98 CHARLES II. 
crease the number of the seagoing population and thus create 
a reserve of seamen, was a means to the desired end. He, 
therefore, resolved to revive the Association for the Fishing, 
and on August 22nd, 1661, appointed James, Duke of York, 
along with numerous other noblemen and officers of state, 
as the Council of the Royal Fishing of Great Britain and 
Ireland, with powers and privileges identical with those 
held by the Council of the Royal Fishery of the time of 
Charles I.4 
_ Thenew company, however, was granted somefurther privi- 
leges. For seven years its fishing vessels were to pay no 
duties to the customs, while, to ensure that there should be a 
demand for its fish, all victuallers were to be compelled to buy 
yearly from one to four barrels of herring, at the fixed price of 
30s. per barrel. Those who invested money in the company 
were assured that the risk of loss was slight, since special 
attention was to be given by the authorities to the provision 
of an adequate convoy for the fishing vessels.2_ In response, 
moreover, to a special request by the Council for the Fishery, 
the lottery of the Royal Oak was granted them for three 
years,? while, as a public recognition of the fact that the 
Council was about to enter upon the performance of a national 
service, orders were given that a collection should be made 
in the churches throughout the various counties of England, 
so that funds might be provided for the erection of wharfs, 
docks, storehouses and the buildings necessary for the work 
of the company.* 
The king, in connection with this collection, interested 
himself so far on behalf of the Royal Fishery as to issue 
a special appeal to his people, commending the project to 
their liberality, since it aimed at giving employment to the 
poor through the revival of an industry of the utmost 
1Cal. S.P. Dom. Car. II., vol. 40, No. 75. 
2 Ibid. vol. 40, No. 75. 3 Ibid. vol. 86, No. 104, 
4 Ibid. vol. 40, No. 75. 
