However, on the 6th December following, the company of merchants, adventurers, and owners of ships, trading from _Bristol_ to Newfoundland, and several other merchants, petitioned his Majesty to provide a remedy to the dangerous condition of the fishery (which, they said, was likely to fall into the hands of the French), by sending some able person as _governor_, with guns, arms, ammunition, and other materials, necessary for fortifying some of the harbours. This matter was referred by his Majesty to the _Earl of Anglesey_, _Lord Ashley_, _Mr. Comptroller_, _Mr. Vice-Chamberlain_, and _Sir William Coventry_. These persons entered into an examination of all the papers, and also of sundry merchants and other persons; but no resolution appears to have been taken thereon till 1669, when a Captain _Robert Robinson_ petitioned for the settlement of a governor; and, on a reference of this question to the lords of the committee for trade and plantations, their lordships reported, after hearing several merchants and others concerned in the trade, “that they did not think fit to recommend the petition and proposal of _Mr. Robinson_ for making him governor of Newfoundland; but, for keeping people living there in Christianity, they proposed that his Majesty should send a chaplain in the convoy-ships; and _that the captains of the said ships should have power to regulate abuses there_, with reference to his Majesty’s letters patent granted to the western towns;” which report was confirmed in every thing by his majesty on the 4th of February following. On the 25th of the same month, complaint was made, that many owners of ships carried out passengers, and private _boat-keepers_, contrary to the laws and constitutions of the fishery, to the great detriment of the fishing trade, and to the lessening of the number of ships and seamen; that many owners also victualled their ships from _Ireland_, instead of _England_. Upon which, an order of council was made, directing that the mayors and magistrates of the several towns mentioned in the above letters patent, should be careful that the constitutions were punctually observed; that the officers of the customs should charge all masters and owners of ships to put those rules in execution; should stop offenders therein from proceeding in their voyage, and immediately return their names to the council. But, notwithstanding the objections made by many to the appointment of a _governor_, those very persons felt the need of government and regulation: for on the 23d of December 1670, a petition was presented to his majesty, from the western merchants and traders, “That additional powers might be granted for regulating the fishery.” The lords of the council, appointed for matters of trade, upon this occasion recommended several rules; and his majesty ordered, that they should be added to the former charter. These were called _additional rules_, and were as follows. [Sidenote: Additional Rules.]