England's Way TO Wealth and Honour: IN A DIALOGUE BETWEEN An English-man AND A DUTCH-MAN. Luke V. 4. Launch out into the Deep, and let down your Nets for a draft. LONDON: Printed for Sam. Crouch at the Corner of Popes-Head-Alley, over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill. 1699. To His Grace the Duke of LEEDS, President of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. May it Please your Grace, NO Person having spent more Money, or taken more Pains than your Grace, to Re-establish the Fishery of England, I presume to Dedicate to your Grace the following Dialogue; not that I have the Vanity to think this my poor Mite can make any Addition to your Graces great Treasure of Knowledge; but as believing the Fact in this little Book contained so True, that it may safely appear before the best of Judges; I am with all Respect, Your Graces Most Humble, Most Faithful, And most Obedient Servant, James Puckle. PREFACE. THE Highlands of Scotland, Wales, Biscay, Switzerland, and other Countries ( not worth the Conquering) continue still in Possession of their Aborigines: Whereas England being a Country ( as was said of the three of Paradise) good for Food, pleasant to the Eyes, and to be desired, hath been Possessed by Five several Nations, and Coveted by many more. Yet view our Coasts, they'll appear bold, and but thinly Inhabited; and the Civil Wars of our iceland having occasioned the Demolishing of its strong Holds, in case of Attack, How can we be defended against Powerful Enemies, but by a Naval Power? As for our Navy, allowing us Masters of more tall Ships, than any of our Neighbours, What Security can they afford us, if we want Seamen? Now whether mariners be wanting in England, best appears by our turning 'em o'er from Ship to Ship, by our long, long Embargo's, and yet excessive Charge in Pressing Seamen, and by so many of our Ships being lost ( during the late War) for want of their compliment. Nor is this Defect to be supplied but by a National Fishery: For Men of War and Merchantmen spend many mariners and breed few; the great and best Nursery for Seamen is the Fishery, where every Buss brings up it may be, Six, Eight, or Ten new Men every Year; and the Fishermen's Business lying where our Ships danger lies, makes them know how the Sands shift, where the Rocks and Shelves are, consequently most able Coasters, and admirable Pilots. Besides, by frequent riding out great Storms in small Busses and Doggers, Fishermen become so steeled and habituated to Danger, that in Tempests and Engagements they work Wonders: And the Fish lying upon our own Coasts, the Men we Employ to catch them ( tho' out of his Majesty's pay) will be ever at hand, and so ready for Service, as to make our watchfullest Enemies despair of surprising us. Again, the Lord Chief Justice Hale says, That a due care for the Poor is an Act of great Civil Prudence, and Political Wisdom; for Poverty in itself is apt to Emasculate the Minds of Men, or at least it makes Men tumultuous and unquiet. Where there are many very Poor, the Rich cannot long or safely continue such; Necessity renders Men of phlegmatic and dull Natures, stupid and indisciplinable; and Men of more Fiery or Active Constitutions, rapacious and desperate. Now what better Provisions can be made for the Poor, than by Establishing a National Fishery, which ( as is shown in the following Dialogue) will be a most effectual Expedient to Employ them, and turn the great burden of our Nation into an equal Benefit. Much more might be said to this purpose, but at present shall only add, That within this Thirty Years last past, our Active Neighbours the French have increased their Navigation to a Proverb, given Europe much Disquiet, and cost England( in particular) abundance of Blood and Treasure. But had English-men not been guilty of more than Spanish sloth, in not putting forth their Hands to take that Rich Blessing ( the Fishery) which Providence by placing upon our Coasts, courts us ( as it were) to receive, all our SOVEREIGNS( as well as Queen Elizabeth) might have bounded the Numbers of the French Fleet, and would have long since been Pacis Europae Arbitri Maris Domini & Vindices. A NEW DIALOGUE Between an Englishman and a Dutchman. Dutchman. GOOD Morrow Friend, what art musing on? Englishman. Considering the Extent of these dikes, I was thinking what excessive charge and pains Holland is yearly at to defend itself against Invading Waves; whereas the Seas that encircle happy England( Barriere like) fenceth it against Surprise and Ravages, exempts us from the Charge and terror of Garrisons and Fortifications; and ( with our Floating Castles) continues to us that Quiet Liberty and Security the rest of Europe( more or less) have lost. Besides the could Winds( being moistened by the Vapours, or softened hy the warmth of the Seas motion, before they reach our iceland) are less fierce, and the Air is far more mildred and temperate( if not more healthy) than any part of the Continent under the same Climate; so that we have no necessity for Grotto's in Summer or Stoves in Winter. D. In my Opinion the Country is most happy that is blessed with the greatest Trade; and that Air still the best where most Money is stirring; for Poverty and Want will render People. Unhealthy in all Climates; wherefore if you'd charm me with your iceland, prove it hath more and richer Growths and Products for traffic and Commerce then Holland. E. Know then that England hath many Mines, Rocks, pits, and Quarries, abounding with (a) Derby-shire, Nottingham-shire, Stafford-shire, alabaster, (b) Derby-shire, Antimony, (c) Cornwall, Ardois, (d) Cumberland, Black-Lead, (e) Sussex, Chalk, (f) Derbyshire, crystal, (g) Dorsetshire, Tobacco-pipe day, (h) Carmarthen-shire, Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Leicester-shire, Northumberland, Shrop-shire, Stafford-shire, York-shire, Coals of divers sorts, (i) Cornwall, Cumberland, Derby-shire, Staffordshire, York-shire, Copper, (k) Bedford-shire, Surrey, Fullers-Earth, (l) Dorset-shire Freestone, (m) Derby-shire, Durham, Gloucester-shire, Hampshire, Shrop-shire, Stafford-shire, Warwick-shire, Iron, (n) Somerset-shire, Lapis-Calaminaris, to make Brass, (o) Devon-shire. lodestones, (p) Cardigan-shire, Carmarthen-shire, Derby-shire, Devon-shire, Durham, Stafford-shire, York-shire, led, (q) Derby-shire, Dorset-shire, Marble, (r) Anglesey, Cheshire, Derby-shire, Flint-shire, millstones, (s) Nottingham-shire, plaster harder than that of Paris, (t) Carmarthenshire, Potters Dar, (u) Cornwall, state, (w) Cheshire, Cumberland, Worcester-shire, Salt, (x) Gloucester-shire, Steel, (y) Cornwall, Devon-shire, Cinn, (z) Derby-shire. Whetstones, &c. Upon its Coasts are found (a) Norfolk, Amber, (b) Cornwall, Ambergrise, (c) Whitstable Shallow, abundance of Copperice ston, (d) Norfolk, Iett, (e) Cumberland, Pearls, (f) Cornwall, Glaucestershire, fine transparent Pebbles, &c. In short ( not to mention the Rich Commodities yearly imported from its Fruitful Plantations, that are to it as so many Mines of Treasure.) England so abounds with Corn, Cattle, Fowle, ●ruit, Pulse, Leather, Wool, &c. that tho its Inhabitants are above Seven Millions and Fifty five thousand Souls, it produceth Food and Raiment sufficient for triple their Numbers. D. What signifies all this in Comparison to the (g) So the Dutch in a Proclam. 1624. styled the Fishing Trade. Golden Mines of our Provinces, which have yielded us more Treasure than the Mines of Potosi, or both Indies to Spain. E. The Golden Mines of your Provinces, Pray where do they lie? D. In Neptunes Vivarium, which the English call their Seas. E. Our Famous Edgar, with a Navy of 400 Sail, vindicated his Dominion on our adjacent Seas; and Records mention his Successor Canutus to have laid that ancient Tribute called Dane-gelt upon all, whether Strangers or denizens, Trading on our Coasts or Seas. Egbert, Althred, and Ethelfred, all styled themselves supreme Lords and Governors of the Ocean surrounding the british Shore. King John (h) Ao 1200. challenged the Honour ( or rather Duty) of the Flag, universally paid us, not barely as a Civility, but as a Right, and ( debitâ reverentia) acknowledging our Title and Dominion. The famous Record entitled, Pro Hominibus Hollandiae, shows how obsequious your Ancestors were, not only in acknowledging (i) Ao 1295. Edward the First's Dominion on the Sea, but craving his Protection and Permission to Fish on the Coasts of England; and had not the Sovereignty of the british Seas in Fact, been in the Crown of England, why did the (k) Rot. Pat. 23. Ed. 1st. Memb. 5. Earls of Holland Petition Edward the Third( and the (l) Rot. Pat. 22. Ed. 4. Memb. 2. French our Henry the Sixth) for leave to Fish therein? And why did your (m) Camb. Britt. Schippers use to purchase licence from Scarbrough-Castle, before they presumed to cast a net upon the North Coasts of England. Wherefore did Philip the Second of Spain (n) Ao 1552. obtain licence of Queen Mary, for his Subjects to Fish upon the North Coasts of Ireland, for the Term of 21 Years, for which was yearly paid One thousand Pounds into the Exchequer of Ireland, as by the Records appears. D. A Fig for your moldy Records; I say the Sea is as free to Fish in as— E. — as the Roads of Holland ( where both Natives and Foreigners are forced to pay Passage Ghelt) are to travail in. D. Don't Interrupt me Sir; I say the Sea is as free to Fish in, as the Air is to Breath in, who doubts it may red Hugo Grotius 's mere Liberum. E. Grotius in his Sylvae, upon the Inauguration of King james,( before he was perverted by the Importunities of his Country men) speaking his thoughts freely says, — Tria Sceptra profundi In Magnum Coiere ducem The Rights of the English, Scottish and Irish Seas, are united under one sceptre; neither is he satisfied with that bare Profession. Sume animos a Rege tuo qui dat Jura Mari. Take courage from the King who giveth Laws unto the Seas; and in the same Book in the Contemplation of so great a Power, he concludeth, Finis hic est, qui fine caret, &c. This is an End beyond an End, a Bound that knows no Bounds, which even the Wind and the Waves must submit unto. Again in his Annals (o) L. 2. A o 1570. Grotius says, Angliae Regina Oceani Imperium. That the Queen of England was Dominatrix of the Sea. And if you remember King james taking notice of your daily Encroachments, enjoined his Ambassador, Sir Dudley Carleton, to Expostulate it with your States, as may be seen in Mr. Secretaries Letter (p) 21 Dec. 1618. wherein he tells them, That unless they sought leave from his Majesty, and acknowledged his Right, as other Princes had done,( and did) it might well come to pass, that they who would needs bear all the World before them by their mere Liberum, might soon endanger their having neither Terram, nec Solum, nec Rempublicam liberam. So much did that wise Prince disdain to be wrangled out of the ancient Rights and Regalities inherently annexed to his Crown, by the subtle Arguments of Wit and Sophistry. D. What care I what King james did? I still say that the Sea is free for any Body to Fish in, and defy you to prove the contrary. E. If the Sea be free, ( as you say) Why do the Venetians exercise Dominion in the adriatic, and the Tuscans Lord it in the Tyrrhene Seas? Why do all your Schippers pay Toll to Denmark for passing the Sound, and to Swedeland for Sailing in the baltic? Wherefore do the republic of Genoa let to Farm the Fishery for Tunnies in their neighbouring Seas? How is't, that the Emperor of Russia compelleth all Fisher men within his Seas to pay him Tribute, and that the like is done by the Duke of Medina Sidonia in Spain, and by the Princes of Italy bordering on the Seas? Nay, why do the Dutch style themselves Lords of the Southern Seas, and allow less Liberty in India then they take upon the English Coasts. But to Wave this Dispute, pray Sir, how many Labourers have you in your Golden Mines as you call them. D. Upon taking an account of the several Trades and Employments by which the Dutch subsisted ( in order to find which best deserved the Protection and Encouragement of the public) it appeared that in A o 1668. the Subjects of the States General were (q) Pol●gr●n. & Maxims. Van Holl. pag. 43. Two Millions four hundred thousand Souls; of which,( besides those employed in the Inland-Fishery) Four hundred and fifty thousand were then maintained by Fishing at Sea, and the traffic depending thereon, since which time we have much increased the numbers of our Fishing Busses and Doggers, to the great Encouragement of our Navigation, and the Thirty four Trades depending on the Fishery. E. Which are they? D. Anchor smiths, Bakers, Ballast-men, Basket-makers, Black-smiths, Brewers, Butchers, Carpenters, Caulkers, Clapboard Splitters, Compass-makers, Coopers, Duck-Weavers Hemp Dressers, Hook-makers, Hoop splitters, joiners, Line-makers, mariners, Mast-makers, Net makers, Net-Tanners, Plummers, Pully-makers, Pump-makers, Rope-makers, Sail-makers, Sawyers, Ship-Chandlers, Ship-wrights, Tallow Chandlers, Thread and Twine-Spinners, &c. to the no small Encouragement of the Makers and Venders of all Materials, Tools and Utensils, belonging to any of the above Trades, to which might be added Makers and Sellers of Culinary-wares, Bedding, clothing, &c. for Sailors, also Packers, Tollers, Dressers and Couchers, to sort and make the Herring lawful merchandise; all which still Encourage the Farmer by a continual Consumption of the Product of the Earth. In short, our Fishery affords us as universal Employment in Holland, as the Woollen Manufacture occasions in England. E. Pray where, and at what times of the Year do you Fish upon our Coasts. D. In the beginning of June the Herrings rising about two Leagues off Crane-Head, ( the outermost part of Bratio Sound) stay there about fourteen days, thence go to Farry-Island, ( Seven Leagues to the Southward of Shetland) round which they remain One and Twenty days, thence to Buffinness( about Thirty Leagues to the Southward of Farry iceland) the Fishing place is called Buffin deeps, and is Twenty Leagues to the Northward of the Frith, where the Herring abide about fourteen days, and in the Fishing Ground under Chivit-hilts and Chivit-Chace, about Fourteen days; thence we follow them to the Dogger-Bank, where they stay about Thirty seven days, and about the beginning of September they come into Yarmouth-Seas, where they continue about Seventy days, from whence they fall to the Southward, followed by small Fisher-boats, it being dangerous for Busses. E. What quantities of Fish are yearly taken by the Dutch? D. About (r) L.V. Aitzma Ao 1653. Three hundred thousand Lasts. E. This confirms Sir Walter Raleigh's Observations presented to King james, (s) Ao 1633. and shows, that the Learned Sir John Burroughs, in his Sovereignty of the british Seas, upon good grounds affirmed, that the Fish yearly taken by Strangers upon our Coasts, did amount to (t) page. 140. above Ten Millions of Pounds Sterling. But pray Sir, where have you vent for all your Fish D. At Artois, Brabant, Bremen, Cleveland, Cologne, Dantzig, Denmark, Elbin, Embden, Flanders, France, Frankfort, Germany, Gulickland, Hamburgh, Henault, Holsteine, Italy, Liefland, Lithuania, Lubeck, Nerva, Norway, Poland, Pomerland, Portugal, Prussia, Quinsbrough, Revel, Riga, Russia, Spain, Stade, Stratten, Sweedland, &c. E. Are you never afraid of over stocking the Marts? D. No certainly, or we should not yearly so much increase the number of our Doggers. E. What Returns are made for your Fish? D. alum, armor, Baratees, and other Frankfort Commodities; Brandy, Bullion, Clapboard, Coin, Copper, Corn, Currants, and other Grocery wears, Damasks, Deal-boards, Dollars, Flax, Fruit, furs, Fustins, Glass, Hemp, Honey, Hulsop, Iron, Lace, linen, millstones, oil, Pitch, Plate, Pot-Ash, Prunes, Rashes, Rosin, Sarcenets, satins, Silks, Skins, Steel, Tapstrey, Tar, Timber, Velvets, Wainscots, Wax, Wines, and other things in abundance, the Exporting of which Commodities again to other Countries, gives full Employment to our Ships, so that they need not go in Ballast to seek freight, but by the Profit of our Outward bound Voyages are enabled to serve Foreigners so cheap, as to render us the common Carriers of the World, consequently masters of the most certain Profit in Trade; for when Ships arrive safe in Harbour, tho' Merchants happen to lose by their Goods, yet Sea-men are paid their full Wages, &c. Besides, by continual Bartering of such Exports, Holland is rendered the mighty Storehouse and Empory of all Foreign Products and Manufactures, from whose infinite Miscellany of Goods, its Inhabitants are completely furnished with such sortable wears, as enables them to Trade from Port to Port, without danger of Glutting Markets. And thus as our Fishery hath increased our Trade and Navigation, constant Employment hath still ma●e Foreigners flock to us in such numbers, that out of our Multitudes, supplying ( from time to time) the loss of so many lives, as the Change of Climates, successses against the Portuguezes, and Victories against the Indians have cost us. We have forced Treaties of Commerce exclusive to all other Nations, built Forts upon Straits and Passes, that command the Entrances into places of great traffic, monopolised all the Spice Trade, and mightily advanced towards Engrossing the whole Commerce of the East-Indies. E. Well may you boast that Amsterdam is founded upon Herring Bones; and no wonder, that notwithstanding your so frequent and so chargeable Wars, ever since your Revolt from Spain, ( tho' at the end of each Dance you have generally paid for the music) yet there is hardly a Beggar in your Streets. But if in Holland, which contains not above Five Millions of Acres, its Bogs and Sandy Downs included. Holland, where you have no Minerals, and where it is in vain to dig for any thing but Turf and day. Holland, where you have no three but what you planted, nor ston but what you brought thither. Holland so much lower than the Ebbings of the Tides and Rivers, that at vast expense you are obliged with Mills to Drain the very Floods occasioned by Rain. Holland, where notwithstanding your continual charge ( as was said) in repairing Banks and dikes, frequent Inundations destroy Man and Beast for several Miles together, and then vast Sums ( and whole Years) are spent, e're the Land can be regained. Holland whe●e ( the East Winds coming to you o'er a mighty length of dry Continent) extreme could and long Winters put you to the expense of much Fire, Candles, Food and Raiment, and so great charge and pains in Housing and Foddering your Cattle, all which time ( living on dry Food) they yield little Milk. Holland so exposed to black Winds, that blast the Blossoms of its Trees, and storms that shatter off ( e're ripe) their Fruit. Holland where that little arable Land you have ( lying generally on Sand and day) bottoms, requireth much soil; and where seed time is so short, that unless it be exactly nicked, no Profit can be reaped; for when the seed rots in the ground ( as by great reins it frequently happeneth) the season is generally past before it can be sown again. Holland, whose whole Product is scarce sufficient to serve (u) Pol. Gron. & Maxims van Holl. pag. 44. One Eighth part of its Inhabitants, consequently the rest are obliged to purchase the so necessary Commodities Food and Raiment, of neighbouring Countries, at the rates they can get them. Holland, whole Territories extend upon powerful Neighbours, so that to defend its Frontiers, and draw out a War in length, by Sieges, in order to determine it by force of Money rather than of Arms, you are obliged to be at vast expense in Fortifications and Standing Troops to defend them, even in the time of the profoundest Peace: For Instance, Ao 1670. ( after all Reforms) you had Ten Regiments of Horse, and Nineteen of Foot, making together Twenty Six thousand two hundred Men, the constant charge of which Forces was 556281 l. Sterling, per Ann. I say, if in Holland naturally loaded with these Misfortunes, and all their innumerable ill Consequences; which, together with its unwholesome Air, and many other disadvantages, renders it unworthy to be Cultivated, or indeed inhabited by Mankind. Notwithstanding you are (w) Sir Will. Temple's observe. on the United Provinces. Bridled with hard Laws, Terrified with severe Executions, Environed with Foreign Forces, and oppressed with the most cruel Hardships, and variety of Taxes, that was ever known under any Government: Yet the People are grown so numerous, and so wealthy, by Fishing upon our Northern Coasts. Did we in England diligently apply our selves to the Fishing Trade, What a prodigious Advantage might we reap, considering the Fishing for Cod, Conger, Hake, Herrings, Ling, Mackerel, oyster, Pilchards, Salmon, Scate, Soles, Sprats, Thornback, Turbets, Whitings, &c.( whilst in Season) are upon our Coasts all the Year long. D. Just so much Advantage as the Hamburghers did, who ( after five or six years trial to imitate us in the Herring Fishery) found to their Cost, we still out-did them, and so we shall you. E. The reason why you out did the Hamburghers, was because they were yearly Frozen up x Lex Mercat. fol. 171. somewhat longer than you; but seeing by that Start you could out-strip them, surely the English need not fear the goal, who ( besides what has been said) have in Fishing many more advantages of you, than ever you had of the Hamburghers. D. Ha! ha! ha! The generality of your Country men know better. E. I am not Ignorant what Industry has been used to poison my Countrymen with an Opinion, that none but Dutch can thrive by Fishing; But such as Examine the Matter, will find that the Dutch have above a hundred Leagues to Sail, before they come to the Herring Fishery ( which is only in the British Seas) and when there, must lye at the Mercy of the Winds, for want of a Port to Friend, and in case of unloading, have as far back again, which takes up a great deal of time, hinders Business, and end●ngers the loss of their Markets. Whereas in England we have the Fish upon our own Coasts; so near our Shores, that in case of Storms, Unloading, taking in of Provisions, or the like, it is but four or five hours Work ( commonly not so much) to Recover an Harbour, and without loss of time to put to Sea again, the work of Unloading, Re-packing, and sending our Fish to Market, still going on in all Weathers. D. And have not we Dogger-Boats to take off our Fish at Sea, and Refurnish the Fishermen with Cask and other Necessaries? E. Yes Sir; and you have the charge and risk of those Dogger-Boats too ( both which the English save) yet if it happen to be a rolling Sea, you must lie by, and wait for a Calm. D. What other Advantages have you of us? E. England hath many convenient Tidehaven-Ports, as at Hull, Harwich, and Holy-Island to the Northward, and Dover, Rye, Portsmouth, Southampton, Cowes, Weymouth, Dartmouth, Catwater, Hamose, Fowey, Falmouth, Hilford, Scilly, and Milford, Westward, where at low Water, all of them are small Chingle, or hard Sand; so that our Vessels may easily haul ashore, and wash and Tallow at pleasure; nor are Creeks and Commodious places wanting in England, to lodge our Busses and Doggers safe, when not Employed; so as to prevent wear of Cables, charge of Watching, danger of Fire, &c. D. What else! E. The Shores of England are Bold, the Coasts high, Land easily discovered, several of our scape Lands, opposite to France and Holland, make Eddy Bays, whose depth of Water is mean, as six, eight, ten or twelve Fathom; the Tides ( on our own Coasts) are small Anchorhold, generally stiff day, Chalk, or hard Gravel; so that we need not dread Winter Storms, besides the advantage we have of lying in a moderate Climate, and in the very Centre of the Trade of Europe, affords us opportunity of sending to Foreign Parts from divers of our Ports, at all Seasons of the Year; Whereas the Coasts of Holland are extremely low, subject to be hazy and foggy, have many shoals and Sands, some of which lye so far off at Sea, that frequently Ships are Stranded before they see Land; its Ports are bad and often choked up with quicksands. Its Havens yearly Frozen up two or three Months together: And a North West Wind ( usually blowing the greatest part of the Year) makes Holland a Lee, and England a Weather-Shore; So that many times whilst you are Wind-bound, or Frozen up at Home, we can supply the Markets abroad. D. Well, but the defects of our Coasts, and all the Difficulties our Country labours under, are sufficiently made up by the great Gate, and prudent Conduct of our Magistrates, who Court Trade, as a Rich Mistress; and spare neither Charge nor Pains to attain her. E. As how I pray Sir? D. By Tolerating Liberty of Conscience, and granting Freedoms of Cities for little or no Charge; whereby all such as are Prosecuted for Religion, or through discontent leave their Native Countries, are invited and encouraged to come and settle with us. E. What Advantage do you reap from such Guests? D. increase of Trade, Riches and Strength. E. How do you make that out? D. Foreign Gentry bringing their Estates with them, increase our Wealth. Foreign Merchants discover to us new Mysteries in Commerce, and enlarge our traffic. Foreign mechanics daily Improve and augment our Manufactures, and have taught us so many several sorts of Trades, and useful Engines and Inventions for dispatching Work. It was a Cornish Miner, (y) Heylin's Geography. That Discovered the Tin Mines in Saxony, Violet, and Stevens; (z) Lex Mercat. 169. and the Tombstones of said Violet and Stevens, at Enckhuysen, till demolished in the first Dutch Wars, by the Rabble. Two discontented English Fishmongers settling at Enckhuysen in Holland, first taught us to make deep Sea Nets, and Fish upon the british Coasts. And indeed few People venture to travail, who are not Masters of some excellent Arts or Sciences. But put chance any Poor visited us, who had no Trades in their Bellies; if they will not serve us for Soldiers, yet they'll serve to make Bricks, dig turf, &c. E. Granting all this, if towards encouraging a National Fishery in England, our Parliament should think fit to allow Foreign Protestants ( following the Business of the Fishing Trade) the like privileges with Natives( only in Sea cost Towns) your boasted advantage would soon vanish, and such Foreign Protestants would as certainly make our Fifty two decayed Fishing Towns flourish, as the Walloone and Burgundian Refugees planted by Queen Elizabeth, (a) Anno 1568. at Norwich, Canterbury, and Colchester, raised them ( then so poor Cities) to such great Trade, Riches, and Plenty. D. But to return to your former Discourse; What other advantages have the English of the Dutch, in Fishing? E. Near the Pile of Foudray in Lancashire, and in several other places along the Shores of Wales, we can Fish without the charge of Busses; for by only setting Nets on the Sands at Low Waters, great quantities of Herrings are taken next Tide of Ebb. Again; the Coasts of Wales abound with Ash, which excels all Wood for drying Herrings, as far as its Bark doth all others for Tanning Nets; nor do we in England ( as you) want Willow Hoops from Hamburgh. D. Those Herrings on the cost of Lancashire( coming newly out of the Ocean) are so fat they will not take Salt, consequently are apt to rest. E. Pilchards ( which so constantly visit our cost of Cornwall) are also so fat they will not take Salt till pressed; when to the great Encouragement of Shipwrights, Curriers, Soap-boilers, &c. they yield store of oil, and afterwards take Salt kindly. Now if we cure fat Herrings after the same manner, they'll produce double Profit. D. How chance this Method was not found out sooner? E. Dies Diem docet, those noble Salt-Rocks in Cheshire( sufficient to supply all Europe) have not been many Years discovered. Again, of a ston abounding in Shropshire, much Pitch is now made, of so excellent a Nature, Heat only causeth it to penetrate deeper into Plank, and could cannot make it crackle off, the which, and our great Draw back upon Exporting Fish, are Advantages Holland wanteth. D. What more? E. You cannot share with us in the Red-Herring and Pilchard Trade, not only for want of Wood at reasonable Rates; but because those cannot be well cured, unless brought fresh on Shore; and being taken on our Coasts, they'll be too stale before they arrive at yours: And not to mention our Rich New-England Fishery, our Western Ports are incomparably situated for the Newfound-land Fishing; and the Country itself belonging to the Crown of England, you can have no footing there. D. Notwithstanding all the Advantages you speak of, your chief Fishing Towns Yarmouth, and Laystoffe are beholden either to us at Enckhuysen, or to the French at Diep, for Selling them Nets. E. Before the late War they used to buy Sail-Cloath of you too; but that now made at Fulham, &c. is brought to equal Perfection with your best Holland's Duck: And as for Nets, the Towns you mention have these six Years( last past) made all they used; and who knows, but that our Artisans ( universally allowed the best upon Earth for Improvements) may in a little time as much excel you in these things, as they out-do the Germans in fine Steel-Works; which though they first invented, yet we now make and sell to them. But seeing you talk of being beholden, I think you are beholden to us for selling you our Thames Lamprons, wherewith you bait for North-Sea-Cod, else you might go ..... whistle for them. D. Well now, I hope you have told all your Advantages. E. Excuse me, Sir, England affords Timber, Iron, and Hemp, whereas you are forced to purchase those Commodities in Foreign Countries. D. Nevertheless those and our Naval Stores are return'd us in Exchange for only Herrings, which cost us little, but the trouble of hauling up out of the Sea; so that ( reckoning the Employment of our Ships and Men) it conduceth more to our advantage, then if our Country produced them: Whereas to purchase East-Country wears, you are yearly forced to Export much of your Coin, to the great exhausting the Treasure of your Nation. E. But if a National Fishery be established in England, what should hinder us from buying them with Herrings as well as you? D. Your white Herrings are not so bright and good as ours. E. Whilst your Clapboard is floating from Germany, the Rhine draws out its Sap; and if we also soak the corrosive Sap out of our Clap-board, which now discolours and preys upon our Fish; and like you gip and Salt our Herrings, as soon as taken, they'll be every whit as bright and good as yours. After all, we do not as you depend solely upon the East Country for Naval Stores; no, in case of Exaction or rapture, we can be supplied from our American Plantations, which so abound with Naval Stores, Ships may be there built near a fourth part cheaper than in Europe. D. Now you talk of Building, Sir, we build cheaper in Holland then you do in England, and Sail our Vessels with fewer Hands. E. Our Ships are much stronger and abler to brook the Seas than yours, and will last twice as long; and as to your Sailing with fewer Hands, we envy not your Happiness whilst ( in proportion to your tonnage and Number of mariners) you yearly lose ( by undermaning) far more Ships and Mens Lives then we; for which Reason, in above three parts of the World, our Ships yield better fraught; where then lies the odds, which were there any, could be only in Merchantmen to carry our Fish to Market. Busses and Fisher-Boats, carry more Men to catch Fish, than are needful to Sail them: And in the Green-land Trade, each Ship must have three times the Crew that can Navigate her, to Man their Shallops when a Fishing, were not this true, since in Building English Shipwrights know no Masters; surely we might easily cause our Ships to be Built and Manned after your mode. D. Fishing is a work for which the English are unfit, and requires such skilful, Industrious, and Robust Seamen, as no Country breeds but Holland. E. Your Learned Keckerman says, Omnibus hody Gentibus Navigandi Industriâ & peritiâ superiores esse Anglos. 'Tis certain our mariners are as Bold in Danger, and do as cheerfully undergo Hardships as any others; and for hard Labour, the working of a Mine is incomparably beyond that of a Buss. None but the Great Britannia can boast, their Natives, after twelve Hours hard Work, will go in the Evening to Foot-ball, Stool-ball, Cricket, Prison-base, Wrestling, Cudgel-playing, or some such vehement Exercise for their Recreations; and as to their Genius, it's remarkable, that such Lads and Country Fellows, as at Yarmouth, Laystoffe, &c. are once hired into the Fishing Trade, and come to feed on the Fish they Catch, it improves them at such a rate, that of pitiful Weaklings at Land, they become healthful, stout, and hardy Persons; and upon Trial find it so much to their liking, that not one in twenty but takes to the Sea for good and all. D. Englishmen are dainty Chap't, and when a Fishing cannot Fare like ours. E. It is certain they need not, for Meat and Drink in Ireland, and in many parts of England, are above as cheap again as in Holland, which produceth no other Provisions ( for traffic) than Butter and Cheese, and those too are cheaper with us than with you. Besides 'tis observed, that whatever the Dutch Fishermen save by eating of Grout, they drink( more than ours) in Brandy. D. Two thousand five hundred Persons are hardly able, in a whole Year, to make a Fleet of Nets for Five hundred Busses; now England hath many Wasts and unimproved Lands, which shows its not half Peopled; and of those you have in it, consider How many Women and Children do just nothing, only learning to spend what others get. How many are mere Voluptuaries, and as it were Gamesters by Trade. How many live by puzzling poor People with unintelligible Notions in ...... Philosophy. How many by persuading Credulous, Delicate, and Litigious Persons, that their Bodies or Estates are out of Tune, and in danger. How many by Trades of mere Pleasure or Ornament. How many by Fighting, as Soldiers. How many by mysteries of 'vice and Sin, or in a lazy way of Attendance upon others; where then can you hope to find Hands to carry on your Fishery. E. If a National Fishery be established in England, 'tis odds but a finer Country, cheaper and better Food, wholesomer Air, easier Rents, and less Hazard and Taxes, will tempt many of your Countrymen to across the Herring Pond. Again, of all Trades, Netting is one of the easiest to attain; and if a National Fishery be establishe● in England, our Gentry, by causing their Footmen and Servants to rise early, and employ their idle Hours in making Nets, may not only reap great Profit from their Work, but by accustoming them to Industry in their Youths, beget in them such Industrious Dispositions, as will prevent ( what now too frequently happens) their becoming Beggars, or worse, in old Age. If a National Fishery be established in England, how comfortable will it be to all poor Prisoners, Widows, and Orphans, when they may get their Bread by a Work not more laborious than Play, yet never want Employment. If a National Fishery be established in England, what an advantage will it prove to all poor tradesman, Artificers and Labourers, when they, their Wives, Children and Servants, may each vacant Interval be getting a Penny by braiding and beeting of Nets. If a National Fishery be established in England, the many Thousands English, Scotch, and Irish mariners, who now yearly Fish for you, will not seek work abroad, when they can find full Employment at Home. Besides too many Thousands of Disbanded Soldiers, and late Prisoners, Released by the Act( 9 gull. 3.) now want Employment, and the Streets of London, and many parts adjacent, are thronged with too many Beggars, ( the mayor part of which, tho' in a nasty Condition, seem to be young, strong, and healthful Persons) for us to want Hands for the Fishery. D. Give me leave ( by the way) to ask you, whence 'tis London swarms with so many Drones? E. Youths, Labourers, Artificers, Maid-Servants, and other Mean People's being suffered to leave the Country, and ramble up to London at pleasure. D. Can you give me an Instance of what you assert? E. The very Servant-Maid, who perhaps in the Country was of excellent use in a Dairy at Spinning, or the like, having resolved on a Ramble to London, is easily persuaded to part with her Chastity, in hopes the City is big enough to hid her shane; and having once made bold with her Conscience, sticks not to Steal what she can lay her Fingers on, towards the expense of her Journey: Put case she comes up Honest, so many Bawds Ply the Carrier's Inns, to ensnare silly Wenches, that 'tis odds but she gets a great Belly before a Service, and then in few Months, over-run with some foul Disease, turns Beggar, and becomes uncomfortable to her self, and unprofitable to the Kingdom. Now as for such poor Wretch●s Children, if not Destroyed in the Womb, or at the Birth, yet being bread up in beggary and Laziness, they become of unhealth●ul Bodies, and more then ordinary subject to many loathsome Diseases, whereof very many die in their tender Age; and such as arrive to years of Strength, by idle Habits contracted in their Youths, are rendered for ever unapt and undisposed to Labour, and serve only to stock the Kingdom with Thieves and Beggars. D. The Acres of Land in England, are above four times as many as its People, and those of Wales, ten times more in Number than its Inhabitants, consequently Work cannot be wanting in the Country; what then brings them up to London E. Discontent, Curiosity, hopes of greater Wages, or of Living lazier Lives. D. In Amsterdam we think numbers of hands fit for labour, rather force Industry, than breed Beggars. E. That's no wonder, since the Sea-Harvest of your Fishery is so great, all your Labourers prove too few, and Work still increaseth faster than your Hands. But it is not so with us; for in London there are (b) Sir William Petty. about 695076 Souls, who by their ordinary proportion of Breeding and Dying, double their Numbers in (c) Grant's Observations on the Bills of Mortality. 64 Years; which being considered, and the great Concourse of Foreigners, it will plainly appear, that London wants not Hands from the Country, but on the contrary out of its own Produce, can spare many for our Plantations. Nevertheless, London increaseth (d) Ditto. Six thousand yearly, by the Afflux of People out of the Country, whose little Money brought with them being spent, they( or as many poor Londoners in their places) for want of Employment must turn Beggars, if not worse. For Suppose in London but One thousand People, Nine hundred and twenty whereof Citizens,, the other Eighty new Comers, and in all London, Employment only for Nine hundred and twenty Persons, the remaining Eighty, must Beg, Steal, Starve, or leave the Country( which too many yearly do) and serve our Neighbours, till ( perhaps) they are knocked on the head in their Quarrels. D. However, tho' such Rambling augments the Numbers of Beggars in London, the Country is troubled with so many the fewer Vagabonds, and reaps as much benefit by their absence, as the City is damnified by their Company. E. On the contrary, for by the loss of so many prolifick Persons, the increase of the Parishes( who had the trouble of breeding them) is hindered, the number of Labourers diminished, and price of Work and Wages much enhanced, to the great detriment of Husbandry, and stop to Improvements, which ( pro tanto) falls Rents, yet raiseth all Manufactures, consequently lessons their Consumption both at home and abroad; till at length, Masters wanting vent for their Commodities; are obliged to quit their Trades; and by turning off their Journeymen, to make whole Families of Beggars at once. D. Well, but to Return to our Discourse about your National Fishery. The Act of the 25 Car. 2. allows recompense to such as Export Corn when it is cheap; and the Act of the 18 Car. 2. prohibits Importation of Irish Cattle, and all to keep up Rents in England; now catching much Fish will make it so Cheap, as to hinder the Consumption of Flesh, and so cause Rents to fall. E. You catch so much Fish as to make it very cheap in Holland, yet your Rents are dear, and Lands at Forty Years Purchase. 2dly, Much Fish will occasion the expense of much Butter, and make our Farmer run much upon Dairies, the Business whereof, tho' performed by Women, turns to as great Advantage as the hardest Labour the Husbandman can employ his time in. Put case the Market should be over-stockt at Home, English Butter is too good a Commodity in Flanders, France, Spain, Portugal, &c. ever to want vent abroad. 3dly, Catching much Fish will give work to many Thousands of both Sexes, who, tho' now ( through Poverty) live only on Bread, Water, Pulse, Roots, and the like, yet when they come to have the Rewards of their Labours in their Hands, will not punish their carcases to spare their Purses, but turn Housekeepers, drink Strong Beer, eat Roast Beef, &c. 4thly, Catching much Fish, as it makes Provisions Cheaper, will ( morally speaking) render us less subject to a Famine, which never happened in England, but it enriched Holland for seven Years after; the Dutch, Hamburghers and Embdeners having in a Dearth for the Corn, sold us in a Year and a half,( according to Sir Walter Raleigh's Estimate) carried away no less than (e) His Observat. on Trade, fol. 17. Two Millions of Pounds Sterling, to the great Impoverishment of our People, discredit of our Merchants, and dishonour of our Land. 5thly, The cheaper our Provisions are, the more Navigation is Encouraged, more Foreign Ships will Victual with us, and fewer of ours in Ireland; and the more Beef, Pork, &c. shall we Export to Barbadoes, jamaica, &c. so that supposing Meat should not always remain at a very excessive Rate, yet where a greater Consumption causeth a quick Market, tho' at a middling Price, If the Proverb be true, Light Gains will make a Heavy Purse. 6thly, Gold and Silver Mines England hath none; and in ( time of Peace) no way to get Bullion but by Foreign traffic, to which nothing can more conduce than cheap Fishing, and cheap Working, and Manufacturing the Commodities which compose the Exports of our Kingdom, and that is not to be effected except Labour be Cheap, which it can never be where Provisions are dear; but the cheaper our Provisions are, the cheaper our Exports may be afforded, consequently the more vent we shall have for them, and much vent will cause many Workmen, and when the Wheel is set a going, Trade begets Trade, as Fir● begets Fire; and the more Trade increaseth, the more will Industrious People ( from all Parts) flock to us, and tenant our Houses, Enclose our Wasts, Improve our Lands, increase our Manufactures, and Enlarge our Products far beyond the whole expense of our Nation; and thereby ( in proportion) add to its Wealth and Treasure, for Merchants Exporting the Surplus, will in Returns bring back Gold, Silver, and other valuable Commodities, which in England( that hath Property) by Succession of Contracts, will diffuse among its Inhabitants; and thus, as the Number of the Persons made Rich by their Labour and Industry increase, and the Choice of tenants and Chapmen are Enlarged, a kind of Competition amongst them, must and will make Rents and Lands advance in proportion; Witness Holland, and such of our Lands in all Countries, as i've near great and populous Corporations. So true is it, That Trade and Lands are Twins that always wax and wain together. Lastly, how our Parliament will like a National Fishery, you may guess by the Preamble of an Act, passed in the 14 Car. 2. cap. 28. Wherein 'tis declared, That the public Honour, Wealth and Safety of this Realm, as well in the Maintenance of Trade, and Support of Navigation, as in many other respects doth in an high degree depend upon the Improvement and Encouragement of the Fishery. D. However, as a Friend I advice you not to Concern your self in the Fishery, for in Holland we have Money at Three, whereas the Trade of England is burdened with Six per Cent. Interest, consequently you can never keep place with us. E. Why do you not ( for the same Reason) advice all my Countrymen to forbear Trading to East-India, Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, &c. nay to quit all Navigation, and abandon our selves to the next Comers; was it not the Fishing Trade gave rise to all your Wealth, and as Money grew plentiful in Holland, did not Lands rise gradually to near Forty Years Purchase, and Interest fall by degrees, from Eight to Three per Cent. Why then may not we expect, That a National Fishery will do the same in England, and ( pro tanto) be a means to regain our Muscovy, Greenland, Norway, and East-Country Trades; for still as Trade by increasing of Wealth, causeth an Abatement of Interest, Abatement of Interest will yet cause a further increase of Crade. D. The Dutch are already settled in the Fishing Trade. E. Stately Genoa that once Employed Forty thousand Hands in the Silken Manufacture, declines now as fast as her formerly neglected Neighbour Leghorn riseth: And if the French King continues to court all the World with popular Immunities, Leghorn ( in time) must give place to her Sister Marseilles. The King of Portugal having discovered the Passage to the East-Indies, (f) Anno 1500. by the scape of Good Hope, and so diverted the course of Trade, driven by the Venetians from Alexandria, and the Red-Sea, to his Port of Lisbon, kept Factors at Antwerp to vend there his Indian Commodities, which drew several Merchants from divers parts to reside there, and made that pleasant seated City the Pack-house of Europe. But when the Dutch also (g) Anno 1602. found the way to the Indies, and began to rival Portugal in that Trade, Merchants resolving not to loose the advantage of their Skill in Indian Commodities, by removing to Amsterdam, improved their own Estates, but ruined Antwerp. Thus you see Trade ( like the Sea its Element) often Ebbs and Flows from one place to another; not many years since we Imported Silk Stockings from the Levant, but now the Tide is turned, and we sand them thither. D. Projects in England have ( of late) proved very unsuccessful. E. What tho' some Men have run upon wild Notions, and catching at Shadows lost their Substance▪ that's no Objection against the National Fishery, which is a Certainty, for the Sea yields her Fish, as well as the Earth her Fruit in due Season, and Neptune hath been far more bountiful to you than Ceres. D. After all our Discourse, Pray Sir, have you Drawn up a Method for the Establishing a National Fishery in England? E. I have made an Essay, but find the well-settling a National Fishery requires far better heads than mine. D. However let's see the Concept. E. Here it is, Sir, but done in hast, and may receive Alterations or Additions upon Consideration. Dutchman Reads. 1. THAT towards raising a Joint Stock for Employing the Poor in a National Fishery, a Million be Subscribed. 2. That the Money Subscribed be called Stock, and be Assignable. 3. That every Subscriber at the time of such their Subscription, Pay to .......... one full fourth part of his, her, or their respective Subscriptions, and in default of such Payment, every such Subscription to be utterly voided and null. 4. That the residue of the said Subscriptions be paid by such Proportions, and at such Days and Times, as by a General Court of the said Subscribers shall from time to time be appointed: And in default of such Payment, that then the fourth part, first paid, as aforesaid, be Forfeited to the use of the Corporation herein after mentioned, their Successors and Assigns. 5. That the Subscribers be Incorporated by Act of Parliament( by the Name of The Corporation for Employing the Poor of England in a National Fishery) with perpetual Succession. 6. That at a General Court to be held for the said Corporation, Thirty be chosen out of the said Subscribers, by Plurality of Votes, and presented to the Parliament. 7. That out of the said Thirty, Ten be Nominated Fathers of the Poor, and Directors of the National Fishery by both Houses of Parliament, approved by his Majesty, and Accountable to them for their Trust. 8. That in Case of Vacancy ( by the Death or Misdemeanour) of any one of the said Fathers of the Poor ( during Sessions of Parliament) the said Corporation to present Three, out of which his Majesty and Parliament to Nominate One, as before, and so toties quoties. But in case the Parliament shall not be then Sitting, that such Vacancies be filled up by the Majority of the surviving Fathers, until next Sessions of Parliament, and then the Corporation to present, and King and Parliament to approve, as before. 9. That such Fathers be empowered to Constitute under the Seal of the said Corporation, a sufficient number of Deputies in each County in England; And that such Deputies be, and be called, Stewards of the Poor. 10. That the said Fathers, and such Stewards of the Poor be exempted from all Parish Offices. 11. That the said Fathers, and such their Stewards be vested with all Authority now in Justices of the Peace; and that all Parish Officers be subordinate and accountable to the said Fathers and such their Stewards, in all things ( only) relating to the Poor. 12. That the said Fathers and Stewards have freedom to set the Poor on Work, about such of the said Trades relating to the Fishery, as they shall think fit, with a non obstante to all Patents that have been, or shall be Granted. 13. That to prevent People from being oppressed, and ground to Poverty by Pawn-Brokers, that screw out of them Forty or Fifty per Cent. the said Fathers may be allowed to Erect Lumber Offices in every City and Town in England, exclusive of all others, upon Condition they take not above 〈◇〉 per Cent. per Annum. 14. That in all Churches ( as in Holland) at every solemn Assembly, the Church-Wardens with a long Staff, Bag, and Bell, during the Sermon, receive the Charitable Benevolence of the whole congregation, and pay the same to the said Fathers, who shall cause a true accoun● to be kept thereof, and apply it to the Erecting Hospitals in London, and other great Cities, wherein poor Women, near the time of their travail, may be received and carefully delivered, and remain till they are in a Condition to return home and follow their Work; and if at the Year's end, any Over-plus of such Collections remain, that the same be yearly applied for Marrying poor Maids. 15. That until the Business of the Fishery be sufficient alone to give Employment to all our Poor, ( or at least during Ten Years next after the Establishing a National Fishery) the said Fathers and Stewards of the Poor, may be empowered to employ such of them as they shall think fit, in Erecting Free Schools, Hospitals, Work-houses, and Ware-houses for the Corporation, in making Enclosures, in repairing Sea-Banks, Draining Fens, cleansing and deepning Rivers and Havens, in Building and Repairing Churches, Bridges and Causeways, in mending Roads, in planting Oaks near Navigable Rivers, and Fruit Trees in Inland Countries; also in cleansing of Streets, Common Shores, and the like. 16. That the said Fathers of the Poor be empowered to sand such Refractory Poor as they shall think fit, to serve in his Majesties Plantations, taking Security for their comfortable Maintenance during their Service, and for their Freedom afterwards. 17. That all the Poors Rates in England, be Collected as formerly, by the Church-Wardens of each Parish, and by them quarterly paid in, to the Treasury of the said Corporation, as a recompense for their Providing for the Poor, and freeing the Nation from Beggars. 18. That the Million Subscribed be always kept entire, as a Security to Indempnify the Nation against the charge of the Poor, and the Income and Profits be only divided amongst the Subscribers. 19. That the Treasure of the said Corporation be accounted as Sacred, and that it be Felony to Imbezel, Lend, Convert, or Apply the same to any other Use, than maintaining the Poor, or carrying on the Business of the Fishery. 20. That the said Fathers may buy up, when cheap, a certain quantity of Corn, Coals, &c. yearly, and lodge the same in their Granaries, for the use of the Poor, but not make merchandise of them, or sell them again in England. 21. That the Stock in the said Fishery, be not chargeable with any Rates Duties, or Impositions whatsoever. 22. That Debts due to the Fishery, for Goods by them, bona fide Sold and Delivered, take pference of all others, except those due to the King. 23. That all Persons may Fish as formerly, and Sell what they catch in England, but none Export any Fish but the National Fishery, without paying them 〈◇〉 per Cent. 24. That his Majesty may be Addressed to grant Leases to the said National Fishery, of all Wasts and Derelict Lands; and that they may be empowered to recover to their own use all such Lands as have lain Ten or more Years under Water. Lastly, That all Powers, privileges, Benefits and Advantages, allowed by the Dutch, French, Spanish, Venetians, Flanderkins or Hamburghers, to Fishermen, or Merchants Trading in Fish, may be enjoyed by the said Corporation, together with such other Immunities as shall be thought convenient. D. Av mary Sir, by this method you might out-fish us in good earnest; but give me leave to observe, First, That should you go about to Employ your Beggars in such Laborious and unpleasant Business as is mentioned in the Fifteenth Article, the better half of your Ramblers would be frighted back to their Rural Employments, and betake themselves to so much Christ and Industry, as to Maintain themselves without your Assistance. Secondly, That there are few Beggars so Old and Decrepit, but that they are Able to do some Work or other, especially such as Braiding or Beeting Nets, making Swills and Baskets cutting Corks, casting Leads, making Norsells, Spinning Twine, Gipping and Speeting Herrings picking Oakum,, and the like. Yea the very Blind may be useful in turning Wheels: Although their Earnings at such Works should be but small, yet if they be constant, it will more then pay for their Maintenance. Thirdly, Not to mention the Profit that would immediately accrue, by letting out sturdy Beggars, of both Sexes, for performing the business in the said Fifteenth Article mentioned; yet, if according to the Twelfth, Girls be obliged to serve the Corporation till they are One and Twenty, and Boys till Twenty four Years of Age; in that time ( such as live) will earn above ten times as much as the char of Breeding and Instructing them; which makes me conclude, that the Parliament of England will never grant both the great Benefit of Employing the Poor, together with the Poors-Rate, ( which in the latter end of the Reign of King Charles the 2d, came to (h) Essay on Ways and Means, Fol. 77. 665362 l. Sterling, per Ann. and now amounts to much more) to any Corporation or set of men whatsoever. E. Allowing your first Observation true, Would it not still be much better for England, then that Idleness should continue to suck the Breasts of Industry; and that such as are able to Work should live upon the public, without return of Labour for their Bread. As for your second Observation, it's Answered, that a Constant Employment of such Impotent Poor, will not only be a continual ease and comfort to them, by amusing and diverting them, from thinking of their Poverty and other Miseries, but in some measure be a re-peopling of us too, by adding so many lost Hands to the Service of the public. Again, Granting your third Observation true, yet it is as true, that it is as much more Charity to put the Poor in a way to live by honest Labour, than to maintain them Idle, as it is to set a Man's broken Leg that he may go himself, rather than always to carry him. Now such Boys as are the Corporations Prentices, being in the Fishing Seasons employed at Sea, and at other times working on Shore, at that of the said Thirty four Trades relating to the Fishery to which they were bound, when their times are Out, will all of them be able to get a Livelihood either at Sea or Land; and if to render them, more capable of Serving our Country, the Corporation ( at four a Clock each Saturday in the Afternoon) should cause them when ( on Shore) to Muster and Exercise, ( altho' only with Staves) and for Diversion to play at Cudgels or Fence, and Reward the Conquerors with Liberty of wearing a small Ribbon, whose distinguishing Colour of read, Blew, &c. should Entitle them to be called Captains, Lieutenants, &c. by the rest of their fellow Servants, till next weeks Trial of Skill; how soon would Emulation beget Address? and what a Treasure and Strength to England would such a Sea Militia be always ready for Service both by Sea and Land, and yet no charge to the Nation till actually in it. And as for your Conclusion, should our Parliament think the Concessions too great for such a Corporation, they might easily balance the Scale, either by limiting the Subscriptions to such as were ranted as Gentlemen, or higher in the first Poll Tax, allowing them to Subscribe in proportion only to what they paid, or else( as in the Business of the New East-India Company) the Charter may be granted to such Subscribers as shall advance to the Government a Loan of .... Pounds, at 6 l. per Cent. Interest. D. Were all this done, Where will you find a set of honest men to manage the Business in England. E. In Amsterdam you have your Church-Wardens, Directors of your Dulhouse, of your Rasp-house, of your Spin-house, of your Old-Mans-house, &c. Commissioners of your Cleyne Saeker, of your Levant Trade, of your Zea Saeken, &c. also your Vroedschap, your Schepens, and your Burgemasters, all which are places of far more Trouble than Profit, yet ( being the usual steps to Preferment) are most an end officiated without Reproach: Not for that the Dutch are honester Men then their Neighbours, but because such as are found Tardy in any of these Employments, are barred all future hopes of Advancement: And should our Parliament Address his Majesty to prefer in the Custom-house, Excise, &c. such as had well behaved themselves in the Fishery; and make Breach of Trust therein to Incapacitate men for .... Years, from serving the Government in any Employment either Military or Civil( how small Wages soever the Corporation allowed) they would never want good Servants, that volunteer like would vie with each other, who should best serve their Country, by most promoting its Fishery. D. Well, When the English settle such a National Fishery, as my Grandfather abandoned Antwerp when its Trade began to decay, and removed to Amsterdam, so I'll bid adieu to t'Vaderlandt, and Remove to England, in the Interim farewell. CONCLUSION. SEeing a National Fishery may be rendered of such mighty advantage to our Country, and that the way to all this Wealth and Happiness, is neither hedged up with Thorns, nor hidden from us in the Dark; But so natural and facile, that by only a Frugal and Industrious Management of Affairs, ( without quarreling with our Neighbours) we may quickly become Sole Masters of the Fishing Trade. For shane let not English-men longer say, Prov. 26.18. with Solomon's slothful, ☞ There is a lion in the Way.