CHARLES I. I FISHERIES AND RESERVED WATERS 219 



"instructions" 011 the subject by his Secretary for Scotland, 

 Sir William Alexander. 1 



In his instructions the king, after a preamble reciting the 

 abundance of fish on our coasts, the benefit which was reaped 

 by strangers, " to the great disparagement and prejudice " 

 of his loving subjects, declared his "firm resolution" to set 

 up a "commoun fishing to be a nurserie of seamen and to 

 increase the shipping and trade in all parts of his dominions," 

 and added what must have been unwelcome news to the 

 Scottish burghs and people that as it was to be a " common 

 benefit " to all the three kingdoms, so it could not be " dividedly 

 enjoyed" by any one nation in particular. The Council were 

 enjoined to take the matter into serious consideration, and 

 to give their advice and assistance in bringing it to a success- 

 ful issue ; and as it was necessary to raise a " great stock " 

 from adventurers, who would not be drawn into the scheme 

 except by hope of great and immediate gains, an estimate 

 of the outlays and profits was submitted to the Council, show- 

 ing that 200 busses would earn a clear profit of 165,414 

 in a single year, after paying all costs. 2 



1 A eta Parl. Scot., v. 2206. Captain John Mason, who was afterwards appointed 

 "Admiral" of the busses belonging to the society, was apparently originally in- 

 tended to lay the matter before the Council. The draft, in Coke's handwriting, 

 is entitled, " Instructions for Captain John Mason employed by his Majesty to 

 treat with the Lordes of the Privie Council of Scotland about the erection of a 

 general fishing," and is among the State Papers, Dom., clxxx. 101. 



- Acta Parl. Scot., v. 221. This ambitious scheme included the building of 200 

 busses of from 30 to 50 tons each, "for a considerable beginning," besides the em- 

 ployment of the fishing vessels already engaged on the coast which were of suit- 

 able size. These were computed to number about 100 in Scotland and 200 in 

 England (employed at Newfoundland and the north seas), while at least 300 

 " coasters " from Berwick to the Thames might also be made available ; and it 

 \vas suggested that more might be built by the company "in every town," or 

 bought from the Dutch. It was estimated that the cost of building and equipping 

 the 200 busses, including casks, salt, wages, &c., would be 222,586, and that the 

 total return the first year would amount to 388,000, made up as follows : 

 (1) summer herring fishing, 20,000 lasts at 10, equal to 200,000; (2) winter 

 herring fishing, 12,000 lasts at 12, equal to 144,000 ; (3) cod and ling fishing 

 in spring, 1,200,000 fish at 30 a thousand, and 600 tuns of oil at 13, 6s. 8d., 

 equal to 44,000. Several calculations were made about this time as to the cost 

 of equipping herring-busses, the profits to be derived from their use, and the loss 

 I" the realm by the transport of cured fish by the Dutch ; Monson put the latter 

 !'.- at 621,750 per annum. State Papers, Dom., clii. 70, clxxx. 99, ccvi. 52; 

 MS*. Advoc. Lib., 31. 2. 16 ; Brit. Mus. Sloane MSS., 26. The latter is a " Discourse 

 on the Hollanders' Trade of Fishing," by Sir Robert Mansel, of the usual type. 



