UNDER THE STUARTS: JAMES 1. : A NEW POLICY 151 



of England was regarded with much concern. Early in June 

 the proclamation was discussed by the States of Holland, and 

 it was resolved that as the interference with the liberty of 

 fishing was contrary to the treaties between England and the 

 Netherlands, the States-General should maintain their right 

 to fish off the British and Irish coasts. 1 This resolution was 

 confirmed on the same day by the States-General, and it was 

 decided to make representations against putting the proclama- 

 tion into force. The herring-fishing, as previously described, 

 began in June at Shetland, and was prosecuted down the east 

 coast to Yarmouth, where the busses were usually to be found 

 in September. There was therefore not much time to lose. 

 Sir Noel Caron, the Dutch ambassador in London, had several 

 interviews on the subject with the Earl of Salisbury and with 

 James himself. Lord Salisbury, who was believed by Caron 

 to be the real author of the scheme, held out little hope of an 

 amicable settlement. But the good-natured king, who loved 

 peace even more than he loved his prerogative, was. more con- 

 ciliatory. He explained to Sir Noel that the proclamation was 

 for the purpose of introducing better order into the fishery, 

 and to make manifest to the world the authority and power 

 which he had on the sea, 2 and was not meant in any way to 

 wrong the States, either by hostile force or otherwise. The 

 French Government had in the meantime moved in the matter. 

 At first nothing was said to our ambassador at Paris about the 

 proclamation, and he thought it " no wisdom " to speak about 

 it to them unless they raised the question. This they did 

 later, either on account of the French fishermen or at the in- 

 stigation of the Dutch, and a year's respite was granted. 3 



1 Muller, Mare Clausum, Bijdruye tot de Gcschiedenis der Rivaliteit van Engeland 

 en Nederland in de Zeventiende Eeuw, p. 52. Bosgoed, Bib. Pise., 347. Resolutien 

 . . . van Vergaderinge van de Heeren Staten van Hollandt ende West-Yrieslandt, 



j2 June 1 609. " Ter Generaliteyt 's lands recht voorstaan ter saake van het Engelsch 



placaat op het visschen op de kusten en zeeeu van Groot Brittaunien en Yrland." 



2 " Ende oic Sijne authoriteyt efl umcht die hy in die See heeft voir de werelt 

 manifest te maecken." 



3 Sir George Carew to Salisbury, 20th June 1609. Acknowledges his lordship's 

 letter, " according the request made by the ffr. Aiub>' for one year's Respite longer 

 for the ffishers of this nation," and expressing his pleasure that other considerations 

 of state so fell out ns to give his Majesty cause to grant them that favour, " for it 

 is like to increase the amity of the two crowns." 



