1653.] CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 55 



gions farther to the north, and even took shelter 

 among the ice. This island, in consequence, fell 

 rapidly into disuse, until it was at length, for the 

 purpose of whale-fishing at least, abandoned alto- 

 gether. 



The Dutch being at war with England in 1653, 

 and having neither men nor ships of war to spare for 

 the protection of their whale-fishery, this lucrative 

 branch of commerce was obliged, for the season, to 

 be suspended. In the war of 1659, as well as in that 

 of 1665 and two following years, the fishery was also 

 conditionally prohibited. As at such times their 

 unemployed fishing officers might be induced to en- 

 gage in the service of foreign nations, and thus carry 

 the trade abroad to the disparagement of their 

 own country, a proclamation was issued, prohibit- 

 ing, under severe penalties, all commanders, har- 

 pooners, boat-steerers, &c. from embarking in the 

 whale-fishery trade in the ships of any other nation 

 during the war ; the exportation of fishing utensils 

 was also prohibited and carefully guarded against ; 

 and such ships as were occasionally allowed to pro- 

 ceed to the fishery, under adequate protection, were 

 prevented from landing their cargoes in any foreign 

 country, under the penalty of 6000 guilders for 

 each ship, security for which was demanded from 

 the owners, before they were allowed to put to sea. 



Beschiyving, vol. i. p. 21. 



