TRADE AND MARKETS. 143 



England V The notion under which the Act was subsequently 

 defended, that it was a stimulant to English shipping and 

 English commerce, did not enter into Smith's mind. 



The Act provided that no merchandise of Asia, Africa or 

 America, including the English plantations, should be imported 

 into England in any but English-built ships, belonging to 

 English or English plantation subjects, navigated by English 

 commanders, and manned by crews of which at least three- 

 fourths were Englishmen. The Act did not hinder European 

 vessels from frequenting English ports with the produce of 

 their own country, and exporting English goods in exchange. 

 It was aimed at the carrying trade of the Dutch, and at that 

 only, and it dealt severely with infringements of the Act. To 

 the remonstrances of the Dutch the Parliament answered with 

 claims, in which were included grievances old and new. It 

 should be added that this famous Act was by no means ac- 

 ceptable in England, as it raised freights considerably, and 

 even diminished supplies. In their animosity to the Dutch, 

 the Parliament even contemplated schemes which it was hoped 

 might damage or ruin the Dutch woollen manufactures. 



War broke out between England and Holland. It was a 

 merely naval war, and lasted for two years only. But it was 

 in the highest degree disastrous to Holland, and was the 

 beginning of its decline. The English for a time became the 

 greatest naval power in Europe, and though during the dis- 

 graceful days of Charles they lost their reputation on sea, they 

 recovered it at the battle of La Hogue, and have retained it 

 ever since. Peace was concluded with Holland in April 1654, 

 and the differences between the Dutch and English East India 

 Companies were settled at least on paper. 



The war with Holland over, Cromwell, now the actual ruler 

 of the three kingdoms, determined on attacking Spain. His 

 motive, beyond doubt, was that which influenced public men 



1 Wealth of Nations, book iv. chap. a. Sec for the suggestion of such an Act, 

 as means of crippling the English mercantile marine in the fifteenth century, vol. 

 644. 



