ROBERT BRONSBY, WILLIAM RICHMAN, WILLIAM GOGOE, THOMAS COLBY, WILLIAM THURKITTLE, THOMAS FOWLER, MICHAEL FOWLER, WILLIAM WOODS, THOMAS ERTIS, JOHN COLBY, JOHN SWATT, JOHN SETTAVAYE, FRANCIS DURRAND, WILLIAM ERTIS, WILLIAM ROUSE, ABELL HOULSWORTE, THOMAS MASON, JOHN MASON HENRY CROSS, WILLIAM BROWN. * * * * * TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY’S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL. THE CERTIFICATE OF THE FISHERMEN OF THE TOWNS OF BRIGHTHELMSTONE, HASTINGS, RYE, DOVER, RAMSGATE, AND THE REST OF THE WESTERN FISHERY. Upon perusal of a petition presented unto the king’s most excellent majesty by the town of Lowestoft, in Suffolk, representing the injurious proceedings of the town of Yarmouth to them, and also the whole Western Fishery; and his majesty’s gracious reference thereupon unto the right honourable the Lords and others of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council for satisfaction and relief therein, We do humbly certify unto your Lordships, That the Western Fishery, has time out of mind, sold and delivered herrings in the roads of Lowestoft, until this last year, when the Yarmouth men sent forth a man-of-war (as they term her) not only to affrighten them and others from delivering herrings in the said roads, but also to prevent any that should offer to deliver herrings there. And in case they should presume to deliver any, to seize upon them, and bring them into their haven, to be dealt with accordingly (as by the commission granted to the commander or captain of the said man-of-war may appear); which they have done, not only to the great loss of some particular men, imposing great fines upon them, which they were forced to pay, but also the great discouragement, (and if not in time prevented) the ruin of the whole Western fishery. For if we be forced to deliver our herrings only at Yarmouth, we shall lose at least one-third part of our time, the winds falling so as that sometimes we lye through three or four days before we can get to sea again. Besides, having that advantage, they will give only what they please, which will amount to the loss of near half our time and profit, and will be much to the disadvantage of his Majesty’s subjects in trading, both at home and abroad. Whereas at Lowestoft we have the privilege to make the best of our market, and can go to sea when we please, furnished with all necessaries as plentifully as we can at Yarmouth. The truth of all which we do attest under our hands, humbly praying relief therein. Signed at Bradstow, Foulstone, Hastings, Ramsgate, Hyde, Dover, Rye, Brighthelmstone, by 469 Western fishers, and others. * * * * *