468 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



General that he had received this mark of deference to his 

 royal dignity with singular satisfaction, and that he on his 

 part would order his admirals and commanders to re-salute the 

 States' flag. Temple thought the matter was so "ticklish," 

 that it ought to be first broached verbally at a fitting oppor- 

 tunity; and De Witt, in advising the Dutch ambassadors in 

 London to this effect, reminded them that the salute was 

 merely a mark of honour and respect, and that if anything 

 was put into writing this should be expressed. He added 

 that he had never been able to understand how it could be 

 conceived that the free element of the sea, or dominion over 

 it, could belong to England or to any nation, and that in 

 Holland the common right of sovereignty of all nations over 

 it was held to be incontestable. 



When, about a month afterwards, the ambassadors spoke to- 

 the king, he said he did not see how the question could be 

 ambiguous, since it was provided for in the treaty. They 

 pointed out that the re-salute was not mentioned, and then 

 used the arguments which De Witt had put into their mouths 

 about its being a ceremony of respect which it would be only 

 reasonable and courteous to return, just as his Majesty would 

 do, sitting on his throne, in response to the salutations of the 

 ambassadors of the Republic ; and they adduced one or two- 

 instances in which the English ships had returned the salute. 

 Charles told them they were possibly thinking of the custom 

 in the Mediterranean, which was different from all the other 

 seas (meaning the British seas), and said he claimed nothing 

 but the old practice ; but he promised to look into the matter.. 

 The ambassadors did not press the subject further, and the 

 important declaration they had been charged to make, that in 

 future the States' ships would refuse to strike unless the salute 

 was returned in the same way, remained unspoken. Shortly 

 afterwards, when the States were asked to send some of their 

 warships to strengthen the squadron of Sir Thomas Allin, who 

 was ordered to enforce the restitution of some English vessels 

 seized by the French, they refused, unless the difficulties about 

 the flag were first settled, and the discussion continued through- 

 out the summer. 



It is interesting to note, in view of the antecedents of the 

 next war, that the ambassadors were instructed to say that the 



