An exact survey of the affaires of the United Netherlands. Comprehending more fully than any thing yet extant, all the particulars of that subject. In twelve heads, mentioned in the address to the reader.

The Advantages that the Dutch•• make, by Fishing on the Coasts of Great Brittain, which by the War they are like to lose.

THe Brittish Seas, especially towards our own Coasts, are so exceedingly productive of Multitudes, or great sholes of good, substantial, and useful Fish, as Ling, ••od, Herrings, Pilchers, &c as that it would seem incredible, should I relate what vast quantities of them are yearly taken by the Dutch, and som∣times with what ease and speed: But the continual experience and testimony of Eye-witnesses, is ground sufficient to confirm the truth thereof.

And hereby they not onely supply themselves with the greatest part of their subsistance and food, but reap such o∣ther General and National advantages, as are equal to the Revenue of a Crown; and may Rationally be assigned as the chief and principal Cause (next to the favour and assistance of the English in

their Infancy) of their present strength and Mightiness

Which the better to evince, I shall both use the Authority, and follow the Method of that knowing and curious Observer, Sir John Burroughs; who in a small Tract of his, written 1633, hath judiciously disposed those fore-said Ad∣vantages into seven Heads or Particu∣lars; viz:

1. Increase of Shipping and Seamen. 2. Traffique. 3. Strong Holds, and Forti∣fications. 4. Power abroad. 5. Publick Revenue. 6. Private, or particular E∣states. 7. Provisions, and store of all things conducing either to their Subsistance or Great∣ness.

1. Increase of hipping and Seamen

ANd here this ingenious Gentleman hath by clear evidence demonstra∣ted, That Holland, which is not above 28 Dutch miles long, and three broad (nothing so large as one single County of England;) a Countrey, that hath of its own growth, and within it self nothing considerable, either of Materials, Victu∣als, or Merchandize; for setting forth of

ships, doth yearly imploy and maintain by Fishing upon our Coasts (besides 3000 Vessels imployed in fishing on their own Coasts) 7 or 8 thousand ships, Herring∣busses, and other Fishing-boats, wherein are set at work above 140000 Fishermen and Mariners; who are hereby bred and inured to the Sea, and fitted for man∣ning and sailing their other shipping in∣to remote Parts, and other services; besides the many thousands of Trades∣men, Women, and Children, which have their dependance on, and subsistance from this Trade: and all this by the in∣dulgence, favour, and sufferance of the English.

2. The increase of Trade.

The Dutch being by this Fishing∣trade (as it were) born and bred upon the Sea, cannot (or hardly do) live else∣where; but disperse themselves in tra∣ding Voyages throughout the whole World: And our Fish, especially our Herring, being approved, and of gene∣ral use for food throughout Europe, is the onely Commodity whereby they furnish themselves with the richest Merchandi∣zes (yea and Coyn to boot) of all other

Countreys. Nay tis no small summe of money that they yearly carry out of England it self, for this its own Commo∣dity; a thing shameful to the English Nation, and not to be excu••ed. That when God and Nature hath offered them so great a Treasure, even at their own door, they notwithstanding, for want of Industry (to say no worse) neg∣lect the benefit thereof; and by paying money to strangers for the Fish of their own Seas, impoverish themselves to make them rich, and so the more dangerous Neighbours.

3. Strong Holds and Fortifications.

By this their greatness of Trade, and the dependency of the whole people up∣on that onely, their Cities and Towns (which are for the most part Maritine, and conveniently seated for Commerce) are by a continual Concourse exceed∣ingly populated, and (which is conse∣quent) much enlarged, and beautified in their Buildings, and (as all great mo∣neyed mens houses) strongly fortifyed, for the defence of themselves, and sub∣stance

from the violence of Neighbours. This we find confirmed by the late en∣largment of Leyden, Middleburgh, and Amsterdam, by the Strength, Convenien∣cy, and Costliness of their Ports and Ha∣vens, by the strong and regular Fortifi∣cations of all their Towns; but especi∣ally by the late Magnificent and Sump∣tuous Piles at Amsterdam.

4. Increase of Power abroad.

Nor is it onely at home that they thus streng hen themselves, but being by their largness of Traffique (as it were) Citi∣zens of the World, and having so great number both of Ships and Mariners, they Plant and strongly Fortifie them∣selves in other more remote parts of the World. Nay they have by this means extended their Power so far in the East-Indies, as that in many places they keep both King and People at their devotion: And tis by some conceived, that they are in that part of the World as considera∣ble as they are at home, both for their own defence, and for offending their Enemies.

5. Publich Revenue.

What enlargement of the Publick Re∣venue by their Fishing trade, may easily be calculated, by the quantity of the Fish by them taken: and it appears up∣on Records for that end kept, that they have taken in one year between 40 and 50 thousand last of Herrings onely, (besides Ling, ••od, and other Fish;) which after the usual Rate they are sold at, comes to 10000000l. the Custom and other Duties arising from them to the State in their Exportations, amounting to between 500 and 600 Thousand pounds; besides the Revenue arising from the Merchandizes Imported in ex∣change of these Fish.

6. Private Estates.

And it must necessarily follow, That where the Trade is so large, and the Commodity of so certain sale and gene∣ral use (necessity I may say to some Countreys) and purchased at so easie Rates, and Private men, or the people in general exercise this Trade, those Pri∣vate men so trading, must (I say) needs grow rich and wealthy, and we know

they are so: Whereunto I shall add the great benefit arising from the Imploy∣ment this Trade affords to all sorts of Tradesmen and Artificers, with their Families, that have any relation to ship∣ping, or the Sea; which comprehends almost all Trades whatever.

And equal to this do I esteem the commendable advantage of setting all sorts of poor people at work; not onely the strong and healthy, but even the most impotent, the Lame and the Blind, Old and the Young; insomuch that 'tis a rare thing to see a Beggar in Hol∣land.

7. Store of Provisions.

And Lastly, We find by Experience, that though the Hollander be but little beholding to their own Countrey for the production of any thing considera∣ble for their support; yet do they in return for their Fish, furnish themselves (even to abundance) with all sorts of Provisions necessary for life, conducing to Luxury and Appetite, or requifite for War and Defen••e.

The Premises considered, I cannot understand the sullen perversness of that People, in provoking and quarrel∣ling with the King of Great Brittain; in whose Power it is, if not wholly to damm and choak up this the Fountain, yet strongly to interrupt the Steams and Current; not onely of their Great∣ness, but of their very Being.

But if for their ingratitude to their best friends, who made them what they are, their Treachery and False-hearted∣ness to all their Consederates and Al∣lies, without any regard to their solemn Engagements; their Barbarous and in∣humane Cruelties to all (both Friends and Enemies) where they have gotten Advantage; Divine Justice think it time to call them to account.—Jupiter quos vult perdere dementat prius.