUSS. OR A COMPUTATION aswell of the Charge of a Buss or Herring-Fishing Ship. As also of the gain and profit thereby. With the State's Proclamation Annexed unto the same, as concerning Herring-Fishing. By E. S. LONDON, Printed by William jaggard for Nicholas Bourne, and are to be sold at his shop at the South entry of the Royal Exchange. 1615. Britain's Buss. divers Treatises have been published here in England, some long since, some very lately, all of them inviting to the building and employing of English Fishing ships, such as our neighbour Hollanders call Busses, Principally to fish for Herrings, with which kind of Fish (Almighty GOD of his rich bounty, blessed be his name therefore) hath abundantly stored his majesties Streams, on the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, above all the known parts of the world. Four Books I have seen of this Subject. One called the British Monarchy, written An. Dom. 1576. which is near 40 years past. The second entitled Hitchcocks newyears gift, printed about 30 years since. The third, named England's way to win wealth, and to increase Ships and Mariners, published within these 2. years, whose Author▪ (I have heard) was trained up from his youth: and very expert both in Navigation and Fishing. The fourth styled the Trades Increase, now newly come abroad. In all which four Books, but especially in the two last, the Necessity, Faculty, Profit, and Use of that Fishing trade is proponed and handled. After I had read three of the former Books, and before the fourth and last came to light, I was much affected with the business. And the more I consider it, the more is my affection confirmed and increased. And out of vehement desire to see this work, which I conceive to tend so much to God's glory: To the honour of our noble King: To the general strength, safety, and commodity of all his majesties large Kingdoms and Dominions: And to the private and peculiar benefit and advancement of every private Undertaker therein. I say out of vehement desire to see this work in hand, & the prosperity thereof, I inquired as often (as conveniently I could) what Busses or Fishing Ships were in building on our Coasts, or were bought or used by any English. At length I was informed (and that very truly) that one Roger Godsdue Esquire, of Bucknam Ferry in Norfolk, had begun to apply himself to this worthy work, and had on the Stocks at Yarmoth five Busses; whereof I understand one is since that time launched, and that the other four are in good forwardness. But when upon inquiry after the Gentleman, I heard him to be a man of such undoubted honesty and integrity, besides his other virtues and worth, Methought I did see God beginning this good business in a good hand. Soon after I heard that another worthy gentleman, namely Sir William Harvey Knight had on the Stocks at Lymehouse in the yard of M. Steuens, Shipwright, another very fair large Buss near as big as any Flemish Buss: which buss I did after see myself when she was in launching; and she is now in the Thames before Radcliffe. But beside these two Gentlemen, I have not yet heard of any English that have yet applied themselves that way. Now because after many considerations of that matter, I perceived that none of the four Treatises before mentioned, had set down in very plain particulars the exact charge of Building, Manning, Victualling, and furnishing of such a Buss; and of the gain or profit, which by God's blessing in probability may redound yearly to the particular Owner and Adventurer of such a Ship. And conceiving Hope that the publication of such particulars, might be some furtherance of the Action. I resolved to bestow my best labours to get such Particulars; and to that end I travailed and conferred with such both Shipwrights, Mariners, Fishermen, Net-makers, and others, as I thought to be able to inform me in the Premises, that so I also might bring Straw or Mortar to that noble Building. Or that I might pick or tease Occam, or do somewhat, that am not able to do much. And for that upon conference with some experienced in this Herring Fishing, I am informed that a Buss of thirty five Last, that is, of scutcheon Tun, is of a very good and meet size or scantling, wherewith in a four months fishing yearly to make the gain or profit by Herring only; Hereafter in particular set down, besides her employment yearly also Codfishing, etc. I have therefore here imparted such Instructions as I could attain unto. 1. FIrst, of the precise dimensions or proportions of such a Buss of 35 Last. That is of 70 Tun. 2. Secondly, the uttermost Charges of such a Buss, and the particular of all her Masts, yards, Sails, Flags, Pulleys, shivers, Tackling, Cables and Anchors, together also with her cockboat and oars. 3. Thirdly, the particulars of her Carpenter's store, and of her Steward's store, and of her weapons, and the charge of them all. 4. Fourthly, the particulars of her Herring Nets, and of the Warropes and other Ropes, Cords and lines, Cork, Pynbols or Buys belonging to those Nets, with the particular charges of them all. 5. Fiftly, the particular Tools and Implements used in dressing and packing of the said Herrings, and their particular prizes. 6. Sixtly, the charge of one hundred Last of Herring Casks or Barrels, and of Salt needful for the packing of C. Last of Herrings. 7. Seventhly, the particular charge of four months' victuals for 16 persons to serve in the said Buss: and the particular charge of Physic and chirurgery helps for those xvi. persons. 8. Eightly, the particular utmost wages of the said xvi. persons for the said four months. 9 Lastly, the gain or profit (by God's blessing) hoped for, by such a four months Herring-fishing. Afterwards is also set down the yearly Charges of repairing the said Buss: and of her apparel and Furniture. And also of the said Nets, etc. Together with the rest of the second years Charge and Gain. By which second years Charge and Gain, you shall see the charge and gain of every year following so long as the Buss lasteth: which (by God's blessing and good usage) may well be twenty years at least. HE that will give a probable estimate of any Charge, must tie himself to some particular proportions, which he must admit as the very just allowances. But I would have none to imagine that I intent these particulars to be such as may not be varied. If any be so vain to make scornful constructions, I holdsuch fellows not worth the thinking on. A Buss of 35 Last, that is of 70 Tons, must be on the Keel in length 50 foot And on the Main beam 17 And her Rake on the Stem forward 16 And her Rake on the Sterne-post Eastward on 7 And her waist from her lower edge of her Deckledges unto her Ceelings 13 li s d Such a Buss with her Cabins, Cookroom and other rooms fitted for the sea, and to this fishing service, together with her Ruther, Ironwork, bolts Chain▪ bolts, Shroud-chaines, Nails, etc. and her Cockboat and Oars will cost at most 260. li All her masts and yards will cost at most 8 0 0 The making and fitting her said masts and yards 2 0 0 Her pulleys and shivers at most 2 0 0 Her rigging or Tackling ropes of the fittest sizes or scantlings, will come to at most 8 C. wai. of ropes which will cost at most 30 s a C. which comes to 12 0 2 Her Mainsail and two Bonnets must be 11. yards deep and 16 clothes broad of Ipswitch Poledavis, which comes unto 176 yards of poledaviss, which at ix d. a yard will cost 6 12 0 Her Main top sail must be 8. yards deep, and eight clothes broad at the yard, and sixteen clothes broad at the Clewes, which takes 96. yards of Bungy Canvas, which at eight pence a yard will cost 3 4 0. Her foresail, the Course, & two Bonnets must be x. yards deep and 12 clothes broad, taking up 120 yards of Ipswitch Poledavis, which at ix. d. a yard comes to 4 10 0. Her Mizzen or Backsaile must be 4 clothes broad and 5 yards deep, which takes 20 yards of Bungy cloth, which at 8 d. a yard comes to 0 13 4▪ So as all the Sails take 420 yards of Saile-cloth of both sorts, which 420 yards (at 28 yards to a bolt) make almost 15 bolts of cloth. And the Sailemaker will have for his work ● s. a bolt which comes to 3 15 0 Boltropes for all the said Sails. And Twine etc. to make the said: sails withal, will cost at most 1 15 8 304 10 0 li. s. d Two flags or Fans to observe the wind by with their staves, at two. s. a piece 0 4 0. Two or three hand pikes of Ash at most 0 2 0 Two Waterskeits to wet the Sails at xviii. d. a piece 0 3 0 Two Water-buckets at vi: d. 0 1 0 Six Maps to cleanse the Buss withal, at vi. d 0 3 0 Compasses and boxes 2. at x s. a piece at most 1 0 0 Hourglasses 3 or 4 at most at xviii, d 0 6 0 A Lantern for the poop 0 10 0 Two other lanterns at xviii d. a piece 0 3 0 Fenders or long poles 4. at two. ● 0 8 0 Long Oars vi. at iii s. iiii d 1 0 0 An Iron Crow of 15 li. at iiii d 0 5 0 Cables. 4. One Cable of 9 Inches about, & C fathom, that is CC yards long, will weigh about xviii. C 81. 0. 0 A second Cable 8 Inches ½ about, and of the length abovesaid will weigh about xv. C. A third Cable 7 Inches ½ about, and of like length will weigh xi. C. The fourth Cable 7 Inches about, & of like length, will weigh x. C. So all the four Cables will weigh about 54 C weight, which 54 C. weight of Cables at 30 s. C will cost Anchor's 4 One Anchor to weigh about iiii. C 18 0 0 A second to weigh about three C ½ A third to weight about two. C. ½ A fourth to weigh about two C Four Anchor stocks and the fitting of them at x s. a piece two l. So all the 4. Anchor's weighing xii. C weight at xxvi s. viii d a C. will cost xvi. li. And so the 4 Anchors and their four stocks will come to li. s. d. steward's store. Short Iron pothangers two at 12 d 0 2 0 pothooks 2 pair at x. d 0 1 8 A large Iron pease pot of 5 or 6 Gallons 0 10 0 A large copper fish kettle about 32 li. wa. at xv. d per li. 2 0 0 A wooden scummer or two 0 0 4 Wooden Ladles 2 or 3 0 4 A Gridyron at most, 0 2 6 A frying pan 0 2 6 Pipkin two or three, 0 0 6 A Chase dish of Iron 0 2 0 A small fire shovel and a pair of Tongues 0 2 6 A pair of bellows 0 0 8 Treys 2 at xv d. a piece 0 2 6 Trugs 2 at ix d. a piece 0 1 6 Wooden platters 12 at iiii. d 0 4 0 Wooden Pottagers 24 0 2 0 Trenchers 4 dozen at three d 0 1 0 Baskets for Mes-bread 6. at 4. d 0 2 0 Beere-cans bigger and lesser 12 0 6 0 Taps and Fawcets 4 or 5. 0 0 2 wooden Butter-seales a pair 0 1 0 Leaden weights, 4 li— 2 li— 1 li— ½ li— quarter li— at two d 0 1 4 Tinderboxes 2. furnished well 0 2 6 Candles at most for 16 weeks thirty li. at iiii d 0 10 0 Candlesticks with Iron wires 6. at 8 d 0 4 0 A Candlebox with lock and key at most 0 5 0 5 8 0. li. s. d Carpenter's store Iron Essles to mend the Shrowd-chaines withal if any should chance to breake-10-of 1 li. a piece at 4 d. a pound 0 3 4 Fids or Hammers two at 12 d 0 2 0 Orlup Nails 3 C. at xvi d. a C. 0 4 0 Scupper nails two C. at vi. d. 0 1 0 Spikes v li. at 4 d. a pound 0 1 8 Six penny nails iii C 0 1 6 Four penny nails ● C 0 1 0 pump nails 3 C. at two d. a C 0 0 6 A Saw 0 3 0 Sum 0 18 0 Weapons, etc. Half pikes 10 at two. s 1 0 0 Muskets with Bandaleers, Rests and Moulds 6 6 0 0 Gunpowder 6 li. at x d. 0 5 0 Leaden bullets 6 li. at iii d 0 1 6 7 6 6 The buss aforesaid must have fifty Nets. li. s. d Nets with the Appurtenances. EAch Net must be 30 yards, that is 15 fathom long upon the rope. 3 1 3 Each net must also hang full and not stretched on the rope. Therefore each net before it come to be fastened to the rope (being stretched out) must be 35 yards long. Each Net must be in depth 7 deepings. Each deeping must be a fathom, that is two yards deep. So as each net of 7 deepings, takes 7 times 35 yards of Lint or netting (of 60 Masks or mashes or holes deep) which comes to just 245 yards of Lint or netting, of a fathom breadth or depth. Which 345 yards of Lint or netting (ready made or knit) will cost iii d. a yard, which comes to for one net— 3 li. 1 s. 3 d. Each net must have a net-rope on the top of the net. So each net much have 15 fathom of net-rope. 0 2 0 This net-rope must not be a stiff tarred rope but lithe and gentle, and is best made of old ropes. This 15. fathom of net rope for each net will cost, two s. Round about the head and two sides of each net (but not on the bottom) must be set a small cord about the bigness of a Bowstring which is called headroping or nostelling. 0 0 9 So each net takes 15 fathom, and 7 fathom and 7 fathom, which comes to 29 fathom of headroping. There is twenty fathom of this headroping in a pound weight of it. So each net takes almost a pound and ½ of this head roping, which is sold for 6 d. a pound. So the pound & ½ costeth, The 7 deepinges of each net are to be sowed each to other altogether with a small thread called Twine Masking. 0 0 6. Each net takes a pound of this Twyne-masking, which is sold for Each net is to be fastened to her ropes with short pieces of Cords or lines of two foot long a piece called Nozzels. 0 1 0. These Nozzels are tied very thick, viz. at 4. mashes or holes asunder. So each net takes 150. Nozzels. These Nozzels are sold ready cut out for viii. d. C. So 150 nozzels cost Each net must have a rope 5 or 6 Fathom long and an Inch through, that is 3 Inches and better about called a Seizing to fasten the net unto the Warroape. This Rope will cost iiii. d. a fathom. So for the said six fathom 0 2 0. The seeming or sowing together of the said seven deepings of each net, and the head roping of each net as aforesaid, And the bringing of each net to the rope or setting on the Nozzels, All this I say, is usually done by a woman working it at 4 d. a day meat and drink, or x d. a day at most finding herself, which woman will so dispatch at least two or three nets in a day. So each net so finishing, will cost at most 0 0 5. Every net must be tanned in a Tanfat which will cost at most 0 0 10. li. s. d Nets: Warropes etc. All the said 50. Nets being finished must be hanged all a-row upon a strong large rope called a Warrope, which must be in bigness 4. inches about. 0 18 2 This Warrope must be as long as all the said 50. Nets, that is fifty times 15. fathom long, that is, 750. fathom of Warrope. So each Net taketh up 15. fathom of Warrope. An C. weight, that is, 112. li. of this rope is sold for at most 30. s. that is almost iii. d. farthing a pound. An C▪ fathom of this rope will weigh near CCCC. weight. At which rate each fathom will weigh almost iiij. li. ½ which at three d. farthing a pound will cost xiv. d. ob. a fathom. So for each Net 15 fathom at xiv. d, ob. will cost Each Net must have half a pound of Legorne Cork placed all along the Net at half a yard asunder: At which distance each Net takes 60. Corks, or 60. half pounds of Cork, that is, 30. pound of Cork at two. d. ob. a pound, that is 23. s. 4. d. a C. will cost 0 6 3 Those 60. Corks must have 60 Corke-bands to tie them to the Net: each Corkeband must be a fathom long. 0 1 6 These Corke-bands are made of the aforesaid headroping line, whereof 20. fathoms weigh a pound as aforesaid. So the said 60 fathoms will weigh 3. pound, which at vi. d. per pound will cost For every two Nets there must be a Pynboll or Bye hooped, which will cost viii. d. So to each Net allow for half a Pynboll or Bye 0 0 4 Each Pynboll or Bye must have a Rope of a yard long, to fasten it to the Warrope, which yard of rope will cost at most vi. d. So to each Net allow for half such a rope 0 0 3 li. s. d. So it appears by the particulars aforesaid, that each Net with Warropes and all other her appurten●nces, will cost, 4, 15, 3, 238. 2. 6. And ●o ●h said ●o Nets at 4. 15. 3, a piece will cost in all li. s. d. Tools and Implements used indringe and packing of Herring. Gipping or Gilling knives 14 at 4 d. 0 8 0 Roaring baskets or scuttles 24 at vi d 0 12 0 Addesses for Cooper's work 6. at two. s 0 12 0 Drifts to beat down hoops 12. at i d 0 1 0 Irons to pull up barrels heads 6. at 4 d 0 2 0 Iron pipes to blow and try Casks, whether they be tied or no 3. at 8 d. 0 2 0. bended hoops to supply such as shall chance to break or fly off, for an C Last, that is of 12 C barrels 24 C of hoops at two. s. a C 2 8 0. Iron marks or letters to brand the barrels withal, viz. A B. for the best, S for the second, W. for▪ the worst, at 8 d. a piece at most, 0 2 0. 4 7 0 Cask. Herring barrels, an hundred Last, that is twelve hundred barrels, which containeth two and thirty Gallons a piece, will cost fifteen shillings a Last, that is xv d. a piece, which cometh to 75 0 0 Salt. A water bushel, that is 5 pecks of Spanish salt, will salt a barrel of Herrings. 60 0 0 So to salt the said Clast, or 12 C. barels of Herrings, must be 12 C bushels of salt, that is at 40. bushels of salt to a weigh) just 30 weigh of salt, with at 40 s. a weigh, that is xii d. a bushel, will cost▪ Memorandum. A Flemish Buss doth often take seven or eight Last of Herrings in a day. But if God give a Buss one day with another but two last of Herrings a day, that is, twelve Last of Herrings in a week. Then at that rate a Buss may take, dress, and pack the said whole proportion of an C last of Herrings (propounded to be hoped for) in eight weeks and two days. And yet is herein allowance made for victuals and wages for xvi. weeks, as after followeth. Of which 16 weeks time if there be spent in rigging & furnishing the said Buss to sea, and in sailing from her port to her fishing place; if these businesses I say spend two weeks of the time, and that other two weeks be also spent in returning to her port after her fishing season and in unrigging and laying up the Buss. Then I say (of the xvi. weeks above allowed for) there will be xii. weeks to spend only in fishing the Herring. Victual and Fuel for xvi. Men and Boys, serving in the Buss aforesaid, for the Herring-fishing time, and the time of her setting out: and of her return home, viz. from the 24 of May, until the 21. of September, which is 112. days, that is xvi. weeks, that is four months. li. s. d Beer. TO allow for every Man and Boy a gallon of Beer a day (which is the allowance made in the King's ships) that is for the said 16 persons, 16 Gallons, that is just half a Herring barrel full a day, that is, for the whole voyage or xvi. weeks, or C xii. days, 56 such barrels of Beer, Seven of these herring barrels contain a Tun of Beer: so as the said 56 herring barrels full of beer, do make just 8 Tun of beer, which at 40. s a Tun comes to 16 0 0. Biscuit. To allow for every man and boy (as in his mayest. ships) a pound of Biscuit a day, that is for every man and boy for the said 4 months or 112. days, an C weight of biscuit, that is for the said 16 persons, 16 C weight of biscuit, which at 13 s 4 d. a C. will come to 10 13 4 Oatmeal or Pease To allow amongst the said 16. persons a gallon a day, that is half a pint a piece every day, that is 112. gallons for them all, for the said 112 days or 4 months, which comes to just 14 bushels, which at 4. s. a bushel will cost 2 16 0 Bacon. To allow also for each Man and boy 2 li. of Bacon for 4 meals in a week, that is for each person for the said 16. weeks 32 li. that is 4 stone of bacon, and so for the said xvi. persons 64. stone of bacon, which at 2. s. 2 d. a stone, will come to 6 18 8. Freshfish. They may take daily out of the Sea, as much fresh-fish as they can eat, 0 0 0. Butter. To allow every Man and boy (to butter their fish or otherwise to eat as they like) a quarter of a pound of butter a day, that is, for each person ● 8 li. of butter, that is half a firkin of Suffolkbutter, and so for the said 16. men 8. firkins of butter at 20 s. the firkin 8 0 0. 44 8 0. li. s. d Cheese. To allow every of the said 16 men and boys, half a pound of Holland Cheese a day, that is, for each person 56. pound, that is, half a C. weight of Cheese. And so for the said 16. persons to allow viii. C. weight of Holland Cheese, which at two. d. ob. the pound that is, 23 s. 4. d. the hundred will cost 9 6 8 Vinegar. To allow amongst the said 16. persons three pints of Vinegar a day, that is for the said 112. days, 42 Gallones, that is a Teirce of Vinegar, which at vi. li. a Tun, Cask and all will cost 1 0 0 Fuel. To allow for the dressing and boiling of their victual, viii. C. of Kentish Faggots, that is seven Faggots a day, and 16. Faggots over in the whole time, which viii. C. of Faggots at viii. s. a C. comes to 3 4 0 13 10 8 li. s. d. sum of all the said 4. months' victual is 57 18 8 I am informed that the Dutch Busses have not half so much allowance of Victuals: But take almost all theirs out of the Sea. li. s. d Physic and Surgery helps Sperma Caeti and a box for it 0 3 4 Stone pitch and a box for it 0 1 4 Aquavita 16 quarts is 4 gallons, at iii. s. 0 12 0 Zant-oyle 16 pints is 2 gallons, at vi. s. 0 12 0 Honey, 16 pints is 2 gallons, at v. s. 0 10 0 Sugar 4 pound, at i s. 0 4 0 Nutmegs a quartern of a pound 0 1 0 Ginger ½ a pound 0 0 6 Pepper 16 oz. that is a pound 0 2 0 Wages to the sixteen men Balsam and other Salves and old Linen 0 10 0 Syzers a pair 0 0 6 A Steel Pleget to spread plasters 0 1 4 A Chest with partitions for all these things 0 12 0 3 10 0 To a Master for the said 4. months at v. li. a month that is, i. li, 5, s. o a week, or 4, s. two. d. a day for 6 days or iii. s. ob, farthing farthing a day for seven days. 20 0 0 To two Mates at 24 s, a month a piece 9 12 0 To six other men at 20 s. a piece per month 24 0 0 To six other men at 16 s, a piece per month 19 4 0 To a boy at 6 s, a month 1 4 0 74 0 0 Sum of all the Stock and charge of one entire Buss, etc. the first year will be about 935 5 8. The difference or odds between Charge & Adventure. IT appears before in particulars, That a New Buss with her Nets and other appurtenances, together with all the first years Charge of Salt, Cask, Victuals, Wages, etc. will come to— 934-5-8 But it is to be observed, that the owner & Adventurer of such a Buss, shall not be out of purse, nor Adventure so much money the said first year, by— 171— 10— 0 For the Wages aforesaid is never paid till the return of the Ship or buss; which if it should never return (as God forbidden) then is no wages paid. So wages is part of the Charge, but no part of the Adventure. And so the wages is spared from Adventure, which comes to as before in particulars 74 0 0. Also it is to be observed, that the buss can conveniently stow at once but 34 Last of Cask, which is but the third part of her said C. last of Cask in Charge, and so is also spared from Adventure two third parts of her cask, which is 66. last of Cask, which at xv. s. comes to 49 10 0 Likewise the Buss cannot conveniently stow at once above ten weigh of Salt, which is but a third part of her Salt in charge. And so is also spared from Adventure ⅔ of her said Salt, which is 20 weight of Salt, which at 40 s. a weigh comes to 40 0 0. Neither can the buss conveniently stow at once above 〈◊〉 her said 8 Tons of beer in Charge. And so also is spared from Adventure the one half of her said beer, which is four Tun, which at forty shillings a Tun comes to 8 0 0. total spared from Adventure 171 li 10 0. Which 171 li-10 s-0-being deducted out of the said Charge of 934-5-8. There resteth to be adventured the first year only 762 15 8. The first years gain in hope and likelihood. ABout a month after the Busses are gone out to sea, a Yagar which is a Carvel or a Merchant's ship (employed to seek out the said Herring-Busses, and to buy of them their Herrings upon the first packing.) This Yagar I say (whereof are divers so employed) comes to the said Buss (amongst others) and buys all such Herrings as she hath barreled (which barrels upon the first packing are called Sticks.) And in part of payment for her said Herring Sticks, delivers such Salt, Cask, Hoops, Nets, Beer, and other Necessaries as the buss shall then want; (wherewith the said Yagar comes always furnished) the rest the said Yagar pays in ready money to the Busseman. In this manner comes the Yagar to the busses two or three times or oftener in a Summer-Herring-fishing time. So as the said Yagar buys of the said Buss (if God give them to the buss) all her said C Last of herring Sticks. 1000 li. For which said C. last of Herring-stickes, if the Yagar do pay but after the rate of x li. a Last, that is xvi. s. viii. d. a barrel, then are the said hundred last of Herringsticks sold for just So (by the grace and blessing of God) the very first years herrings only, may bring in to the Adventurer or owner all his whole both Stock and Charges of— 934— 5— 8. aforesaid. And also— 65— 14— 4— over and above. And so the said Adventurer or Buss master, is like by God's blessing, to gain clearly the very first year.— The buss aforesaid with all her apparel and furniture, together with her Nets, etc. And— 065 li— 14 s— 4 d. in money over and above, towards the use or Interest of the said— 762— 15— 8— which the said Adventurer disburseth the first year out of Purse, Which is almost— 9 li— 0— 0. in the hundred also for use. The second years Charge. li. s. d. Calking or carrying the said Buss yearly will cost about 5 0 0 Repairing the Tacklings (which cost at first xii li. as before) 6 0 0 Repairing the Sails which cost at first xx li, x s 10 0 0 Repairing the pulleys shivers and other petty things about 1 0 0 Repairing the Cables (which cost at first 81 li.) about 24 0 0 Towards the reparations of the Anchors (which cost at first 18 li,) allow 3 0 0 Repairing the Carpenter's store (which cost at first 15 s.) about 0 12 0 Repairing the Steward's store (which cost at first 5 li, 8 s. 0) about at most 2 8 0 Renewing shot and powder, and scouring the Muskets etc., about 0 10 0 Repairing of Nets with the appurtenances, with 50 new deepings, and a C fathom of Warrope, etc. 77 0 0 (Which cost first as before in particulars, 238-2-6) the third part whereof is just 79-7-6. Renewing of Tools to dress and pack Herrings with all, (which cost at first 4-5-0 2 0 0 Renewing the whole C Last of Cask at xv s. 75 0 0 Renewing the whole 30 weighs of Salt at 40 s. 60 0 0 Renewing the whole proportion of victuals aforesaid 57 18 8 Renewing part of the Physic and Surgery helps (which cost at first 3-10-0) 1 11 4 Wages as at the first 74 0 0 li. s. d Sum. Tot. of the Charge of the second years Herring Fishing will be as appears about 400 0 0 But the second years Adventure and Disbursement, will be less than the said Charge, (as it was for the first year) by 171. 10. 0 And so the Second years Adventure will be only about— 228— 10— 0. Towards which adventure and Charge, there is before accounted to be gotten in money by the first years Herring fishing as before appears— 65— 14— 4. So then the second years Charge, besides the said 65— 14— 4. before gained, will be but 334— 5— 8. But the said second years Adventure, besides the said gain, will be but 162— 15— 8. So it appears, That if the buss be only employed in fishing the Herring, and in that but only one four months in every year: and that the Buss lie still in her own port all the rest of the year: that is nine months in every year idle, yet she gains clearly every year in that four months (only) the sum of 600. li— o s— o d. If God give her in that time, but the said C. Last of Herrings, which being sold but at ten pound a Last, yield 1000 li.— o s— o d. Out of which deducting the said second years Charge of 400. li. aforesaid, there resteth as gained clearly— 600 li.— o— o yearly by the said Buss. Memorandum, If the Adventurer of such a Buss will also hire a Yagar by the Last, to take in his Herrings, and carry them into Danske-Meluyn, Sweathland, France, or elsewhere: Then the Charge and gain of that course, will be as followeth, or thereabouts, viz: li. s. d. YOu may hire a carvel or other Merchant's ship for a Yagar to carry your Herrring from the Buss into Dansk, Meluyn, etc. and to stay there for relading 14 or 20 days, and then to bring back to London such Wares or Merchandise as you shall there fraught her withal, for which fraught outward and stay there, and fraught home back again, the said ship will have at most— 2— 10— 0 a last, that is 25 s. a Tun in and out. So the fraught of C Last of Herrings into Dansk, and fraught of another C Last of Pitch, Hemp, Flax or Corn, etc. back again to London will cost at most at— 2 li— 10 s— o d. 250 0 0. Toll at Elsanor will cost out and in about 3 0 0. I think no Custom is paid for Herrings in the East-country, yet suppose for Custom iiii s. a last, that is 4. d. a barrel, at which rate the C. Last of Sticks comes to 20 0 0. For Cranage, there allow at most is. a Last, which for the said Clast of Herrings is 5 0 0. For Wharfage there allow also after the rate of 12. d. a Last, 5 0 0 For Warehouse-roome there till the Herrings be sold allow at most 2 0 0. The repacking of the Herrings by the sworn Cooper's of that place, and for new hooping 75 Last of cask, which will be filled with the said C Last of Herring sticks, allowing 25. Last that is a fourth part of the Clast to be shrunk away, that 75 last repacking and hooping at most at viii. s. a Last will cost 30 0 0. Sum— 315 li.— o s— o d. which never goes out of purse, but is paid when the Herrings are sold. li. s. d So if the said C. Last of Herring so sent from the Buss to Dansk do shrink a fourth part, then will rest to be sold in Dansk, Meluyn, etc. 75. Last of full repacked Herrings, which 75. Last will be there sold for at least 18 li. 12. s. o. d. a Last, that is 31. s. a Barrel, which is iiii. s. i d. a C. which is more than 2. Herrings and ½ a penny, by 7. Herrings in a hundred. And so the 72. Last of Herrings will be sold for 1395. 0. 0 Which is for the Herrings 1000 0 d Besides there may well be gained by the return of 139. li. worth of corn or other Merchandise, at least 120. more. & for the fraught in & out, 315 0 d And so is gained outwards only 80 0 d Besides, the said Herring-fishing which is performed in four months as aforesaid, the same Buss may be also employed the same year (presently after the said herring season) in fishing for Cod and Ling. For the Herring fishing being begun yearly as before is showed (about the 24. of May, and the Buss being returned home again about the 21 of September, which is 16. weeks after: then the said Buss and her men may rest in Port about 10. weeks, viz. from the 21. of September, until S. Andrew's tide, or the first of December after; and then set sail again furnished with Hooks, Lines, Salt, cask, and all other things (hereafter particularly mentioned) needful for the Winter Codfishing, which may by God's blessing be dispatched and the Buss at home again in her own port by the first of March, which is thirteen weeks after, that is, in 91. days. And so between the said first of March and the 24. of May, which is just eight weeks, the said Buss may be carined or calked, and repaired and victualled & provided of all things against the second or next years Herring-fishing. And so is the whole year ended & spent as aforesaid. Now the Charges of the said first Codfishing in the Buss aforesaid, with the 16 Men and Boys aforesaid during the aforesaid time of 13. weeks or 91. days will be as followeth, viz. Tools & Implements. EAch man fishing for Cod and Ling, useth at once 2 Kip-hooks, so 16 men may use at once 32 of those hooks: but because they lose their Hooks sometimes, therefore allow for every of the men a dozen of hooks, that is 16 dozen of Kip-hooks, which at most will cost 12 d. a dozen▪ that is, 0 16 0 Strings for each Man six, that is, for the 16 men eight dozen of strings, every string must be fifty fathom long & about the bigness of an jackline, and it must be tanned. Every such string will cost about 12 d. and so the said eight dozen of strings will cost 4 16 0 Chopstickes for every man four, is in all 64 Chopstickes. A Chopsticke is an Iron about the bigness of a Curtain Rod, and a yard long, and upon this Iron is an hollow pipe of Lead 8 or 9 Inches long, and weighs about 4 pound, and the Iron weighs about a pound, which Iron and lead will cost about 12 d. a piece, so 64. Chopstickes at 12 d. will cost 3 4 0. For every man two Garfangle-hookes. total two and thirty Garfangle hooks. This Garfangle hook is an Ashen-plant 6 or 8 Foot long with an Iron hook like a Boat-hook at the end of it, one of these Garfangle hooks will cost 6 d. So the 32 Garfangle hooks will cost 0 16 0 Four Heading knives like Chopping knives at xii. d. 0 4 0 Four splitting knives like mincing knives at 12 d 0 4 0 Six gutting knives at 4. d 0 2 0 A Grindstone and Trough 0 5 0 Whetstones two or three 0 3 0 Some of the old Herring Nets, to get Herrings to bait their Hooks. Or else to buy a Hogshead full of Lamprils which is the best bait for Cod and Ling. There is store of Lamprils to be had at Woolwitch, Norwitch, and Hull, which may cost about 2 10 0 Baskets some of those before bought and used for the dressing of Herring and 12. other great Baskets at two. s. 6. d a piece 1 10 0 14 10 0 li, s. d Cask. For barreled Cod to provide 35. Last of Barrels, which are the very same every way, with the Herring barrels aforesaid, so the said 35. Last of Cask, at xv. s. a Last, will cost 26. li— 5. s. As for the Linges (in hope) there is no Cask used for them, but they are only salted and packed one upon another in the ships hold. And if they take any Ling, than they must bring home the less Cod, and then also they save some of the said Cask 26 5 0. Salt. Each barrel of Cod will take a bushel of Salt upon salt. So 35. Last of Cod aforesaid takes just 420. Bushels of Salt upon salt, that is, 10 weighs and a half of salt, which at 3. li. a weigh, that is 1●. d. a bushel will cost 31. 10. 0 Physic and Chirurgery helps. To allow as before is allowed for the Herring-fishing time, which (besides the Chest) will cost as before in particulars 2 18 0. Stew store Carp store The Steward's store and Carpenter's store aforesaid, will serve this voyage. So for them needeth no allowance 0 0 0. 60 13 0. Victual and Fuel for 16. Men and Boys, to serve in the said Buss for the said Cod fishing time, and the time of setting out, and Return home, viz. from about the first of December, unto the first of March, which is just 13. weeks, that is, 91 days. li. s. d Beer. TO allow every person a gallon of beer a day (as in the King's ships) that is for the said 16 persons 16. gallons, that is just half a Herring-barrell a day, that is for the whole voyage, 91. half barrels, that is almost 46. of those Herring barrels full of beer. Seven of these herring barrels contain a Tun of beer: so as the said 46. barrels contain six Tun and a half of beer, which at 40. s. a Tun will cost 13 0 0. Biscuit. To allow for every person (as in his Mayest. ships) a pound of Biscuit a day, that is for all the said 16. persons 112. li. that is an C. weight of Biscuit a week, that is for the said 13. weeks 13 C. of Biscuit, which at xiii. s.— 4. d— ● C. will cost 8 13 4. Pease. To allow for every person half a pint of pease a day (to be watered and eaten with butter or else with bacon) that is a Gallon a day amongst them all, that is in all 91. gallons, that is 11 bushels and a peck and a half of Pease, which at 4. s. a bushel, will cost 2 5 6. Bacon. To allow for every person 2. li. of Bacon a week for 4. meals in every week, that is for the said 16. persons 32. li. that is 4. stone of Bacon a week amongst them all, that is for the said 13. weeks, 52 stone of bacon, which at 2. s. 2. d. a stone, will cost 5 12 8. Freshfish. Fresh-fish they may take daily out of the Sea as much as they can eat 0 0 0. li. s. d Butter. To allow every person a quarter of a pound a Butter a day, that is, 4 li. of Butter a day amongst them all. So for the said 13. weeks or 91. days must be 364 li. of Butter, that is just six firkins and ½ of Suffolk Butter, which at xx. s. a firkin will cost 6 10 0. Cheese. To allow every person half a pound of Holland cheese a day, that is 8 li. a day among them all. So for the said 13 weeks or 91 days, 728 li. of cheese, that is 6 C ½ weight of Holland cheese 〈◊〉 at 2 d. ob. a li. that is 1 li. 3 s. 4 d. C. will cost 7 11 8. Vinegar. To allow amongst them all three pints of Vinegar a day, that is, for the said 91. days almost 34. Gallons, allow a Teirce, which at 6 li. a Tun Cask and all, will cost 1 0 0 Fuel. To allow also 8. Kentish Faggots a day, which for the said 91 days will come to 7. C. and a quartern of Faggots, which at 8. s. a C. will cost 2. 18. 0 li. s. d. Sum of all the said 13 weeks victuals and fuel, will come to as appears 47. 11. 2 Wages. To a Master for these 13. weeks at 5. li. a month that is 25. s. a week a piece, is for both 16 5 0. To two Mates at 24. s. a month, that is vi. s. a week a piece, is for both 7 16 0 To six other men at 20. s. a piece per month, is 5. s. a week a piece 19 10 0 To six other men at 16. s. a piece per month, is 4. s. a week a piece 15 12 0 To the Boy at 6. s. a month, that is xviii. d a week. 0 19 6 60 2 6. Sum of all the Charge of the first winters Cod-fisning, will be as before in particulars about 182 16 8 li. s. d But here is to be remembered that the wages is no part of the Adventure (though it be part of the Charge. 122. 14. 2 at most. And so the Adventurer shall be out of purse for this first Codfishing voyage, but only Now if it please God in this voyage to afford unto this Buss the filling of her said Cask, that is 35. Last of Cod only, that Cod will yield at least 20. s. a barrel, that is but 12. li. a Last: So the said 35 Last, will yield at least, 420. li— o s— o d. Of the Lyvors of those 35. Last of fish, may well be made 5. Tun of Train oil, worth at least 12. li. a Tun, that is but 12. d. a gallon, at which rate 5. Tun of oil will yield 60. li. So by the blessing of God this Codfishing may bring in to the Adventurer, as before in particulars just 480 0 0 li. s. d Out of which 480. li. deduct the Charge abovesaid of 182-16-8, and then resteth to be cleared yearly by the said Codfishing 297 3 4 And so it appears that there may be gained yearly by one Herring Fishing and one Cod Fishing in such a Buss yearly, the sum of 837-3-4. all Charges borne, and without any stock after the first year 897. li. 3 s 4. d BY that which is before set down, it appeareth, that one Adventurer or divers Partners, buying or building and furnishing such a Buss, and adventuring her to sea as aforesaid, shall disburse before and in the first Herring voyage, the sum of 762— 15— 8. out of purse. And that the same 762— 15— 8. is clearly inned again, together with all other charges, and 65— 14— 4. over and above within less than a year, & so the Buss with her Nets and furniture, and the said 65— 14— 4. in money is gained clearly the first voyage. And that if the Buss do also that year make a Codfishing voyage as aforesaid, than I say, within the space of the said first year, the Adventurer or the said Partners shall have all their stocks into their purse again as aforesaid, and shall also have in purse gained clearly the said first year 362-17-8 which gain is more than is to be disbursed the second year in repairing the said Buss, with her appurtenances, etc. And also in furnishing her with new Herring Cask, Salt, Victual, etc. for the second years Herring fishing. And that the said Adventurer or Partners, after the said first year, shall never be out of purse any money at all. But that the first years clear gain will stock him or them so sufficiently for the use of this Buss, as by the same they may get clearly after the said first year, by two such voyages in that buss, yearly over and above all charges. li. s. d. 897 3 4. And that if the said Adventurer or Partners will make but only one Herring voyage yearly, then by that one only Herring voyage yearly, the said buss may get clearly per annum, as is before declared. 600 0 0 Over and above all charges. I Confess the private gain to every Undertaker before propounded, may seem too great to be hoped for: but before any conclude so, let them read the Proclamation concerning this business, made by those thriving-states of the united provinces of the Low Countries, and let them consider what should move those States in that public proclamation, to call this Herring fishing, the Chiefest-Trade, and Principal Goldmine of those united provinces, and to show such jealousy, and provide so very carefully for the preservation thereof, If the gain thereby were not exceeding great and extraordinary. That Proclamation translated out of Dutch into English, is affixed to the end of the Book before mentioned, called England's way to win wealth: and is here also again annexed to these presents, as a thing to be often seen and considered of us. And for myself, I say that I know, that No man may do evil, that good may come of it: Therefore I would not devise a lie to persuade any to a work how good soever; nor commend that to others, which my own heart were not first strongly persuaded to be commendable: yet as I deny not but that I may err in some of so many particulars: so I disdain not, but rather desire to see such errors, honestly and fairly corrected by any that out of more skill, and desire of perfecting and furthering this good work, shall find out any such errors. And whether this Fishery be Necessary for this Commonwealth or no, let the present condition and estate of our shipping and Mariners, and Sea Towns, and Coasts, which (as the means) should be the walls and strength of this islandish Monarchy; I say let them speak. I will say no more to this point, as well for other reasons, as also because this matter is but for a few alas: namely for those only that prefer the Common wealth to their own private: and they are wise, and a word is enough to such. If any be so weak to think this Mechanical Fisher-Trade not feasible by the English people: to them I may say with Solomon Go to the Pismire look upon the Dutch thou sluggard, learn of them, they do it daily in the sight of all men at our own doors, upon our own coasts. But some will needs fear a Lion in every way, because they will employ their Talents no way, but lie unprofitable at home always. The difficulties that Unwillingness hath objected, Consists in want of Men, of Nets, of Cask, of Timber, and Plank, of Utterance or Sale, and of the fear of Pirates, of every of which a word or two. THE 16. Men and boys before admitted to serve in the said Buss, may be these: (viz.) A Master, a Mate, four ordinary Sailors, and four Fishermen, there is ten, and then six land-men and boys to be trained up by the former Ten men in the Art of Sailing, and Craft of Fishery. By which means every Buss shall be a Seminary of sailors and Fishers also, for so shall every buss breed and make six new Mariners: and so every 100 busses breed 600. new mariners to serve in such other busses as shall be after builded, which is also no small addition to the strength of this state. Mariners. Now if there were 100 busses presently to be builded, I would make no doubt (as hard as the world goes) but before they could be fitted for the Sea, there may be gathered up about the Coast-Townes of his majesties Dominions at least an C. able Masters to take Charge of them. And another C. of Mariners to go with them as their Mates: and four C. sailors to serve under the said C. Masters, that is in all but 600. Mariners and Sailors. For I find in the 35. page of England's way to win wealth (the Author whereof was a Yarmouth man) that the last winter but one, There were in that one Town of Yarmouth 300. idle men that could get nothing to do, living poor for lack of employment, who most gladly would have gone to Sea in Pinks, if there had been any for them to go in. I have reported his own words. Fishermen. And for the four hundred Fishermen to serve in the C. Busses, they would soon be furnished out of those poor Fishers in Small boats, as Traules, Cobbles, etc. which fish all about the Coasts, which poor men by those small vessels can hardly get their bread, and therefore would hold it great preferment to be called into such Busses where they may have meat, drink, and wages as before is liberally propounded for such. Besides, which if need be there are too too many of those pernicious Trinkermen, who with Trinker-boates destroy the River of Thames, by killing the Fry and small Fish there, even all that comes to Net, before it be either meat or Marketable. Which Trinkermen (if they will not offer themselves) may by order and authoriry of our State be compelled to give over that Evil, and to follow this good Trade. Landme for a Seminary. But for the said 6. C. land-men to serve in these C Busses we need not study where to find them; if such should not seek for service in these Busses, the very streets of London and the Suburbs will soon show & afford them, if it were so many thousand I think. Idle Vagrants so extremely swarm there as all know. So much for men. Nets. Nets will be the hardest matter to provide at the first; yet I understand that the before named Knight, Sir William Harvey, had in few weeks or months provided all his Nets for his great Buss. And myself was offered Nets for half a dozen Busses, if I would have had them the last Summer: and if there were now 100 Busses in building, I am informed of one that will undertake to furnish them all with Nets. And after these Busses shall once be seen, many for their own gain will provide for Hemp, twine, & all necessaries to the making of Nets enough. And doubtless Scotland and Ireland will presently afford good help in this behalf. Cask. Cask will be plentifully served by Scotland and Ireland, though we should make none of English Timber. Timber & Plank. And for all the great and pitiful waste of our English Woods, yet will England afford Timber & Plank enough for many Busses: but (to spare England a while) Ireland will yield us Busses enough besides many other good Ships, if need be; and Scotland will help us with Masts, but if we would spare so near home, we may help ourselves out of Virginia and Sommer-Islands. I wis the Dutch who have no Materials in any Dominions of their own, have made harder and dearer shifts for their multitudes of Ships of all sorts: If they had shifted off the building of Ships, because they had no Timber or other shipping stuff of their own in their own Lands, what a poor, naked, servile people, had that free people been ere this day? Touching Utterance and Sale of Herrings when we Utterance or Sale. shall have them: I am informed that there is yearly uttered and spent in his majesties own Dominions, at least ten thousand Last of Herrings, which being served by ourselves, will keep in the Land abundance of Treasure, which the Dutch yearly carry out for the Herrings which they catch on our own coasts, and sell to us. Now, if such a Buss as aforesaid get yearly C. Last of Herrings, as aforesaid: then an hundred Busses taking yearly C. Last a piece, do take in all ten thousand Last of Herrings. So then his majesties own Dominions will utter all the Herrings which C. Busses shall take in a year. And then if we shall have 500 Busses more, I am persuaded we may in France, and in Dansk, & in other foreign parts, have as good and ready sale for them, as the Dutch have for theirs; for I hear that the Dutch could yearly utter double so many as they do sell if they had them. But if that should not be so, surely it were too great poverty for English minds (like Horses that know not their own strength) to fear to set foot by the Dutch, or by any other people under Heaven, or to fear to speed worse in any Market or place than they: and yet not be driven to beat down the Markets neither, except the Dutch should prove more froward and food than I can yet mistrust: but if they should, I will not be persuaded to think, but that the worse part would fall out to their share at last. If there will be employment but for 1000 Busses, me think they should thank us, (as for many other benefits, so for this,) that we will be contented that they share with us, by using only 500 Busses, & to fish friendly in consort, as it were with other 500 Busses of ours. But if they should allege, that they now having a thousand, shall have (in that case) employment for the other 500: why then perhaps we may in friendly manner cope with them, and buy of them the other 500 of the said Busses. I thank God I neither hate nor envy the Dutch; nay (for good and due respects) I prefer them to all other foreign Nations in my love; and they acknowledging us as they ought, we shall I hope do them no wrong, and they must do us right. I have herein been longer than I meant, only because there came even now to my mind some reports that I have heard, (but do not believe) of very foul and insolent dealing of their Busse-men with our poor weak Fishermen upon our Coasts. But if it were true, as I doubt it at least; yet I would not hate nor speak evil of a whole State for the saucy presumptions of a particular man, or of a few men, and those perhaps provoked thereto, by our own Double-Beere of England. Pirates & Enemies. It is too true that all seas are too full of Pirates, and that amongst them (which we have great cause to lament) our English abound, who are too ready to justify their lewd errors with the want of employment. It is true also, that men are not to get their living by sinful▪ violent, and unlawful courses; yet I would they were stripped of that colour and pretence, (which a good fleet of Busses would do:) Beside, such a fleet of Busses will (by God's grace be soon able to maintain about them a guard of strong warlike ships well appointed to defend them. And in time of need also to serve his Majesty, and offend his enemies: and such a guard will be very requisite, although God hath so laid and placed the Herrings, as our Busses shall seldom need to lie or to labour out of the sight of our own shores. So much of the facility. Lastly, touching the use of this famous Fisher-trade, I will only commend unto your considerations, that which is written thereof in all the four Books before mentioned: namely, in the British Monarchy, and Hitchcocks' Newyearesguift, and in England's way to win wealth etc. and in the Trade's increase. The Dutch have thereby as by their only or chief means kerbed and bearded their adversaries; what then may we do by it, if God please, we I say to whom he hath vouchsafed multitudes of other helps (which Dutch▪ land hath not) to second this; this trade sets awarke all their idle, it keeps their gold & silver in their dominions and multiplies it. And I see not why the same trade should not be of the same use to us. 1. NOw Aboard our Busses again, which once well established and followed, will in short time I hope by God's blessing set many Ploughman here on work, to sow Hemp & Flax, both in England, Scotland & Ireland. 2. And will convert our Idle bellies, our Beggars, our vagabonds and Sharks into lusty Hempbeaters, spinners, Carders, Rope-makers, Net-makers, Cooper's, smith's, Shipwrights, Calkers, sawyer's, Sailors, Fishermen, Bisket-bakers, weavers of Poledavis, Sayle-makers, and other good labouring Members. 3. And will more warrant and encourage our Magistrates to punish the Idle, the sturdy beggar, and the These, when these Busses shall find employment for them that will work. 4. And will be a means that the True, poor, aged, and impotent shall be better and more plentifully, yet more easily and with less charges relieved, when only such shall stand at devotion, and no valiant Rogues shall share in the Alms of the charitable as now they do. 5. And will help to bring every one to eat their own bread. 6. Yea, and will supply his Mayest. Armies and Garrisons in time of need with many lusty able men instead of our Bare-breeched Beggars and nasty Sharks, that are as unskilful and as unwilling to fight as to work. 7. And will keep and bring in abundance of Gold and Silver. I know and confess that it is not in Man to promise these or any of them peremptorily, but all these are the evident effects of this Fishery amongst the Dutch. And therefore I may conclude, That we are to hope for like blessing, by our like lawful and honest endeavours in this trade of fishery which almighty God hath brought home to our doors to employ us in, whereby he also gives us a comfortable calling to the work. TO begin withal, if but some of our Noblemen▪ and some of our Gentry▪ and some Citizens and others of ability, each man for himself, would speedily provide and employ at least one buss a piece, so as some good store of Busses may (amongst them in that manner be speedily provided and employed, to join with Sir William Harvey, who is already entered the field alone. No doubt but his Majesty will be pleased (at their humble suit) to encourage and incorporate them with privileges, immunities, and authority; and so they may choose amongst themselves, some meet officers and overseers, and make meet laws and orders for the due and seasonable taking, curing, packing, and selling of the said Herrings, etc. As the French and straits Merchants who being so incorporated, yet have every man his own ship, or the ship he hiers: and each man by himself or by his Factor, goes out, returns, buys & sells, not transgressing the private laws and orders of their respective companies. But if at the first entrance there will not be any competent number of Busses so provided, and Adventured as abovesaid. If his Majesty will be pleased so to incorporate some fit for this work; and (out of that corporation) a sufficient Treasurer, and other needful officers be here chosen & made known; then may all that please, (of whatsoever honest condition) bring in (by a day to be assigned) what sum of money any shall like to Adventure herein, from 5. pound, upwards. And when there shall be brought in 70. or 80. thousand pounds, then presently the said Officers to provide an hundred Busses, which with that money will be royally built and furnished, and all their first years charge defrayed. And as more stock shall come in, so also more Busses to be so provided and added to those former, etc. All which may be (as in the now East India company) the joint stock and Busses of the company. Of which joint stock and Busses, every adventurer according to the proportion of his said Adventure, may yearly know, give, and receive his proportion, as it shall please God to dispose of the whole fleet and business. But whereas in the said East India company, and others such like, as have a common Treasury, whereinto every Adventure is promiscuously put, the said Adventures once brought in, are there still continued in bank, and often additions called for. In this Fishing company, every Adventurer shall but only (as it were) lend the money he adventureth for one year or there about, as before is showed. Now for the good government and sincere disposition of this joint stock, etc. It would be specially provided (amongst other ordinances and provisions) that all Officers be only annual; and that those be freely chosen and yearly changed by the more voats of the company, yearly to be assembled for that purpose. And that whatsoever gratuities, or rewards, or fees, shall be yearly given to such Officers, may (not only in gross, but) in particular be distributed or set down by the more part of voices of the company so assembled; and not one gross sum given, be divided or distributed by any one man▪ for so may the company with their own money arm and enable one man, (first thereby made proud) to overrule and keep under themselves, by binding his fellow officers to himself, to the neglect of the generality, whose proper gifts they be, though by that ill means it be not acknowledged, besides many other mischiefs & inconveniences, which may come by the overweening of one or few men, whilst others of better deserts perhaps are neglected and not looked on, to the moving of much offence, murmur, and envy in some; and of pride, insolency and arrogancy in others. By this last mentioned promiscuous course of joynt-stocke, after the rate of Adventure and charge & gain, before in particulars set down, it appears: That Every Adventurer of C li. may gain clearly per annum. 75 0 0 Every Adventurer of xl li may gain clearly per annum 30 0 0 Every Adventurer of xx. li may gain clearly per annum. 15 0 0 & every Adventurer of v. li. may gain clearly per annum 3 15 0 Surely I hope this famous City (ever forward for the kingdoms good) will for their part provide and furnish the first C. of Busses at the least, and thereby according to their former noble examples, (as the cresset of the kingdom) give light to the rest of the land to follow them by. And I think the East India company will liberally further this work: for that thereby some of their greatest wants are like to be supplied. I speak as I think without insinuation, which I hate as much as railing. And I neither hope for, nor desire any other gain hereby, than my share in the common good that all this land shall by God's blessing reap by this business, and the proportionable gain of mine Adventure therein. THE State's Proclamation translated out of Dutch THE States general of the United Provinces of the Low countries unto all those that shall see or hear these presents greeting. We let to weet, that whereas it is well known, that the great fishing and catching of Herrings, is the chiefest Trade and principal Gold▪ mine of these United Countries, whereby many thousands of Households, Families, Handi-crafts trades and Occupations are set on work, well maintained and prosper, especially the Sailing and Navigation, as well within as without these Countries, is kept in great estion. Moreover, many Returns of Money, with the increase of the Means, Conuoyes, Customs, & Revenues of these Countries are augmented thereby and prosper: and forasmuch as there is made from time to time many good Orders, concerning the catching, salting, and beneficial uttering of the said Herrings to the end, to preserve and maintain the said chief Trade in the United Provinces; which Trade, by divers encounters of some that seek their own Gain, is envy, in respect of the great good it bringeth to the united countries. And We a●● informed, that a new device is put in practice to the prejudice of the Trade, to Transport out of the United Countries into other countries, staves for Herring-barrels made here, and half Herring-barrels, put into other Barrels and Nets, to cross the good Orders and Policy here intended to them of these Countries, for the catching, salting, and selling the Herrings, dressed in other countries, after the order of these Countries, whereby this chief Trade should be decayed here, and the Inhabitants of these Countries damnified, if that we make not provision in time against such practices. Therefore We, after mature judgement and deliberation, have forbidden and interdicted, and by these Presents do forbid and interdict, all, and every one, as well Home-born and Inhabitants, as strangers frequenting these parts, to take up any Herring-barrels, or half ones prepared, or any kind of nets in any Ship, Town, or Haven of the united Provinces, to be sent into other Countries or Places, upon pain of confiscation of the same, and the ship also wherein they shallbe found, besides a penalty of 200. of Netherlandish silver Royals for the first time, and for the second time above confiscation of Ship and Goods, and 400. of the said Royals of silver, and for the third time, above confiscation of ship and goods, and 600. of the said Royals of silver▪ and corporal punishment: all which confiscations and penalties shall be distributed, one third part to the profit of the Plaintiff, one third part to the poor, and one third part to the Officers where the said confiscation shall be demanded: and not only they shall incur this penalty, which after shall be taken with the deed, but they also, that within one year after the deed shall be convicted: and that none may pretend ignorance, and that this order may be in all places duly observed, and the offenders punished according to justice: We will and require, our dear and well-beloved Estates, Governors, Deputies of the council, and the Estates of the respective Provinces of Gilderland, and the county of Satfill in Holland, West-Freesland, Zealand, Vtricts, Freesland, Merizel, the Town of Groining, and the circumiacent places: and to all justices and officers, that they cause to be published in all places, and proclaimed where the usual Proclamation and Publication is made: We do charge also the Chancellors and Provincial council, and the council of the Admiralty, the advocatistical and the Procurators general, and all other Officers, judges, and justices of these United Provinces, and to all general Colonies, Admiralles and Vice-admirals, Captains, Officers and Commanders, to perform, and cause to be performed, this order and commandment, and to proceed and cause to be proceeded against the Offenders, without grace, favour, dissimulation or composition; because we have found it necessary for the good and benefit of the said united Provinces. Dated in Hage this 19 of july. FINIS. Gentle Reader, correct these few escapes with thy pen. In the 4. page of A. lin. 2. for Faculty r Facility, for Godsdue r. Godsalue, ibid. p. 8. for Eastward r. Aftward. Pag. 3. B. for Essle s r. Esses. C. p. 7. l. ●. carrying, r. carryning. In the Marg. of the 7. p. of B. For dringe r. dressing.