WHereas we hold it very convenient and necessary for His Majesties srrvice, to Arm, or cause to bee Armed, and set forth to Sea as many Ships and Vessels of War es possibly can be, for the weakning and supyressing the Rebels usurped Power, and for the effectuall stopping and oreaking of their Commerce and Supply by Sea: And forasmuch as we have received sufficient testimony of your abilities and experience in Sea affairs, and of your good af­fection to the King, our Royall Fathers service; we do by these presents, by vertue of the Power and Authority given and committed to us from our most dear Father the Kings most excellent Majesty, constitute, authorize and appoint your Captaine Richard Greene, to be Captaine and chiese commander of the good Ship called the Christopher of Sunderland, authorizing and commanding you, with the said Vessell compleatly manned and Armed for the War, and with such others as shall associate with you for our deare Fathers service, to do and cause to be done to the Rebells all possible damage and hostility in their shipping, Commerce and Navigation: and in case of resistance to use your best vi­gilance and endeavours during the time of this reb [...]llion, to take, apprehend sinke and fire, or otherwise to impair and destroy the Ships, Vessells and men, their goods, and all things to them belonging, of all and every of those His Ma­jesties Subjects, who are or shall bee in rebellion against him, or of those who shall be aiding abetting or assisting to them; and of all others who shall transport or convey any goods belonging to them, or which shall bring or carry [Page]Arms, Aummunition, Victualls or Provision of Arms, or Warlike Provisions whatsoever to them, or for their use, or to any City, Town, Port; Creek or place in their pos­session, and out of His Majesties obedience, contrary to His Proclamations made or to bee made on that behalfe: All which you shall and may do and perform by vertue of this our Commission; as also to anchor, victuall and refresh in any His Majesties Roads, Ports and Havens, and from thence again to put forth to Sea, and to bring the Prizes by you ta­ken, the Papers and Evidences found on board, without breaking bulk into any Port or Haven wi [...]hin His Majesties obedience and Possession, and to have the same adjudged as lawfull Prizes, and the same to be divided, parted and sha­red, according to the ancient custome of the Sea.

And in case it shall so happen, that you cannot without e­minent Prizes so taken into some of His Majesties Ports, without danger or hazzard of having them surprized or ta­taken from you again by the Rebells, then and in such ne­cessity you shall have free Power and authority to carry Prizes into any part or Haven of any His Majesties friends or allies beyond the Seas in League and Amity, with him, there to dispose of the same, except allwayes, and reserving to His Majesty a [...] Tenths heretofore used to be paid in cases of like nature, to the Admirall of England, and all customs and duties due or accustomably paid to his Majesty for or upon any of the said Prizes, which we will that you pay, and justly accompt for to his Majesty. Provided always, that before the said Ship or Vessell of War to be set out by you shal put forth to Sea, you shall enter into security with His Maj. aceording to the course of the high court of Admiral­ty of Eng. in such caution as shall be thought meet and ne­cessary by the Judge of the Admiralty or Vice-Admiralty in the place from whence you shall put forth to Sea.

That you will doe or suffer to be done no wrong or vio­lence to any of his Maj. Friends, Allies, or loyall subjects; but on the contrary, as occasion and need shall require, to yeeld and afford all favour, furtherance and assistance, exce­pting such of them as shall be employed in aid and service by the Rebels, or any of them. And we further charge and command all the inferiour Officers and their Mates, and all the Soldiers and Mariners of the said ship, whom we hereby likewise give you full power to nominate and appoint, you to obey and observe as their captain and chief commander, and to receive, execute, and fulfill readily all your Orders, commands, and all things tending to the good and advance­ment of his Majesties service; and you your self likewise to accomplish such Orders and Directions as you shall re-from time to time from his Majesty, from Us, or from any other superior Officer for the time being touching the pre­mises; for which this shal be unto you and to every one im­ployed under you, a sufficient Warrant and Discharge.