ΙΧΘΥΟΘΗΡΑ, OR, The Royal Trade OF FISHING. DISCOVERING The inestimable Profit the Hollanders have made thereof, with the vast Emolument and Advantages that will redound to his Sacred Majesty and his three kingdoms by the Improvement of it.  
Now seasonably published by Command for the Benefit of the Nation.  
LONDON, Printed by J. F. for R. Royston Bookseller to his most Sacred MAJESTY, MDCLXII.   

NI SOIT QVI MAL Y ENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting. Know ye that We out of Our Princely Care, tending as well to the public Weal of Our Kingdoms, as the private Commodity of Our Subjects, have diligently looked into and observed the great plenty of Fish, wherewith the Seas, Estuaries or Inlets, Greeks, Arms of the Sea, public Rivers, Nooks and Lakes of Our Dominions, and the Ines thereunto belonging, by the blessing of Almighty God doth abound; and how great profits unto Our Subjects, and increase of strength unto Our Sea Forces, as well in times of War as Peace, may from thence arise; what an ease it will be to Our Kingdoms, to have lazy and Idle people set on Work, and Crained up in the Trade of Fishing, whereby they may be able to relieve themselves, and how much merchandise and traffic may by their industry be improved; And having also with the Advice of the Council of Our Kingdom, weighed as well the public as private Commodity, and all other consequences thereof, if Our Subjects shall diligently, seriously, and effectually employ their care and poins to the use and improvement of Fishing; And for other urgent Reasons and Causes us thereunto moving, Have nomniated and constituted, and by these presents, We do make, constitute, ordain and appoint, Our dearest and most entrely beloved Brother, James Duke of York, and our right Trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors, Edward Earl of Clarendon Our high Chancellor of England, Thomas Earl of Southampton Our high Treasurer of England, and likewise Our right trusty and right well-beloved councillor John Lord Roberts Lord Privy Seal, and also Our right trusty and right well-beloved Counsin Charles Duke of Richmond and Lenox, and Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Councellors George Duke of Albemarle Lord General of all Our Forces, james Duke of Ormond Lord Steward of Our household, Henry Marguis Dorchester, montague Earl of Lyndsey Lord great Chamberlain of England, and also Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and counselor Edward Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of Our household, and also Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin A●brey Earl of Oxford, and Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and counselor Algernon Earl of Northumberland, and also Our trusty and right well-beloved Cousins, William, Earl of Bedford, Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Theophiles Earl of Lincoln, and also Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and councillor Robert Earl of Leicester, and also Our trusty and right well-beloved Cousins james Earl of suffolk, james Earl of Marleborough, jerome Earl of Portland, and also Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Councellors George Earl of Norwich, Edward earl of Sandwich, Arthur Earl of Anglesey, and also Our trusty and right well-beloved George Lord Berkley of Berkley, Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley of Straiton, and also Our right trusty and right well-beloved councillor Denzill Lord Hollis, Frederick Lord Cornewallis Treasurer of Our household, and also Our trusty and right well-beloved Horace Lord Townesend, and also Our right trusty and well-beloved Councellors Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir Charles Berkley Knight, controller of Our household, Sir George Carterer Knight, Vice-Chamberlain of Our household, Sir Edward Nicholas Knight, one of Our principal Secretaries of State, Sir William morris Knight, another of Our principal Secretaries of State, and likewise Our right trusty and well-beloved Sir Ieoffry Palmer Knight and Baroner Our attorney General, and Sir Heneage Finch Knight and Baronet Our solicitor General, to be the council of the Royal-Fishing of Great britain and Ireland, of which We Our Heirs and Successors will vouchsafe ever to be and be called Protectors; And we Grant Licence and Liberty that the Council and their Successors for the time being, as oft as to them or any Four of them, it shall seem expedient, may and shall from time to time in such places, meet and make Assemblies, Elect, Constitute, and deputy Officers and Ministers, such as shall be necessary for their service, and consult and debate of the business and affairs of the said Fishing, and make, appoint, ordain and publish Laws, Ordinances and Statutes whatsoever concerning their Ministers, Servants, Fishermen, Mariners, Masters, Factors, and others employed about the business of the Fishing, and the same as oft as it shall seem necessary to them, Change, Revoke, Correct and Substitute other Ordinances in their stead, and enjoin pecuniary mulctes or pains of imprisonment to be inflicted according to the quality of the offence on such as contemn or violate the same, and to new evils arising( wanting amendment) to apply a new remedy fit and agreeable to reason, when and as often as it shall seem expedient to them; yet so as those Laws, Ordinances and Statutes be by us and Our Heirs ratified and approved before they take force; And also they shall and may in like manner put the said Statutes in due execution, and punish( according to the said Statutes, Laws, and Ordinances, and the tenors of the same) such as contemn and do contrary to them, which Laws, Ordinances and Statutes, We will to be observed in all things, and duly put in execution; yet so as the said Statutes, Laws, Ordinances or Decrees be not derogatory to the Statutes, Laws, Liberties, or Acts of Parliament of Our Kingdoms.  
And We also Will, and by these presents for us, Our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the council aforesaid and their Successors, that the Fishermen, Mariners, Masters and Servants being in their Fishing business, and to every of them which now are or hereafter shall be attending or employed in the taking or preserving of Fish, be from time to time hereafter free from all Pleas or Plaints in any the Courts or Seats of Iustice, of us Our Heirs or Successors wheresoever, for any thing concerning the Fishing business while they are attending the taking or preservation of Fish, so as none of them shall or may answer before any Iustices, or Stewards, Bailiffs, or Iudges of the Courts and Seats of Iustice, or us or Our Heirs or Successors, for any Trespass, or Contracts touching the Fishing business, but before the council aforesaid, nor shall give over Fishing or their Fishing works upon the summons of any of the Ministers of us, Our Heirs or Successors, but only upon the summons of some Officers or Ministers of the said council, or of the Iudges to be Delegated by the said council; and for the better Government, and to avoid expenses, and other charge arising about any the differences that may arise among the Fishermen, Mariners, Masters and Servants belonging to the Fishery, for the speedyer Administration of Iustice, because it may often happen that controversies may arise at Sea between the Fishing Masters, Factors, Mariners and their Servants, to remove which without delay, the Office of judge is necessary requisite, We for us, Our Heirs and Successors, do Constitute and Ordain, that in every Province of Our said Kingdoms and Cities in this behalf convenient( to be designed or appointed by the council) there be Delegated Iudges under the said council; And We also Will that the same Iudges reside and keep Courts in the Burroughs and Cities most convenient for the business of Fishing, to whom we grant full power to make, establish, and publish Laws, Ordinances, and Statutes temporary, and duly to put them in execution, so as the same Statutes and Laws do not repugn nor contradict the Laws, Acts of Parliament, or Statutes of Our Kingdoms, or the Laws or Statutes to be constituted or published by the council aforesaid.  
We Will also, and by these presents for us, Our Heirs and Successors do grant unto the council and their Successors( as well present as to come) that none of their Fishermen, Ministers nor Servants, neither their Boats, Sloops, barks, or Ships, little or great, or of whatsoever Bulk or burden they be, nor their Instruments or furniture, designed or prepared for taking of Fish or Carriage of the same, whether they be in Sea, or in Port, or elsewhere, be Arrested or Impressed for the Service or employment of us Our Heirs or Successors, or compelled to go in Our Service or Affairs, without the consent of their Owners: And We Will that none of the Fishermen, or any employed in the taking or preserving of Fish, to be put in Assizes, Iuries, Attaints, recognisances, or any Inquisition, although they concern us, Our Heirs or Successors, or any others; nor that any of them be against his will made Collector of Tenths, Fifteenths, Taxes, Tallages, or any other Charges or Impositions whatsoever, any way granted to us, Our Heirs or Successors, nor to be compelled to be Constable or Tything-man against his will.  
And for the better encouragement for the enabling of all men of Ingenuity to Build Busses, or Fishing Vessels to carry on this Fishing Trade, it is requisite that there should be exected wharves, Docks, Storehouses and Granaries about the River of Thames, and all the Ports of Our Kingdoms, where the conveniency will be most advantageous for the Work, for the accommodations of all those that shall set out the said Vessels to the Fishing Ground, to receive their Provisions of Salt, Clapboard, Hemp, and Vessels, their Rigging and Provisions, and the Nets( which the poor set on Work, shall make) thereto be Tanned and fitted up accordingly, which to effect will require many thousand pounds, and cannot be p●ocured but by way of Lottery, and by Letters Patents for a Collection in all Parishes within Our Dominions: We do by these presents, Give, Grant and Licence unto the council aforesaid, for the setting up of a Lottery within Our Kingdom of England for the space of three years as King james of blessed memory did grant for the Plantation of Virginia in the year 1612. And also, Letters Patents for a free Collection in the Churches, giving it in charge to the Ministers to evidence the goodness of the Work, as the Council shall direct, unto whom it is referred; and what moneys shall be so raised, shall be paid unto Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin Philip Earl of Pembroke, and by him to be issued out for the execting of wharves, Docks, Store-houses and Granaries aforesaid, with the consent of the aforesaid council or any four of them.  
And also We do hereby grant, that for the space of seven years, from the first entrance into the Trade of Fishing, all the Returns made for the sale of the Fish, either in the baltic Seas, Denmark, Norway and France, shall pay no customs inwards nor outwards, and shall freely vend their Fish in Foreign Parts, and make the returns thereof in the Commodities of the place, without any interruption, by Power or virtue of any Charter whatsoever to the contrary; And all Victuallers, Inns, Alehouses, Taverns, Coffee-houses and the like, shall take 1, 2, 3, 4. or more Barrels of Herrings yearly, at the price of Thirty shillings per Barrel, until Foreign vent be attained to perfection, according as the council shall order the same; And all Barrels of Pickled Herrings and Codfish, that shall be brought into Our Kingdom by the Flemings or others, shall pay two shillings six pence per Barrel to the Stock of that place or Port where they shall vend the same, which shall be also ordered by the council aforesaid.  
And further by these presents, We do Order that all Pickled Herrings and Barrel cod taken by the Fishing Busses and Vessels of Our Nation, when it is to be exported to Foreign Parts, shall give a Bill of Entry of the quantity, and quality, and place whether it is to be exported, unto the Officers that shall be appointed thereunto by the council, their Commissioners or Agents appointed, and also the returns made, whereby a due account may be kept yearly to be exhibited to Our Lord Treasurer for the time being.  
And whereas in case of breach of Peace with any Foreign Nation( which God forbid) We are graciously pleased, and do hereby promise and grant, that the said hers shall be protected in their Fishing Grounds, and shall have Convoys for their exportation; And all other privileges and Immunities shall be granted unto them in future, as experience shall discover, for the better carrying on this business of Our Royal Fishing. In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness ourself at Westminster the Two and Twenty day of August, in the Thirteenth year of Our reign.  
LONDON: Printed by John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printer's to the KING'S most Excellent Majesty. 1661.   

ΙΧΘΥΟΘΗΡΑ, Or, THE ROYAL TRADE OF FISHING.  
NO man is so voided of reason as to deny that he is born for the service of God, his Prince, and Country. God requires it for our good; a Prince out of duty derived out of the Command of God; and our Country out of the Law of Nature, next unto our Parents. God directs us out of his written Word, how to serve him; a Prince out of his human Laws, how to serve and to obey him; and our Country out of an instinct of Nature, how to reverence her.  
The City of Paris had a saying of old, One God, one King, one Faith, one Law. These four words are effectual, and as much as can be comprehended in our service to God, Prince and Country. Cicero saith, Take away Piety toward God, and take away all communion of human Society.  
As most men differ in Feature of Face, in Diet, in Condition and Education; so all good men agree in a unity in the service of God, their Prince, and Country, in their several degrees and stations, the Divine in his Prayers, the soldier with his arms, Wise men with Counsel, and Rich men with Treasure. This being done willingly, makes sweet Harmony between King and Commonwealth: for that Prince is happy that hath young men to take pains, and old men to counsel; the one doth sustain the other in convenient time( like Fruit, which comes not altogether, nor ends altogether) some teaching, and others obeying.  
The next Consideration is, how to make the people subsist in the service of God, Prince, and Country. For there must be a rational means to work by; neither can a monarchy be upheld and supported without people employed and set on work in their several stations. And therefore considering that God created man( as is aforesaid) for the service of Himself, his King, and Country, and that every one is bound to employ himself in the service of them, and to prefer them before all private Respects; let me follow that Maxim, as the meanest of many thousands of other of his Majestie's Subjects, and offer my Mite as the first-fruit of my Harvest, not like the Divine, the soldier, the Wise man, nor the Rich man that I spake of; but with my poor Talent God hath endowed me with( which is my Experience) that could not have been compassed if God had not given me a longer life then many others; if with that life he had not marvelously defended me from Dangers of Enemies, the Sword, Water and many other Casualties which mankind are subject to. If also with those daies and years he had not given me a desire and means to observe, confer, and be inquisitive, I had not been able to prefer this my desire to serve my King and Country, but I should have gone as naked out of the world and voided of experience as I came naked into it.  
Let not the odious name of Projector prejudicate your opinions, for what I propound deserves not that title. There is no burden that the invention of lend brains can invent to vex the Commonwealth with, but they style it by the name of a Project, pretending a fair face under a soul vizor. The difference betwixt them and me is this: I have no end but for the common good of the kingdom; I neither exact nor expect gain; I treat of no new-devised Tax or toils; I invent no Impositions, nor raise Contributions; I enforce no man to undertake, nor compel people to adventure; I persuade out of Reason, that the beginning of my Propositions may be examined, that the end may be approved, and Counsel may be taken of the Wise: then I doubt not my undertaking shall be acceptable, all men satisfied, every man enriched, and my Prince and Country strengthened, feared and admired.  
My meaning is not to leave our fruitful soil untilled, our Seas unfrequented, our islands unpeopled, or seek remote and strange Countries uninhabited, and uncivil barbarous Indians, where nothing appears to us but wood, earth and water upon our first Arrival; for all other hopes must depend upon our labours, upon costly expenses, upon the adventure of the Sea, upon the honesty of Undertakers; and all at last to produce nothing but Tobacco, a new invented needless Weed, as by the use and custom of it appears.  
In what I propound I will not direct you to the Eloquence of Books to persuade, to the inventing Wits to entice, to the affecting Traveller to encourage, nor to any man that with fair words may abuse you: you shall know as much as I can say by casting a Hook into the Seas; and by example of one Line and Net, you may conjecture, by multiplication, the profit that will arise by the work; you shall be made to know, how that though you be born in an island seated in the Ocean, replenished with abundance of all sorts of Fish swimming from one Shore to another, yet your experience hath not taught you the Profit, nor hitherto inspired you with the Benefits and Blessings that may arise from that Fish, the principalest of all commodities. I doubt not but to give you that light therein, that you shall confess yourselves heretofore blinded, and be willing to blow from you the mist that hath been an impediment to your sight: you shall be awaked out of your drowsy sleep, and rouse yourselves to farther this the best business that ever was presented to England or King thereof, nay, I will be bold to say to any State seated in the world; I will not except the discovery of the West-Indies by Columbus, an act of great Renown, of great Profit, and that hath wrought the greatest effect to the Spanish Nation.  
YOu will wonder, that being born Subjects of England, and casting your eyes only upon the gainful soil of the Land, you should never yet conceive what the Sea afforded. I confess it were impossible for you to live in that Ignorance, if it did not appear by the ensuing discourse how you, your Country, and especially the Princes of these Realms have been abused, and the Profit thereof concealed.  
To make my Comparison good between the West-Indies and our English Fishing; which of them yields most Honour to his Majesty and most Profit to his Countries, least danger and least labour to his Subjects, I refer me to your Censures upon my collected Reasons.  
If men consider the Divine work of God, and the end of his working, it is marvelous to behold that America, being a Continent, and able to equal all the rest of the world in bigness, could from the Creation thereof, until 1490. and odd yeares after the birth of Christ, be concealed from us, and not so much as imagined; though some Philosophers seem to roave at it.  
And when it pleased his Divine Majesty to bestow that Blessing upon Europe, if we consider the time he did it, and the occasion of doing it, it will put us into an admiration and acknowledgement of the power of Christ against the Opinions of the Jews and Turks: for could he show himself a more just and loving God, then in pouring upon christendom such Blessings of Wealth at the time it was like to be swallowed up of barbarous Turks and Moores, who were only withstood by the Wealth of the Indies? We may hope the same God hath the same happiness in store for this kingdom, to add an immortal Glory to his Majestie's goodness, or else it had been impossible that our loving Neighbours, the industrious Hollanders, should for so many years have enjoyed this Fishing, who, to their everlasting Honour and praise, have furnished thereby more Vessels for Sea then all Europe besides can muster.  
The first discovery of the Indies gave no great hope of Profit at the beginning, until after a long painful and chargeable Navigation it was brought to perfection. The Fishing upon his Majestie's Coasts of England and Ireland and Scotland needs no Discovery, the experience of our Neighbours hath found it out, and practised it ever since the year 1397. to their unmeasurable Wealth and our shane; and for the honour of him that first found out the pickling Herrings( the which was one Will. Bachalen by name) there was erected a famous tomb in the iceland of Biervliet in Flanders, yet to be seen.  
Fishing produceth more Riches in its way then the other doth, as I will make appear when I come to compute the one with the other.  
The Wealth of the Indies is not brought from thence without great expense and hazard, considering the Casualty of the Sea, and the fear of Enemies to intercept it. The Fishing is still in view of us and our wares, our Vessels daily expected in our Harbours, and others ready to ease them of their burden, and to transport them into other Countries not far remote, where they are in no danger of Hurricanes, Enemies, or other perils.  
The assurance of going and coming from the Indies may be valued at a great rate; which we shall save in our Fishing, there being no fear nor hazard in it.  
The Wealth of the Indies being surprised by an Enemy, is more prejudicial to the King of Spain then four times that Wealth will profit him, his Enemy being made strong and rich, and he weakened and impoverished by it. No such accident can much prejudice us, for in the miscarriage of our Fishermen we shall only lose so many Barks, Salt, and Nets, and no Enemy enriched or strengthened by it.  
The planting the Indies causeth a scarceness of natural Spaniards, whereby the Kings affairs many times suffer and are at a loss. The Fishing employs all our loose people, which abound in this kingdom, and makes them capable to serve their Prince and Country.  
The Indies employ four times more Ships then all the rest of their Dominions, and increase their strength by Sea. The Fishing will maintain twenty Vessels to one of theirs, and England may furnish them with most materials belonging unto them, which in time of War are brought into Spain with great danger of Enemies.  
The Indies are too far remote from Spain to be assisted thence if there happen Changes in any part thereof, which other Nations may take notice of for their advantage. The Fishing is one Body governed by a Company that no Enemy can annoy; and if Questions arise between parties, they are speedily to be determined without Charge or detriment to either, as the other have their Appeals to their Courts of Justice in Spain from the Indies.  
The chief Commodities of the Indies are Bullion, Hides, Coch-neale, &c. Our only Fish doth countervail them all; and though for the present it affords no Bullion in Specie, yet it draws the Money unto it which is coined of that Bullion.  
The Ships that trade into the Indies are great of burden, and make but one Return or voyage in a year; and when they are carin'd( for the waters in Spain do not rise high enough to ground them) it is done with far greater labour and charge then ours are, that are brought on ground in one ride, and haled off another, ready for a new voyage, and never wanting freight.  
But what I have observed is not to be accomplished with words, but works, not with talking, but with doing and acting; for betwixt words and deeds there is a great difference, words without deeds and actions are like Water that drowneth people and doth itself no good.  
The property of a Merchant is to have Money in his Purse, and Credit on the Burse, to advance his trade. All men in this work must become Merchants not only for themselves, but for their Prince and country: All are to reap benefit by it, none pain or sorrow but the slothful, idle, base people, that are like drones amongst Bees; for the purchase of sloth is Dispraise.  
There are three things necessary in every work; the Man that works, the Instrument to work withall, and the Matter. There is nothing required of the men in our work but labour and pains: the Instrument to work withall is Ships of several kinds to be made and built: and the Matter to set on work is Money. All these concurring in one will make it a work of famed, Renown, Strength, Riches, and all the good God can fend unto a Nation and people: but if through sluggishness and carelessness, or mistrust of return of Gain,( it being out of the Element and breeding of Gentlemen, and others that apply themselves to make profit of the Land, and not of the Sea) they neglect the offer and proposal following, we are a people worthy to be punished with Penury and want, and unworthy to live and enjoy the Blessings of God, which he hath poured upon this Land above all others he hath pleased to create.  
What better pattern can we have in this business then our inward and intimate Friends the Hollanders, who by their long Travels, their excessive pains, their ingenious Inventions, their incomparable Industry and provident care, have exceeded all other Countreys and Nations in their adventurous Commerces, and made all the world familiar with them by Trade; so that we may justly attribute to them what the Chineses assume to themselves, that they only have two Eyes, the Europeans but one, all the rest of the people none. How can it better appear then by this; that out of their labours and our Fish only, they have increased the number of Vessels as followeth, they have fed the world that otherwise would have found a scarcity of food, they have so mightily advanced trading,( and so abundantly) that the wealth arising to the Subjects and the custom to Princes, have shewed them the benefit of it; and lastly, they have so provided for themselves, as that all their people, of what sort soever, though impotent and lame, yet they want not employment, nor are forced to seek out for work for their maintenance.  
And because their quantity of Fish is not to be vended in their own Provinces, but dispersed into all parts of Europe, I will give you an account of it, as it hath been carefully observed, and taken out of the Customers books beyond the Seas.  
In four Towns within the Sound, viz. * Lucenborough, Melven, Stetin, and Dantzick, they vend in a year between thirty and forty thousand Last of Herrings, which will amount unto more then six hundred and twenty thousand pounds: and we vend none.  
In Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Liefland, Riga, Revel, the Narve, and other Towns within the Sound, there is vended above ten thousand Last, worth one hundred threescore and ten thousand pounds.  
The Hollanders sand into Russia about one thousand and five hundred Last of Herrings, sold at twenty and seven thousand pounds; and we not above thirty or forty Last.  
Stoade, Hamburgh, Breme, Emden, and so up the River of Elve, take off in Fish and Herrings above six thousand Last, sold at one hundred thousand pounds; and from us none.  
In Cleveland, Juliers, up the River of rhine, frankford, Colen, and over all Germany, in Fish and Herrings they vend near two thousand Last, amounting unto four hundred and forty thousand pounds; and we none.  
In Gelderland, Artois, Heinault, Brabant, flanders, and the Archduchesse Country, they eight or nine thousand Last, amounting to one hundred threescore and eleven thousand pounds; and we none.  
In rouen in normandy, they five thousand Last of Herrings, sold at one hundred thousand pounds; and we not one hundred Last: they are commonly sold for twenty, and sometimes thirty pounds the Last.  
Besides what they spend in Holland, and sell there to other Nations, to the value of many a hundred thousand pounds.  
Now having perfected the Hollander's Fish, in valuing what they take in our Seas, and vend into foreign Countries, our shane will manifestly appear, that for so many thousand Last of Fish, and so many hundred thousand pounds of money made thereof by them, we cannot give account of above one hundred and fifty Last taken and vended by us.  
The Hollanders are no less to be commended for the benefit they make in the Return of Fish; for what Commodity soever any Country yields in lieu thereof, they transport in their own Vessels to Holland, where they have a continual Staple of all Commodities brought out of the South, and from thence sent into the North and East Countries: the like they do into the South out of the North, their Ships continually going, and bringing an inestimable Profit, like a weavers shuttle, that he casts from one hand to another, ever in action, till his gain appears in the Cloath he makes.  
And if we compare Holland's forecast with ours, the imputation of sloth and Negligence will lie heavy upon us, like him that beats the Bush for another to catch the bide. For though Russia at our Adventure, Charge and Shipwreck was first discovered to us, and that for many years it afforded great profit by the constant Trade of eight Ships yearly; yet about twenty years past the Hollanders encroached upon us with two Ships, and in continuance of time have brought us to but two or three, and themselves to sixty great Vessels.  
The chiefest gain arising out of our Fish and other English Commodities they filch from us.  
New-found-Land being an ancient patrimony of England, and we the first discoverers thereof, immediately after the finding out of the West-Indies by Columbus, hath been since a great enriching to the Western parts with the Fish there yearly taken. And now the Hollanders of late have found the way thither, and sent in the year 1629. twelve or fourteen great Ships to buy up the Fish taken by his Majesties Subjects; whereby his Majesty doth not only lose his custom going out( if it had been brought into England) but in the Return of that Commodity, which might have amounted unto fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds, if his Highness Subjects had had the Carriage of it.  
Not reckoning the Hollanders principal trading with England, there are three Commodities little in show, and not regarded by us, which they make gain of to themselves: the first is Lobsters, the greatest part whereof that finds London at the time of the year they bring from the farthest Northern parts of England, never practised by the English; the second is the quantity of Oysters yearly transported by them into Holland, which causeth the decrease and dearness of Oysters amongst us; the third is the Lamperns out of Thames, which they use for bait to take their Cod in the North seas, and that makes the deceiveableness and dearness of this fish in London.  
But the greatest Navigation of theirs, and of most importance unto their State for maintenance of Ships of burden and strength, is into the Streights, and from the Port of Marseilles along the cost, until they come to Venice; and in this trade I will recon but threescore Ships of two hundred and fifty tuns each Ship in burden, leaving more then as many more trading into Spain, Portugal, Biscay, and the South part of France, and all with our English Fish, taken by his Majesties Subjects, as namely Pilchards caught in England and Ireland, Baccalen in New-found-Land, and the read Herrings taken and made at Yarmouth.  
The Hollanders do almost entirely enjoy this Trade, what by Comb●nation made with the Merchants that deal in that kind of Fish, and what in the cheapness in the freight of their Vessels, which may make them give the better price.  
Within these eighteen years last past they have so increased their Navigation, as that for five ships of ours to one of theirs within the Streights before the said eighteeen years, they are able now to muster ten of theirs to one of ours, and merely by this trade of Fish: for true it is that there is not any commodity in the world of so great a bulk and of so small a value, that can set so many Ships of burden on work.  
As for example, a petty Merchant may freight his Ship of two hundred and fifty tons, that will not cost above sixteen hundred pounds, that forty Merchants cannot do in better Commodities. I speak not upon surmise, but what is approved by divers Merchants, and especially one of good account, whose name I conceal, unless I might have his leave to divulge it. He accounts that by threescore-Ships laden with these three sorts of Fish aforesaid, whereof one penny profit comes not into England, and whence they gather the sweet due of their Food, Holland is enriched six hundred twenty one thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds: as I will demonstrate by the worst Commodities brought out of the Streights.  
The principal end I aim at is how to undertake the Hollanders at their own weapons, and how to equal them with pinks and Busses and other Vessels, until we be made partners with them in Fishing, not by any hostility or uncivil kind of usage, nor to deprive them, by any Prerogative which the laws of Nations cast upon us, or out of envy to their labours to repined at their fortunes, or revenge discourtesies; only we will seek to enjoy what Nature and Nations cast upon us, and make use of our own by the Countenance of our blessed King, that in Justice gives all people their right and due. There needs no repetition of my former Narration; Truth hath spoken it, which is so glorious of her self, that she needs no false light to give her a better gloss.  
In that which followeth, I will demonstrate the particular proceedings of the Hollanders with their pinks and Busses, with the certain gain they yearly raise out of them: and when it shall appear, and that Experience, the mother of Knowledge, shall make it known to you, I hope you will remember what you are, and how easily you may advantage yourselves and country by it.  
I confess this Fishing is a business I have long taken into Consideration; my Lord of Northampten, if he were now living, were able to witness how much it was solicited and desired by me, and no less wished and laboured by his Lordship. I caused one Tobias Gentleman, a master by profession, but endowed with better parts then your ordinary mariners, and much practised in the Northern Fishing, to dedicate a book to his Lordship, which gave particular notice of the Hollanders proceedings in their Busses and pinks, and what we should do in the imitation of them. But by the Death first of my Lord it restend unfollowed,( for some respects) though not unthought on by me, until the late Duke of Richmond revived it, and importuned me once more to it. His Death in like manner made it lie dead, until his Majesty of late, out of his Princely care to the good of his loving Subjects, the Renown of his Kindoms, and desire of the Unity and equal Benefit of his two Realms of England and Scotland, gave it life again, taking more then an ordinary Care for effecting it, well beseeming so blessed and benign a Prince.  
And now I will descend to the particulars of the Hollanders Busses, pinks, Yagers, Lymboats, and the use of them in their several fishings.  
From the texel in Holland to the brass Sound in Schetland,( an iceland belonging to his Majesties Dominions in Scotland) it is two hundred and thirty Leagues, whether there resort the 22th of June about two thousand Fishing-vessels; the 24th they put to Sea, being prohibited till then, and a penalty upon the breach thereof, as holding the Herring till then unfit to fault by reason of her fatness.  
Every one of these Vessels directs his course to find out the Shoal of Herrings, like the Hound that pursues the Herd of dear in hunting.  
When they have laden their Busses, which is sooner or later, as they can find the store of Herrings, they presently repair home for Holland, and leave their Herrings on shore to be repacked, and from thence immediately to be sent to the Sound, where they are received for great Dainties.  
The Busses having thus disburdened themselves in Holland, are once more victualled and furnished with Salt and cask, and repair to Sea to look out the Shoal they had formerly left; and then finding them and filling their Busses once again, they do as they did before, return into Holland.  
Not ceasing thus, the third time they repair to the Shoal as aforesaid: and in these three Fishings, computing with the least, they take to the number of one hundred Last of Herrings, which being valued but at ten pounds the Last, will amount unto one thousand pounds.  
Many times this Fishing-fleet is attended with certain Vessels called Yagers, which bring Salt, cask and Victuals, to truck with the Busses for their Herrings, and carry them directly into the Sound as aforesaid, without returning home; for it is a matter of great consequence and gain to bring the first Herrings into the Sound.  
I will set down the rate of a buss new from the stock, with the price of her Nets, Tackling, Salt, Victuals, cask, mens Wages, and all other Charges whatsoever belonging to her, and will value the profit by the four months Fishing, which may very well continue twenty years, that being the ordinary life of a buss.  

Inprimis, a buss with her furniture and tackling will cost— 500. l.  
Item, a hundred Last of barrels for three Fishings— 072.  
Item, for Salt— 088.  
Item, for Beer for four moneths— 042.  
Item, for Bread— 021.  
Item, for Bacon and Butter— 018.  
Item, for Pease— 003.  
Item, for Billets— 003.  
Item, for mens Wages for four moneths— 088.  
Summa totalis 835. l.   
Rating the Herrings but at one thousand pounds, there is gotten clear in four moneths five hundred pounds in a buss, and one hundred threescore and five pounds in money; so the total sum, as appears, which is gotten is six hundred threescore and five pounds in one Summer; whereout if you deduct one hundred pounds for the wear of the buss, and the reparation of the Nets against next Summer, yet still there remains five hundred threescore and five pounds for clear gain by one buss in four moneths in the Summer, which is a greater profit then can be thought to be raised otherwise.  
The Hollanders make the gain of their Busses so certain, that they lay out their Childrens money given them by their deceased Friends in adventures in their Busses; and they have in Holland a treasury of Orphans opened and laid out in adventuring in the Busses.  
Now leaving the Busses, I will show you the Charge of a pink. She being built new, and all things new unto her, will not cost three hundred and threescore pounds, with her Lines and fishing appurtenances.  

Inprimis, a pink— 260. l.  
Item, fifteen Last of Barrels— 010.  
Item, five weigh of Salt upon Salt— 015.  
Item, Beer, Bread, cask, and petty talley— 012.  
Item, mens Wages for these two moneths— 020.  
Summa totalis 317. l.   
Fifteen Last of Barrell-Cod at fourteen pounds and eight shillings the Last, the which is for a barrel twenty four shillings, amounts unto two hundred and sixteen pounds, whereout if you deduct fifty seven pounds for the charges in fetting her to Sea, there remains one hundred fifty eight pounds clear gain by one pink, with fifteen Last of Fish in two months.  
This Fishing beginneth upon the ending with our Busses, in November, and continueth until May, so that they do lad themselves three times in that space.  
I present you with no chimeras or tumours, toys to please Children, or with shadows of untruths; for I know Truth to he so noble of itself, that it makes him honourable that pronounceth it, and that an honest man will rather bear witness against his Friend, then obscure truth by a lie. I have discovered with what facility the Hollanders go through with this golden Mine of theirs, as they term it in their Proclamation extant. I have proved their Busses and pinks are built to take Fish; that they fill themselves there in a Summer with Fish; that this Fish is vended, and esteemed as a precious food, in all parts of Europe; and that the Return thereof bringeth them a greater prout then any Commodity whatsoever, without which they could not live. It is manifest that that Fish hath brought them to a great increase of their strength both by Land and Sea, and of famed withall, in enabling them to maintain their Warres against so great and potent an Enemy as the King of Spain, whom they will not aclowledge.  
I speak not this with an intention to have their Power lessened, but to show the great Advantages we lose in not fishing with them, there being Fish enough for them and us.  
And if all these Benefits accrue to them, and nothing but shane to us, let us search into the Cause thereof, and seek to amend it; let us follow their Example, which is better then a Schoolmaster to teach us. Nothing is our bane but idleness, which engendereth Ignorance, and Ignorance Error; all which we may be taxed with. Nothing is so easy in itself, but to a slothful man it will prove difficult, if it be done unwillingly.  
There are but two things required to this work; that is to say, a will to undergo it, and money to go through with it; which being had, we will pled Charity to begin with ourselves, before we yield it to our Neighbours: and then it will soon appear that this business may be effected by us with more Benefit, more Strength, more Renown, more happiness, and less expense, then the Hollanders have or can go through it withall. Time is the mother of Experience; and you shall find that time may cure our carelessness past, that Reason could not hitherto do.  
The Instruments with which the Hollanders work, are three Vessels of several kinds, as I have declared; not produced out of their own country, for that yields nothing to farther it but their own pains and labour. Their Wood, Timber and planks they fetch out of divers other places. And yet are these of no more avail to undertake their Fishing and Navigation, then Weapons are without hands to fight. For their Iron, Hemp, Cordage, Hops, barrel, Boards, malt and Bread, they are beholden to other Countreys, who, if upon any difference they prohibit their transportation, the Dutch are to seek a new trade, for their State presently sinketh.  
Upon comparing these Casualties and Inconveniences with ours, you shall discern the advantage and benefit God hath given us more then them: for as to the Materials formerly mentioned that go to this Shipping, England yields most of them, and in little time the Earth may be made to produce them in abundance; so that we shall not need to stand to the courtesy of Neighbours, or to venture the hazard of the Sea in fetching them.  
Whereas all manner of people, of what degree soever, have commonly an adventure, according to their abilities, in this Fishing of Holland, and that the only Exception amongst ourselves is want of money to undertake it; you shall understand God and Nature have so provided for us, that I will clearly answer the objection of Money, and throw it wholly upon the sluggishness and ill disposition of our people, who if they will take away the occasion of this imputation, they may take away the offence due to it, and by which we are scandalized.  
The Objection of lack of Money to set on foot this work would seem ridiculous to Strangers, that behold the Wealth and Glory of this kingdom, with the sumptuous Buildings, the costly insides of Houses, the mass of Plate to deck them, the daily Hospitality, the number of Servants kept to the honour of Masters, and the charitable alms distributed out of mens superfluities: and to descend to more particulars, when they behold the bravery of Apparel vainly spent, the rich and curious Jewels to adorn their bodies withall, and the needless expenses yearly wasted, they will conclude, it cannot be Want, but want of Will that is the impediment. But leaving these observations, let me tell you, there is never a Lord, Knight, Gentleman, nor Yeoman of any account in England, but, if he want Money, is able to furnish either Timber, Iron, Wheat, malt, Beef, Pork, Bacon, Pease, Butter, Cheese, or home-spun Cloath out of their wool; all which should be received from them at a reasonable rate, and the value allowed them in the adventure.  
No man owneth or hireth Land, but he may as well plant Hemp, to make Lines, Nets and Cordage, seeing the Laws of the kingdom command it, as any other Grain; which Hemp may be spun by his Neighbours and Tenants, and so all people set on work: then what need have we of Money, but for the building of the Vessels? for you see with what ease every thing else is compassed.  
Before these Busses should direct their Course to Schetland, to be there welcomed by the Hollanders in their own Houses, I would first take a view of all the Harbours and Creeks capable of Busses in his Majesties Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and there design such provision for the advantage of Fishing as shall be requisite. If the Hollanders have usually made one thousand pounds in four moneths by three Fishings, we shall be able sure to exceed it in the course following.  
I will suppose our Busses to be at brass Sound in Schetland ready the 24th of June to put to sea, in pursuit and chase of the Herring-Shoals; I will suppose likewise that the one and the other have filled their Vessels, the Hollanders ready on their way to Holland to unlade and to return again, as I have said before.  
If you compute their distance, and loss of time in 400. Leagues running forward and backward, though the wind favour them both ways, you shall see a great difference of Gain betwixt us and them; for we shall not need to run many Leagues, perhaps not ten, e're we make our next Harbour, where provision shall be made of Victuals, Salt and cask, and our Busses put their Herrings a-shore to be repacked again, that with all speed they may hasten to sea again in pursuit of the Shoal; and the Herrings being repacked are immediately sent to the Sound to take the first Market: all which will be effected before the Hollanders can be at home with their Herrings; and yet after they are arrived in Holland, they are to sail very near as great a way to the Sound as we shall from England or Scotland. There needs no argument to prove the truth hereof, seeing a Map will demonstrate it.  
But it may be answered, that the Yagers formerly spoken of, that truck with the Busses for Herrings, will sooner be at the Sound then we, and make benefit by the fore-selling of their Fish. To give you satisfaction therein, I pray conceive, our Busses are in Harbour within three hours after they have fished, and subject to no foul weather to hurt them; they have a convenience to mend and dry their Nets; they unlade their Herrings and lad their Salt, cask and Victuals, without interruption, and so go to sea again speedily: whereas the Yagers must wait their time for fair weather and a smooth sea to change their Salt Victuals and cask for Herrings; they must watch their time and fit weather to mend any defects in their Nets and Busses, or for drying them. Thus you see all Casualties considered, our Arrival at the Sound is more certain, for the Reasons before expressed.  
But there never was any business so easy to be accomplished but still found some objection or opposition, till it was made plain and apparent as well to the doubters as beholders: for most men are guided by opinion rather then by Judgement. And so fares it with this hopeful and beneficial Work, for some still frame Reasons and impediments to discourage it; but time will determine the doubt, and clear the mistaking.  
There are three Arguments, or rather Errors, that possess peoples mindes with the difficulty of our Fishing, which I do not mean to convince with bare words, but with infallible demonstration; for I had better offend in telling truth, then please by feigned falsehood.  
The first Exception is, Our taking Fish with greater Charge then the Hollanders, by means whereof they will overwork us.  
The second is, That they will do the same in the Vent and sale thereof, by their long practise in that trade.  
And the third is, The fear of fraud and deceit amongst ourselves, as in the President of the East-Indies, Virginia, and other Companies lately erected.  
But truth hath no ghostly Father to absolve her, Reason shall make her speak.  
For the first Objection, of our taking Fish with more Charge then Holland; you must know, that the Charge belonging to a Fishing-vessel is her Hull, Tackling, Nets, Salt, cask and Victuals, the number of Men, and their Wages.  
Butter and Cheese excepted, there are none of the rest of the materials growing in Holland, and most of them afforded in England, Scotland, or Ireland; by reason whereof England may afford them better cheap then Holland.  
The Victuals used at Sea are Bread, Beer, Flesh and Fish, Butter, Cheese, and Pease. For Fish we may value it at an equal rate, because it costs neither of us any more then the taking. And as Flesh is more chargeable then the rest, so shall it cost us less then them, and indeed little or nothing: for it is to be considered, that a fat Beef in the Islands of the Hebrides is sold for less then twenty shillings, the hid and tallow whereof in England will give ten shillings, the other ten shillings will be raised in carrying wine, strong-waters, and other Commodities desired by the people of that Country; for every ten shillings so employed doubleth the adventure, as namely in Aqua vitae ten shillings bestowed in England will yield more then the carcase of a Cow.  
For Bread, Beer, Butter, Cheese, and Pease, England affords them better cheap then Holland: first, in respect they grow in England in greater plenty then in Holland; secondly, they pay Excise in Holland, and not in England; and thirdly, no man but knows the difference between the feeding of the Hollanders and the English, and that one Hollander eats more then one and a half of our English-men at Sea.  
Both the one and the other carries an equal proportion of men, and their Wages are upon an even rate; but herein we shall overwork them for the reasons following.  
In a buss of fifteen or sixteen men, the meanest whereof hath 20s the month amongst the Hollanders, we will ease the Charge of eight in sixteen, viz. we will carry but eight men to the place where we Fish, and we will have eight more for less then half the wages we give the rest; and so in a year we shall save in every buss eight and forty pounds; by means whereof we shall go cheaper then the Hollanders by nine thousand and six hundred pounds in our two hundred Busses: and moreover, in Wages and Victual for our eight men we shall leave behind us, as aforesaid, we shall save as much in Victuals and Wages, so much as in the whole will amount unto eight thousand six hundred pounds.  
And whereas it is conceived that the Hollanders will transport their Fish at less Charge then we, I shall make appear to the contrary. For their Yagers which attend some of their Busses, to carry their Herrings to the first Market, as I have said, their Herrings are not repacked, but they are allowed more then two Barrels in each Last to make up the tale, by means whereof they pay two barrels freight in every Last of Herrings more then we that have the shore to repack; so that 200. Busses will yield us 5000l. more gain then the Hollanders.  
Whereas every Fishing-vessel in Holland contributes to 20. or 30. men of war, to defend them from the Dunkirkers; our Peace doth ease us of that expense. And this shall suffice in answer to the first, as to the comparison between the Hollanders and us in taking our Fish.  
The second point to prove is, That we shall vend our Fish at as easy rates as the Hollanders. This your own Experience must needs teach you: for in the Sound, where the greatest quantity of Herrings is uttered, as I have before shewed, necessity will compel those Countries to take them off; and it is not their affection to the Hollanders above us that will make them refuse ours, to accept of theirs.  
And then consequently, ours will be better sold, in that we shall serve the Market before them, by the means and reasons aforesaid.  
And if we go farther from home, as to Spain or the Streights, you must understand that the Hollanders Ships go with fewer men then ours, by reason of the slight building and tackling of their Ships in comparison of ours: and as there is 20. men in 40. difference in the sailing of our Ships, so there is in the strength of them; wherefore the Merchant had better, for the safety of his goods, give fifty shillings freight to us then thirty shillings to the Hollander, for his goods shall be better defended from Pirates by our forty men then their twenty; and the Hollander loses many a Ship for want of men to manage them, whereas ours having more men will be the better secured.  
The English will double a lee-shoar, when the other will be forced in foul weather upon Rocks; the Cables and Anchors in the English will hold, when the other will be forced to come home or break; the English will be able to put out sail at sea, when the other must take in; the English in some cases may come ashore, and by their strength come off again without hurt, when the other will perish: the English also draw more water, which keeps them sweet and wholesome in the Sea, and carries the Merchants goods with little loss; the Hollander's are troublesone and dangerous in a Storm, which causeth great leaking in wine, oil, and such Commodities, to the great prejudice of the Merchant, yea more sometimes then the difference of freight comes to.  
As the English go in greater security then the Hollander, so shall the Merchant save by not assuring the value of the difference in freight: which I could compute and prove, but it is too tedious. Moreover the English having the absolute carriage of all the Fish taken by them, as the laws of the Realm do warrant, our Ships shall never want employment, nor have any cause to look out for Fraights; by reason whereof a Ship of 250. turn may go cheaper by 200l. then usually they have done. And thus much for our foreign trade.  
Now let us return to the vending our Fish in the Kingdom of England and Wales. If the Proclamation for observing the daies for Fish be duly kept, it will be one means to vend our Fish, and encourage others to adventure in Fishing; so there be a prohibition, as there is in Holland, that no Fish be brought into any of his Majesties kingdoms but by his own Subjects.  
It would not seem a thing unreasonable, to enjoin every able Yeoman and Farmer in the kingdom to take a barrel of Fish for their own spending, considering they save the value thereof in other Victuals, and that it is no other then the Fishermen will do to them, to take off their Wheat, Malt, Butter and Cheese, for their food at Sea. The Farmer by this means shall never be unprovided of Fish to observe the daies commanded by his Majesty without sending to the Market, as otherwise he will be compelled to do.  
The Farmer will find by experience that it will be as cheap a food as any other he can feed upon, and give better delight to the taste then any other Victuals of that value, according as it may be in several manners dressed.  
The Labouring-man which works with the Farmer, takes of him his Butter and Cheese; for every poor mans case is not such as to keep a Cow: and such Labourers will be as willing to take Fish of him as any other Victuals, if he be willing to spare it.  
There are few Farmers but spend the quantity of a barrel of Fish yearly; and he that doth so shall save 20. in the hundred by buying a barrel together rather then by retail.  
And that the Country may be better served with Fish and other Commodities then they have been, we will make several staples of Salt, Coals and other Commodities wanted by the Countries, where Boats may pass upon Rivers. As namely, Middlesex, part of Hartfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire may be served by the River of Thames: Essex may serve itself, part of Hartfordshire and part of Suffolk: Norfolk will serve Cambridgeshire, part of Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Huntingtonshire, Northamptonshire; and a staple there made will serve Warwickshire; for from thence there go Carts empty to fetch Coals, which may furnish the Shire with little Charge: Lincolnshire will furnish itself, Nottinghamshire, part of Rutlandshire and Darbyshire, whither the Carts go empty for Coals out of Lincolnshire: Yorkshire will furnish itself, part of Nottinghamshire, part of Rutlandshire and Darbyshire by the Trent: Cumberland and westmoreland will surnish themselves, both by the West and East Sea.  
Let us leap over the Land to the Western Sea; where Chester and Lancashire will furnish themselves, part of Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and the North part of Wales.  
That side of the Sea will furnish Wales till you come to Severn: the North side whereof will serve Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire; and the South part thereof will serve part of Cornwall, Devonshire and Sommersetshire; and the River of Severn Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  
The South Sea of England will furnish Cornwall, Devonshire, somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, and part of Wiltshire, Sussex, Kent, and part of Surrey.  
Thus is England and Wales circuited. Then consideration is to be had of the meetest places for erecting Staples, to utter the Commodities brought them, and to be received from them.  
If at any time Corn fails the Countries, we will hereafter supply them at a reasonable rate by our trade with Dantzick; and if plenty warrant it by the Statute, we will take it off their hands: so that they shall have no cause to complain either of Dearth or Abundance.  
We will provide that no Rogue nor Vagabond shall trouble them, nor the poor of their Parish charge them; for all such people shall be set on work by us: then will the Contributions to the houses of Correction be needless, which will ease their Parishes more then the value of many a barrel of Herrings they shall take of us comes to.  
When our Staples shall be erected in the Countries, as aforesaid, out of them we will furnish every parish in the Kingdom with Hemp by weight, to set their people on work, and receive it again by weight, allowing every one such a rate for their work as they may well live thereon: no boy or girl of seven years of age, no man or woman how lame of legs soever, but shall be able to get their livings, no person so blind but may live without alms; for besides their making of Nets, and such work as goeth thereunto, we will set up the trade of making Cables, and all manner of Ropes, as well to vend abroad, as to furnish the kingdom at home, as also Poledaves for sails, and not be beholding to France for them.  
Whereas there are many Yeomen and Farmers which have many Sons that put them to great care how to provide for them out of their mean estates, this Fishing will take off all such youths, make them capable to get their livings, and ease their Parents of their Care and Charge.  
All these Reasons considered, it is apparent that the Farmers and people of the inland Countries, who hitherto have not tasted of this happiness, and whose passages by water have not been frequented or known, shall reap as great a benefit and commodity by this Fishing as ourselves, and have no more reason to refuse the taking of Herrings in the manner aforesaid, then we have to take off the Commodities by which they live. And this shall suffice in Answer to the second Objection, touching the vending our Fish.  
These six several Trades following we will erect in all parts of England, not hitherto practised but in some places near the Sea-side; 

Hempsters,  
Spinsters,  
Carders,  
Rope-makers,  
Weavers of Poledaves,  
Net-makers.    
In Answer to the third Allegation, of Cousenages and deceits amongst ourselves, as it is in the East-Indie, Virginie, and other Companies; first, I cannot say, whether they deserve that imputation of Fraud which is cast upon them, yea or no, for report is like an echo, heard, but no man knows where: but to give satisfaction in the managing of our Trade that no deceit can creep in at it, that which followeth shall declare it.  
It is not intended that a select Company shall have the disposing of the Fishing, as in those other cases they have; or that they shall receive, disburse, or employ the Moneys of the Adventurers, or direct and order things at their pleasure; but contrariwise,( for example) whosoever shall be a member of ours, it shall be at his choice what to adventure, with whom to adventure, and the way how to adventure, without control of any other: as thus, If one undertake for a buss or a Ship, it shall be in his power or choice to accept of a partner, two, or three, or more, and after the value of their adventures, they shall set forth as many Ships as they please, and appoint such persons for the ordering of their affairs as they shall make choice of; so that if any deceit be, it shall be among themselves, for no body else shall meddle with their Adventure.  
But because in all Commonwealths there must be a Head to govern, and execute Justice, to which the rest of the Body must submit; it is convenient that the supreme Commission and Authority should be given to the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy council, and other persons of quality, to be chosen as well in the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland as in England, to settle a form of Government, and to provide for eschewing of all mischiefs and other inconveniences that may fall out betwixt man and man, and prevent abuses, and questions that may arise betwixt Merchants, Mariners, owners of Ships, Salters, and others that it may concern: but these Commissioners are no ways to handle or meddle with the parties in their Adventures, or with their stocks of Moneys, or with employment of them.  
Furthermore, to stop the mouths of such suspicious conceits of cozenage, you will find that it is not within the wit of man to over-reach one: for the quantity of Fish which a buss takes cannot be hide, because of necessity she must repair to the Coasts of England or Scotland, where the Customer enters every barrel of Fish in his Book, and none can be transported without a Cocquet. The number of Cask which they pay for, they will look that they be filled; the people that go in them are able to justify how much they take; and lastly, according to the quantity of your Salt, you are to expect the number of Barrels: the price of those that are vended at home as well as those abroad is easily estimated; the usual freight of Ships and the Factorage is easily guessed at; and therefore no means left for Deceit.  
Now to return once more to the Fishing, where we left the Busses for the Summer, to provide against the first of December, to repair to the iceland of Lewis; where until the beginning of February they shall take the best Herrings of all, in Loughs and Creeks, as I have before declared: about the first of March we shall depart from thence to the iceland of Roane, some forty miles from Lewis, from whence there runs a Bank 100. miles in length, as far as Tilley-head in Ireland; which Bank affordeth the best Cod and Ling of any part of the Seas.  
Betwixt the first of March, as I said, and the twentieth of June, the time that I assign for repair to brass Sound in Schetland, I make account they will fill their Busses 3. times with Cod and Ling, and leave them at the iceland of Lewis, because there is never a Harbour in Roane; from whence they shall be fetched by other Vessels, which shall bring Salt and other necessaries for the iceland and Fishing. The 20th of June once approaching, the Busses are to repair to brass Sound, as in the year before, and prosecute the Fish and Herrings, till they arrive at Yarmouth. And if they then please to take an account of the year spent, it will appear that one buss employed by us, as I have projected, will be of much more value to us, then any one to the Hollanders; and we shall learn the way how his Majesties Dominions may flourish, not for a little while, but for ever.  
Now will I stand over for the Islands of Orkney and Schetland, which need no other description, but that it is pity so good and civil people should inhabit no better a country. We may say the contrary of them that we may of those of the Islands of Hebrides, that it is a good land, but a bad people; these are good people, but their soil barren.  
The way to relieve them is, humbly to beseech his Majesty to accept of his Revenues in Orkney and Schetland in Fish, to encourage the people of those Islands to undertake and practise the way of fishing, which through poverty and want of trading they are not able to go through withall.  
Besides the Rent they shall pay to his Majesty in Fish, what they take more we will buy of them, and supply them with Salt, Nets, Hooks, Boats, or what else they shall need; by which means every man in those Islands shall be able to subsist and maintain themselves, who know not now how to live, but are brought up in Sloth and idleness.  

Proposals for the better inhabiting of the iceland of Lewis and other Islands adjacent.  
1. THat his Majesty be pleased to call in the Patent of late granted to the Hollanders, for inhabiting the Lewis, where they are crept in of purpose to set up a Fishing on that cost, to defeat his Majesties Subjects of that benefit.  
2. That his majesty grant Immunities to his Subjects of England, Scotland and Ireland, to inhabit there, and erect Towns, Villages, Store-houses, and all manner of Manufactories and Trades, so that hereafter we need not to supply those Islands, but shall find there all things to our hands, as in other places of Europe where Trades are upheld and maintained.  
3. That his Majesty do constitute a governor to be there resident for the space of three years, and not to exceed that time, lest in longer continuance abuses should creep in by the Avarice of Governors.  
4. That in every iceland there be erected one principal Town above the rest, and a citadel in it to keep the people in obedience; for naturally the Inhabitants of those Islands are inclined to Incivility, Treachery, and love of Liberty, which are next neighbours to Rebellion.  
5. That every Child be taught the English or Scotch tongue, and that their educations be according to their abilities of body and disposition of mind, some in Learning, and some in manuring and husbanding of ground; but the most part in Fishing and Sea-affairs, as having so convenient a seat for the same.  
6. That the native inhabitants of those Islands hold no Correspondency with the Highlanders upon the main Continent more then is needful, considering the danger that may ensue by their too great familiarity, they being naturally the most dangerous and worst people of all his Majesties Dominions: and that there be a special care, that they mary one with another in the iceland, or with the English or Scotch, and in any case to prohibit all marriage betwixt them and the Highlanders, as aforesaid.  
I Have annexed hereunto, as you see, what I think fitting to be put in present execution for planting the Islands of Hebrides; which being done, all the good mentioned before will follow upon it, besides other things which I forbear to touch, as matters of State, and too high for me to meddle with.  
I have at length brought my intention to an end, and laid open the mischiefs our State hath long suffered by neglecting Fishing, which the Hollanders have made good use of to themselves: I have made appear how easy it is to enrich ourselves by it, and to restore ourselves unto what we have lost, and shewed the profit all kinds of people may reap by it, if Will and Money be not wanting: I have made it plain to as many as desire the truth, that the increase of Shipping in Europe is occasioned by the taking and transporting of our Fish, that 9000. Holland Vessels are begot out of it, and all their people daily set on work by it; insomuch as I dare boldly say, if the feeding upon Fish were prohibited all sorts of Christians, and the Command duly observed, it would lessen the number of Shipping three parts in five.  
And therefore, seeing that our Fish is able to make us happy, and this Narration lays down the way how to attain to that happiness, let neither Excuses, Calumniations, false pretences, or affection to the Hollanders divert us from it, as it did in the year 1609. when by Proclamation the Hollanders were bound to resort to the City of London for licence to fish upon the cost of England, and to edinburgh for the like liberty in Scotland, yet neither of these two things were performed, nor the Contempt questioned.  
Two hundred Usurers, with willing minds and forward purses, are able to master this work: but I fear the Devil will not allow them a Gain so well gotten. The excessive practise of usury is the decay of Commonwealths, repugnant to all Humanity, Charity, and natural benevolence; and a slavery to themselves, who desire to live poor, and to die rich.  
But to speak truth, it is pity that a work of so great good and gain should have to do with men of so penurious a Condition, who are neither good nor evil by the disposition of another, but by their own perverse will and nature. God, I fear, will bless our actions the worse for them, that are like trees that bear no blossoms in the Spring, and therefore no fruit at the Fall.  
This work is unspotted, and pity it should be defiled with the sin of Avarice. His Majesties greatness and Glory will appear by it: For nothing can be to a Prince more Royal and renowned, then to make the state of his Realm better then when he found it, and of idle and slothful persons to make profitable members to a Commonwealth.  
FINIS.