THE ROYAL FISHERY 111 
The Commissioners for Customs on June 12th, 1676, gave 
their report on the proposed patent for the erection of a 
royal fishery. They had many objections to offer; they 
saw no reason why a company should be erected “ for such 
sorts of fishing as are already in good use and practice by 
his Ma’s subjects”; neither could they understand why 
privileges should be allowed a company to carry on trades 
already well carried on without them, to the great dis- 
couragement and prejudice of those already engaged. Such 
as were already engaged would, in fact, be compelled either 
to join the company or to abandon their business. The terms 
of admission to the company and its various rules and bye-laws 
were, they thought, not sufficiently clear and definite, while 
freedom from customs was contrary to all laws dealing 
with trade and navigation. They feared, moreover, that 
the proposed bye-laws of the company allowed an inlet 
to foreigners, since the ships of the company might be 
entirely manned by such persons. It was not even stipu- 
lated, they pointed out, that foreigners employed by the 
company should live in Britain, or that vessels must be 
victualled and equipped there. 
So far as regarded the gratuity to be granted in respect 
of each vessel belonging to the company, they objected that 
there was no obligation that these vessels should bring their 
fish to England and land it there; thus not only might the 
trade by the name of the Company of the Royall ffishery in perpetuity, with 
the severall Powers, Priviledges, and immunityes hereunto annexed and 
such other Powers, Priviledges, and immunityes and in such full and 
comprehensive Clauses for the good government and Regulations of 
the said Company as are fitt and usuall in Charters of like nature. 
And you are to insert therein wu Declaracon that wee, Our heires, and 
successors will alwaies have the said Company under our speciall Protection. 
And for so doing this shall be your warrant. 
Given at our Court at Whitehall, the — day of May, in the 28th yeare 
of our Raigne, 
To our trusty and well-beloved 
Our Attorney General 
By his Maies. corfiand. 
