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.