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[Importation of Whale-fins from Greenland.]

BY THE KING.

A Proclamation concerning the bringing in of Whale-Finnes into his Majesties Dominions, etc.

As Wee conceive, it cannot be construed by any Our doings or proceedings, that Wee are caried with any ambitions or unjust appetite, to covet that which appertaineth to others So it shalbe alwayes Our desire and resolution, to nourish and maintaine the happy estate of Our loving Subjects, and the honour of Our Kingdomes; not onely in the same degree, in the which We have received them; but likewise with that increase and advancement, whereof the providence of Almighty God by just occasions shal put meanes and opportunities into Our hands; and in nothing more (next unto the true worship of God, and the administration of Justice) then in the maintenance and increase of Navigation, wherein Our kingdomes both by scituation, strength of shipping, skill of Marriners, valew of Commanders at Sea, and many honourable discoveries and exploits, have for long time, and more and more of late time flourished. And whereas Our Company of Merchants for the discovery of new Trades, commonly called the Muscovia Company,[1] have with their great costs and charges, of late yeeres discovered a Land, which they call by the name of King James his Newland,[2] to the increase of Navigation and Mariners; and have further by their care and industry entred into a trade of fishing for the Whale, and procured Biscainers, skilfull in striking the Whale, to teach and instruct the English Nation therein: And whereas a principall part of the benefit of the Whale-fishing consisteth in the commoditie of Whale-finnes imported into Our Kingdomes; And that experience already sheweth, that Our owne subjects in their returne from that Fishing, are able to furnish and serve Our Kingdomes with sufficient quantity for the use of Our loving subjects: it being also a matter of delicacie, and rather to be considered as it may concerne Navigation, then in itselfe: We have therfore thought fit for the better encouragement of the said Company, and other Our Subjects, in services of like nature, to prohibite all Aliens and strangers, and also Our owne subjects, (except the said Muscovia Merchants, and that in their joynt stocke) to bring hereafter into any Our Kingdomes the said commodity.

Wherefore We do by these presents, straitly and expresly forbid and prohibite, all Aliens and strangers whatsoever, and also Our owne Subjects (others then the said Muscovia Merchants, and that in their joynt stocke) to bring into any Our kingdomes, and Dominions any Whale-finnes, upon paine of Confiscation of the same, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further punishment, as shalbe meet to be inflicted upon the offenders for their contempt in that behalfe: And We do further hereby charge and require all Our Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers and other Officers, and also the Farmors of Our Customes, and their ministers, carefully to attend every one in their severall dueties, the execution of this Our Royall Proclamation, and in no wise to permit or suffer any Whale-finnes, either directly or indirectly, openly or privately, to be brought into the Ports, or other places of any of Our kingdomes: And in case any be brought in, the same to seaze to Our use, and by all other meanes to finde out, and informe of all offences tending to the breach of this Our Royall Proclamation.

Given at Wansted the eleventh day of September, in the twelfth yeere of Our Raigne of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, 1614.

God Save the King.

Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1614.

1 p. folio. Copies in Antiq., I. T., P. C., P. R. O., and Q. C. Entered on Patent Rolls.