London, and the Dependencyes upon the River of Thames, near half a
Million perchance, in the price of Cole; for there would never have wanted
••eamen, to carry on the War, and the Colliery together.
It would be endlesse to run through all the Particulars; How it begets
Commerce; Fills His Majesties Coffers; Peoples his Dominions; and conse∣quently
raises the price of Land; Enriches the Merchant, both by Expertati∣on,
and Importation; and the Trades-man, by setting all hands to work: for
it is remarkable, that 10000l. adventure in the Fishery, Employs more people,
then 50000l. in any other Trade whatsoever, Clothing Excepted. It Excites
Industry, and Clears us of Loyterers, and Beggars. Insomuch, that Ordina∣ry
Servants make themselves fortunes, by working of Netts, at spare hours, and
adventuring them in the Fishery.
Let it not be Imagin'd that I speak all this without book, for I have my
Calculation of the profit of it, and other advantages, from Sir Walter Rawleigh,
Sr. John Burrowes, and many other learned, and Experienced Authors, who
computed the yearly value, at above ten millions, when the Dutch had
not half the number of Busses which now they have.
Bur be the profit more or lesse, rather then differ upon that point, we'l cast all
our Millions into the Sea again, and yet set up the Fishery, though we
should trade to Losse: for it seems to me, of so absolute a Necessity to this Na∣tion,
that (humanely speaking) we cannot well, or long subsist without it.
If we let our Navigation fall, we are Lost; and how to support, and sup∣ply
it, without the Fishery, I do not Comprehend; The Man of War, and
Merchant-man, consume▪ Seamen, and I••reed. none. The Collier brings up, now
and then an: Apprentice, but still spends more then he makes. The only
(and the Common) Nursery of Seamen is the Fishery; where euery Busse brings up
(it may be) 6. 8. or. 10. new men every Year; so that our Fishery is just as
Necessary to our Navigation, as our Navigation. is to our safety, and well-being.
And it is well enough observed, that All Princes and States, are
stronger or Weaker, at Sea, according to the Measures of their Fishery.
Nor is it only for the Number of Seamen that we are indebted to the Fish∣ery,
but for the value of them also, for there never were braver Officers in the
world, then those that have been Trayn'd up in That School, as any man that de∣sires
to be better informed, may easily satisfie himself.
Nay, if they were only to be Employ'd as Pilots, their services would
more then Countervail the Charge: for their busynesse lyes where our Dan∣genlyes:
They know all the Rocks and shelves; and there's no Coasting with∣out
them. How many brave shipps have we stranded, for want of a pittyfull
Fisherman abord, to forewarn us of the Danger? yes, and I have heard it.
Confidently sayd, that even since this last War with the Dutch, a great part
of His Majestyes Fleet Royall had like to have perished upon the same score.
Neither can we pretend so much as to Pilot a great shipp out of the River,
without a Fisherman.