THE ENGLISH FISHING SETTLEMENTS. 307 



Chancellor's bedroom, who was lying ill of gout. The 

 gouty Chancellor was the Earl of Dunfermline, Seaforth's 

 father-in-law, and we know by letters from Seaforth and 

 Captain Mason, that Dunfermline did all in his power to 

 further the views of Charles. John Hay violently opposed 

 the scheme, and made a bitter attack on Seaforth for 

 bringing the Dutchmen to Lewis. The King's letter was 

 laid before Parliament, and a committee was appointed to 

 consider the proposals. 



Meanwhile, pressure was being brought to bear upon the 

 nobility to interest themselves in the plans of Charles. In 

 a letter to the Earl of Carlisle, Seaforth commends him 

 for exerting his influence in this direction, but points out 

 that the burghs formed the real stumbling-block. They 

 are disinclined, Seaforth asserts, to associate themselves in 

 the undertaking either with strangers or natives. " They 

 like not that noblemen or gentry should understand 

 matters of industry." They will do what they can to 

 induce the King to delay giving effect to his scheme. But, 

 adds Seaforth, if Charles will pay regard to the good of his 

 kingdom and his own profit, he will carry out his intention 

 of erecting a free burgh in Lewis. 



That the Scottish burghs were inclined to adopt a policy 

 of obstruction is clear from their proceedings. On pth 

 August, a set of articles was drafted by the Convention for 

 the consideration of the burghs. The first matter to be 

 decided was the expediency, or otherwise, of co-operating 

 with England in the new scheme, and whether or not the 

 English should be permitted to establish themselves in any 

 part of the Hebrides. The desirability, or otherwise, of 

 accepting as partners in the undertaking, the nobility and 

 gentry of the country had also to be decided, together with 

 the conditions of such partnership in respect of capital and 

 profits. If the decision of the burghs were opposed to a 

 joint-stock undertaking of this description, it was matter 

 for further discussion whether the burgesses as a whole 

 should accept the proposed responsibility, or whether a 

 Company be formed, and if so, whether the burgesses who 



