488 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



expressly acknowledged in the treaty of Breda; and yet this 

 last summer it was not only violated by their commanders at 

 sea, and that violation afterwards justified at The Hague, but it 

 was also represented by them in most Courts of Christendom 

 as ridiculous for us to demand. An ungrateful insolence ! 

 That they should contend with us about the dominion of these 

 seas, who, even in the reign of our royal father, thought it an 

 obligation to be permitted to fish in them, by taking of licenses 

 and for a tribute." Notwithstanding all these provocations, the 

 king continued, he had patiently waited expecting satisfaction. 

 To the memorials sent to them they had at last replied to this 

 effect: "That in this conjuncture they would condescend to 

 strike to us, if we would assist them against the French ; but 

 upon condition that it should never be taken for a precedent 

 hereafter to their prejudice." The concluding negotiations were 

 mendaciously summarised by saying that after the return of 

 Downing the States-General sent over an extraordinary ambas- 

 sador, who declared he could give no satisfaction till he had 

 consulted his masters. " Wherefore," said the king, " despairing 

 now of any good effect of further treaty, we are compelled to 

 take up arms in defence of an ancient prerogative of our crown, 

 and the glory and safety of our kingdoms." 



Louis' declaration of war, of fewer words and greater dignity, 

 followed ; arrangements were completed for the union of the 

 English and French fleets, and no difficulty was made about the 

 salute. Charles, while taking so high and imperial a tone in 

 the declaration of war about the ancient and sacred rights of 

 the English flag, immediately relinquished them to his royal 

 ally and paymaster. For the first time in history the French 

 fleet was put on an equality with the English in the British 

 seas. Orders were issued that if an English squadron under 

 a vice-admiral was sent to the Mediterranean to be commanded 

 by a French admiral, the latter was to be saluted in the same 

 manner as he was saluted by French vice-admirals. When an 

 English frigate was sent to Brest with a despatch for the 

 Comte d'Estrees, the Vice -Admiral of France, it was ordered 

 if it met the French squadron appointed to join the English 

 fleet to salute them as if they were English ships, and to treat 

 the French Vice-Admiral as if he were English. Charles sent 

 similar commands to the Governors of Portsmouth, Dartmouth, 



