APPENDIX I 763 



wee were all of opinion and are so still, that the Eight and Eoyallty 

 of that fishing upon yo r Ma ts Coastes doth undoubtedly belong 

 unto yo r Majesty by inheritance, so you may iustly prohibit or 

 license all strangers at yo r Royall will and pleasure. 



This being laid for the ground, wee proceeded (according to 

 your Majesty's directions) to the consideration of what was now 

 fitting to be advised unto yo r Majesty vpon this present occasion 

 of yo r strength at sea, and are all of opinion, that this season is 

 most propper again not only to set on foote, but to putt in 

 execucion that yo r Majesty's so iust clayme, so as then there only 

 remayned our consultation de modo. 



In this wee are now much guided by that which yo r Majesty 

 yo r selfe was pleased to declare unto us concerning the protecting 

 of all such fishers as shall take yo r license. For it is most certain 

 that the Hollanders will by no meanes be so much induced (be 

 the right what it will) as by consideracions of their owne proffitt 

 and safety. Wee therefore thought itt (and do most humbly offer 

 it to y r Majesty as our opinion) that vnto the Minister or Ministers 

 of the States residing here, it may be intimated and declared, that 

 yo r Majesty doth no way relinquish that iust right and clayme of 

 inheritance to the Royall fishings, so divolved unto you from yo r 

 Royall Predecessors, but are resolved to defende it as the hereditary 

 right and possession of any other yo r Dominions. Yet least they 

 should think you do now challenge it in a tyme that they have 

 most neede of yo r favor and grace, it may be tolde them, that it 

 is farr otherwise, for whereas yo r Majesty's father did barely offer 

 them licenses, you do now offer them safety and protection w fc all, 

 and that w ch further moved you to do it, in this season, is, that 

 by a third Prince, they are of late interrupted and beaten from 

 that fishing even in sight of yo r Majesty's harbours ; wherein yo r 

 Majesty is prejudiced in honor and Interest, and they in Proffit. 



That it is not vnknown to the States how much their enemies 

 are resolved to interrupt that their fishing, as holding it a most 

 certain way and meanes both to weaken and impoverish them. 



That by taking licenses from yo r Majesty you may justify the 

 drawing yo r sword in their defence, and likewise for the main- 

 tenance of the said licenses against any notwithstanding any 

 league or treaty whatsoever, w ch without that obligation might 

 seeme a breach of that neutrality w ch hitherto yo r Ma*y hath 

 preserved in yo r selfe. 



And lastly wee tooke into consideration that in case the 

 Hollanders shall willfully refuse to take those licenses upon so 

 gracious and fauorable conditions from yo r Majesty then we were 

 all cleere of opinion, that yo r M. should renew and publish the like 

 proclamation to that of the King yo r father, and prosecute the settling 

 of that yo r right as a thing so highly concerning you in honor, 



