288 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



bank, clinching his arguments, "what was to be done with 

 the fleet next year if his Majesty declared his neutrality ? 

 it must lie still and do nothing." 1 Apparently the problem 

 of what was to be done with the fleet was not quite solved 

 until the February following, though there had been several 

 tolerably clear indications that one part of its duty at least 

 would be the suppression of unlicensed fishing on the British 

 coasts. Selden's Mare Clausum was issued from the press 

 in December 1635, and it was with great satisfaction that 

 Charles welcomed it (see p. 368). The idea of playing the 

 more distinguished role of Lord of the Sea was not therefore 

 likely to be abandoned because Lindsey's fleet had been able to 

 do nothing. 



At the same time Charles thought he might get some money 

 as well as honour by means of his fleet, and he submitted two 

 propositions to the Lords of the Admiralty for their considera- 

 tion in employing the fleet " for his honour and profit " : first, 

 in "wafting and securing" foreign merchant vessels passing 

 through his seas; second, in protecting all such fishermen as 

 should fish under his license upon his seas and coasts. With 

 reference to the latter suggestion, Sir Henry Marten delivered 

 an elaborate opinion to the Admiralty. He recited how King 

 James, after long and mature deliberation, had satisfied himself 

 and resolved that the fishing " in his seas and upon the coasts 

 of his dominions, did justly appertain unto him as a right 

 incident to his crowns, " and had issued a proclamation declar- 

 ing his title and forbidding unlicensed fishing by foreigners. 

 He also explained that the United Provinces had then sent over 

 commissioners who alleged continued custom and present 

 possession of the fishings, "mentioning withall some treaties 

 that had been heretofore between the Kings of England and 

 the Dukes of Burgundy " in favour of their liberty of fishing. 

 After hearing Sir Henry, the Admiralty expressed a unani- 

 mous opinion that " the right and royalty of that fishing upon 

 your Majesty's coasts doth undoubtedly belong unto your 

 Majesty by inheritance, so as you may justly prohibit or license 

 all strangers at your royal will and pleasure. " They further 

 declared that by reason of his strength at sea, the time was 

 then most fitting to put his claim into execution; and they 

 1 State Papers, Dom., ccxcviii. 63. 





