PLATE CVI. 
The history of the common Cod-fish is amply detailed by manf 
writers. It is known to be a general inhabitant of all the Norther'' 
and American seas, and is found in very high latitudes, though 
less abundance and perfection than in regions somewhat more tei»' 
perate. The great resort of the Cod-fish are the immense sand' 
banks on the coast of Newfoundland, and others off tlie coasts oi 
Cape Breton, Nova .Scotia, and New England; and also upo" 
those of Iceland and Norway, the Dogger Bank, and the Western 
Isles. 
' Before the discovery of NewfoumHand, the principal fisheries fnf 
the Cod were carried on upon the coasts of Iceland and the Scottish 
islands, which were then the places of rendezvous for all comine'’' 
cial nations engaged in those concerns. In the year 1388 the city 
Amsterdam received pennission from the Crown of Sweden to foil" 
an establishment upon the isle of Schonen for the fishery of the Co^ 
in the adjacent seas. The English resorted to Iceland for the p"*' 
pose of fishing before the year 1415, as it is recorded that HeorT 
the Fifth of England was disposed to give the King of Denmark 
satisfaction for certain irregularities committed in tliose seas by I 
subjects. Under Edward the, Fourth the English were excluded by 
treaty from this fishery, under pain of death, and confiscation 
property; notwithstanding which Mr. Pennant observes, that n"' 
narch gave licence to a ship of Hull to sail to Iceland, and thel* 
relade fish and other goods, without regard to any restrictions to tb® 
contrary. In later times. Queen Elizabeth condescended to ask P®''' 
mission to fish in those seas from Christian the bourth. King 
Denmark; though it appears she afterwards repented her reqw«*'’ 
and instructed her ambaffador at that court to insist on the right ot 
free and universal fishery. The issue of this application is uncerta'”’ 
