320 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



the Spanish Ministers had also been informed, and did not 

 well relish it. 1 



This despatch, sent by express messenger, appears to have 

 somewhat surprised the Earl. His clear intelligence must 

 have told him -that a tortuous and fatuous proceeding of this 

 kind could only end by making the king ridiculous. He 

 apparently wished Charles to reconsider the matter, and asked 

 for further directions. Ignoring part of Windebank's letter, he 

 inquired how Captain Fielding, whom he intended to send, 

 should behave himself if the fishermen proved obstinate and 

 refused the licenses ; and he pointed out that if they accepted 

 them and the king resolved they should be convoyed home, it 

 would need a large number of ships, as the busses returned in 

 small fleets. 2 Windebank two days later repeated the instruc- 

 tion that, if they refused, the fact was to be immediately noti- 

 fied, when the king would take further resolution. " The truth 

 is," he said, "his Majesty in this present conjuncture is not 

 willing to proceed so roundly with them as he hath done here- 

 tofore, and therefore thinks fit to hold this way of inviting 

 them fairly to acknowledge his right without sending his 

 whole fleet, which would be a manifest engagement and obliga- 

 tion to him in honour to perfect the work upon any conditions, 

 and notwithstanding any opposition whatsoever, and might be 

 of dangerous consequence, and destructive to the present condi- 

 tion of his affairs. And therefore he chooses rather to attempt 

 it with as little noise as may be, that if the business take not 

 in this way it may receive the less blow, and in case of their 

 refusal he may have time deliberately to consider what resol- 

 ution to settle. " 3 



At this time Charles was very anxious to be on good terms 

 with the States. Van Beveren, the special Dutch ambassador, 

 who was returning home, was very cordially received by him 

 on taking his leave on 16th July. The king then insisted on 

 the States entering the alliance, and he expressed his pleasure 

 at the courtesies which had been shown to the Prince Elector. 

 Besides the usual gifts on such occasions, Van Beveren tells us 



1 Windebank to the Earl of Northumberland, 3rd July 1637. State Papers, 

 Dom., ccclxiii. 21. 



2 Northumberland to Windebank, 4th July. Ibid., ccclxiii. 28. 

 * Windebank to Northumberland, 6th July. Ibid., ccclxiii. 41. 



