His Majesties propriety, and dominion on the Brittish seas asserted together with a true account of the Neatherlanders insupportable insolencies, and injuries, they have committed; and the inestimable benefits they have gained in their fishing on the English seas. As also their prodigious and horrid cruelties in the East and West-Indies, and other places. To which is added an exact mapp, containing the isles of Great Britain, and Ireland, with the several coastings, and the adjacent parts of our neighbours: by an experienced hand.

The inestimable Riches and Com∣modities of the Brittish Seas

THe Coasts of Great Brittain do yield such a continual Sea-har∣vest of gain, and benefit to all those that with diligence do labour in the same, that no time or season in the year passeth away without some appa∣rent means of profitable imployment, especially, to such as apply themselves to Fishing, which from the beginning of the year unto the latter end, con∣tinueth upon some part of other of our Coasts, and therein such infinite sholes and multitudes of Fishes are offered to the Takers as may justly move admi∣ration, not onely to strangers, but to those that daily be imployed among them.

The Summer-Fishing for Herring, beginneth about Midsummer, and last∣eth some part of August.

The Winter-Fishing for Herring, lasteth from September to the middle of

November, both which extend in place from Boughones in Scotland, to the Thames mouth.

The Fishing for Cod at Alamby, Whir∣lington, and White Haven, near the Coast of Lancashire, from Easter untill Whit∣sontide.

The Fishing for Hake at Aberdenie, Abveswhich, and other places between Wales and Ireland, from Whitsontide to Saint James-tide.

The Fishing of Cod and Ling, about Padstow, within the Land, and of Se∣vern from Christmas to Mid-lent.

The Fishing for Cod and the West-part of Ireland frequented by those of Biscay, Galicia, and Portugal, from the beginnig of April untill the end of June.

The Fishing for Cod and Ling on the North, and North-East of Ireland, from Christmas until Michaelmas.

The Fishing for Pilchers on the West coast of England from Saint James-tide until Michaelmas.

The Fishing for Cod, and Ling upon the North-East of England, from Easter untill Midsummer.

The Fishing of great Staple-Ling, and many other sorts of Fish lying about the Island of Scotland, and in the seve∣ral parts of the Brittish Seas all the year long.

In September, not many years since, upon the Coast of Devonshire, near Mi∣nigal, Five Hundred Tun of Fish were taken in one day. And about the same time three thousand pounds worth of Fish in one day were taken at Saint Ives in Cornwall by small Boats, and other poor provisions.

Our five-men-Boats, and cobles ad∣venturing in a calm to launch out a∣mongst the Holland Busses, not far from Robinhood's Bay returned to Whitbie full fraught with Herrings, and report∣ed that they saw some of those Busses take Ten, Twenty, Twenty four lasts, at a draught, of Herrings, and return∣ed into their own Country with Forty, Fifty, and an Hundred Lasts of Her∣rings in one Buss.

Our Fleet of Colliers not many years since, returning from Newcastle, laden with Coals, about the Well, near Flan∣borough-Head, and Scarborough, met

with such multitudes of Cod, Ling and Herring, that one amongst the rest, with certain ship-hooks, and other like instruments, drew up as much Cod, and Ling in a little space of time, as were sold well near for as much as her whole Lading of Cole. And many Hundred of ships might have been there laden in two dayes and two nights.

Out of which wonderfull affluence, and abundance of Fish swarming in our Seas, that we may the better per∣ceive the infinite gain which Forreign Nations make, I will especially insist upon the Fishing of the Hollanders in our Coasts, and thereby shew how by this means principally they have in∣creased.

• 1. In Shipping.
• 2. In Mariners.
• 3. In Trade.
• 4. In Towns and Fortifications.

• 5. In Power extern or abroad.
• 6. In publick Revenue.
• 7. In private Wealth.
• 8. In all manner of Provisions, and store of things Necessarie.

1. Encrease of Shipping.

BEsides Seven Hundred Strand-Boats, Four Hundred Evars, and Four Hundred Sullits, Drivers and Tod-boats, wherewith the Hollanders Fish upon their own Coasts, every one of those imploying another Ship to fetch Salt, and carry their Fish into other Countries, being in all, Three Thousand Sayle, maintaining and set∣ting on work at least Four Thousand persons, Fishers, Tradesmen, Women and Children; They have One Hun∣dred

Doyer Boats, of One Hundred and Fifty Tuns apiece, or there abouts; Seven Hundred Pinks, and Well-Boats from Sixty to One Hundred Tuns a∣piece, which altogether Fish upon the Coasts of England and Scotland for Cod, and Ling onely. And each of these employ another Vessel for providing of Salt, and transporting of their Fish, making in all One Thousand Six Hun∣dred ships, which maintain and em∣ploy persons of all sorts, Four Thou∣sand at least.

For the Herring-season, they have One Thousand Six Hundred Busses at the least, all of them Fishing onely up∣on our Coasts from Boughonness in Scot∣land to the mouth of Thames. And every one of these maketh work for three other ships that attend her; the one to bring in Salt from Forreign parts, another to carry the said Salt, and Cask to the Busses, and to bring back their Herrings, and the third, to Transport the said Fish into Forreign Countries. So that the Total Num∣ber of Ships and Busses plying the Her∣ring-Fare, is, Six Thousand Four Hun∣dred;

whereby every Busse, one with another, imployeth Forty Men, Ma∣riners and Fishers within her own Hold, and the rest Ten Men a piece, which amounteth to One Hundred Twelve Thousand Fishers and Mari∣ners. All which maintain double, if not treble so many Tradesmen, Wo∣men, and Children a land.

Moreover, they have Four Hundred other Vessels at least, that take Her∣ring at Yarmouth, and there sell them for ready money: so that the Hollan∣ders (besides Three Hundred ships be∣fore-mentioned fishing upon their own shores) have at least Four Thousand Eight Hundred ships only maintained by the Seas of Great Brittain, by which means principally Holland being not so big as one of our shires of England, con∣taining not above Twenty Miles in length, and three in breadth, have en∣creased the number of their shipping, to at least Ten Thousand sayle, being more then are in England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, and Russia. And to this number they add every day, although their Country

it self affords them neither materials, or victual, nor merchandise to be ac∣counted of towards their setting forth.

Besides these of Holland, Lubeck hath Seven Hundred great ships, Hamborough Six Hundred, Embden Fourteen Hun∣dred, whereunto add the ships of Bre∣mer, Biscay, Portugal, Spain, and France, which for the most part fish in our Seas, and it will appear that Ten Thousand sayle of Forreign Vessels and above, are employed and maintained by fish∣ing upon our Coasts. So that in Hol∣land there are built a thousand sayle at the least to supply ship-wracks, and augment their store, which as the Prince, and common Nursery, is the chiefest means onely to encrease their number.

2. Encrease of Mariners.

THe number of ships fishing on our Coasts, as being aforesaid Eight Thousand Four Hundred. If we al∣low

but twenty persons to every Ship one with another, the total of Mari∣ners and Fishers, amounteth to One Hundred sixty eight Thousand, out of which Number they daily furnish their longer Voyages to all parts of the World; for by this means they are not onely enabled to brook the Seas, and to know the use of the Tackles and Compass, but are likewise instructed in the Principles of Navigation, and Pilotage; insomuch as from hence their greatest Navigators have had their Education and breeding.

3. Encrease of Trade.

BY reason of those multitude of Ships and Marriners, they have ex∣tended their Trade to all parts of the World, exporting for the most part in all their Voiages our Herring, and o∣ther Fish for the maintenance of the same. In exchange whereof they re∣turn

the several commodities of other Countries.

From the Southern parts, as France, Spain, and Portugal, for our Herrings they return Oyles, Wines, Prunes, Honie, Wools, &c. with store of Coin in Specie.

From the Straits, Velvets, Sattins, and all sorts of Silks, Alums, Currans, Oyles, and all Grocerie-ware, with much monie.

From the East-Countries for our Herrings, and other French and Italian commodities before returned, they bring home Corn; Wax, Flax, Hemp, Pitch, Tar, Sope-Ashes, Iron, Copper, Steel, Clap-board, Wainscot, Tim∣ber, Deal-board, Dollers, and Hunga∣rie-Gilders.

From Germanie, for Herrings, and other salt Fish, Iron, Steel, Glass, Mil-stones, Renish-wines, Button-plate for Armour, with other Muniti∣on; Silks, Velvets, Rashes, Fustians, Baratees, and such like Frankford-com∣modities, with store of Rix-dollers.

From Brabant they return for the most part ready mony with some Ta∣pestries,

and Hull-shop. Yea, some of our Herring are carried as farr as Braseil.

And that which is more strange and greatly to our shame, they have four hundred Ships with Fish, which our men of Yarmouth, within ken almost at land do vent our Herrings amongst us here in England, and make us pray for the Fish taken upon our own Coast ready mony, wherewith they store their own Country.

4. Encrease of Towns and Forts.

BY this their large extent of Trade, they are become as it were Citi∣zens of the whole world, whereby they have so enlarged their Towns, that most of them within these four hun∣dred years are full as great again as they were before; Amsterdam, Leyden, and Middleburgh having been lately twice enlarged and their steets and buildings so fair, and orderly set forth,

that for beauty and strength, they may compare with any other in the world, upon which they bestow infinite sums of monies, all originally flowing from the bounty of the Sea, from whence, by their labour and industry, they derive the beginning of all that Wealth and Greatness, and particularly for the Ha∣vens of the aforesaid Towns whereof some of them cost forty, fifty, or an hundred thousand pound. Their For∣tifications also both for Number, and strength, upon which they have be∣stowed infinite summs of Money, may compare with any other whatsoever.

5. Encrease of Power abroad.

SUch being then the Number of the Ships and Marriners, and so great their Trade, occasioned principally by their Fishing; they have not onely Strengthened, and Fortified them∣selves at home to repel all Foreign In∣vasions, as lately in the War between

them and Spain; but have likewise stretched their power into the East and West-Indies, in many places whereof, they are Lords of the Sea-Coasts, and have likewise fortified upon the Main, where the Kings and People are at their devotion. And more then this, all Neighbour-Princes, in their differen∣ces, by reason of this their power at Sea, are glad to have them of their party. So that, next to the English, they are now become the most re∣doubted Nation at Sea of any other whatsoever.

6. Encrease of Publick Revenue.

MOreover how mighty the pub∣lick Revenue, and Customes of that State are encreased by their Fish∣ing, may appear in that above thirty years since, over and above the Cu∣stomes of other Merchandize, Excises,

Licenses, Waftage, and Lastage, there was paid to the State, for Cu∣stome of Herring, and other salt-Fish, above three hundred thousand pound in one year, besides the tenth Fish, and Cask paid for Waftage, which com∣eth at the least to as much more among the Hollanders onely, whereto the tenth of other Nations being added, it a∣mounteth to a far greater sum.

We are likewise to know, that great part of their Fish is sold in other Countries for ready monies, for which they commonly export of the finest gold, and silver, and coming home recoin it of a baser allay, under their own stamp, which is not a small means to augment their publick Trea∣sure.

7. Encrease of private Wealth.

AS touching their private Wealth, if we consider the abundant store of Herrings, and other Fish by them taken, and the usual prises that they are sold for, as also the multitude of tradesmen & Artizans, that by reason of this their fishing are daily set on work, we must needs conclude, that the gain thereof made by private men, must of necessity be exceeding great, as by ob∣serving the particulars following will plainly appear.

During the Wars between the King of Spain, and the Hollanders before the last Truce, Dunkirk by taking, spoil∣ing, and burning the Busses of Holland, and setting great ransom upon their Fi∣sher-men, enforced them to compound for great sums, that they might Fish quietly for one year; whereupon the next year after the Fisher-men agreed amongst themselves to pay a Doller upon every last of Herrings, towards the maintenance of certain Ships of War to waft and secure them in their

Fishing, by reason whereof there was a Record kept of the several lasts of Herrings taken that year, and it ap∣peared thereby, that in one half year there were taken thirty thousand lasts of Herrings which at twenty pound per last, amounteth to Three Millions six Hundred Thousand, and at sixteen, twenty, thirty pound the last, they are ordinarily sold, then transported into other Countries, it cometh at least to Five Millions, Whereunto if we add the Herrings taken by other Nations, together with the Cod, Ling, Hake, and the Fish taken by the Hollanders, and other our Neighbours upon the Brittish Coasts all the year long, the totall will evidently arise to be above Ten Millions.

The great Trade of Fishing imploy∣ing so many Men and Ships at Sea, must likewise necessarily maintain as great a Number of Trades-men, and Artizends on Land, as Spinners, and Hemp-winders to Cables, Cordage, Yarn-twine for Nets and Lines, Wea∣vers to make Saile Cloaths, Cecive Packers, Tollers, Dressers, and

Cowchers to sort and make the Her∣ring lawful Merchandise. Tanners to Tan their Sails and Nets; Coopers to make Cask, Block, and Bowl-makers for Ships, Keel-men, and Labourers for carrying and removing their Fish, Sawyers for Planks, Carpenters, Ship-wrights, Smiths, Carmen, Boat-men, Brewers, Bakers, and a number of o∣thers, whereof many are maimed per∣sons, and unfit to be otherwise im∣ployed. Besides the maintenance of all their several wives, and children, and families. And further every man and maid-servant, or Orphant, having any poor stock, may venture the same in their Fishing-Voiages, which affords them ordinarily great encrease, and is duly paid according to the Proportion of their Gain.

8. Encrease of Provisions.

AND to conclude, it is manifest that Holland only affording in it self some few Hops, Madders, Butter and Cheese aboundeth notwithstand∣ing (by reason of this Art of Fishing) in plentiful manner with all kinde of Provisions as well for life, as in Corn, Beef, Muttons, Hides, and Cloaths; as for Luxury, in Wines, Silks and Spi∣ces; and for defence, as in Pitch, Tar, Cordage, Timber. All which they have not onely in competent proporti∣on for their use, but are likewise able from their several Magazines to supply their Neighbour-Countries.

The premises considered, it maketh much to the ignominy and shame of our English Nation, that God and Na∣ture offering us so great a Treasure even at our own doors, we do not∣withstanding neglect the benefit there∣of, and, by paying Money to Stran∣gers

for the Fish of our own Seas, im∣poverish our selves to make them Rich. Insomuch that for want of industry and care in this particular, two hundred twenty five Fisher-Towns are decayed and reduced to extream po∣verty; whereas on the contrary by di∣ligent endevouring to make use of so great a blessing, we might in short time repair these decayed Towns of the Kingdom, and add both honour, strength, and riches to our King and Country, which how easily it may be done, will appear by some few obser∣vations following.

By erecting Two Hundred and fifty Busses of reasonable strength and big∣ness, there will be employment made for a Thousand Ships, and for at least Ten Thousand Fisher-men and Mari∣ners at Sea, and consequently for as many Tradesmen and Labourers at Land.

The Herrings taken by the Busses will afford His Majesty two hundred thou∣sand pound yearly custom outward,

and for commodities returned inward, thirty thousand pound and above.

We have Timber sufficient, and at reasonable rates, growing in our own Kingdom for the building of Busses, every Shire affordeth hardy and able men fit for such employment, who now live poorly and idle at home.

We have Victuals in great plenty sold at easie rates without payment of Excises, or Impost.

Our shores and harbours are near the places where the Fish do haunt.

For drink, or nets, salting and pack∣ing our Fish; and for succour in stress of weather, we may bring our Fish to Land, salt and pack it, and from some part of His Majesties Dominions be at our Markets in France, Spain, or Italy, before the Hollanders can arrive in Hol∣land.

We have means to transport our Fishing into some Northern Coun∣tries,

where the Hollanders sel∣dome or never come. And though we had as many Busses as the Hollan∣ders, yet is there vent for all, or more, for in the East and Northern Coun∣tries, and in many other places, Her∣rings are every days meat, Winter and Summer, as well to draw on drink, as to satisfie hunger, and in most pla∣ces the greatest part of the year they be scarce to be had; for presently after Michaelmas the Sound and Rivers are frozen up, so as no Herrings can be transported into twenty several King∣doms, and free States until July, which is for thirty weeks space together; so that when Lent comes, there are few to be bought for money.

Lastly, since by care and industry we gained from the Flemmings, doubt∣less so by the means we may as easily grow expert in the Art of Fishing, and in time make it a staple-commodity of our own.

But this we shall the better and sooner do, if we consider and endea∣vour to reform certain wants and abu∣ses

which hitherto have hindred us from effecting that good and great work, whereof these that follow are none of the least.

1. General liberty of eating Flesh contrary to old custom, and the Sta∣tute-Laws provided for observing Fish-day, from whence our scarcity and dearth of Fish proceedeth; for where Flesh is ordinarily spent, Fish will not be bought, and want of sale de∣cayeth all Trade, gain being the Nurse of Industry.

2. Want of order and discretion in our Fishing, every man being left to himself and permitted to Fish as best liketh him: whereas amongst the Hol∣landers two of the best experienced Fisher-men are appointed to guide the rest of the Fleet, all others being bound to follow them, and to cast their lines according to their directi∣on.

3. The Hollanders and other Nations set forth with their Busses in June, to

finde the shole of Fish, and having found it, dwell amongst it till Novem∣ber, whereas we stay till the Herring come home to our Rode-steads, and somtimes suffer them to pass by ere we look out, our Herring-Fishing conteining onely seven weeks at the most, and theirs twenty.

4. The Hollanders Busses are great and strong, and able to brook foul weather, whereas our Cobles, Cray∣ers, and Boats being small, and thin sided, are easily swallowed by a rough Sea, not daring to adventure far in fair weather, by reason of their weaknesse for fear of Storms.

5. The Hollanders are industrious, and no sooner are discharged of their lading, but presently put forth for more, and seek for Markets abroad as well as at home; whereas our English after they have been once at Sea, do commonly never return again untill all the money taken for their Fish be spent, and they in debt seeking onely to serve the next Market.

6. The Hollanders have certain Mer∣chants, who, during the Herring-sea∣son do onely come to the places where the Busses arrive, and joyning toge∣ther in several companies, do present∣ly agree for the lading of thirty or for∣ty Busses at once, and so being dis∣charged, they may speedily return to their former shipping; whereas our Fisher-men are uncertain of their Chap-men, and forced to spend much time in putting off their Fish by par∣cels.

These and other effects would care∣fully be taken into consideration, and certain orders made to make our Fish∣ing prosperous, and succesful, especial∣ly considering the fearful mischiefs, the neglects hereof hath brought to the King and Kingdom in general, and to many good Towns and Corporations in particular, as by Authority even of Parliament it self in the Statute of 33. Hen. the eight, is plainly testified, which I have summarily here set down, to avoid the prolixity of the o∣riginal.

Because the English Fisher-men dwelling on the Sea-Coasts did leave off their Trade of Fishing in our Seas, and went the half-Seas over, and there∣upon they did buy Fish of Pickards, Flemmings, Normans, and Zelanders, by reason whereof many incommodities did grow to the Realm, viz. the decay of the wealth and prosperity as well of the Cinque-Ports, and Members of the same, as of other Coast-Towns by the Sea-side, which were builded, and inhabited by great multitudes of peo∣ple, by reason of using and exercising, the craft and feat of Fishing. Second∣ly, the decay of a great number of Boats and Ships. And thirdly, the de∣cay of many good Marriners, both able in body by their diligence, labour, and continual exercise of Fishing, and ex∣pert by reason thereof in the know∣ledge of the Sea-Coasts, as well with∣in this Realm as in other parts beyond the Seas. It was therefore enacted, that no manner of Persons English, De∣nizens, or strangers at that time, or a∣ny time after dwelling in England, should buy any Fish of any strangers in

the said Ports of Flanders, Zealand, Picar∣die, France, or upon the Sea between shoare and shoare, &c.

This Act by many continuances was continued from Parliament to Parlia∣ment, until the first of Queen Marie, and from thence to the end of the next Parliament, and then expired.

For Conclusion, seeing, by that which hath formerly been declared, it evidently appeareth, that the Kings of England, by immemorable prescrip∣tion, continual usage, and possession, the acknowledgment of all our Neigh∣bour-States, and the Municipal Laws of the Kingdom, have ever held the Sovereign Lordship of the Seas of Eng∣land, and that unto his Majesty, by reason of his Sovereignty, the supream command and Jurisdiction over the passage, and Fishing in the same right∣fully apperteineth; considering also the natural Scite of those our Seas that interpose themselves between the great Northern Commerce of that of the whole world, and that of the East,

West, and Southern Climates, and withal the infinite commodities that by Fishing in the same is daily made; It cannot be doubted, but his Majesty, by means of his own excellent Wis∣dom and Virtue, and by the Industry of his faithful Subjects and People, may easily, without injustice to any Prince or Person whatsoever, be made the greatest Monarch for Command and Wealth, and his People the most opu∣lent and Flourishing Nation of any o∣ther in the world. And this the ra∣ther, for that his Majesty is now abso∣lute Commander of the Brittish Isle, and hath also enlarged his Dominions over a great part of the Western In∣dies; by means of which extent of Em∣pire, (crossing in a manner the whole Ocean) the Trade and persons of all Nations (removing from one part of the world to the other) must of neces∣sity first, or last, come within compass of his power and jurisdiction.

And therefore the Sovereignty of our Seas, being the most precious Jew∣el of his Majestie's Crown, and (next

under God) the principal means of our Wealth and Safety, all true Eng∣lish hearts and hands are bound by all possible means and diligence to pre∣serve and maintain the same, even with the uttermost hazzard of their Lives, their Goods and Fortunes.

Thus you see what wonderous ad∣vantages may redound to the Felicity, and Glory of this Nation, if God give hearts and resolutions to vindicate those rights which are now most im∣piously and injuriously invaded.

There is also another Dominion of the Sea belonging to the King of Great Brittain, and that of a very large Ex∣tent upon the Shore of America, as on the Virginian Sea, and the Islands of the Barbadoes and Saint Christophers and ma∣ny other places; but how farr our Eng∣lish Colonies Transported into Ame∣rica, have Possessed themselves of the Sea there, is not exactly as yet disco∣vered.