FISHERIES . 235 in 1593, made a voyage in quest of whales and morses (walrus) to , where they found the wreck of a Biscay ship, and 800 whale fins. England had in 1615, at Newfoundland , 250 ships, amounting to 1500 tons ; and the French, Biscayans, and Portuguese, 400 ships.* From this period, the fisheries carried on by Eng¬ land became of great national consideration. De Witt observes, " that our navy became formidable by the discovery of the inexpressibly rich fishing bank of Newfoundland ." In 1626, the French possessed themselves of, and settled at, Placentia; and that nation always viewed the English in those parts with the greatest jealousy ; but still the value of these fisheries to England was fully appreciated, as appears by the various acts of Parliament passed, as well as different regulations adopted, for their pro¬ tection.! Ships of war were sent out to convoy the fishing vessels, and to protect them on the coast; and the ships engaged in the fisheries, as far back as 1676, carried about tAventy guns, eighteen small boats, and from ninety to a hundred men. By the treaty of Utrecht , the value and importance of our fisheries at Newfoundland and England is particularly regarded. The French, however, con¬ tinued afterwards, and until they were deprived of all their possessions in , to annoy the English engaged in fishing; and in 1734, heavy * Lex Mercatoria. f 2d and 3d Edward VI . Acts passed during the reigns of Eliza¬ beth, and James I., cap. 1 and 2, 10 and 11 William and Mary.