CHARLES I. I THE NAVY 305 



had been considered by commissioners to be appointed by both 

 sides. 1 In his audience with Charles, Joachimi avoided the 

 long juridical arguments which used to tire the patience of 

 King James. He laid stress on the close connection of the 

 fishery question, so dear to the United Provinces, and the res- 

 toration of the Palatinate, in which the States might be able 

 to afford valuable aid ; expatiated on the long and close friend- 

 ship that had existed between England and the Netherlands ; 

 and depicted in moving terms the poverty and hard life of 

 the poor fishermen. But it was all in vain. Charles declared 

 that to ask him to abdicate his sovereignty of the sea was as 

 absurd as if Spain should ask him to give up Ireland ; and he 

 added probably with the knowledge that the States-General 

 had commissioned Graswinckel to answer Selden (see p. 375) 

 that the publication of books in France, Spain, and the Nether- 

 lands, contesting his rights, made it necessary for him to 

 vindicate his sovereignty with all the more strength. The 

 same attitude was maintained in a formal paper handed to 

 Joachimi a little later, in reply to his proposals and representa- 

 tions. In this Charles announced his firm intention to control 

 the fisheries in his own seas. He would only permit foreigners 

 to fish there if they accepted his license and " acknowledged " 

 his right, that is, paid tribute. The request for a conference of 

 commissioners to consider the question was rejected. The king 

 could not with honour, it was said, listen to such a proposal. 

 His right had already been publicly confirmed before the whole 

 world, and was sustained and recognised by all the great kings 

 in performing homage to the fleet at sea, as well as by the 

 Dutch themselves, who were very glad of the protection afforded 

 to them. 2 Joachimi had to return to The Hague without hav- 

 ing accomplished anything. 



By another channel influence was brought to bear on the 

 king to induce him to suspend the campaign against the Dutch 

 fishermen. Elizabeth, the widowed Queen of Bohemia and the 

 sister of Charles, resided at The Hague, patiently waiting for 

 some lucky turn in the wheel of fortune which might replace 



1 Aitzema, Sakcn van Staet en Oorlogh, ii. 409. Muller, op. eit., 263. 



2 Joachimi to the States-General, J-J-^Jf, f 9 Sept. 1636. Brit. Mut. Add. MSS., 

 17,677, P, fol. 99, 100. Verbad van Joachimi, 1636. Muller, op. cit., 264. 



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