CHAPTER III. 



CHARLES I. : THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING. 



It was on account of the known aversion of the Scotch 

 burghers and traders to any scheme for a national fishery 

 which allowed others to participate in benefits which they 

 considered peculiarly their own, that Charles, whose mind 

 was absolutely fixed upon the establishment of this associa- 

 tion, was at considerable pains to draw up, for the informa- 

 tion of the Scottish Estates and the Privy Council, a lengthy 

 statement embodying his views upon the subject. In July, 

 1630, Sir William Alexander, Secretary for Scotland, received 

 instructions to communicate to the various governing bodies 

 of Scotland, the king's wishes concerning the national 

 fishery. 



A letter was sent at the same time to the Privy Council 

 and Estates, in which the king commended the question to 

 them as one worthy of their attention, and stated clearly 

 the end he had in view in inaugurating this scheme — " To 

 the end we may at lenth in joy with more honnour these 

 rights whiche properlie belong to our imperiall crowne and 

 ar usurped by strangers, we have considered of a way which 

 in tyme by gods favour may produce this good effect and 

 also increase our navigation and trade. And becaus this 

 work concerneth equalhe all our three Kingdomes and must 

 thairfoir be undertakin and ordered by commoun counsell 

 and assistance, We have takin this opportunitie of your 

 conventioun at Edinborrow to send our instructiouns to Sir 



