JAMES I; MARE LIBERUM 13 
suggestion... James, however, anxious to preserve peace 
with Holland, would not countenance a scheme which had 
for its object the competition of Scotland with the Dutch 
in the fisheries of the North Sea and the West Coast, which 
was certain to lead at least to an increase of hostile feeling 
between the two nations, already sufficiently embittered 
against each other. Without considering, therefore, the 
merits’ of the proposal, James ignored all representa- 
tions on the subject, and pursued the more agreeable policy 
of easy toleration towards the encroachments of the Dutch. 
It was, indeed, high time for action to be taken if the 
Dutch were not to have an absolute monopoly of fishing in 
British waters. The increasing bitterness during the reign 
of James of the complaints against the Dutch, is in itself 
proof that the Hollanders were vigorously extending the 
field of their operations, and were being led through com- 
petition with each other to constantly seek new fishing 
grounds. Their deep-sea fisheries had indeed attained vast 
proportions. Sir D. Carlton, writing about 1618 to Secre- 
tary Naunton, asserted that 50,000 people in Holland were 
maintained by the fisheries on the English coast,? and this 
statement is borne out by evidence. 
The Dutch deep-sea fishery had been no haphazard 
growth ; its success was the result of much patient care 
and thoughtful legislation. Every movement of the Dutch 
fishing fleet, and every operation on board the vessel em- 
ployed, was fixed by law, precise sailing orders being issued 
annually by the College of the Herring Fishing at their 
annual meeting at Delft, before the opening of the season.® 
1 Cal. S.P. Dom. Car. I., vol..229, No. 78. 
2Cal. S.P. Dom. Car. II., vol. 339, No. 355. 
3 For the constitution of the College, see Beaujon’s Essay, p. 62. Roughly 
speaking, “the Lords of the Grand Fishery ’’ consisted of two delegates 
from the magistrates “‘of such towns as are notably concerned in the 
business.” Since no buss could sail without a license granted under seal 
of the Grand Fishery, obedience to the rules of the college was imperative. 
