WHereas Wee by Our Proclamation giuen at Wansted, the eleuenth day of September in the twelfth yeere of Our reigne of Great Brittaine, France, and Ireland, for the rea­sons therein expressed, and for the incouragement of Our wel­beloued Subiects, the company of Merchants trading for Muscouia, Greeneland and the parts adioyning, commonly called the Muscouia Company, did straitly and expresly for­bid and prohibit all Aliens and Strangers whatsoeuer, and also all Our owne Subiects (others then the sayd Muscouia Merchants, and that in their ioynt stock) to bring into any Our Kingdomes, and Dominions any Whale Finnes vpon paine of confiscation of the same, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further punishment as should be meet to be inflicted vpon the Offenders for their contempt in that behalfe.

Now forasmuch as We are giuen to vnderstand, That Our sayd Proclamation took not that good effect, nor found that due obedience and conformity which We expected: We haue therefore in further manifestation of our former intentions and gracious fauor towards the sayd Company, thought good eftsoones to publish Our Royall pleasure heerein, and to reuiue and quicken Our sayd former Proclamation, which We cannot but take in ill part, hath beene so much neglected: And therefore We doe by these presents straitly charge, prohibit, and forbid, aswell all Alliens and Strangers whatsoeuer, as also Our naturall born Subiects and Denizens, That they nor any of them (other then the sayd Muscouia Merchants, and that in their ioynt stocke onely) shall from hence­foorth directly or indirectly import, or bring into Our Kingdomes and Dominions, or a­ny of them, any Whale Finnes, vpon paine of forfeiture, and confiscation of the same, whether they be found on board of any Ship, Hoy, Boate, or Bottome, or layd on land [Page] in any warehouse, storehouse, shop, cellar, or any other place whatsoeuer, and vpon paine of Our high Indignation and displeasure, and such other punishment, as by Our Court of Starre chamber shalbe thought meet to be inflicted vpon them, or any of them, as contemners of Our Royall will and commandement in this behalfe.

And Wee doe likewise straitly charge, prohibite and forbid, aswell all Aliens and Strangers, as Our naturall borne Subiects & Denizens (other then the sayd Muscouia Merchants) that they nor any of them doe presume to buie, vtter, sell, barter or contract for, any Whale finnes, knowing the same to be imported into any of our Realmes or Do­minions contrary to Our wil & pleasure heerein declared, vpon paine of Our high indig­nation and displeasure, & such further punishment as by Our said Court of Starre cham­ber shall bee thought meet to be inflicted vpon such offenders, as contemners also of Our Royall commandement. And to the end this Our pleasure may take the better effect, We doe heereby charge, and command all Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, Wai­ters, Farmors, and Collectors of Our Customes, and other our Officers and Ministers, carefully to attend euery one in his seuerall place, the execution heereof, and in no wise to permit or suffer any Whale finnes directly or indirectly, openly or priuately to be brought, or imported into any Our Kingdomes or Dominions, contrary to Our Royal pleasure heerein expressed, or being so imported, that they doe not permit, or suffer the same to bee colourably customed for other goods and Merchandize, but that foorthwith they or some of them doe seize and take to Our vse all such Whalefinnes as shall be so imported, and im­mediately vpon such seizure made, to giue notice thereof in writing to Our Register for forfeitures in Our Custome house in the Port of London, vpon paine to vndergoe such punishment, as shalbe thought meet by the Lords of Our Priuie Councell.

Neuerthelesse Our intent and meaning is, That the sayd Muscouie Company, and none other, shall or may buy, and sell, barter, or contract for, any such Whalefinnes, as being imported contrary to this Our Proclamation shalbe confiscate and seized, and the same, being sold by the sayd Company, may be afterward bought, contracted for, and vsed by any other Our Subiects at their wil and pleasure. Any thing heerein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

Giuen at Our Mannour of Greenwich, the eighteenth day of May, in the seuenteenth yeere of our Raigne of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the two and fiftieth.