WHereas the Kings most excellent Majesty, by His Proclamation dated the Nineteenth day of November, 1661. in the Thirteenth year of His Majesties Reign (amongst other matters therein contained for the better discovery of any Imbezlements of His Maje­sties Stores and Provisions of War, and to the end the Receivers of such Stoln Goods might not pretend ignorance) was pleased to Command, Publish and Declare, That all the Ropemakers who should thereafter work in His Majesties Yards, or should elsewhere make any sort of Cordage for the use of His Majesties Navy, should make the same in manner following (viz.) All Cables, Hawsers, and other Cordage of the larger sort, should be wrought with one small hair-line through every strand thereof; all Coyls of smaller Cordage should have two strands composed of even threads, and the other should have one odd thread: As also, that on all other Stores, where it may be done without prejudice to the said Stores, or charge to His Majesty, as Nails, Spikes, and other the like Stores, that the Broad Ar­row should be put on some part of the same, whether by Stamp, Brand, or other way, as should be particu­larly directed by the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesties Navy, to whom the care thereof was committed. And whereas since the publishing of His Majesties said Proclamation, it appears by experience, that the way of making Cordage as before appointed, is not only chargeable to His Majesty, but also inconvenient in the working of the Cordage; and that way of marking the Nails and Spikes doth not fully answer the end to which the same were intended; His Majesty thereof is pleased further hereby to Command, Publish and Declare, That from henceforward all the Ropemakers who shall work in His Majesties Yards, or shall elsewhere make any sort of Cordage for the use of His Majesties Navy, shall make the same as is hereafter mentioned, viz. all the Cordage of three Inches and upwards, shall (instead of be­ing wrought with one small hair-line through every strand thereof, as afore ordered) be wrought with a white thread laid the contrary way, and the smaller Cordage, viz. from three Inches downwards shall (instead of having two strands composed of even threads, and the third to have one odd thread as was before appoint­ed) be wrought with a twyne in lieu of a white thread to be laid the contrary ways, as aforesaid. And His Majesty doth further Command, That all the Nails and Spikes which shall hereafter be made for His Ma­jesties use (besides the Broad Arrow appointed to be set on them as aforesaid) shall be wrought on the heads with five stroaks, viz. four on the sides, as is accustomary, and one larger then the rest on the top thereof. And His Majesty doth hereby forbid all Artificers or Workmen whatever to make any Cordage, Nails, or Spikes so marked, except for the use of His Majesties Navy: And doth likewise hereby Com­mand all His Majesties loving Subjects, That they forbear to buy or receive from any person whatsoever, any Cordage, Spikes, or Nails marked as aforesaid, without particular order and leave from the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesties Navy, upon pain of being proceeded against as Receivers of Stoln Goods, and as Imbezlers of His Majesties Stores. And for the better and more certain publishing the Marks of the Spikes and Nails, as aforesaid, His Majesty doth hereby enjoyn the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesties Navy, with all convenient speed to cause Patterns of them to be sent to Shipwrights and Ironmongers-Hall respectively, there to remain for the Information of such as are concerned in the knowledge thereof. And it is His Majesties will and pleasure further to Com­mand and Declare, That His Majesties aforementioned Proclamation of the Nineteenth of November, 1661. shall, as to all other matters and things therein contained, excepting what is hereby thought fit to be alter­ed, stand and abide in full force and vertue to all intents and purposes.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, December the Fifth, 1662. in the Fourteenth year of Our Reign.

God Save the King.