98 CHARLES II. 



crease the number of the seagoing population and thus create 

 a reserve of seamen, was a means to the desired end. He, 

 therefore, resolved to revive the Association for the Fishing, 

 and on August 22nd, 1661, appointed James, Duke of York, 

 along with numerous other noblemen and officers of state, 

 as the Council of the Royal Fishing of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, with powers and privileges identical with those 

 held by the Council of the Royal Fishery of the time of 

 Charles I. 1 1 



The new company, however, was granted some further privi- 

 leges. For seven years its fishing vessels were to pay no 

 duties to the customs, while, to ensure that there should be a 

 demand for its fish, all victuallers were to be compelled to buy 

 yearly from one to four barrels of herring, at the fixed price of 

 30s. per barrel. Those who invested money in the company 

 were assured that the risk of loss was slight, since special 

 attention was to be given by the authorities to the provision 

 of an adequate convoy for the fishing vessels. 2 In response, 

 moreover, to a special request by the Council for the Fishery, 

 the lottery of the Royal Oak was granted them for three 

 years, 3 while, as a public recognition of the fact that the 

 Council was about to enter upon the performance of a national 

 service, orders were given that a collection should be made 

 in the churches throughout the various counties of England, 

 so that funds might be provided for the erection of wharfs, 

 docks, storehouses and the buildings necessary for the work 

 of the company. 4 



The king, in connection with this collection, interested 

 himself so far on behalf of the Royal Fishery as to issue 

 a special appeal to his people, commending the project to 

 their liberality, since it aimed at giving employment to the 

 poor through the revival of an industry of the utmost 



1 Cal. S.P. Dom. Car. II., vol. 40, No. 75. 



z lbid. vol. 40, No. 75. 3 Ibid. vol. 86, No. 104. 



*Ibid. vol. 40, No. 75. 



