308 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



remained outside the Company should be debarred from 

 any share in the venture. And if the latter point were 

 decided in the affirmative, the question of raising capital 

 had to be considered.* 



On the following day, the subject was further discussed 

 by the Convention. It was pointed out that notwith- 

 standing the withdrawal of the charter to Seaforth, the 

 Flemings had not yet left the island the dozen Dutchmen 

 in Lewis apparently came from South Holland and John 

 Hay was empowered to endeavour to persuade the King to 

 expel them, and in the meantime to delay granting per- 

 mission to any more strangers to settle in Lewis.* 



The influence of the burghs was, meantime, apparently 

 brought to bear upon the Committee appointed by the 

 Estates. In their report, the Committee declared against 

 any association with England, and stated that the Scottish 

 burghs were willing to work the loch fishings, and the 

 fishing ground comprehended within a limit of " twa 

 kennings " from the coast, provided they were allowed to 

 plant stations in suitable places. The natives of Scotland, 

 they said, had always been in possession of this reserved 

 ground, and the reserves had never been encroached upon 

 by the Hollanders. But Commissioners were appointed 

 by Parliament to confer with the Englishmen and exchange 

 views. 



In November, the Earl of Monteith, President of the 

 Privy Council, presented to Parliament a report on the 

 proceedings of the Scottish Commissioners, together with 

 the King's instructions, the Commissioners' observations 

 thereon, and the reply of the English Commissioners to 

 the Scottish objections. Commenting on the proposal of 

 Charles for the erection of one or more free burghs in 

 Lewis, the Scottish Commissioners reported that no answer 

 could be given until the next meeting of Parliament, because 

 it was necessary to consult the Royal burghs on the matter. 

 The King's letters and instructions, addressed to the Estates 



* AV. of Con. of Royal Burghs, Vol. III., pp. 321-3. 



