42 ' WHALE-FISHERY. 



common thing for them to procure such vast quan- 

 tities of oil, that empty ships were required to take 

 home the superabundant produce*. Such an impor- 

 tance, indeed, did they attach to this speculation, that 

 the Dutch Companies always solicited, by petition, 

 a renewal of their charter previous to its expiration ; 

 and of such value was it deemed in a national point 

 of view, that for a number of years they were encour- 

 aged, by the fulfilment of their wishes. In 1622, 

 in consequence of a petition to this effect, the char- 

 ter of the Amsterdam Company was renewed for 

 twelve years, and the charter of the Zealand Socie- 

 ty was extended about the same time, whereby the 

 latter were allowed to establish themselves in Jan 

 May en Island, and to erect boiling-houses and coop- 

 erages in common with their associates f . 



The Dutch having now incorporated a consider- 

 able and opulent company, and possessing the en- 

 couragement of the Prince of Orange's commis- 

 sion:]^, they were enabled to protect their own fish- 

 ery, and to secure themselves against interruption 

 from other nations. For which purpose, as appears 



* Beschryving der Walvisvangst, vol. i. p. 28. ; and Church- 

 ill's Collection of Voyages and Travels, vol. ii. p. 471. 



t Beschryving der Walvisvangst, vol. i. p. 7^-10. 



X Maurice de Nassau was Prince of Orange at this time. 



