THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE FISHING 53 



use of the natives being defined as in the charter sent by the 

 king. The charters of the Association having been sealed 

 as Charles had directed, a letter was despatched to him 

 to announce that his instructions had been fulfilled in every 

 detail, that the establishment of the Association, for which 

 he had worked so earnestly, was now accomplished, and that 

 all acknowledged " the king's great grace and favour and 

 care of thair subsistence at hame and imployments abroad 

 for increasse of trading, shipping and seafaring men, as the 

 principall strenth of your Majesties dominiouns." l 



1 Reg. Privy Council, Scotland, vol. iv. (2nd series) pp. 555, 556. 



