THE ROYAL FISHERY 111 



The Commissioners for Customs on June 12th, 1676, gave 

 their report on the proposed patent for the erection of a 

 royal fishery. They had many objections to offer ; they 

 saw no reason why a company should be erected " for such 

 sorts of fishing as are already in good use and practice by 

 his Ma's subjects " ; neither could they understand why 

 privileges should be allowed a company to carry on trades 

 already well carried on without them, to the great dis- 

 couragement and prejudice of those already engaged. Such 

 as were already engaged would, in fact, be compelled either 

 to join the company or to abandon their business. The terms 

 of admission to the company and its various rules and bye-laws 

 were, they thought, not sufficiently clear and definite, while 

 freedom from customs was contrary to all laws dealing 

 with trade and navigation. They feared, moreover, that 

 the proposed bye-laws of the company allowed an inlet 

 to foreigners, since the ships of the company might be 

 entirely manned by such persons. It was not even stipu- 

 lated, they pointed out, that foreigners employed by the 

 company should live in Britain, or that vessels must be 

 victualled and equipped there. 



So far as regarded the gratuity to be granted hi respect 

 of each vessel belonging to the company, they objected that 

 there was no obligation that these vessels should bring their 

 fish to England and land it there ; thus not only might the 



trade by the name of the Company of the Royall ffishery in perpetuity, with 

 the several! Powers, Priviledges, and immunityes hereunto annexed and 

 such other Powers, Priviledges, and immunityes and in such full and 

 comprehensive Clauses for the good government and Regulations of 

 the said Company as are fitt and usuall in Charters of like nature. 

 And you are to insert therein a Declaracon that wee, Our heires, and 

 successors will alwaies have the said Company under our speciall Protection. 

 And for so doing this shall be your warrant. 



Given at our Court at Whitehall, the day of May, in the 28th yeare 

 of our Raigne, 



To our trusty and well-beloved 

 Our Attorney General 



By his Maies. comand. 



