CHARLES I. : THE NAVY 303 



that it would be submerged in the more important busi- 

 ness of the alliance. 1 There were other circumstances which 

 led them to think the king would not press his claim to 

 the fishery. One was that the publication of the proclama- 

 tion for restraint of fishing had been delayed, and even its 

 promulgation denied. It seems, indeed, that the opinions 

 of Charles as to his policy on this question were constantly 

 fluctuating, and that he could scarcely make up his mind 

 as to what it were best for him to do. Both the young 

 Elector, his nephew, whom Van Beveren had gained over 

 to his views, and his sister, the Elector's mother and Queen 

 of Bohemia, were against any interference with the Dutch 

 fishermen at that time. It was doubtless with some know- 

 ledge of the state of affairs, that the Earl of Northumber- 

 land inquired in May if the king was still desirous that 

 he should go north against the busses. But in June all 

 scruples had vanished : the instructions were sent to Nor- 

 thumberland and the proclamation was widely disseminated. 

 In the States of Holland the king's edict was discussed at 

 the beginning of June, and it was remitted to a committee, 

 with Joachimi (then in Holland) and the Prince of Orange, 

 for consideration, and to report as to what measures should 

 be taken to protect the interests of the fishermen. The 

 States finally resolved to do two things first, to endeavour 

 by all diplomatic means to get the proposed action of the 

 king delayed, and second, to equip a strong fleet to protect 

 the fishermen by force lest diplomacy failed. 



In these anxious days Van Beveren kept a tireless eye on 

 the English fleet lying in the Downs, and reported to the 

 States-General from time to time anything he learned of its 

 movements or the rumours he heard concerning it. 2 Twelve 

 days before it sailed for the north, he informed them that the 

 general opinion was that it would return to the westwards to 

 look for the French fleet. A few days later he discovered its 

 real destination, and at once demanded an audience of the king. 

 Charles received him very courteously at Windsor on the 

 17th July; assured him that he would treat the Dutch "as 

 friends " ; and explained that the measures to be taken by the 

 fleet were of a peaceful nature, and were intended to benefit 



1 Verbaal van Beveren, 1636-37. Muller, op. cit., 246. 

 * Brit. J/u. Add. MSS., 17,677, P, fol. 67 et $eq. 



