460 



THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



for peace, a word or two must be said of some of the minor 

 events and consequences of the war. During its continuance 

 the fisheries of England, and still more those of the United 

 Provinces, suffered severely. In January 1665, before war 

 was declared, but when it was obvious it might break out 

 at any moment, the States-General laid an embargo on the 

 fisheries and on all shipping, a measure which, it was re- 

 ported in England, furnished them with 30,000 men for their 

 navy. The stoppage of the fishing was a heavy blow to 

 those dependent on it, and advantage was taken of the fact 

 by the English, who tempted the Dutch fishermen by offer- 

 ing licenses, for a nominal payment, which would enable 

 them to fish notwithstanding the war. The States of Holland, 

 however, forbade the acceptance of the obnoxious licenses, " con- 

 sidering that it might be of very dangerous consequence, as 

 making the inhabitants of these countries indirectly tributary 

 to the King of England"; and the treasurer of the herring 

 fishery at Maassluis, who had purchased some of them, was 

 severely censured and forbidden to make use of them. Not- 

 withstanding this patriotic resolution, it appears that private 

 cupidity in some cases prevailed, and a few licenses were 

 accepted in the following year. One of these, dated 21st 

 November 1666, was granted on the petition of one, Gisbert 

 Petersen, of "Scheveling" (Scheveningen), the captain of 

 the " sailing waggons " of the Prince of Orange, who " wafted " 

 the king on board his fleet at the Restoration. It gave him 

 authority, in his vessel, the Young Prince of Orange, "to 

 fish in any part of our seas, not being within . . . leagues 

 of land," and to carry the fish which were caught to Holland ; 

 and in certain circumstances he was to have the freedom of 

 English ports. The Scandinavian name of the recipient, and 

 the circumstances recited, throw doubt on the genuineness of 

 < the case. The license was renewed on 7th June 1667. 1 



A much more interesting concession for fishing in all parts 

 of the British seas, irrespective of distance from shore, was 

 granted by Charles in the same year, though not to subjects 



1 Groot Placaet-Boeck, inhoudende de Placaten cnde Ordonnantien van de H. M. 

 Heeren Staten Generael der Vereenighde Nederlanden, iii. 291-293. Resol. Holl., 

 IC85, 24, 59, 78, 210, 383. State Papers, Dom., cxiv. 104. Ibid., Warrant Book, 

 18, p. 213 ; 23, pp. 283, 475. Ibid., clxxviii. 172. 



