APPENDIX 123 



inhabit, and fortifie that excellent Island of Lewis in the 

 Hebrides, under the first pretence of bringing comerce into those 

 remote parts of Scotland. 



Fifthly, by their having upon his Ma.'s seas 20 or 30 shippes 

 of Warr under pretence of securing their fishermen, all which 

 put together may give a just suspition of their further aims, 

 when opportunity shall serve, wch yet if tymely looked into may 

 be prevented and we secured by the increase of our fishing 

 vessels in multitudes and magnitude and by keeping possession 

 therewith on our own seas, limiting strangers to fewre numbers 

 (especially shipps of war) and to payment of the tenth fish or 

 some other tribute. 



4. By adding such strength hereby to all our sea cost and 

 consequently to the whole realm, as will make it easily defensible 

 against any foreign powers, and yet withall by the great increase 

 of our shipping and marriners enable us speedily to invade, 

 offend and surprise our opposers though remote and at great 

 distance, and will therefore also upon any occation of publique 

 contracts render his Matie. more dreadfull to his enemies and 

 helpfull to his friends and allies, which advantage is by knowing 

 men accounted such a rare accomplishment of the grandure of 

 a Prince and ye securrity of his subjects that it alone may well 

 recompenes the whole charge of the undertaking, though all 

 the fish they shall catch were thrown into the sea again, for it 

 is not six hundred thousand pounds that will defray the charges 

 of a warr, whereas such known power offensive and defensive 

 of any kingdome would safely prevent it. But the fishing 

 attaineth this and far sooner and better than shipps of warr 

 and shipps of merchandise, which are thought to marr more 

 seamen than they make, because the easie life of the seamen 

 in the one makes them unwilling to return, and the hard service 

 in the other when it happens takes them off by fighting. A 

 fleet of Bushes is the best school from whence all other shipps may 

 be furnished, in that they are best trained up and made acquainted 

 with those places of danger which abound in our seas ; there 

 they may learne ye principles of navigation and pilotage, and 

 to know the use of tackle and compasse, and in them especially 

 (by reason of their dwelling uppon the seas while their sett 



