An abridgement of all sea-lavves Gathered forth of all writings and monuments, which are to be found among any people or nation, upon the coasts of the great Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. And specially ordered and disposed for the use and benefit of all benevolent sea-farers, within his Majesties dominions of Great Brittain, Ireland, and the adjacent isles thereof. By William Welvvod, professor of the civill lawe. Welwood, William, fl. 1578-1622. 1636 Approx. 162 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 134 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A14929 STC 25238 ESTC S119612 99854819 99854819 20269 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A14929) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 20269) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1535:1) An abridgement of all sea-lavves Gathered forth of all writings and monuments, which are to be found among any people or nation, upon the coasts of the great Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. And specially ordered and disposed for the use and benefit of all benevolent sea-farers, within his Majesties dominions of Great Brittain, Ireland, and the adjacent isles thereof. By William Welvvod, professor of the civill lawe. Welwood, William, fl. 1578-1622. [16], 25 [i.e. 253], [3] p. Printed by [Thomas Harper for] the assignes of Ioane Man and Benjamin Fisher, London : 1636. An expanded and revised version of: The sea-law of Scotland (STC 25242). Actual printer's name from STC. The first leaf and the last leaf are blank. P. 253 misnumbered 25. Reproduction of the original in Cambridge University Library. Some print show-through; some pages cropped and tightly bound. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Maritime law -- Early works to 1800. 2003-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-08 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-09 Daniel Haig Sampled and proofread 2003-09 Daniel Haig Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ABRIDGEMENT of all SEA-LAVVES . Gathered forth of all Writings and Monuments , which are to be found among any people or Nation , upon the coasts of the great Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. And specially ordered and disposed for the use and benefit of all benevolent Sea-farers , within his Majesties Dominions of Great Brittain , Ireland , and the adjacent Isles thereof . By WILLIAM WELVVOD , professor of the Civill Law. LONDON , Printed by the Assignes of Ioane Man and Benjamin Fisher , 1636. TO THE HIGH AND mighty Prince , Iames , King of Great Brittaine , France and Ireland , &c. IT pleased your M. some yeers past , most graciously to accept of this birth , in the great weakenesse and in fancie thereof . Therefore is it , that now being strong , and by all warrants inarmed , it most thankefully returnes , offering service to your M. even for all the coasts of your Highnesse dominions , upon hope to merit your former grace . Your M. most humble subject , and daily orator , W. Welwod . To the right Honourable , LUDOVICK , Duke of Lenox his Grace , &c. Henry , Earle of North-hampton , &c. and Charles , Earle of Notingham , &c. Lords Admiralls of England and Ireland , of Scotland and the Iles , and of the Cinque Ports . HAving intended a painefull & new labour , upon a rare and necessary argument , as for al Sea-farers , so also properly pertaining to your Honours , my most noble Lords ; I could not but of due salute your Honours , as the keepers of Sea-lawes , for a refreshing remembrance , and needfull consideration of that most honourable estate and high office , presently , and ( I hope ) happily allotted unto you : I meane , the Admiraltie of his M. dominions ; a charge both ancient from many hundreth yeeres in this I le , and most honourable by the personages your predecessors , bearing the same : as being all , either sonnes , brothers , uncles , or cousins to Princes , or ( at least ) for action most famous . With all the which , that your Honours may the better ranke and match , surely , as the condition of these daies craves , so the best disposed wish , that as you be every other way Noble , your nobility may be crownd with a carefull attention to the speciall parts of the Admiraltie requiring the same , to a memoriall surpassing all ancesters : I meane the conservacy , jurisdiction and priviledges thereof . The jurisdiction , albeit it bee most faithfully and diligently exercised , and namely in England by Sir Daniel Dunn , and Doctor Trevor , most learned , sincere , and worthy collegues , Iudges in the high court there : yet the daily thwarting and curbing of the processe of the Iudicature , urges a clearing or designing of the limits and marches , to a better distinguishing thereof from all other jurisdictions ordinary ; without which , due justice can neither be administred , concerning the sea customes ( of which no court else can take knowledge ) for strangers traffiquing here ( importing no small staine to the King his justice ) nor yet for his M. lieges traffiquers on sea , whose contracts and charter-parties ordinarily beare the clause of ruling by law of Olero● ; a forraine law , as all the other lawes of the Admirall court commonly are , whereof no other Iudicature here can take cognissance . To end this point ; Beside that which God in the heavens requires of the ministers of justice , please you to remember , that here below amongst men , Nihil justitia popularius . Consequently therefore , the priviledges due for the maintenance of the Admiraltie and jurisdiction thereof , would be vindicat from all sort of encroching and usurping . But above all , the conservacie ( as the chiefe point of that office ) requires security and safety in common for all loyall subjects , traders on Sea : specially , for Fishers and others , happily disposed to adventure and exercise the trade of fishing , to the end , that not onely a peaceable , but also a full and plentifull fishing may bee enjoyed by the inhabitants of his M. kingdomes , even according to that which God so freely and bountifully offers into their very doors . For which cause , the barbarity of the Ilanders would be repressed , and strangers stayed from scarring , scattring , and breaking the shoals of our fishes ; namely , upon our coasts of Scotland . There could be no better employment for some ( at least ) of his M. shippes and companies , Ne vel illi usqu● turbent , aut isti intercipiant , quod nos capere oportet . But , I breake from this purpose , remitting the same to the 27 Title of this booke ; hoping for a comfortable out-bearing and maintaining of that necessary and great dignity of the Admiralty by your LL. according to all the occasions of these quarrelsome times . And so I rest , by this present token , devote to serve your Honours in my calling . William Welwod . The Contents . THe Prohem , containing the origin of the Sea-law . page 1 1 The order of this Treatise . 22 2 Of the Iudge ordinary in Sea-faring causes , with his Iurisdiction and priviledge● . 26 3 Of the Admirall Clerke . 45 4 Of the Advocates , and other officers , assistants for the speedier proceeding . 49 5 Of the manner of proceeding in Seafaring causes . 52 6 Of persons ordinary in ships . 64 7 Of fraughting of ships . 71 8 Of the Master of the ship his power and duty ouer the ship . 83 9 Of the Master his duty to the Merchant and passenger , and of his priviledges . 90 10 Of the Masters duty to the Mariners . 99 11 Of the duties and priviledges of Mariners . 103 12 Of the Clerke of a ship . 113 13 Of a Pilot or Steirsman . 116 14 Of money bent to Sea , or upon the Sea. 119 15 Of the outreaders or furnishers , the hyrers , and owners of ships ; and of actions for them , and against them . 124 16 Of sundry partners of ships , and their discords . 130 17 Of casting of goods , and contribution therefore . 136 18 Of contribution for Pirats . 142 19 Of contribution for spoyled goods 144 20 Of contribution for disburdening of ships for their easier entry to the port , and other chances . ●45 21 Of the common manner of contribution , and execution thereof . 152 22 Of priviledged ships . 156 23 Of shipwracke . 161 24 Of things found on the Sea , or within the floud-marke . 168 25 Of things taken upon Sea. 175 26 Of Fishers , fishing , and traffiquers therewith . 187 27 Of the community and propriety of Seas . 200 28 Of war-ships , and of the Captaines and company thereof . 237 29 Of Ferryers and Watermen . 243 30 Of Shipwrights . 248 The Proheme containing the Origine of the Sea-law : with the occasion of this Treatise . COncerning the Argument of Sea-faring governement , so farre as by any monumēts can be observed , our beginning must be at the inhabitants of the Iland called Rhode , situate within the Mediterranean Sea , in the part thereof called the Carpath sea , upon the coast of Asia minor , over against Caria . The indwellers whereof , amongst all other people we can reade of , were most famous for shipping and Sayling ; and that not onely to the great increase of their power and wealth every way , as by which they did command and daunt all other people about their coasts and seas ; in such manner , that neither Pirat , nor any sort of enemy , or disturber of their peace and traffique , durst then appeare a : but also by the communicating of their trade , and discipline on sea , they did make neighbour Princes , and Cities , willingly Tributars unto them b . And further , as Strabo writeth c to the crowning of their renowne , they surpassed all other Nations in knowledge of equity in marine businesse ; which they manifested by making of Sea-lawes . For , the very Emperors of Rome , Tiberius Caesar , Hadrian , Vespasian , Traian , successively , did referre all seafaring debates and controversies , to the judgement of the Rhodian law . d And so likewise exemplarilie , did their successor Antoninus , by his rescript yet extant e : wherein , answering to one Eudemon his plaint , I am ( saith he ) the Lord of the world , but the law is the master of the sea ; let that thy plaint and controversie Eudemon be decided by the law of the Rhodians . So farre did the Romans ( who alwaies excelled all other Nations , in devising of humane lawes ) yeeld and give place to the Rhodians in the sea lawes . And by their example , finding sea-faring and trafique on sea , redound to a great common wealth , as plainly pronounced f Vlpian , one of the fathers of their lawes ; the Romane Emperours , and namely Claudius , g brought in new formes of actions , and devised a kinde of new and sure commodities and gaine for trafiquers ; by taking upon them the hazard of shippe and goods : to which end also is erected by English lawes , the office of Assurance . It is true , that the first making of Sea lawes , is otherwise by some attributed to others , as by Dionysius to the Phenicians , because of Merchant trade h . And Plinius , for that same cause ascribes the Art of sayling to the Carthaginians . i and consequently , would seeme to attribute to these two Nations also for their necessitie , the skill of sayling . To be briefe , by the space of a thousand yeeres , the sea , at least the Mediterranean , was onely ruled by the Rhodian law , but helped with some few additions by the Romans , and that by way of interpretation : the rather , to occurre to the deceits and Sophistrie of calumniators and wilfull vexers of their neighbours , as also for other needfull doubts k . At last , when all sorts of lawes by the eversion and renting of the Romane Empire , was as it were for a long time buried , necessity forced the Rulers of Rome , Anno Dom. 1075. to make new sea lawes and statutes : and so successively , every chiefe sea-faring towne upon the Mediterranean coast , to adde other ordinances ; as they of Marseilles did , Anno Dom. 1162. and they of Genua , Anno Dom. 1186. And they of Peloponnesus , called Morea , Anno Dom. 1200. and the Common-wealth of Venice , Anno Dom. 1215. And the Emperours of Constantinople , Paleolog . Anno Dom. 1262. and Constantine , 1270. and Iames King of Aragon that same yeere ; and Peter King of Aragon , Anno Dom. 1340. and they of Barcelona , Anno Dom. 1434. which lawes being all collected and amassed , serve the Mediterraneans unto this day . But on the great Ocean , which is our sea , the first lawes we knew to be made , were devised by them of the Iland of Oleron , situate on the sea coast of France , beside S. Martin against the mouth of Charante and the Marraes , neere to the entry of Garumna : which are therefore called La roold ' Oleron ; as by which the controversies on the sea coast of France toward the Ocean were ordinarily decided , in the towne of the said I le , called thereupon , Lavile de droict , or Oleron . As where the skilled Skippers in that law did dwell , and had cognition of all such occurrent debates and questions . Now these lawes of Oleron , were afterward translated into Dutch by them of Wisby , for the sea use of the Dutch coast . And of late , our Kings of Scotland made divers Acts in Parliament , concerning sea-faring l . As also the Kings of England have done before m : for Edward the third , by a solemne inquisition of eighteene most famous persons for skill in sea-faring , assembled at Quinborow from divers parts , Anno 1375. set downe certaine articles concerning the Admiralty and sea-faring , into old French : as may be seene in an old parchment authenticke booke yet extant ; which articles one Thomas Roucghton of that same , turned afterward in Latine , and intituled de officio admiralitatis Angliae . Likewise Fredericke the second of Denmarke , in his generall convention , at Coppenhaven , Anno 1561 : sets downe a compend of Statutes , for ruling of his Sea-faring subjects ; but for most part all one with La rooled ' Oleron . Also the French King Henry the third , added his new constitutions to these of Francois , and others his predecessors , which are chiefly for the authorising of his Admiralty , Iurisdiction , honour and profits therof ; preferring the Admirall and his officers to all other Iudges and Iustices , except these called Royals . Notwithstanding all these many , divers , and late Statutes and Ordinances made and set forth these sixeteene hundreth yeares , by the nations , people , and Princes above written , in the decision of causes , and judging of sea-faring controversies ; that fragment of the Rhodian law , extant and Latinized by Simon Shardius , intituled by him , Leges navales Rhodiorum & selectae Leges Rhodiorum , with the interpretations and commentations , devised thereupon by the old Romane Iurisconsults insert in the Pandects ; together with the constitutions made by the Romane Emperours , contained in the Cod. and Novells at large : as it were by common consent of Nations , obtaines the prerogative throughout all Europe , as in Great Brittaine , Germany , France , Italy , and Spaine . Such is the force and authority of the Civill Roman Law amongst all Nations Christian. In which Countries , albeit there hath bin , and yet remaines a great number of professors and doctors of the Roman civill law , who have written largely thereupon ; yet few or none hath taken in hand to write pertinently or expresly , upon the lawes concerning sea-faring , the traffique on sea , and by sea , with the duties requisite of every sea-faring person , of all sorts and degrees . It is true that Iulius Ferrettus in his observant devoir to the Emperour Charls the fift , prepared a discourse for the addressing of Navies with convenient and expert Governours , and all sort of necessaries for hostility on the sea , intituled de iure & re nautica , but farre off from our present Argument , as may bee seene by the same of late published , Anno 1579. and dedicated to Philip , Charles his sonne , by Exuperantius Ferrettus , sonne also to the said Iulius . Petrus Pekkius also a Fleming Zelander , hath learnedly commented upon the titles of the civill law , touching the sea-lawes ; but more busied about the exposition of words then of the matter . Likewise Benvenutus Straccha , in his large booke de mercatura , interlaceth a learned title , de nautis , navibus & navigationibus , but commeth not close to this our argument ; for he holds straightly within the compasse of the civill law , protesting also his pretermissions and remissions of many chiefe matters to certaine Doctors , who also writes but obiter of the sea matters , and none speakes of the sea customes , which is our principall argument : To the end of which booke is annexed an halfe sheet of paper , bearing consilia Roderici Suarij de usu maris & Navibus vehendis ; a turne of small contentment . 'T is true that Simon Shardius , Anno 1561. promised this same compend and collect of sea lawes forth of all lawes ( which presently by Gods grace I intend ) but by death prevented , could not performe it . To conclude then , since no man , as I can understand , hath set his pen to this my argument and purpose , for the due information of every sort of sea-faring persons in every order , whether Commanders , Iudges , Skippers , Mariners , Merchants , Passengers , Fishers , Ferryers , Watermen , &c. concerning their severall duties , priviledges and powers , and all manner of things pertaining or incident to sea and sea-farers ; I thought good , after the insight and deepe consideration of all the lawes and ordinances aforesaid , to mend a weake piece of labour , which I intended many yeares since , intituled the Sea law of Scotland ; and to frame the same in a very harmonicall collection of all sea-lawes , And upon the conscience of my profession of the civill law , having no employment or part in any Admiralty , to publish the same for the use of the Admiralties , and benefit of all benevolent sea-farers ; and that presently , because of the present use thereof so requiring the same , as I now cleerly perceive : that is to say ; Because that wheras the most civill , wise , and politicke nations , have even most carefully distinguished the jurisdiction of the sea from the jurisdiction of the land in all respects : yet neverthelesse some men prease alwaies , upon what intent I wot not , to confound the same . And the multitude of these who doe acknowledge the foresaid distinction , as specially the Mariners , through ignorance contemne all other law but the rule of Oleron . In these respects ( I say ) I have with great paine and travell , concluded the publication of this work ; which if it please ( as I pray ) God to blesse with the owne effect , I have reward enough . TIT. I. The order of this Treatise . AS the affaires of the sea concernes onely sea-faring and medlers therewith : even so all doubts , differences , and controversies , rising upon the same , and their cases must also concerne the same persons , which are eyther chiefly Owners , Out-traders or hyrers , Masters , Pilots , Mariners , Clerkes , Merchants , Passengers . Of whom the owner is hee , to whom the ship or any part pertaines in property . The out-trader or hirer , hee to whom as hirer or partner for a voyage or more , or a longer time , during the hyring and lease of the shippe , the profits and commodities thereof redounds a . And the Master is hee to whom the whole care and charge of the shippe is committed b . The rest are all knowne . Now their persons whiles happens all to fall forth in one man ; as one to be Master , owner , and out-trader ; and againe to be all divers and distinct : and therfore the actions to beare out accordingly . Likewise the cognition of their debates pertaines not to every Iudge indifferently , but only to the Admirall of the sea : which thing this Abridgement shall orderly and summarily declare ; beginning at the Iudge ordinary to sea-fare causes , the members of the Court , and manner of proceeding there : next , the persons ordinary in shippes , with the fraughting thereof , as belonging to the chiefe uses of shipping : thirdly , the power , duty , and priviledge of every one of the foresaid in ships : fourthly , the manifold causes of losses and dammage in sea-faring , with the redresse thereof : fiftly , the priviledged ships , shipwracke , shippes and things taken and found on the sea , or within the floud-marke thereof : and lastly , of Fishing , Fishers , Ferryers and Watermen , and Shippe-wrights . TIT. II. Of the Iudge ordinary , in sea-faring causes , with his jurisdiction , and priviledges . AS for the Iudge of the Sea , wee have first to consider , how at the beginning of the Roman Empire , there was a speciall difference betwixt the persons to whom the charge of shipping was given , and them to whom the commandement of Fleets and Navies was committed ; and betwixt the persons who exercised the jurisdiction in sea-faring debates , as followeth . For amongst the Romans in the beginning , first the builders , forth●eakers , or furnishers , and preparers of Ships and Navies with all necessaries ( by a speciall ordinance called Lex Decia ) were stiled Duum viri navales ; a as the Governours of these Fleets were called Archigubernij , b and the Iusticiaries of sea-faring debates , Magisteriani : even so amongst the Grecians , the Commanders of their fleets were stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And after the Empire seated at Constantinople , Magnus dux classis , and Drungarius magnus , c as the chiefe carrier of the Pinsell or flagge . His stile afterward was Admiratus , from Amiras , a word of the Sarazens , signifying an Overseer , or a Captaine on sea or on land ; for Mirar is to see , as the Spaniard useth it . From this word Amiras , commeth the word Amirante to the Italians for the Leader of their fleets , as well as L'amiraglio : albeit they tearme their sea-faring Iudges , Li consoli del mare , and such like from the same word Admirall , which most part of the Nations of Europe use in the same meaning ; as first and chiefly France , where Childebert the first , one thousand yeeres sithence , instituted an Admirall as Captaine and Commander of his Armie upon sea , like as he did then ordaine a Marshall for the governement of his Gen d'armerie on land . Onely the Spaniard called this Leader and Commander of his fleets and navies , Adelantado : as who should goe before the rest . Briefly , the word Admirall , how ever this day it be used or abused , for to signifie the chiefe shippe , which was Navis praetoria to the Romans , as the chiefe Commander of the fleet ; yet that word Great Admirall , notes properly the man whom the Romans called Praefectum maris , and the Grecians , Thalassiarcham : to wit , the Governour of the sea . And thus farre concerning names and styles for the Commanders and Gubernators of ships , fleets , and seas . But concerning the jurisdiction of the sea , and the exercises of justice amongst sea-faring men ; at first amongst the Romans , it was allowed to every President on the coasts , and afterward other Iudges were specially constitute at the sea sides , called Magisteriani : d but their Iudges were all countable to their higher Iudge , styled Praefectus praetorio sublimissimus , from whom was no appellatiō or advocatiō e Sithence , in these latter daies , for the readier obedience to the great Admirall of the Sea , it is by common consent of Nations , successively agreed , that in consideration of the Admirals their soveraine commandement , their speciall preferment , and power upon the lives of men within the sea floud ; that therefore they should also have a soveraine jurisdiction onely proper to themselves , over all sea-faring men within their bounds , and in all sea-faring causes and debates , civill and criminall . So that no other Iudge of any degree , at least in Scotland , may meddle therewith , but onely by way of assistance ; and that by commission and in difficile causes , as was found in the action intended by Antoin de la tour , against one Christian Marteis , 6 Novem. Anno 1542. f In which jurisdiction , the first power necessary , is to constitute a Vice-Admirall and Captaines to supply his absence on sea ; as also Deputies , for particular parts on the coasts , with the Crowners to view the dead bodies found on sea , or found on the coasts thereof , and Commissioners or Iudges generall , for exercising justice in his high Court on land , with Clerkes , Procurers , Doome-sayers , Marshals , and other Officers , for the exercising of their said jurisdiction both in peace and warre : and therefore to sit and hold Courts where they please ; to execute justice , to imprison and relaxe ; and to command the Kings prisons and borroughs their prisons , to receive and keepe their warders and prisoners . g Finally , their authority should be distinctly acknowledged in all things pertaining to sea-faring . It is true , that in Scotland before the erection of our Admirall after the example of other Nations , the Deanes of Gild were ordinarily Iudges in civill debates , betwixt Mariner and Merchant , as the Water-baily betwixt Mariner and Mariner , like as the high Iustice was Iudge in their criminals . Which actions all now falling forth betwixt the persons aforesaid , of due appertaines to the jurisdiction of the Admirall ; and therefore his Iudge depute or Commissar , called Iudge Admirall , and none other , should sit , cognost , determine and minister iustice in the foresaid causes : as likewise upon all complaints , contracts , offences , pleas , exchanges , assecurations , debts , counts , charter-parteis , covenants , and all other writings concerning lading and unlading of shippes , fraughts , hyres , money lent upon casualties and hazard at sea , and all other businesses whatsoever amongst sea-farers , done on sea , this side sea , or beyond sea ; not forgetting the cognition of writs and appeales from other Iudges , and the causes and actions of Represals or Letters of Marque : yea , to take stipulations , cognossians , and insinuations , in the bookes of the Admiraltie : and to doe all other things without which the jurisdiction of the Admiraltie cannot stand nor beare out ; and therefore to arrest and put in execution , to inquire within and without liberties , by the oathes of xij . men upon all offences . h As first , touching the revealers of the King & Countrey their secrets over sea , in time of warre . Item , against Pyrats , their Assisters or Abbetters , Out-treaders and Receptors . Item , against fortifiers of the Kings enemies , and ha●●ers of his friends . Item , against the breakers of the Admirals arrestments and attachments . Item , against goods forbidden , and merchandise not customed , and yet shipped and transported . Item , against the resisters of the Admirall his officers , in executing his precepts . Item , against the forestallers , regraters , and dearthers of corne , fish , drinke , fire-wood , victuals carried over sea . Item , against pleaders before other Iudges than before the Iudge Admirall , in causes pertaining to his iurisdiction ; as also against the Iudges cognoscing therupon Item , against them which give Sea-brieves , Testimonials , or such like , over sea , without power or licence from the Admirall . Item , against transporters and carriers of traitors , rebels , manifest transgressors , and fugitives from iustice , over sea . Item , against hirers and fraughters of ships of other nations , when they may be served by their own nation : Item , against such as cast in ballasting , sand , or what else , in harbours , or channels , that may defile or spoyle the same . Item , against shippe and boat-wrights , extortioning the Lieges or subjects . Item , against taking away the boigh from the anchor , or cutters of cables , or other tewes . Item , against false weights and measures by sea . Item , against shedders of other mens bloud on sea , or any Port or river below the first bridge next the sea : or them who are lamed or hurt through faulty and ill geare in ship . Item , against Customers or Water-bailies , taking more custome or anchorage than wont . Item , against such as absent themselves from wappinshewing or mustering ; which the Admirall may ordaine twise a yeere in time of warre , and once in two yeares in time of peace , upon all dwellers at Ports and Harbors , or within one mile neere thereunto . i Item , all sorts of transgressions committed by sea-men , ferry-men , water-men , as well in floud rivers and creekes from the first bridge , as on the seas ; Fishers , Pilots ; Shipwrights , pressed men contemning the authority of the Admirall : and after due cognition , to levie and apply to his owne use the penalties and amerciaments of all transgressors aforesaid , as due unto the Admirall ; together with the goods of Pirats , Felons , capitall faulters , their receivers , assisters , attainted , convict , condemned , outlawed or horned . Item , wayffe or stray goods , wreck of sea , cast goods . Item , deo dando , that is to say , the thing , whether Boat or Ship , &c. that caused the death of a man , or whereout-of a man did perish . Item , shares , lawfull prizes or goods of the enemy . siclike Lagon , that which was found lyand at the sea ground , and Flotson that is found swimming upon sea ; and Ietson , which is cast forth of the sea to the shoare and coast , with anchorages , beaconages , meare swine , Sturgeons & Whales , &c. and all fish of extraordinary greatnesse , called regall fishes ; which all are allowed in great Brittaine , France , and other noble kingdomes , to the Admirals , by their Soveraigne ; for the better maintenance of their estate , iurisdiction , and conservancie on seas , rivers , flouds , roads , ports , harbours , channels , sayling , fishing , and all trading there , as altogether and chiefly committed to the care , maintenance , and protection of the Great Admirall . TIT. III. Of the Admirall Clerke . THe Clerke of the Admirall Court , beside that he should be very skilfull , faithfull , and give his solemne oath thereupon at his admission ; and beside the poynts of his office requisite and common to all Clerkes of other Courts , hee should have divers Registers , as for congees , saueconducts , pasports , sea-briefes ; as without which no shippe should passe to the sea in time of warre , not yet to farre voyages in time of peace : a which no other Iudges nor Governours should give forth , but the Admirall onely . b Item , one other Register for the reports of the Skippers and Captains , at their return to the Admirall also . c Item , one other Register for the names of Merchants , and Passengers , and Owners ; for the Skipper is holden to give-up the said persons by name . d And because no man ought to take upon him to be a Master or Pilot without due tryall of his skill : even so ought his triall to be registred in the Admirall his bookes . e But within the water of Thames , this tryall and registration of Pilots , pertaines to the Trinitie-house . f Lastly , all money lent to hazard upon the sea , called of old Pecunia trajectitia , for certaine profit , called Foenus nauticum , for the which the Lender was wont to beare the perill , against the manners of these avaricious daies ; their lendings ( I say ) and billes of assurance , should be done before the Admirall Clerke . g To conclude , no other Clerke or Writer , may meddle or pen things concerning the sea-faring , without licence of the Admirall . h TIT. IV. Of the Advocates and other Officers assistants for the better and speedier proceeding in the Admirall Court. FOr the more upright proceeding , and easier dispatch of causes and plaints in the Admirall Court , it is found needful that all Procurers , before they be heard , sweare solemnly first , that they should doe nothing maliciously ; but as soone as they finde ▪ their action to be unrighteous in any part of the processe , they shall tell it to their client : and if the client will insist , then to shew it to the Iudge . Secondly , that they shall not reveale their clients secret to the adversary , nor yet collude with him to betray their client . And lastly , that they shall propone neither dilator nor peremptor against their conscience . a To conclude , the oath of fidelity is likewise to bee solemnly taken of the rest of the officers of Court : for the due execution of their offices , namely , at their admissions . b TIT. V. The manner of proceeding in Sea-faring causes . THe debates of sea-farers , and sea-faring actions , should be decided according to the received Lawes and Statutes of the sea : which fayling , then the customes and consuetudes of these are to be followed . a because all dispositions and ordinances commonly take their interpretation from consuetudes and uses . b And if neither law written , or unwritten custome , nor consuetude occurres or appeares , the last refuge is to the opinions and sentences of skilled and upright men in the profession and exercise of sea-faring ; because it is old and common , that the judgement of skilled and well practised men , should be followed in their owne trade and calling . c But in the manner of proceeding , it is a perpetuall priviledge , Quod velo le vato . d That is to say briefely and summarily , causes should be cognosced , and without the solemnitie of other ordinary Courts & judgements , onely looking to God and the truth ; so that the Iudge should doe , if it were possible , as God himselfe . e Plaints then of sea-farers should be most summarily cognosced , but specially of shipwracke ; for it were a cruelty to vexe so miserable persons with the tedious ordinary proceedings of Courts , in so much as they need not to put their petition in writing . f And because that sayling tends to a great Common-wealth , therefore least sea-farers should bee wearied with pleas , and so either lose their right , or their trade , g summary processe should be common to them all . Which sort of processe is so urged by the Doctors of Law , that they counsell Iudges , who feare appellations or advocations , to prevent the same by a present execution ; h namely , in causes of spoyle or wrack : so that upon every interloquutor , they may proceed to execution , making restitution presently . Providing alwaies , that caution bee first found by the spoyled , to satisfie the sentence of the Iudge of the appellation , in case it shall happen to be made . i This is also a priviledge of the sea-faring Iudicature , that albeit by the common rules of the law , where no Litiscontestation is past , no witnesse should bee received , nisi ad aeternam rei memoriam , ac adversario ad id citato ; yet in shipwracke , as a case very pittifull , any of the shippe-broken men may come to the Iudge of that part where the wrack happens , and by witnes brought with him , prove the wracke and spoile ; k to the end that if any owner should pursue his goods , for to recover them , hee might be justly repelled by an exception of an innocent losse : l which should be done within a yeer and a day ; namely , by such as were in service to the Prince and country . m The like is to be observed also in causes of spoyle ; where by the lawes of England , it is sufficient for the spoyler to prove his goods by his marke , &c. mm In which doing , no citation is required ; and that against the common law : n yea , the death of the ship-broken may not onely bee proved by the rest living , but also by the persons , who were present at the preparation of their voyage , even their owne parents and children , if none of the ship-broken be on live . o And as this is a priviledge extraordinary for such chances ; even so ordinarily may Merchants and Mariners sayling together , beare witnesse each one to other of their society within ship , if they have neyther to lose nor gaine thereby ; and namely Mariners , for or against the Skipper when the voyage is ended , and when they are free from his commandement . p For by the consent of the Doctors , when the truth cannot be otherwise tryed , then unable persons may be heard . Item , to the end that this trade bee not hindred by calumniators , and wilfull vexers of their neighbours under colour of Law : it is provided , that not onely the common caution , Iudicio sisti , & Iudicatum solvi , bee kept on the part of the defender ; but also that the pursuer shall finde caution , de expensis solvendis , if hee faile in proofe . q Likewise , in case the party pursued be contumax , and will not compeire to defend himselfe , or his shippe , or things challenged ; namely , after three or foure citations directed from the high Court of the Admiraltie , called quatuor defaltae ( for that citation called Vnum pro omnibu● , is not sufficient to convince one of contumacy ) specially in the claime or vindication of a shippe , any part thereof , or any other such like thing or goods ; then may the Iudge ordaine his Marshall or officer , by his sentence called primum decretum , to put the plaintiffe in possession thereof , at least to the worth of the suit : Providing notwithstanding , that if the party compeir within a yeare and a day after , offering the expence made to the pursuer , and caution to obey the definitive , he shall yet be heard upon the propriety . Otherwise , that time being fully expired , the Iudge may proceed and adjudge the propriety of the ship to the plaintiffe . r Neither is it needfull to execute summons or citations in such cases , elsewhere but where the ship or quarrelled goods in question lies , or at the part usuall of their haunting . s Further , as this way it is provided for the snibbing and staying of calumniators in iudgement : even so it is ordained against maliciousnesse out of iudgement of such persons who onely to hinder and stay their neighbours , vexes them with needlesse arrestments ; that upon caution such a●restments be speedily losed , except it be either for fraught already deserved , or mariners wages , or such cases wherein by law the shippe is obliged ; or else for service to the Prince : t as also if arrestment be used , eyther upon goods , or mariner ready to saile , the same may bee loosed , upon caution to make forth-comming so much goods as the mariner hath within ship-boord . u TIT. VI. Of persons ordinary in ships . TOuching persons ordinary for sayling in ships , they are of divers orders , and therefore diversly stiled : as first , hee who beares charge over all the shippe and kippage , is commonly called by us , and most part of nations , both now and of old , and specially by the Romane lawes , Navicularius , or Magister Navis : a that is , as wee speake , Master of the ship ; by the Dutches , Skipper ; & by the Grecians , Nauarchus or Nauclerus ; b by the Italians , Patrono . But if the ship be a warfaring ship , the principal person is commonly called Captaine by us and other neere nations . The next to the Master , is hee who directs the ship in the course of her voyage , called by the French-men , Pilot ; by Vs and the Dutche , Steirsman ; by the Romans , Gubernator ; c by the Italians , Nochiero , d Pilotto , & Nauarchus , as Gerretus writes . The third person is commonly called the Masters mate or companion , chiefly if the Master be Steirsman himselfe : this man is called by the Grecians and Romans Proreta : e his charge is to command all before the mast . The fourth person is hee who attends upon the mending of the faulty parts in the ship , called by us and the Dutches , Timberman or Shipwright ; by the old Grecians and Romans , Naupegus or Naupagus : f but by the late Grecians , Calaphates : for which cause the Emperor Michael was called Calaphates , because his father had beene a Shipwright in Paphlagonia ; as witnesseth Egnatius and Volateranus , * and therefore the Venetians and Italians name their Timberman Calafatte . g The next person in order , is hee who beares the charge of the shippes boat , called by us Boatsman ; by the Italians , Barchierie ; by the Grecians and Romanes , Carabita : for Carabus notes the boat of the ship . h The sixt person requisi●e in any shippe of great burthen , is a Clerke ; by the Italians , Scrivano , i whose office is to write up and make accompt of all things received or delivered in the ship , together with all the ordinary and needfull expenses made upon ship & kippage : who for his more faithfull discharge , should at his entry be sworne before the ordinary Sea-Iudge ; as is ordinarily practised in Ancona , and other parts of Italy . k The seventh is the Cook , a most necessary member as long as there will be bellies . The eighth is the ships boy , who keepes her continually in harbours ; called therefore by the Grecians , Nauphylakes ; by the Romans , Dietarius ; l and by the Italians , Guardiano . m All the foresaids are distinct in offices and names , and therefore accordingly should also be distinguished in hyres and fees , after the custome of the Country . The rest of the persons of the kippage , are under the common stile of mariners , which the Romans call Nautas : but they name those of the lowest and base degree , as may bee the boyes and prentises in ship , Mesonautae , n and Nautebatae , as who should bee ready at command , to climbe upon the tewes , or to such common service in the ship . o TIT. VII . The fraughting of Ships . NO Shippe should be fraughted without a charter-partie written and subscribed , a containing both the Master and Merchant , and the name of the Ship , that no doubt may arise ; b and likewise , that the Master shall finde a sufficient Steirsman , Timberman , Shipman , and Mariners convenient , Shippe-tycht , masts , sayles , tewes , strong anchors , and boat fit for the ship , with fire , water , and salt , on his own expences . c And this charter partie , among all the westerne Merchants , and those of the great Ocean , usually is made to per●orme all things requisite by the lawes of Oleron . d And if there be no Writing , but an Earnest , then the Merchant , if hee repent or rew , loseth his Earnest : but the Skipper , if he repent , loseth the double of the earnest or arles e If the ship be not ready at the day appointed in the charter-party to goe to sea , the Merchant may not onely free himselfe of her , * except he hold his peace and discharge her not ( for then by his silence he appeares to consent of new ) but also shal or may obtaine all charges , scathes and interest : f Except the Master shew some excuse of a notorious necessitie , or of a chance that could not bee eschewed : and then hee loseth onely his fraught , because hee hath not deserved it . g But if the fault be in the Merchant , h he shall pay the Skipper and shippes dammage , or according to the Rhodian law , shall entertain the kippage and company tenne dayes ; and if then he stay longer , shall pay the fraught of all accordingly : i and further , shall upset all hurt and damage hapning by fire , water , or otherwise , after the time appointed . k It is true , that the Rhodians charge the Merchant in this case onely with halfe fraught , & the Skipper with the whole fraught if he faile : albeit that the Romans inflict the pain of the whole fraught upon the Merchant : m specially , if hee take forth his goods againe ; for then is the fraught thought to be deserved . n But if the ship in her voyage become unable without the Masters fault , or that the Master or Ship bee arrested by some Magistra●e in her way , the Master may either mend his shippe , or fraught another : but in case the Merchant agree not therunto , then the Master shall at least obtaine his fraught , so farre as he hath deserved it . o For otherwise , except the Merchant consent , or necessitie constrain the Skipper , to put the goods in another ship worse than his owne , the Master is holden for all losses and damage , except that both the ships perish that voyage , and that no fault nor fraud be found with the Master . p Also it is recounted for a fault , if the Master put forth the ship to sea , either without a skilful Pilot , or without sufficient furniture & necessaries , according to the clause ordinary ●f charter parties , or that the other ship in which the goods were last put in , be not sufficient , or that the Master hazard forth to sea in an unlikely time . q Yea , in former times it was forbidden expresly , as by the Emperours Gratian , Theodosius , and Valentinian , to hazard upon sea from November till Aprill r As also by the Kings of Scotland , from S. Iudes day till Candlemas s And alwaies it is accounted by the lawes for a fault , to make forth of a Port in time of a manifest storme . t Item , if a Skipper set forth his ship for a certain charge , and then takes in any more , he ought to lose his fraught justly . u And in such a case , when goods bee cast through storme , it shall not be made good by any contribution , but by the Skipper his owne purse . x And if hee over-burden the ship above the birth marke , he shall pay a fine . y Item , if a Ship Port at any other Port then she was fraughted to , against the Masters will , as by storm , or some force ; then the goods shall be transpor●ed to the port conditioned , on the Skippers charges : but this thing also must be tried by 〈◊〉 oath of the Skipper and two of his Mariners : z or else the Skipper may bee in further danger . Where also it is to be observed , that for the in-going to sundry divers ports by the way , imports not a diversitie or a multiplication of voyages * But if any man compell the Skipper to overburden ship or boat , he may be therfore accused criminally , and pay the damage happening thereby . a Item , if any Skipper set his ship to an unfree man , and not of substance , and other qualities prescribed by king Iames the third , b hee and his Mariners shall under-lie the paines contained therein . Item , if a Merchant put in more goods in ship than was conditioned , then may the Skipper take what fraught he please . c It is imputed for a fault to the Master , if he direct his course by waies either dangerous through Pirats , enemies , or other evill aventures , and holds not forth his due rout , d and dammage happen thereby . It is likewise counted a fault , if the Master carry the pensell or flagge of other Nations than his owne , and thereby incurres scath and losse of any thing . e For , as packquets , pipes , hogsheads , and such like , should be marked by the proper marks of the Merchants to whom they appertaine : f even so should ships be discerned one from another , by their owne pensell or flagge Item , if coffers , pipes , pakquets , &c. be delivered close and sealed , and afterward shall be received open and loose , the Master is to be charged therefore , untill a due tryall and consideration of that matter . g The Master also must be answerable , for that harme which the rats for want of a cat doe in the ship to any merchandise . h TIT. VIII . Of the Master of the Ship , his power , and duty thereunto belonging . THe Master of the ship is hee to whom the whole power and charge of the ship is committed : a which power is prescribed , partly by the owner or outreader , and partly by the common law of the sea : as , to set her forth for fraught ; to take in passengers ; to mend and furnish the ship . b And to that effect , if need be , in a strange countrey to borrow money with advise of the kippage or , company , c upon some of the tackle , or to sell some of the Merchants goods ; provided , that the highest price that the rest of the goods is sold for at the market , be repayed to the Merchant : which being done , the fraught of that goods so sold and repayed , shall be repayed by the Master to the owner of the ship , as well as the fraught of the rest of the Merchants goods , except the ship perish in the voyage ; in which case onely the price that the sold goods were bought for , shall be rendered : d And for no other cause , no not in the chance of shipwracke , may the Master take on or conquest money , specially , by-selling of Merchants goods . e And thus far cōcerning his power As for the Masters duty , he ought first before he loose or make saile , to seeke and obtaine the consent of the most part of the kippage or company ; yea , if hee be not very skilfull , he should doe no other thing of importance without their advise : otherwise , hee shall undergoe what-ever dammage happens by his doings ; f and specially if he loose forth of any harbour without an expert Pilot , g yea , or in the harbour the ship happen to fallover . h And as the Skipper his rashnesse and unskilfulnesse is thus-wise corrected : even so his negligence and sloth is to be punished . As first , by suffering the overlap and cowbridge to be unticht , i or the pumpe to be faultie , or a sufficient decking to be lacking ; k and specially , from corn , victuall , and such like goods , which should be most carefully kept , and fenced from water and spoyling . l Otherwise , the negligent Skipper is holden to make good all scath or dammage comming thereby , beside that the fraught of such spoiled goods is lost ; except that m the ship or crear was open from the beginning , and fraughted without any overlap : n which two kindes of ships , are tearmed by the Iurisconsult , Emphractae & Rephractae , nn Further , this duty is required of the Master , that according to the Act made by King Iames the third of Scotland , he give up the names of all persons transported in his ship , before he make saile : n As likewise at his return , the just Inventarie of the goods of any persons which shall happen to depart this life in that voyage ; o to the end , that not onely the lieges at home , nearest to the dead , may succeed to their right : but also concerning strangers so deceased , and their goods , that the same may be put in sure keeping , forth-comming for three yeeres space ; but by the custome of England , one yeare , untill the nearest of the dead-mans kinne come and claime the same . p Of which goods in the meane time , the bedding with the pertinents thereof , may be of due taken by the Master and his mate , to their uses ; as also such cloathing , and other thing then presently upon that persons body , may be delivered to the boatsman and servants of the ship , as who ought therefore to burie , or cure at least , the over-putting of the dead in the Sea. q TIT. IX . Of the Masters duty to the Merchant and Passenger ; and of his priviledges . THe Master ought to render againe whatever he receives within his ship , to him who delivered the same , as well victuall as clothing and merchandise , goods , or other thing : a where we take goods to be delivered , if either it be put in the ship , or in presence of the Master or Clerk as his deputie , layd to the ships side , b and both wayes , the perill to appertain to the Master . c Which thing also is extended to boatsmen , and to the Ferryers : d and yet is it surest to deliver goods before witnesse , and that either to the Master , Clerke , or Skipper his deputies thereto : e for the master is not holden for such things as are put in ship without his , and his companies knowledge ; f because where men are found ignorant , they are also esteemed not to consent . But if the Merchant or Passenger keepe his goods by himselfe , as money or such thing in his coffers , and then alledge the lacke therof , then is the Skipper and his kippage onely to purge themselves by their oath : f but if afterward notwithstanding they be found guilty , the denyer shall pay the double , and also be punished for perjurie . g Even so , the Master is lyable for all damage sustained through evill hooks , cordels , blocks or lines ; namely , if the mariner foreshew the said things to be faulty : and alwaies the mariners shall help the Skipper in common to pay the said damage . h Item , if any scath or damage happen to the Merchant or Passengers goods , through unreasonable stowing or breaking up , the master shall not onely refound or make good the same , but also lose his fraught , and twenty pound in Scotland to the King , i or his Admirall as his successor now ; and for lacke of proofe in this case , the Skipper and his kippage shal be put to their oath . k Further , what ever shal hapē through fault , negligence or chance eschewable , or by the deed of passengers and others than himselfe or his kippage , the Skipper is holden to answer and pay for all , to the uttermost penny : l for if such dammage happen by a mariner , the Skipper shall refound the double , m but hee may repett it from the mariner . n But it is not so if the damage bee done by a mariner to another , except he be a Merchant also , or by a Merchant or Passenger to one another , then shall not the double be sought of the master . o Neither yet is the master holden for anything without the ship , or yet within the same , if he duely forewarn each man to keepe his owne goods , and they agree thereunto . p Such is the force of due protestation , according to the opinions of the most famous Doctors ; q which cōditions aforesaid , are most justly layd upon the master , because he ought to hire good men , and no evill person in his company : r for it is in his owne free will to chuse his company , and he should not be ignorant of the men he hath to doe with ; s otherwise , if the master were not so obliged to all such duties and diligence for the Merchant & Passenger , there should be great occasion of stealth & spoile . t Lastly , if through the Masters fault , confiscation , or other damage happe●s , as for non-payment of the custom , or false bils of the goods customable , or for transporting of unlawfull goods , the Master shall refound the same with the interest . u But concerning the pursuits of these aforesaids , as the Merchant may wel pursue for the spoyled goods onely : x even so may the Master pursue the stollen goods ; as he who must onely , at least , chiefly , answer therefore . y And yet for all this , in case for want of these things , which the Merchant at the fraughting promised to be done at the entry to the voyage , any of the aforesaid losses happens , and therewith the Master and foure mariners sweare no fault to have been in them , the Master shall goe free . z And yet must we not overpasse this observation , that if the Master offer the just custom , anchorage , or whatever other duty pertaines to any Customers , and he , because of their unrighteous refusall , makes saile , the weather and his necessity so requiring , then may he be justly defended afterward against that Customer . a Neither yet should a ship that hath once paid her anchorages , pay againe , if she be forc't through tempest backe to the same Port. b TIT. X. The Masters duty to the Mariner . SEeing the Master is the ordinary ruler over his owne kippage or company , he ought to keepe them in peace so long as they eate his bread . a And if any mariner hap to be hurt in doing service , or by his companion , the Master shall cause him to be healed , as he who is onely answerable for the fact of all within ship-boord ; b and then by his authority , repeit or recover from the other mariner , the charges , with all that is lost to the hurt man therby : c except that he who is hurt or lamed , have provoked the other by evident invasion , assault , or stroaks . d And if a mariner become sick , the Skipper shall cause him to be layd in a house , with all sustentation necessary and usuall in the ship , but shall not stay the ship untill he be healed ; and when he recovers health , shall give him his hire : or if he dye , shall give it to the wife or nearest friends . e But if a mariner be not hurt in the ships service , the Skipper shall hire another in his place ; who if he draw more hyre , then that mariner shall refound the superplus . f And alwaies the Master ought to lēd his mariners if they lack g Item , if through the Masters fault , the ships boat perish with any mariners in it , as through spoyld tews , &c. then shal the Master pay one whole yeeres hyre to the heires of the drowned : h Item , he ought to give his mariners , flesh upon Sonday , Tuesday , and Thursday ; and upon other dayes , fish , or such like , with sufficient drinke : but no meate to them that sleepe not in the ship . i And yet the quality and quantity of mariners food and hyres , goeth diversly , according to the divers customes of Countries , and the conditions made at the entry to their voyage . TIT. XI . Of the duties and priviledges of Mariners . MAriners owe all due obedience to the Master , not onely in flying from him in his wrath so farre as they can , but also in suffering ; yet may they after one stroake defend themselves . In case of rebellion of mariners against their master , which is thought then to be done , when the Master hath thrise lifted the Towell from before any mariner , and yet he submits not himselfe , then may he not onely be commanded forth of the ship at the first land , but also if he make open strife and debate against the master , hee shall lose his halfe hire , with all the goods he hath within ship-boord . a But if in this strife a mariner useth any armour or weapons , then should the rest of the mariners binde him , prison him , and present him to justice ; so that if any of them refuse to lay to his hand , and to assist , he shall lose his hire , with all that he hath within shippe-boord . b Yea in case any number of the mariners would conspire to force the Skipper to passe to any other Port , than to the which he was fraughted , then may they be accused criminally , and punished , as for a capitall crime . c And yet , if a rebellious mariner repent in time , and offer amends for a simple rebellion , and the Skipper notwithstanding refuse ; he may follow the ship , and obtain his hire . d Mariners ought each one to helpe and assist others on the sea : or else he that refuseth , loseth his hire ; and the oath of his fellowes shall be a proofe against him . e Mariners in a strange Port , should not leave the ship without the masters licence , or fastning her with foure ●ewes ; or else the losse lights upon them . They should also await upon the ship untill she be discharged , and ballasted new , f and the tackle taken downe . And if a mariner , in time of loosing and lading , labour not with the rest of the company , but goes idle and absents himselfe , he shall pay a fine to the rest , prorata , at the Masters discretion . g At least , the halfe of the kippage or company , ought in strange country port or roade to stay aboord : and the rest who goe a-land , albeit with licence , should keepe sobriety , and abstaine from suspected places , or else should be punished in body and purse , like as bee who absents himselfe when the ship is ready to saile . h Yea , if he give out himselfe for worthier than he is in his calling , he shall lose his hire , halfe to the Admirall , and the other half to the master : i but this especially ought to be executed against an unworthy Pilot. k The mariner also forfets his hire if the ship breake in any part , & he help not with al his diligence to save the goods . l If it chance any otherwise than well to the Master , the mariners are then holden to bring backe the ship to the port from whence she was fraughted , without delay , m except it be otherwise provided . A mariner may carry as much meat forth of the ship as he may eate at a meale , but no drink . n A mariner may either keep his portage in his own hand , or put forth the same for fraught : and yet should not the ship stay upon the preparation for his portage . o So that in case the ship be fully laden before the goods for his portage be brought in , he shall have the just fraught of so much goods . p If a ship passe further than the mariner was hired , his hire should be accordingly augmented ; except he be hired , as the French man speakes , a mareages , mais non à deniers . q If a Mariner runne away with his hire undeserved , he deserves the gallowes . r If a mariner be hired for a simple mariner , and afterward in the voyage findes hiring tobe a Pilot or a Master , he may passe with provision to render his former hire : evē so is it if he mary . s Mariners are not onely holden to loose and deliver goods over-boord ; but also if no Porters nor Caryers be in those parts , to carry the same themselves , for such hire as other workmen should have had therfore . t If it happen a ship to be prized for debt or otherwise to be forfeited , yet should the mariners hire be paid ; and if she prosper , to receive their pay in the same money that the fraught is paid with . u Lastly , a mariner should neither be arrested nor taken forth of a ship making to saile , for any debt ( but onely his hire , and as much other goods as he hath in the ship arrested therefore , according to the quantitie of the debt , and the master to be answerable for all : x because the ship is compared to a mans dwelling house ; y and by the Civill law , a mans dwelling house is his most sure refuge ) z except for a sworne debt , or a penalty to the King through some crime . TIT. XII . Of the Clerke of the ship . IN ships of great bulk and burden , a Clerke is most needfull : who being put in by men of chiefe power , and sworne solemnly before some Iudge , as the use is in Italie ( or at least before owners and mariners ) that he shall write nothing but the truth , nor leave ought unwritten ; being , I say , so constitute , neither Merchant nor mariner may put in or take out any thing of the ship without his knowledge . So that whatsoever goods or other thing shall happen through storme or otherwise , to be cast , stollen , or spoyled , that hath not beene presented or shewne to the Clerke , it shall no way be up●set by contribution , or any search made therefore . And if it come safe to land , the Skipper may take what fraught he likes therefore . Also the Clerke may take of that which is delivered to him , and sell thereof for the ships need , but must satisfie the owner thereof : for he must be alwaies countable of his receits : a But howsoever he doe , he may neither take in , nor give forth goods by night , but in day light . b Vide statuta Ang. TIT. XIII . Of a Pilot or Steirsman . IF a Master hire a Steirsman not only for to guide his ship in through shalds or other dangers at a time onely , but also for a whole voyage , and to be ready therefore against a certaine day , and he faile to keepe that day , he shall not onely pay Master and Merchants damage or stay , but also the fraught that is lost thereby : except sicknes , or some very lawfull excuse qualifie it . a A Steirsman , after the time he hath brought the shippe in sure harbour , is no further bound or liable ; for then should the Master see to her bed and her lying , and beare all the rest of the burden , charge , and danger : so that if before she come into the Port or some safety , eyther she or goods perish or be spo led , the Pilot makes good the same : yea , if his faul● or ignorance be so grosse , that the company sees any manifest and present wracke to all thereby , then may they leade him to the hatches and strike off his head . b Yea , if without any seeing danger , certaine of the skilfull'st mariners deeme that he is not so skilfull as he set himselfe forth to be , then shall he both lose his hire , and double the same to the Admirall and Master , or else passe thrise under the ships keil . c TIT. XIV . Of money lent to Sea , called Nauticum foenus . GReat is the difference , or at least should be betwixt money lent amongst men , to use on land , and that money which is lent to Sea ; for this money is called pecunia Traiectitia , because that upon the hazard of the lender it is carried over Sea. So that if the shippe perish , or that all b● spoiled , the money loses to the lender . a But on the contrary , money on land is delivered on the perill of the borrower : so that the profit of this , is the price of the onely simple loane ; therefore generally called usura : but the profit of the other loane is called usura maritima , or soenus nauticum , which is not the price of the loane , but of the hazard and danger which the lender takes upon him during the loane : b which is understood to be to a certaine day or voyage , or what-ever of time agreed upon . And therefore if the money miscarry , eyther before the voyage begun , or after the tearme appointed for the f●ll loane ; then the perill pertaines to the borrower thereof , and not to the lender : c I meane of perils proceeding from stormes , violence , spoyle or such like occasions , which cannot be eschued by any diligence of the borrower ; and therefore in case the borrower imploy the lent money upon lawfull goods , or that by his defrauding of the due customes , the same be confilcat , the lender is freed of such hazards . d It is also to be noted , that mony lent upon the Sea , without hazard , and yet with security , should pay no profit , suppose it were unbooked in the Clerks book with the profit ; contrary to that which is lent on land : e so that albeit money be lent within the ship during the voyage , to the need of the company ; and if before the day appointed for the rendring , shipwracke or spoyle happen , then should the losse come in contribution betweene them ; f because if that money had been lying by the lender , still unlent , it had bin in common danger of shipwrack of spoil with the rest . But if the time appointed were past with the hazards aforesaid , then shall the borrower repay the borrowed money , free from all contribution . g Further , in case the borrower deteines any such lent mony as is aforesaid , beyond the terme appointed for the repaying , he shall at his returne not onely pay the profit agreed upon before the voyage , but also augment the same according to the greater time , and yet shal not pay the profit of that first condition , but onely after the common rate . h TIT. XV. Of the Outreaders , or Outriggers , Furnishers , Hyrers , and of the Owners of Ships , and of actions for and against them . IT is not onely permitted to him who contracts with the Master of a ship , or that hath any other action or claime against him as Master of the ship , to pursue him ; but also the outreader , setter , or exercitor thereof , as him who placed the Master ; and therefore ought to make good the Masters deed and fact . a This outreader we take to be him to whom the commodity of the ship b redounds ; so that he may lay his action upon any of them ; Ne in plures adversarios distrahatur qui cum uno tantum contraxit . c But the rest of the owners or outreaders shal relieve this man prorata ▪ of their portiōs ; except the handling of the ship be so severally divided amongst them : or that the Master have not his power and commission of them all : d or that the master have obliged himselfe beyond his commission ; as if he have taken on money to mend the ship , when as she needs it not : or that he have no commission at all ; in which case the lender hath to blame his owne folly : for by the common rule of Law , men should know well the persons and their conditions , with whom they have to bargaine . e And yet in case evident need be of mending , and money be lent thereto ; suppose the Master should spend it otherwise , yet ought the outreader to satisfie the creditor . f But above all , that money which is lent for victuals to the ships company , should be repayed , as preferd before all other sort of debts . ff But a Merchant contracting with a Mariner that is not a Master , shall have no action against the outreader , except for a fault done by the Mariner , specially , if he hath beene hyred and put in by the outreader . Againe , albeit by the common law of the Sea the outreaders may not pursue persons obliged to the Skipper , yet are they permitted to pursue upon the Masters contract , as they had bin contracters principall ; g because in such dealings he sustaines the out●●aders person : and because of the great common-wealth that is Procured by this kinde of traffique , h worthily such priviledges to the outreaders and exercers of shipping are granted . And yet is not the Master alwaies bound to satisfie all counts to the outreaders : specially , in case it happen some passengers to be Non solvendo , the Master is nor holden to pay for them , because it becomes not the Master , in the acceptation of Passengers , to search out so narrowly their meanes and ability . i And againe , the outreader is not holden alwayes to answer for the Masters sloath , but for his owne selfe . k TIT. XVI . Of sundry Partners of Ships , and their discords . MOreover , concerning the owners of the ship , in case they cannot agree amongst themselves to remaine in Partnership ; seeing by the law they cannot be constrained thereunto : a yea , not albeit a Paction had bin made never to sunder ; b then is there many considerations required in their sundring . And first , if their common Ship or Cray be put in building ; or that she be but presently bought : in these cases it is thought convenient , that she shall be imployed one voyage first , upon the common outread and hazard , before any of these Partners be heard to sunder & discharge their part . And after that , if they cannot agree , he who desires to be free , should offer to the rest , and set his part on such a price , as hee will eyther hold or sell , which if he will not doe , and yet refuses to outread with the rest , then may the rest rigge forth the ship at their owne charges , and also upon the hazard of the wilfull refuser , so farre as his part extends , without any count to him of any deale or part of profit at her returne : c but they must bee bound to him to bring her home safe , or the value of his part . And justly ; because that , as shippes were inven●ed in common , for the use of all men ; even of them that dwell in the mountaines , as on the coasts of the sea : d so were they ordained and builded for sayling , and not to lye idle and unoccupied . e But if the persons , who have most part of the ship , refuse to abide in partnership with him who hath a small part , that neither hee can sell his part at that price , without great losse , nor yet is able for povertie to attaine to their parts , then are they all bound to put the ship to an appraisement . f Otherwise , the scoffe which Casselius , a Romane lawyer , used against two wilful partners of a ship , may also be used against such : that is to say , while they asked him by what way they might divide and part their ship , Casselius answerd ; If ye divide her , then neither of you shall have her . g And if for lacke and want of buyers in that place , the poore partner can neither eschew the oppression of the richer , nor yet the rich satisfie the poor man , perchance also wilfull ; then may the Iudge ordinary deale and decree in this case , as he may In omnibus alijs bonae fidei actionibus : that is to say , consider all the circumstances of the persons , their motions , the matter of their debate , with all the merits thereof , and make up a full consideration of all together , that every man may obtain and receive his own due right . h TIT. XVII . Of Casting of goods in a voyage , and the like ; and of Contribution to be made therefore . COncerning contribution or scott and lot , as we speake , it is ordinary : and first , it is practised upon shippes so stormestead that for reliefe of lives and goods , casting of goods must be made : In that case the master shall consult with the mariners : who if they consent not , & yet the storm and danger continue , then may the master cast some goods notwithstanding : a But if the merchāt be present , let him begin to cast , b next the mariners : but if the mariner keep back any part that should be cast , to his own use , he shal render the double . c But when afterward the master shall come to land , he must with the most part of his company sweare that he did cast goods for no other cause but for the safety of shippe , goods , and lives d Secondly , when goods are cast , they shall be upset and compensed by a contribution of Ship and such goods as are safe thereby : e and not onely of goods paying fraught and burdensome , but of cloathing , money , jewels , and such like , f which are not weighty . For , it is most righteous , that the losse be common to all things which are safe thereby . g Except things borne upon a mans body , victuals and such like , put in ship to be spended , and therfore should not scott and lott , with other goods : in so much , that when they become scant and wanting , each man is bound to communicate the same one to other . h But here it may be asked , whether yet should all kinde of cast goods , be up-set and made good by contribution , as for example , the goods transported above the overlap , and goods forbidden to be transported i Sure , if such goods happen to be the cause of any scathe and danger , the master who received the same within his ship , shall beare the losse and also be criminally pursued therefore . k But if goods unadvisedly , without consent of the owner thereof , be cast out , on the sudden ; then may he himselfe upon his conscience esteeme his owne goods to the just worth , because the company hath that way by their rash dealing , lost the priviledge they had to estimate that goods . l In like manner the ship geare and apparell wracked by storme , imports no more contribution , then if a workman breake or spoyle his work-tooles , or instruments in his ordinary work , m except in the avoyding of a danger , as the helving the maste over-boord , n or the slipping of a Tow-anchor or boate upon just fea●● , or at the desire of the Mercha●ts . o But that should be alwayes proved by the oaths of the ship-men : for concerning all facts within house or ship , credit must be given to the domesticks and company familiar . p Also if goods be put in without the master and clerks knowledge ; if they be cast , they shall have no contribution . q TIT. 18. Of contribution for Pirates . IF ship or goods be redeemed from a Pirate , contribution shall be made therefore , by all ; because the redemption is made for the safety of all . But if the Pirate be once Master of all , and yet take but some speciall goods , whether from ship or Merchant , and not as a contentation for the sparing of the rest , it should appeare in this case , that seeing the remnant is not safe hereby , but freely spared , that no contribution should be made for the taken goods . For oftentimes Pirats take but things at their pleasure , and not of minde to spoyle . a Yet now adayes because this chance of taking at pleasure , concernes ( in common judgement ) the rest of the goods as subject to that same pleasure of the Pirat ; therefore should it be also in common upset by all to whom that chance is common . TIT. XIX . Of contribution for spoyled and spilt goods . IF through the losing of any cast goods , or upon any needfull occasion , the remaining goods be spoyled either with wet , or otherwayes ; a contribution shall be made , proportionable for so much as they are made worse . a TIT. XX. Of contribution for lightning and disburdening of ships for their easier entry to the Port , and for other chances . IF it be needfull to lighten a ship of her burden , for her easier entry to Port or channell , the two parts of the losse fall upon the goods , and the third part on the ship ; except that the shippe surpasse in worth the loading , or that the charge of goods bee not the cause of her inability to enter , but some bad quality proceeding of the ship it selfe : a Or that otherwayes it be provided in the charter-partie , that the goods shall be fully delivered at the Port covenanted and appointed ; for then condition makes law : b In which case it is to be also observed , that if by occasion of lightning , the goods which are put in the boat or Lighter , perish , the ship and remaining goods in ship shall upset the same . But on the contrary , if the ship and remaining goods perish after the Lighter is once safe , no contribution shall be set upon the goods in the Lighter : because the rule is constant , that onely then should goods be liable to contributions , when ship and goods come safe to Port. c Item , contribution should be for the Pilots fee , that is taken in to guide her into an unknowne Port ; d as also to raise the Ship off ground when the fault is not in the Master . e Even so if two ships rush and crosse one over another , and the company sweare their innocencie , as that it lay not in their power to stay the same , contribution must be made for one equall upset of both their losses . f But not so if one of them perish ; because of that mishap , there can be no due proportion of the losse : for if it were otherwise , a malitious Skipper , might of purpose set an old weake ship against a strong ship , in hope of some upset and recompence . And yet for redresse of the lost shippe , an action may be to the owner , against the negligent Master , or the Mariner who losed her , or cut her cable : g which action is called Legis Aquiliae , for dammage and scathe done . And therefore if such a chance befall in the day light , by a ship under saile against a ship riding at anchor , then the Master of that sailing ship , shall make good the dammage or scathe of the other , to the extremity : and the like shall be done , if in the night the riding ship hold fire and light forth , or make any crying to forewarn the other . It also pertaines to this argument , h if some sort of goods , as salt , or corne , be laid on heap by divers partners , into a shippe without distinction , and that the Master deliver to any of them their due measure , and before the rest receive their measures , the remaining salt or corne , washes or looses , he that had the good luck to be first served , enjoyes it fully without any contribution to the rest of the partners : ( i ) because when this goods was put into the ship , it was delivered to the master , tanquam in creditum ; and so he is become owner , as of lent money : which men are not holden to render in the selfe same pieces , but in value or such like coyne ; k except l there be some other condition past before : which in all affaires maketh law . Neither can this be imputed for any fault to the master , because of necessity he behooveth to make delivery to one , first , before another . m TIT. XXI . Of the common manner of contribution , and execution thereof . IN setting of contribution or rates , things must be estimate in manner following . First , the goods cast , spoiled , or reft ; to the price they cost , if their chances did happen before midde voyage : but if after the midde voyage , then to the price , the rest of the same goods attaine to at the market ; because there is here a consideration , rather of losse and scathe than of any gaine . a And because domage and losse should be drawne as it were in streite , and gaine and vantage spredde forth and extend , according to Harmenopolus sentence ; spoyled and lost goods should bee set to the common worth , and not after mens affections : b except onely in goods unadvisedly cast : wherein for the correction of the rashnesse of the casters ( as who thereby appeare to have amitted their owne priuiledge ) the estimation of the goods is permitted to the conscience of the Merchant or owner therof . ( c Vide supratit . 17. Secondly , concerning the Persons , whose losses are under contribution , he should first deale with the master , to retaine all the same goods on the bottome of the ship , in his keeping , untill the rate be set and executed : d or else may omit all other persons , and pursue the Skipper ex conducto : which also ceases , if the cast goods be found againe . e Lastly , concerning the Master of the Ship his priviledge , it is not onely upon the detinew , and keeping of the goods and geere brought within his ship , which are thought as by a privie band to be obliged and given him in pledge for the fraught , by common consent of lawyers , but also for the due and timely satisfaction of such contributions ; because the imposed taxation , as likewise the fraught , is thought to sticke firmely to the said goods : and therefore the Master may hold his hand thereon , untill satisfaction be made , f albeit that commonly the with-holding of other mens good be not allowed . g TIT. XXII . Of priviledged ships . SHips or boats serving the Country , or the Prince , have great prerogatives . For first they goe free from all Imposts , Customs , and Arrestments , a not onely in forth-going , but also in their returne , according to Fredericke the Emperour his constitution . b Yet if a Skipper serving the Prince or Countrey , wilfully falles on coastes and by-courses where he should not , to their hurt and hinderance , he merits death : c and the commanders or officers in chiefe parts , who wittingly suffer such Skippers to lye and slugger , incurre a forfeiture of all their goods . d And if any man shal force the Skipper of these or any other ships to take in more than his just charge , not onely should he upset all hurt and losse , but also be publikely punished . e And as these are the conditions of ships serving the Prince ; so is it to be knowne that all sorts of ships are subject to this service , upon command : f otherwise in case they refuse , their ships shall be confiscat , except they report a testimony from the Admirall of very lawfull excuse g Yea , further is to be noted , that Masters of ships and Ferriers once so professed , are bound to serve as well subjects in common , as the Prince ; h except they have left the trade , or be under a safe conduct , or have taken in moe , then they can well carry a ship-board . i And this is a common priviledge to all sort of loaded and burdened ships , to have the neerest place to the shore , for their discharge and unloading ; and therefore the ships lightened , to give them place . k Lastly , even the persons who build , purchase , or dresse shippes expresly for a common-wealth to their . Country , are accounted amongst the priviledged : l yea the frequenters of sayling are also priviledged in all Courts . m TIT. XXIII . Concerning Shipwracke . STrangers incurring shipwracke in Scotland , should have the same favour of us that we use to receive of them in the like case ; a so that no confiscation should be used against them , except they use to doe so to us , or that they be very Pirats , or enemies to Christianity : b otherwise , who steals any such miserable goods , shall pay foure-fold to the owner , if he be pursued within a yeere and a day ; c and as much to the Prince or his Admirall : yea , the onely stealing of a naile , or the worth thereof , maketh the thiefe guilty of all , to the rendring of all the remaining goods . d Yea , by the Emperour Antonius his ordinance , this thiefe or robber of such goods should be battoned , and banisht for three yeares , if he be of any honest ranke ; but if he be base of condition , should be sent scourged to the Gallies or metall mines . e And if any man should be so cruelly wicked , as to hinder the ship-broken men from helpe in danger , hee shall be recounted for a murtherer . f And therefore may no man hinder ships from forthlaying of Tews & Anchors upon land : * as was decided betwixt Couper and Seagy , Anno 1498. mense Iulij , g In like manner , if any man should be so accursed as to hold forth a Lanterne in the night , of intention to draw on ships to a danger , in place of a good port or harbour or safe roade , that wicked person should be punished to the death . h Yea , though no harme happen , yet may the Admirall punish him at his pleasure : i And therefore even Fishers are forbidden to fish with light in the night , lest that Sailers thereby be deceined with the false shew of an harbour . ii But for the better eschuing of these cruell evils , Hadrian the Emperour ordained , that all men having possessions on the coasts , should attend carefully upon such chances ; otherwise , to be answerable for al things missing by stealth or robbery . k Item , if no man in due time claime such a wracke , it fell of old to the Prince his customers , according to that of Hermogenes and Fortunatianus , l Naufragia ad publicanos pertinento ; but now-adayes to the Admirall , by the Princes graunt . But concerning the action for shipwracke , it should be intended within a yeere and a day , m and sped by the Iudge within two yeere . n Where it is to be marked , that if the shippe onely perish and the goods are safe , in that case the goods shall pay the fift or the tenth penny ; according to the easie or difficult winning and saving of the said goods ; o for gold , silk , silver , & such like things of easie transportation , should pay lesse than goods of greater weight and difficult transporting , as being in greater hazard : p except the Skipper carry-in his ship to a port or part where hee should not , nor the Merchant would not ; for then is the Merchant free of all the Skippers losse , q and no way should upset the spoyled or broken ship . r But in cases of wracke , the lawes of England are also to be seene : as , Westm. 1. 3. E. 1. vid. praerog . regis 12. TIT. XXIV . Of things found upon the Sea , or within the floud-marke . SHips , goods , or geare , or whatsoever other things found within the Sea or floud thereof , are of three sorts : as , either found on the streame floting , and then are called Floatson : or found on the Sea bottom , and drawne up from the same by Doukers and other meanes ; and then are called Lagon : or found on land , but within the Sea-floud , as cast forth there by storme and the water ; and then are called Ierson . Concerning Floatson and Ie●son , whether things be cast up by shipwrack , or else left as lost through casting in stormes , the finders thereof , as some Lawyers thinke , a should doe therewith , as with other goods found upō land : that is , to proclaime the same to be forth-comming to the just owner ; because the loser or ●ynner of such goods remaineth still owner and proprietar thereof : b and if no man claime , the finder to keepe it to himselfe if he be poore . c But according to the old Rhodian law , whether the finder be rich or poore , he may claime or rather retaine the fift part , for the safe keeping d If a Douker finde drowned goods upon eight cubits deepe , hee gaines the third part ; and if on fifteene cubits , then he obtaines the halfe ; but upon one cubite , onely the tenth part . e Yet if the finder be rich , and hath found goods by chance , hee should rather give it to the Church or poore , as some say . f But now-adayes this goeth farre otherwise ; first , because persons endued with the superiority or signiory of any part of the Sea-coast , do claime all or a part of these things , whether cast forth of ships , or otherwise comming upon their land , g which otherwise before was allowed to the finder : h Even so , when shippes or boats were found on the sea , or at the coast thereof , without any living creature therin , and no man claiming the same for the space of a yeere and a day , then was the halfe allowed to the finder , and the remanent to the Prince , as a derelict : i but since the erection and constitution of Admiralls , this kinde of found goods are diversly par●ed ; for in France , the King , draweth a third , the Admirall a third , and the finder a third . k And of old , in England , although such things were divided twixt the Admirall and the finder , l yet now they are left to the arbitrement of both Admirals in England and Scotland , to consider the finder or taker with a condigne portion , for his travels , charges , and hazard in all circumstances ; m even with the halfe at least , according to that which Tryphonius sets downe , concerning things found on land . n Yet , if the finder conceale such goods , whether anchors , timber , jewels , dead-men with money or jewels about them , &c. he not onely loseth his just part , but may be also fined at the will of the Admirall . o And thus farre concerning things found by the labour and travels of men . If Whales , great grosse fishes , ships , or boats , without any living in them , by force of winde and waves onely , be driven to any coast or land , then all and whole appertaines to the Admirall : and so generally , all casualties whatsoever . p TIT. XXV . Of things taken upon Sea. NOw followeth to treat of goods taken upon Sea ; which are of three sorts : for either they are taken from Pirats , and sea-thiefes ; or from professed enemies in lawfull warfare ; or from such as not professing open warre , allowes taking reft to be exercised against us . Which kinde of taking , is covered with the title of letters of Marque , called Ius represaliarum . And first , touching that which is taken from Pirats , sith the goods which they have wrongfully taken from others , whether they be found in their owne , or in their successors possession , are esteemed to bee a just prey to any taker , so that account be made thereof to the Admirall : in case the taker finde the goods of his country man or friend with the Pirat , hee should make the same forth-comming to the just owner claiming the same ; his cost , charges and hazard , being alwaies considered and allowed ; a so that if any man buy or redeeme his neighbours ship from a Pirat or enemy , hee must receive the price thereof from the owner . b But if no man claime the goods taken from a Pirat , then should the same be delivered to the Admirall , who ought to consider the taker with his due part thereof . If a ship or goods be taken by a professed enemy , who hath not brought it in praesidia vel locum tutum , for the making of a prescription ; or a right , and afterward the same is taken back , and recovered by any friend , and the just owner claime the same , it ought to be restored to the owner ; for that by the law , Huiusmodi res non tam capta quàm recepta intelligitur . c But when such goods become a just and lawfull prize to the taker , then should the Admirall have a tenth part : for so of old , the tenth part of lawfull spoile , was offered to God , in a manner ; as we may learne by that which Abraham returning from victory over five Kings , offered to Melchisedeck : d and the remnant of the spoile should be proportionally divided amongst the takers , according to the law of God , set downe by Moses , e and practised by King David ; f and yet not onely amongst severall persons , according to every man his proved travell and hazard . g So that the ship that sets no saile , fights not , nor hazards not with the rest , should have no part with the rest , thereof . h Provided alwaies , that first and formost , the prisoners , captives , and taken goods of preyes , be in due time presented to the Captaine , to be disposed by the Admirall : so that if any man breake bulk , meddle , or dispose of any of those goods before , he may be punished , and the receiver or buyer prisoned , untill caution bee found , that these goods shall be forth-comming to the Admirall , and just owner , according to a decision past betwixt the King of Scotland and Maubray , Anno 1487. 17. Iunij . i If two forraine Nations be at warre , and the one take a shippe from the other , and bring her into a Port or road within the bounds of a neutrall Nation , alike friend to both , then may the Admirall of that neutrall Nation ordaine that ship so taken and brought within the said bounds , to be restored to her owner ; and the persons captives , to their former liberty , even as if she had beene brought backe to her owne Port and Countrey againe . k Besides that , generally in all cases , the action and cause of liberty , as priviledged , should be favourably considered : l and it is the honourable practice of Princes , to make their Countreyes an Asylum , or sanctuary , to all distressed strangers that bee not Pirats . Lastly , concerning letters of Merque , as we speake , or droict de Merque , as Frenchmen tearme it , sive ius represaliarum , and goods and things taken under that title upon sea ; surely , as farre as we may , we should prease to keepe Gods law set downe by Moses , m practised by King Amasia , n and confirmed by the Prophets : o that the father should not be punished for the sonne , nor the sonne for the father , but a difference to be alwaies put betwixt the guilty and the innocent . Which thing moved Emperours to make constitutions for the repressing of represalies in certaine respects . p Notwithstanding , if our patience be so oppressed with the increase of robberies , spoyles , and violence upon sea , by men falsely professing friends , in such sort that upon no supplication , intercession , nor other travels , the Princes of these wrongfull Nations ( who onely can and should represse and redresse ) will doe justice , or neglect to doe their office ; then because such a dealing imports a iust cause of lawfull hostility and warfare , I see not but that such a calamity may and ought to be repressed , at least by these represalies and letters of Merque ; q specially , sith that cause , in effect , resembles a warre denounced without solemnities of clarigation . And therefore , both according to the lawes of England , letters of Merque are allowable ; and according to the old custome of Scotland ; and the tenor of the Act of Parliament made by Iames the first of Scotland , r concerning shipwracke , to be followed for a rule to such cursed cases , that is to say , that other Nations should have the like favour of us , that they shew to us . Now being agreed that letters of Merque are lawfull , as they are by statutes , customes and reason , specially upon a matter of great importance , and after a due warning , intimation , and one requisition ; so that it be done by the Prince , and solemnly : s then what goods happen to be taken by that meanes , should bee brought and presented as aforesaid before the Admirall ; t that a just Inventary may be taken thereof , for divers good respects . TIT. XXVI . Of Fishers , fishing , and traffiquers therewith . ALbeit hunting , hawking , and fishing , be of one kinde , as subject to a like law and liberty , a because what wilde beast , fowle , or fish be once taken by any man , commonly it becommeth his owne proper by the lawes of Nations ; yet is there a difference twixt these three : for , albeit hunting and hawking be almost every where lawfull , yet fishing is forbidden in other mens ponds , stanks and lakes , b as comparable with the●t . Yea , now a-daies , in rivers , and in parts of the Seas neerest to the possessions of men having grant and infeftment from the King , may fishing be forbidden , but no private man , without the grant of the Prince , upon any pretence , or allegation of long consuetude and prescription , may acquire the propriety of any such part of the sea , as to prohibite others to fish there also ; c for such prescriptions onely pertaine to Princes . To returne to the quality of fishing ; sith it is not onely allowable to all sorts of persons , d but also commendable , and alwaies to be preferred to all other trades and traffiques upon sea , not onely for necessaries , but also for the great good and profit redounding thereby ; all ciuill and vertuous Princes have diversly forthshowne their care , for the entertaining and advancing thereof : as , by ordinances to build shippes and boats to that purpose ; e and by their wise appointing of certaine onely times for the fishing , as namely , of Salmon , under paines not onely of Fynes , but also of forfeitures , and of death , according to the manner of the offence , and contempt of their decrees and statutes . f Which Princes also ( for the increase of fishes ) have , as it were with common consent , forbidden the making , setting , and using of crowes , yarrs , dammes , fosses , tramelets , parkings , dyking and herrywaters , in any waters g where the sea ebbes and flowes , under paine of confiscation of all the goods of the transgressors in Scotland . h Yea , albeit that any man were of old infefted with keeping of crwiffes , weares , and kiddles , &c. yet must he keepe the Saturdaies slop : that is , to lift the same from Saturday at after-noone till Monday ; and also to make each heck or mesh of his crwiffe three inches wide , i except for taking of smelts , loches , and such like that will neuer be bigger : as also , for to set the same upon the waters , that the mid-streame may have the iust space of sixe foot wide , under the paine of five pound . m And thus farre concerning the maintenance and increase of fishes , by our Scottish lawes and custome . It followeth , to set downe concerning the Fishers their safety and priviledges . Wherin it is provided , first , that all Shippes sayling into the parts where Herring are taken , at least during the taking thereof , shall let downe ●aile after day light past , let their Anchor fall , and keepe watch with Lanterne and light , untill day light appeare again , lest otherwise the poor Fishers should be over-run , or their nets broken : their paine in Denmarke , is death to the transgressors : n and the Fishers are likewise forbidden to use light in their fishing by night , lest they deceive saylers with the false shew of a port . nn Likewise , lest any of the Fishers harme or hurt one another , it is diversly provided , as also cōcerning the right measure of their nets in length & in bredth ; o as may be seen by the Statutes of sundry nations Vid statuta Angliae . And specially therfore it is agreed of long time sithence , by the Sea-farers on the Forth of Scotland ; p first , that no ground-draffe or drag-net , be set before March , nor upon deeper water then fourteene fathome . Item , that none shall lye to their neighbours when he shall be asked concerning the length and depth of his tewe , when he is in driving : neither yet wittingly and wilfully to suffer his tewes and nets to flit , and runne over one another , under the paine of ten pound for every transgression of the premised articles . Item , above all , that from the Sun-set on Sonday , no man lay nor hale nets or great lines , or exercise any labour , under the foresaid paine . Item , for the further incouraging of Fishers in the West and North Isles of Scotland , there is a Statute that no other customes be sought of the Fishers in the said I●es , but only the Kings customes ; under the paines due to manifest oppressors against them who exact the same . q Lastly , concerning Fishers and traffiquers with fishes , it is ordained that not onely all fish slaine and taken neere to the coast of Scotland , be brought and presented to the market places , where the takers or slayers thereof dwell : r but also all fishes taken in the North and West Isles or Firths , to be brought directly to the townes where the Fishers dwell ( that the need of the countrey may be first served ) s and presented to the market places : from which none may carry them away to packe and peil , but onely betwixt the houres of eleven and two in the afternoone , under the paine of confiscation . In which markets , it is lawfull to the Provost & Bail●ffes to set downe prices , and to compell the packer and peiler to sell againe for the need of the Lieges . t Which being done , they may transport the remainder where they please . u And in case they contemne , then their fishes to be eschete , two parts to the King , and the third to the Magistrate ▪ x Likewise , concerning the barrelling of fishes , it is ordained that the measures prescribed of old shall be kept : videlicet , each barrell of Herring , or of white fish , to be of twelve galons ; y and the barrell of Salmon of fourteene galons , according to the measure of Hamburg , z under the paines of escheting there of from the pa●ker , and of five pound to be lifted from the Couper . a And therefore hoop irons to be made in each towne , for the tryall and gaging thereof b Vid. statuta Angliae . Tit. of fishing ; in the Abridgements . TIT. XXVII . Of the Community and Propriety of the Seas . HAving of late seene and perused a very learned , but a subtle Treatise ( incerto authore ) intituled Mare liberum , containing in effect a plaine Proclamation of a liberty common for all of all Nations , to fish indifferently on all kinde of Seas , and consequently , a turning of undoubted proprieties to a community ; as the fift chapter thereof at large discovers ( wherein the unknowne Authour protesteth , that he may for his warrant use the authority and words of such old Writers as have beene esteemed most mighty in the understanding and judging upon the naturall condition of things here below ) and the Discourse , being covered with the maintenance of a liberty to saile to the Indians ; I thought alwaies expedient by occasion of this argument of fishing contained in my former Title , by Gods grace , to occurre thereunto ; as manifestly direct , at least ( in my weake sight ) tending to the prejudice of my most worthy Prince and his subjects ; and that not onely by arguments derived from the first verity of the nature of things , but also from his owne proofs , warrants , and their Authors . And yet before I goe any further , I cannot passe the Authour his ridiculous pretence , in both Epistle and beginning of his Discourse ; as for a liberty onely to saile on Seas : a thing farre off from all controversie , at least upon the Ocean ; specially , since passage upon land through all Regions Christian , is this day so indifferently permitted to all of all Nations , even to Turkes , Iewes , Pagans , not being professed enemies ; and therfore much lesse to be restrained on Sea in all respects . So that I cannot but perswade both my selfe , and other loyall subjects , that the said pretence is but a very pretence ; and so much the more to be suspected as a drift against our undoubted right and propriety of fishing on this side the Seas . Now remembring the first ground , whereby the Authour would make Mare I●herum , to be a position fortified by the opinions and sayings of some old Poets , Orators , Philosophers , and ( wrested ) Iurisconsults , that Land and Sea , by the first condition of nature , hath beene and should be common to all , and proper to none : against this I minde to use no other reason , but a simple and orderly reciting of the words of the holy Spirit , concerning that first condition naturall of Land and Sea from the very beginning ; at which time , God having made and so carefully toward man disposed the foure Elements , two to swimme above his head , and two to lye under his feet : that is to say , the Earth and Water , both wonderfully for that effect ordered to the up-making of one and a perfect Globe , for their more mutuall service to mans use : according to this , immediately after the creation , God saith to man , a Subdue the earth , and rule over the fish : which could not be , but by a subduing of the waters also . And againe , after the Floud , God saith , Replenish the earth : b and for the better performance hereof , God in his justice against the building of Babylon , scattred man-kinde over all the face of the earth ; c therefore is it that Moses saith , d These are the Iles of the Nations divided in their lands . So that hereby is evident that things here done , are not so naturally too common ; sith God the author of nature , is also as well author of the division , as of the cōposition : and yet howsoeuer , in his justice as is said , yet in his mercy also and indulgent care , for the welfare and peace of mankinde . For those are sentences both vulgar and sure , set downe by the Romane Iurisconsults , e Communio parit discordiam . Quod communiter possidetur , vitio naturali negligitur . Habet communio rerum gerendarum difficultatem . f Afterward , the earth , by the infinite multiplication of mankinde , being largely replenished , and therefore of necessity thus divided ▪ and things upon the earth not sufficient for the necessaries and desires of man in every region , followed of force the use of trading vpon the seas ; not onely for the ruling of the fish therein , according to the commandement given by the Creator at the beginning , but also for transporting of things necessary for the use of man. For the which , and other causes above mentioned , the waters became divisible , and requiring a partition in like manner with the earth ; according to that of Baldus : Videmus , de iure gentium , in mare esse regna distincta , sicut in terra arida . g And thus farre have we learned , concerning the community and propriety of land and sea , by him who is the great Creator and authour of all ; and therefore of greater authority and understanding then all the Grecian and Romane Writers , Poets , Orators , Philosophers , and Iurisconsults , who-so-ever famous : whom the author of Mare liberum protests he may use and leane ●o without offence . Now , sith the weaknesse of this his first and principal ground doth this way appeare ; let any man judge upon the truth of that which Cicero ( his man ) sets down , g Sunt privata natur a nulla ; and likewise of all other his authors their opinions , for the fortification of an originall community of things . It followeth to examine the chiefe warrants of Mare liberum ; and to consider how farre they may beare forth to a common liberty for fishing , on all seas indifferently . The author cites Vlpian , a renowned Iurisconsult indeed , and Martian their sentences ; alleaging h that Vlpian should say , i Ante aedes meas aut praetorium ut piscari aliquem prohibeam , usurpatum quidem est , sed nullo iure , adeo ut contempta ea usurpatione , iniuriarum agere potest . sz . prohibitus . That is to say , if I should forbid any man to fish before my house , he may mis-know such an usurpation , and intend action of injury against me , for a wrongfull staying him from fishing there . But as I read , k Vlpian his words are thus ; Sunt qui putant iniuriarum me agere posse : that is , there are men who thinke , I may intend action , &c. It is true also , that Martian saith , Nemo ad littus piscandi causa accedere prohibetur . l And yet neither of these two Iurisconsults , pronounceth absolutely in these cases , but upon another higher warrant : and therefore Vlpian addes , Saepissime rescriptum est n●c piscari , &c. prohibere posse . m That is , it is by writ most often answered , &c. Which Martian expounds most clearely , when he saith , Nemo igitur ad littus maris piscandi causa accedere prohibetur ; and subjoynes his warrant , Idque Divus Pius piscatoribus Formianis rescripsit : n that is , No man is forbidden to come to the sea side and fish ; as the Emperour Divus Pius did write to the Fishers of Formian . So that you see the Emperours to have been warrants to these Lawyers , and their written opinions , concerning the voyage of the sea . Now , to passe the propriety which hereby we see these Emperours did claime on the seas , I aske first , to whom did the Emperours write such resolutions ? was it not to the professed subjects of their owne Empire ? and what ? even the usage of the seas , and coasts of their Empire , to be indifferently common to every one of their own subjects : and how ? Iure gentium ; that is , according to the law kept by all other nations , to every one of their own nation in like cases . Moreover , albeit these and other Romane Lawyers pronounce so , concerning the community of the sea-shoare , and coast , that private men may build houses within the floud-marke , and appropriate them to themselves , according to that which Neratius writes , Quod in littore quis aedificat , eius fit : o that is , what a man builds on shoare , it becommeth his owne ; yet upon this condition , Tamen decretum praetoris adhibendum est ut id facere liceat , saith Pomponius : p that is , providing the Praetor his decree be interponed thereunto ; or that the Prince give grant , as Vlpian writes ; q Vel ut princeps concedat . As for the remnant of these sorts of warrants alledged for Mare liberum , sith they sing all one song for the common use to the people , and propriety to the Prince , if men will but onely marke them ; I need not stay further upon them . So that every man may see both the use of the word commune , and the meaning of Iure gentium among these Lawiers , whereupon this Mare liberum appeares so to be founded , that it cannot be shaken . For , commune , there is nothing else but publieum , q●asi populicum ; signifying a thing common for the usage of any of one sort of people , and not for all of all nations : according to that of Modestinus , Roma communis patria est . r Neither yet doth that word , Iure gentium , meane any law set downe by common consent of all nations ; but onely notes the example of the law , or custome of other nations : as if they would say , the liberty of fishing on our seas , and of other doing there and at shoare , should be common to every one of the Romane Empire , like as the same is common to all of all other nations , on their seas , and their shoares . Likewise , that of Placentinus ; Quod mare sit in nullius bonis , nisi solius dei : that is , GOD is onely Lord of the sea ; and so say we with King David , that the land also is the Lords . s But that of Faber , t Mare esse in primaevo iure quo omnia erant communia , I need no otherwise to refute now , than I have done above already . And these are the Authors and warrants whereupon Mare liberum inferres his conclusion ; Demonstratum igit ur nec populo , nec privato ius aliquod in mare competere posse , quum occupationem , nec natura , nec publici usus ratio permittat . u Which , how it followeth upon the premisses , let men judge ; sith neither these his Authors make for him , neither yet the reason inserted in the conclusion beares out ; which is , quum occupationem nec natura , nec publici usus ratio permittat : that is , neither nature , nor the common need , suffers the sea to be acquired in property to any occupation . For answer , first concerning the nature of the sea , as supposed impossibly occupable or acquirable ; Is this so thought because the sea is not so solid , as is the land , that men may trade thereon , as upon land ? or that it is continually flowing to a●d fro ? Surely , that lacke of solidity for man his trading thereon by foot , shall not hinder the solid possession of it , farre lesse the occupation and acquiring , if we will give to the sea , that which the Iurisconsults indulgently grant to the land , which also cannot be denied . Paulus the Iurisconsult saith , x Qui fundum possidere velit , non utique omnes glebas eius circumambulet , sed sufficit quamlibet partem eius introire , dum mente & cogitatione hac sit ut totum possidere velit usque ad terminum : that is , it is not needfull for him who would possesse himselfe in any part of the land , to goe about and tread over the same ; but it is sufficient to enter-in upon any thereof , with a mind to possesse all the rest thereof , even to the due marches . And what can stay this to be done on sea , as well as on land ? And thus farre concerning the solidity . As for the flowing condition of the sea , howsoever it be liquid , fluid , and unstable , in the particles thereof , yet in the whole body , it is not so : because it keepes the prescribed bounds strictly enough , concerning the chiefe place and limits thereof . VVhich discourse , gives us occasion of force to answere to a scoffe cast in by the Author of Mare liberum , concerning the possibility also of marches and limits , for the division of the seas : y Mundum dividunt ( saith the fore●aid Authour of Mare liberum ) non ullis limitibus , aut natura , aut manupositis , ●ed imaginaria quadam linea : quod si recipitur , & Geometrae terras , & Astronomi coelum nobis eripient : that is , they divide the world , not by any marches , put either by nature , or by the hand of man , but by an imaginary or fantastick line : which kinde of doing being embraced , the Geometers may steale away the earth , and the Astronomers the heavens from us . It is true , that there are not in every part of the sea Iles sensible ( as Gernsey is to England in the narrow seas ) or sands ( as the Washes at the West seas of England ) nor rockes , or other eminent and visible markes above water , for the designation of the bounds ( or laying-out the limits ) of the divisible parts thereof : but GOD , who is both the distributer and first Author of the diuision and distinction of both land and sea , hath given an understanding heart to man for the same effect , as well as for all other necessary actions wherein he hath to employ himselfe : so that to a very wonder , God hath diversly informed men by the helpes of the Compasse , counting of courses , sounding , and other waies , to finde forth , and to designe finitum in infinito ; so farre as is expedient for the certaine reach & bounds of seas , properly pertaining to any Prince or people . Which bounds Bartolus z hardily extends and allowes for Princes and people at the sea side , an hundreth miles of sea forth from their coasts , * at least ; and justly , if they exercise a protection & conservacy so far : and this reach is called by the Doctors , Districtus maris , & territorium . a It is true , Baldus b esteemeth potestatem , iurisdictionem & districtum , to be all one . To conclude then , since Papinian writes in finalibus quaestionibus vetera monumenta sequenda esse ; c what more evident monuments for our King his right in the narrow seas , then these Isles of Gernsie ? &c. And for the Eastern seas , direct from Scotland , what is more antiently notorious than that covenant twixt Scottish men and Hollanders , concerning the length of their approaching toward Scotland by way of fishing ? And thus farre through occasion of answering to that alleadged impossibility , of acquiring the Sea by occupation , because ( as would appeare ) of the unsolidity therof , for any foot treading . It rests to touch the other cause naturall , for that other impossibility , which may be the continuall fluxe and instability of the Sea ; in such sort , that it would appeare not aye to be one and the selfe same body , but daily changeable . For answer , I must remember that which the Iurisconsult sets downe so prettily : d , Suppose ( sayes he ) a certaine Colledge of Iudges , or a Legion of Souldiers , or the particular parts of a Ship , or of a mans body , should so continually and often be changed and altred , that none of that first Colledge or Legion could be found alive , nor yet any part of the Shippe or body could be so certainly demonstrate , that it might be affirmed for the very same that it was at the first ; yet if that Colledge or ●egion be in number full , and the ship or man whole and able in all the frame , they shall be accounted and esteemed not to be new , but to be the very same which they were at the beginning : even so , however the sea many waies and hourly changes , in the small parts thereof , by the ordinary rush on land , mixture with other waters , swelling in it selfe , exhalation and backe receipts thereof by raine ; yet since the great body of the Sea most constantly keepes the set place prescribed by the Creator , I see not in this respect neither , wherefore the nature of the Sea should not yeeld to occupation and conquest . And thus farre concerning Mare liberum his last and great conclusion , against all appropriation thereof by people or Princes . I call it his last great conclusion , because of other two passing before , whereof the first is this ; Mare igitur proprium alicuius fieri non potest , quia natur a iubet esse commune : e and for what reason ? Even because Cicero , Virgil , and Plautus have said so . To whom I could also assent concerning the great , huge , and maine body of the sea . His next conclusion is this ; Est igitur mare in numero eorum quae in commercio non ●unt , hoc est , quae proprij iuris fieri non possunt : f that is , The Sea to be of that order of things , which cannot bee appropriate to any man. His warrants for his conclusion also are the Romane Lawyers , whom I said to be wrested by Mare liberum ; and therefore must shew the same , contrary to his purpose indeed . Martianus , g as the Authour of Mare liberum largely grants , h saith , that if any private man have himselfe alone , by any lawfull space of time sufficient for a prescription , kept and exercised fishing in any ●reeke or nooke of Sea , which they call Diverticulum ; hee may forbid all others to fish therin : which Papinianus i also confirmeth . The which , as I accept , so I would further demand of him . By what reason should a private man , who hath no other care nor respect but to himselfe alone , be thus priviledged and preferred to a Prince ? who not for himselfe ; but for his people also in common , yea and for the safety of all traders passing his coasts , with great charges and care protects and conserveth the Seas neerest unto him : shall not this Prince be acknowledged , at least with the good which that Sea , conserved by him , offers so directly to him ? And I pray you say , What lesse authority had Leo than the rest of the Romane Emperours , to grant to every one in particular , having possessions at the Sea side , as much of the ●ea as was neerest against their lands , k with the fishings thereof ? What then , shall not Princes be equalled , in these cases , with subjects ? Or rather , have not all Princes a like right & power within their own precinct and bounds , as these Roman Princes had ? But now to draw neerer to the chiefe point of our purpose , and so to the end thereof : as I accepted Mare liberum his former large graunt , so now also doe I more heartily embrace the next , which is this ; When after these his conclusions , he had said in tanto Mari siquis piscatu arceret , insanae cupiditatis notam non effugeret : l he subjoynes according to that of Cicero , m Quando sine detrimento suo quis potest alteri communicare in ijs quae sunt occupanti utilia & danti non molesta , quid ni faceret : and subjoynes afterward , n Et si quicquam eorum prohibere posset , puta piscaturam , qua dici quodammodo potest pisces exhauriri : that is to say , If the uses of the Seas may bee in any respect forbidden and stayed , it should be chiefly for the fishing , as by which the fishes may be said to bee exhaust and wasted ; which , daily experience these twenty ye●res past and more , hath declared to be over true : for wheras aforetime the white fishes daily abounded even into all the shoares on the Easterne coast of Scotland ; now forsooth by the neere and daily approaching of the busse Fishers the sholes of fishes are broken , and so farre scattered away from our shores and coasts , that no fish now can be found worthy of any paines and travels ; to the impover●shing of all the sort of our home-fishers , and to the great damage of all the Nation . Whereby , I see at last , the Author of Mare liberum not so addict to serve any mans particular desires , as to answer ( forsooth ) to his profession of the lawes , that is , to allow the proper right for every man and nation , and to hurt none ; according to the three generall precepts of all lawes , set down by Caius , o and after him by ●ribonianus : p Honestè vivere ; alterum non laedere ; & ius suum cuique tribuere : whereof the second tryes and rules the rest ; according to the vulgar saying out of Pomponius , q Neminem debere cum alterius damno locupletari : and that of Tryphonius , r Ex aliena iactura lucrum haurire non oportet . And therefore I would meet him with his deserved courtesie ; even to proclaime Mare liberum also : I meane that part of the maine Sea or great Ocean , which is farre removed from the just and due bounds above mentioned , properly pertaining to the neerest Lands of every Nation . Atque ita esto mare vastum liberrimum . TIT. XXVIII . Of War-fare shippes , and of the Captaines and Companies thereof . ANd since wee have written above of priviledged shippes a amongst which the warfare-ships of Princes are first and chiefe ) and somewhat of the conservacy of the Seas , in the last title ; I cannot here passe the warfare-shippes unmentioned , albeit not in such large manner and measure as their imployment now-a-dayes requires . As for the matter fit for their building , and things necessary for their forth-setting and preparation to Sea , I must refer the same to Iulius Ferretus , and to Vegetius , who have written largely thereupon . Some touch I have here subjoyned , in the last Title of this Booke , concerning the materials : as likewise somewhat is premitted concerning their priviledges , in that Title of priviledged shippes . Therefore would I here set downe ( but very briefly ) some thing concerning the Captaines , Commanders , & Companies of the Prince his warfare-ships , the graces & vertues required in them , with their duties , power and preferment . Captaines of Princes warfare-shippes should be men , first , fearing God , because they must continually walke in the midst of the wondrous workes of God. Next , they should be stout , hardy , and couragious . Thirdly , vigilant , diligent , and carefull ; and therefore very temperate on Sea : b specially , because their imployment , as it is full of hazard and danger , even so are their occasions and opportunities sudden and momentanie . Therefore their commandement and power over their company , not onely surpasseth the power of Masters and Commanders of private shippes , but also that of the Captaines on land ; and therefore their honour and estimation every way higher also , because of their greater charge , care , and hazard . Their duty toward their company , is first , that they chuse such as bee free from hainous and scandalous offences . c Next , that they suffer none of their company to bee idle , but to punish as well the sluggard as the rebellious : d yea , even those who are irreverent towards them ; e and againe , should with all loving care see to the due food of their company , heare their mutuall plaints , hold them in peace by all obedience , visit , refresh , and with all helpes comfort the hurt and diseased . f As for the Captaines their other duties to the Prince and Admirall , with their owne priviledges , they are all gathered out of old customes , and at large set downe in that Booke called L' Admirall de France . TIT. XXIX . Of Watermen and Ferriers . FErryers and Watermen are bound to serve all true Lieges for their due fare ; a so that they may be compelled thereunto : b and most , justly , because it was in their owne hand and power from the beginning to give and apply themselves to that calling and trade , or not . And if therefore they faile , it shall be , according to the law of Scotland , a point of dittay or inditement against them in the first Iustice-court ; and if they transgresse unto the third time , they may be suspended from their trade , c except they can alleadge a just cause ; as , of feud or hostility . Item , it is ordained , for the easier boating and landing of men and beasts , that Ferriers make , and have ready , fit and convenient bridges , or else to lose their Boats. d Lastly , Ferriers and Watermen are no lesse bound , than Skippers and Masters of shippes , to render againe what-ever they receive to bee carried within their Boats. e But concerning their ordinary fares and hires , it is neither needfull nor expedient in this place to recite the divers statutes made thereupon ; because that first they are at great length set downe in the Statutes of England and Scotland : next , because their fraughts have beene , according to the rate of times , changed and altered even to the triple , as specially in Scotland f So that now also , according to the condition of this time , their portage , fraughts or fare , may be of new considered by his Majestie , or Admiralls , according to the quality of the boats , and the space of passage and time , either shorter , longer , or hazardfuller , during their service ; but with a due Proviso , for the repressing of their rude and uncivill manners . For truely , if the Roman Iurisconsults might of old by any reason call Mariners , in generall , Pessimum genus hominum , g ( which in these latter dayes for the most part is amended , partly through Christianity and civill conversation , & partly ; by good lawes , praise be to God ) then may wee now use that same still , at least against the most part of Watermen and Ferriers ; as requiring to be reformed , or at least by correction repressed . * TIT. XXX . Of Shipwrights . TO conclude this Treatise , there remaineth a speciall sort of persons to be considered and respected , as the forgers and framers of the instrumentall causes of all Sea-faring ; to wit , Shippe-wrights , and builders of Ships or Boats , called by the Romans , imitating the Grecians , Naupegi : and by the Italians , following the latter Grecians , Calafatti , as is above described ; a and therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the Admiralty b as accountable to the Admirall and his Iudges ) as accessories of sea causes , for their skill , diligence , and dutifull discharge in every respect , by a frame not onely likely & comely , but a worke also strong , ticht , and durable : or else they must undergoe the pains of the law , called Lex Aquilia ; that is to say , all costs and scath happening by their unskilfulnesse , negligence , or what-ever other fault or amisse . c And therefore , first touching the materials , they should not onely furnish the same good and sufficient , but also , if the furniture pertain not to them , they must refuse to take from the furnishers bad and vnmeet geare and stuffe for the worke . d As for example , Aller , Beech trees , and such like brickle and naughty timber for salt-water , or for the seas . Neither should they put greene timber in worke ; but ought to fore-see if they can , that their wood be cut downe either at the wane of the Moone , and in the deepe of Winter , or at such time as experience declares wood to be most solide and durable . For timber cut at the contrary times , is commonly full of moysture ; and therefore being afterward dryed , becomes clung , and open to receive water . The like care and skill is required in the iron , and all other necessaries , to the end that the workes may prove strong , durable , right , and comely . This being done , it resteth to consider their hires and fees : which because they ordinarily depend on the conditions agreed upon with the party , which also commonly is cavelled withall before a full performance of their worke , upon surmises and quarrels ; therefore to occurre to all such doubts and discords , the contracts of such bargaines should be ( after the example of other seafaring dealings ) made before the Admiralls deputy ▪ or Iudge , and registred in their bookes . d Last of all , as Shippe-wrights were of old , e so are they also of late , forbidden , f under paine of treason , to communicate their skill and Art to enemies and barbarous people . g Likewise , they are forbidden ( as are also all other societies of handy-crafts-men and trades-men ) to conspire among themselves to enhance their wages , or hire , or to receive excessive wages . h FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A14929-e650 a Gellius , lib. 7. Cap. 3. b Strab. geogr. lib. 12. cap. 14. c Ibid. d Vide Il. Rhodior . in prin . e L. deprecatio ad L. Rhod. e● c. rhodiae leges . distinct . 2. f L. 1. sect . licet . de exerc . act . g Suet● . ca. 218. h De situ orbis . i Lib. 7. natur . histor . vide ●zechiam . c. 27. k Dotimus in lib. suo legoli . l Vide act . par . lia . Scot. m Vide statut . Ang. a L. 1. de , exercit . act . b L. 1. ad l. Rhod. a Livius lib. ● . b L. Seius Saturninus ad S. C. trebell . c Vide fragmenta ascripta Polybio . d Vide Alberic . ad novell . 17. & 24. e L. à proconsulibus . C. de appell . f Tòm. 1. c. ●35 regist . Scot. g L' Admirall de France . h Vide diplomata admiralior . in utroque regno . Vide latè de off . Admir . Ang i L' Admirall de France . a L' Admirall de France . b Eodem . c Eodem . d Secundum act . parliam . Iac. ● . cap. 27. e L' Admirall de France . f Looke the Charter of the Trinity house on Thames . g L' Admirall de France . h Kintor . art . 45 a Il consolato del mare . b Eodem . a Perladeprecatio ad l. Rhod. Bald. in l observan . in sect . antiquam de off . proc●ns . b Innoc●nt . in e. vlim de ●erb . Sig. c Per l. 1. de vent inspic . d L. de submersis C. de nauf . lib. 11. e Vide rotam genuae , & DD. f ●artol . Lu●ius & Iohannes ad d. l : de submersis . g Secundum l. illum de Pet. hered . h DD. i● c. proposu 〈◊〉 . de sor . comp ● . i L' Admirall de France . k Si quis . 10. C. de naufrag . l L. Fin. ad l. Rhod. m L. quoties . de naufrag . mm Vide statut . Ang. n L. de unoqu●que . dere iudica . & L. quoties . C de naufrag . lib. 11. o De l. quoties . p Il conselato artic . 221. & 222. q Consent of ●ll sea lawes . r De offic . Admi . Ang. in fin . cum ibi citatis . s Ibid. t Il conselato 4● u Denmarke . a L. 1. & passim . ad l. rhod . & l. 1. parag ▪ ●●naur , caup . b Vide l. semper de iur . immun ita . & l. 3. C. de navicular . Vide Vegetium de re militar . c Vide lege● navales Rhodior . d Il consolato ▪ e Vide dd . Il. navales , & Plautum in ruden●● . f Vide dd . Il selec . Rhod. * Lib. 23 ▪ g Vide il consola . h Vide dd Il. Selec . i Vide il consol . k Ferretus de re & iure navali . l L. 1. parag 2 , naut . caup . m Il consolato . n Vide Budaeum ad l. 1. naut . caup . o Vide l. debet . parag . haec actio . naut . caup . a Il naval . rhod . select . art . 20. b Vide Bartol . in l que● rerum . parag . Si navem . de leg 1. argumento l. Labeo de . Supel . ligat . &c. c Cap 17. & 130. art . Iaco● . 3. Vide de Il. Rhod. d d. art . 20. e Art. 19. Il. naval . Rhod. * Per legem item parag . Si in lege l. ca. f Oleron . g Per l. si , ex conducto , & l. si item fundus , & l. haec distinctio & d. l. si in . lege . loca . h d , l. ex conducto . i 〈…〉 navalium . k Art. 29. cod . m d l. si in lege , & l. ult . ad l. rhod . & d. l. ex conducto . n l. ult . loca● . o Oleron , & l. ult . adc . Rhod. p d. l ult . q d. l. item . r l. 3. de nauf C. Theodos. & l 3. de nauf C. Iallin . lib. 11. s V●de act . par . t l. u●ique parag . fin . & l qui petitorio . parag . fin . de vend . l. item queritor . sect . si navicularius . C. ●oca● & l. u●t . de naufrag . u la ro●l● Oleron . x art . 2● l●g . naval . rhod . y Denmarke . z Oleron . * DD. in l. qu● romae parag . Callimachus . de verb oblig . a l. unica C. ne quid on●r pub . lib. 1● . b c. 17 &c. 〈…〉 act . r. Iac. ● . c Il consolato del ma●e . d l. pe● . parag . si navis . loc . & l. si pecuniam . de cond . indeb . & l. qui fiscalis C. de navicul . lib. 11. & l. quum proponas de naut . ●oen . e Per. l. quum proponas . ad l. rhod . f Per l. ● . C. d● nav . b. non excus & l. minim● . de espisc . aud●en ▪ g Bat● . in l. in actionib . in fin . de in lit . iurand , & in l. unic . furt . advers . naut . h Per l. item quae parag si ●ull● . loc . a l. 1. de exercit . act . b d. l. 1 c Oleron . d Eod. e Eod. f Eod. g l. item Magister locat . h Oleron . i Denmarke . k Leges naval . Rhod. art . 11. l Eod. art . 38. m Art. 44. eod . n Vide. l. 1. parag . quadam de exercit . nn d. l. 1 parag . quaedam . n c 27 actor . per lac 3 & l' Admiral de France . o L' Admirall . p Il consolat del mar . at . delmar . q Eod. a T. T. nau● , caup . b l. 1. in fin . eodem . c l. 3. eod . d d. l. 1. parag . ● e Art. 12 ll . navalium . f l. 1. depositi . f Eod. art . 13. g Art. 14. eod . h Oleron . i Eod. &c. 17. &c. 130. act . Iacob . 3. k Oleron . l d. l. 1. in fin . & l si vendita de perie . rei . vend . & l. 5. & 6. naut . caup . m d. l 6. & l. 7. eod . n d. l. 7. o Vide d. l. 7 & l. unic . furt . ad naut . caup . p l. fin . naut . caup . & per l. itaque de ed. edict . q Bartol . & Iason in l. non solum parag . mortem . de nou oper . nunc . r Instit. de ob . qu● ex delict . parag fin . s l. quicu● alio . de rog . iur . t l. 1. in fin . naut . caup . u Seund . fin . l. ult . ad l. Rhod. & l. quum proponas C. de naut . s●●nor . x Accursius in l. 5. naut . caup . per l. mela ad l. aq . y Per. l itaque de furtis . z La reol d' Oleron . a Per l. quantae : de pu● . b Per l. fin . parag . si propter necessi●atem eod . a Oleron . b Per. l. 1. de exerc . act . & l. fin . naut . caup . c Art. 5. ll . naual . d Art. 6. eod . e Per. l. ulr . ad l. Rhod. f Oleron . g Eod. h Art 46. il . naval . i ll consolato . a Oleron , & il consolato . b Il consolato . cap. 160. c Denmarke . d Oleron . e Eodem . f Denmark . Oleron . g Denmark . h Denmark . i Eodem . k Eodem . l Oleron . m Eodem . n Eodem . o Eodem . p Il consolato . q Oleron . r Denmark , & Oleron . s Eodem . t Il consolato del ma●e . u Eodem . x Oleron . Denmarke . Kinror . y Bald. in l. certi iuris . loc . z l. nemo . de reg . iur . & l. plerunque . de in ius voc . a Il consolato . b L' Admirall de France . a Oleron , & arg bult . ad l. rhod . b Oleron & il consolat . c Denmark . a L. r. de foen . naut . b L. periculi . eod . c Vide passim ad . ll . de foen . naut . & ad . ll . naval . Rhod. d Vide l. 3. C. de foen . naut . e Art. 15. & 16 Leg. naval . f Art. 17. eod . g d. art . 17. h Art. 18. eod . a Parag. exercitor . iust . de ob . ex quasi delic . T. T. naut . coup . b eod . ibid. c d. l. 1. 2. & 3. eod . d l. 4 in prin . eod . e d. l. 1. & l. qui cum ali● de reg . iur . f l. ult ▪ de exer . act . ff Per l. interdum . cum seq . Qui p●tior in pig . g Passim . d. l. 1. h d. l. 1. parag . 10. i l. 2. sect . 6. 〈◊〉 l. Rhod. k Oleron . a l. fin . C. prosocio . & pass . inst . & D. eod . b L. in hoc parag . si conveniat . pro soc . c Denmark . cum ll . hic seq . d l. arboribus parag . naves de usufr. e Glossa in l. si navis . & iuris . in l. utique para . culp● de r●iundic . & l. arborib . parag navi● . de usufruct . f consolato . g Maerobius lib. 2. c. 6. h Secundum citata , & Secundum . l. bona fides . Deposit . a Oleron . b Il consolato . c Art 3● . Il maval . select . d Oleron . e l. 1. & 2. ad l. rhod . f d. l. 2. & oleron g eod . h d. l. 2. i l. 17. &c. 130 actor . Iacob . 3. k Arg. l Vnie . C. ne quid oner . public . l Per. l. si fide . iussor . D. qui satisd . cog . m d. l. 2 & l. navis eod . n l. amissae . eod . & Oleron . o d. l. 1. & il consol . del . mar . p Per. l. conse●su . C. de repud : & l. qu●ties . C. de naufrag . &c. veniens . extr . de testib . &c. 2. de pr●bat . q Il consolato del mar . a Vide lat● . l. 2. ad l. rhod . a Vide l. navis 4. ad . l. rhod . a Oleron . b L. 1. verse quod convenit . depos . c d. l. navis . & l. amissae ad l. rhod . d Oleron . e Eod. f eod . & l. quemadmodum . parag . si navis ad . l. Aquil. g d. l. quemadmodum . parag . si navis ad . l. Aquil h Art. 3. 6. 11 ▪ naval . rhod . k Iust. in pr. qu●b . mod . re contrab . ob . ●e . l. 2. si cert . peti . l quod convenit de verb. ob . m Vidd . l. in menave . a l. 2. in fin . ad l. rhod . & il consolato . b d. l. navis & l. pretia . ubi bartol . ut ad . l. 7. C. de prog . milit●r . lib. 12. c Per. l. si ●ideiussor . Qu● . satisd . cog . d l. 2 ad l. rhod . e d. l. 2. in fin . f l. 1. de dol . mal . excep . & l. si non sortem . de cond . in de . g l. 1. parag , rediguntur . D. quod vi ●ut clam . a l. 1. de navicul . c. lib. 11. b Auth. 〈◊〉 filiu● pre patre . c l. 5. de navicular . C. lib. 11. d l. ult . eod . e Art. 49. Il. selectar . naval . f Vide Tit. de navib . non excusand . C. g de offic . admir . Ang. h Albericus ad tit . naut . caup . & in l. unic . furt . adver ▪ naut . caup . i Bart. & Bald. in d. l. unic . k Wis●i● c. 10. l Qui navium de privileg . creditorum . m C. Innocentius . de for . comp . a 138. actor . Iacob . 1. b L. 1. C. de naufrag . & auth . naufragia , C. de furt . c l. 1. in pr. de incend . ruin . l. in eum cum auth . seq . de furt . d l. 3. in fin . de incend ru . nauf . e l. Pedius 4. eod . f Arg. l. Sacc●larij de extraord . crim . * Gaius l. 5. de rer . divis . g Tom. 1. regis● . Scot. h Per d. arg . l Saccula . ●i . i Per l. 10. de incend . ruin . nauf . ii l. ne piscatores eod . k l. ne quid eod . & auth . naufragia . C. de furt . l m. Cod. Theodo . m l. si quis . C. de naufrag . lib 11. n Vide l. de Submersis . eod . o Art. 37. leg . naval . Rhod. p Art. 40. eod . q Art. 39. eod . r Art 37. eod . a Faber & alij inst . de rer . divis . sect . pen. b per l. Pomponius . parag . fin . de acquir . rer . dom . c Faber . d. parag . pen. d Art. 45. & 46 Il. nava● . Rhod. e dd . art . f Auth. omnes peregrini communio de successionib . g Oleron . h Eod , i Vide statu . regis Alex. Scot k L' Admirall de France . l Vide de off . Adm. Ang● . m Per diplomata . n l. Si is qui. 63. in fin . de acq . rer . dom . o L' Admiral de France . & d. depl . p Per dd . diplo . & de off . Adm. a Per l. Pomponius de acq . rei dom . b Per l. mulier . de cap. & post . c Per d. l. Pomponius , & per l. in bello . parag . si quis seruum in pr●ae capt . & post . d Gen. 14. e Deu. 20. f 1 Reg. 30 , g c. dicat aliquis parag . 23. q. 5. &c. ius milita . re dist . 1. h L' Admirall de France . i Tom. 1. c. 24. ●●gist . Scot. k Per. l. postliminium . parag . postliminio . de . cap. & postlim . l Per l. libertas . de reg . iur . m Deut. 14. 16. n 2 Reg 14. 6. & 2 Chr. 25. 4. o Ier. 29. 3. Ezech. 18. 20. p Vide an●hent . imo . C. ne filiu● pro patre . q Vide Bartol . latè de represal . r ● . 131. actor . s Per gloss . in c episcopus . 18. dist . & DD. in c. si contra . &c. 1. de milite vasallo qui contumax . t Per l. si quis in servitute . de furt . & l. ait praetor . parag . si debitorem . Quae infraud . cred . a l. 1. in fin . de acq . rer . ●om . & parag ferae insti . de rer . divis . b l. iniuriorum 13. parag . fin . in fin . de iniur . Iacob . 3. act 60. & Iacob . 5. p. 4. cap. 12. c l. prascrip de usucap . d c. 1. & 2. de cler . venat . &c. 1. in cleric . & mon. e Vide late . act . parl . Scot. f Vide statuta , & constit . & act . regū Franc. Angl. & Scotiae . g Vide statut . Angl. & Scot. & l' Admir . de France . h Iac. 6. parl . 6. cap. 89. i Iac. 1. p. 1. c 11. Iac. 6. p. 7. c. 11. m Iac 3. p. 10. cap. 73 n Denmarke . nn Vlpian in l. ne pifcatores de incend . ●ui . naufr . o Vide l' Admirall de Franc. p Vide Forman his Register . q Mar. p. 6. c. 5● r Iacob . 5. p. 9. c. 98. s Iac. 6 p. 4. c. ●0 . t Iac. 5. p. 7. c. 98 u Iac. 6. p 4. c. 60 x Iac. 6. p. 6. c. 86 y Iac. 5. p. 4. c. 57 Iac. 6 p. 4. c. 147. z Iac. 3. p. 10. c. ●76 . a Iac. 3 p. 10 c. 76. b Iac. 3. p. 14. c. 100. a Genes . 1. 28. b eod . c. 9. v. 1. c eod c. 11. v 8. d eod . c. 10 v. 5. e Vlp. l qui neque . de reb eor . quisub ●utel . f l. pa●er . parag . duluss●●iè de leg . 2. g Ad legem 1 ▪ de rer . divis . g 1. officior . h pagina 25. i l. iniuriarum . parag . ult . & parag . si quis de in iur . k d. p●rag . si quis . l l. 4. de . rer . divis . m d. parag . si quis in fin . n d. l ● . de rer ▪ divis . o l. quod in littore . de aeq . rer . dom . p l. quamvis . de acq . rer dom . q l. prohibere . parag quod et si . Quod vi aut elam . r l. Roma . ad municipal . s Psalme . t Ad parag . littorum inst . de rer . divis . u Pag. 28. x In l. possideri . de acquir . poss . Psal. 104. 9. y Pag. 38. z insect . nullius in tractat . de insula . * Per l notionem de verb. Sig. a Gloss in c. ubi periculum . parag . porro . de electionib . lib. 6. b m l. si testamentum . de inst . & subst . c l. in ▪ finalibus . com . divid . d In l propon●ba●ur . de iud . e Pag. 21. f Pag. 25. g l. si quisquam divers & temp . praescrip . h Pag. 24. i l. praescriptio de usu cap. k Novell . const . 102. 103. & 104. l pag. 30. m Off. 1. n pag. 35. o in l. iustitia . de rer . divis . p Parag iuris praecepta . de iust . & iur . q l. nem● de reg . iur . & l. 14. de cond . indeb . & l. iu●e . de iure dot . r l. rescriptum de distract . pig . a Tit. 22. b Ferretus . c per. l. 4. de re militar . d per l. 6. eod . e per. l. 13. eod . f per l. 12. eod : a per l. 1. parag . si furt . advers . naut . b l. 1. & l. cum navarchorum . C. de navicul . lib 10 & l. litica de public . c Iac. 3. parl . 13. c. 95. d Iac. parl . 31. c. 20. e l. 1. parag . naut . caupou . f Vide act . Iac. 3 arl 3. c. 20. & arl . 7. c. 61. & ●ariae . parl . 5. ● . 21. g Vide tit . naut . ● . up . & . tit . furt . ●●vers . * Secund. l. 3. naut . caup . a Tit. 6. b Per diplom . admiralior . utriusque regni . c Per T. T. ad l. Aquil. d Per l. 2. de naut 〈◊〉 . & per Vegetium de re militar d Vide sup . of the Admirall Clerke . e l. fin : C. de poen . f Vide de off . Adm. Ang. g Vide C. de m●n●p . & ibi . DD. h Vide de off . Adm.