APPENDIX 123 
inhabit, and fortifie that excellent Island of Lewis in the 
Hebrides, under the first pretence of bringing coMerce into those 
remote parts of Scotland. 
Fifthly, by their having upon his Ma.’s seas 20 or 30 shippes 
of Warr under pretence of securing their fishermen, all which 
put together may give a just suspition of their further aims, 
when opportunity shall serve, wch yet if tymely looked into may 
be prevented and we secured by the increase of our fishing 
vessels in multitudes and magnitude and by keeping possession 
therewith on our own seas, limiting strangers to fewre numbers 
(especially shipps of war) and to payment of the tenth fish or 
some other tribute. 
4. By adding such strength hereby to all our sea cost and 
consequently to the whole realm, as will make it easily defensible 
against any foreign powers, and yet withall by the great increase 
of our shipping and marriners enable us speedily to invade, 
offend and surprise our opposers though remote and at great 
distance, and will therefore also upon any occation of publique 
contracts render his Matie. more dreadfull to his enemies and 
helpfull to his friends and allies, which advantage is by knowing 
men accounted such a rare accomplishment of the grandure of 
a Prince and ye securrity of his subjects that it alone may well 
recompenes the whole charge of the undertaking, though all 
the fish they shall catch were thrown into the sea again, for it 
is not six hundred thousand pounds that will defray the charges 
of a warr, whereas such known power offensive and defensive 
of any kingdome would safely prevent it. But the fishing 
attaineth this and far sooner and better than shipps of warr 
and shipps of merchandise, which are thought to marr more 
seamen than they make, because the easie life of the seamen 
in the one makes them unwilling to return, and the hard service 
in the other when it happens takes them off by fighting. A 
fleet of Bushes is the best school from whence all other shipps may 
be furnished, in that they are best trained up and made acquainted 
with those places of danger which abound in our seas; there 
they may learne ye principles of navigation and pilotage, and 
to know the use of tackle and compasse, and in them especially 
(by reason of their dwelling uppon the seas while their sett 
