A PROCLAMATION INHIBITING THE IMPORTATION OF WHALE FINNES INTO HIS
MAJESTIES DOMINIONS BY ANY, BUT THE MUSCOVY COMPANY.
Whereas Wee by Our Proclamation given at Wansted, the eleventh day
of September in the twelfth yeere of Our reigne of Great Brittaine,
France, and Ireland,[1] for the reasons therein expressed, and for the
incouragement of Our welbeloved Subjects, the company of Merchants
trading for Muscovia, Greeneland[2] and the parts adjoyning, commonly
called the Muscovia Company, did straitly and expresly forbid and
prohibit all Aliens and Strangers whatsoever, and also all Our owne
Subjects (others then the sayd Muscovia Merchants, and that in their
joynt stock) 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 should
be meet to be inflicted upon the Offenders for their contempt in that
behalfe.
Now forasmuch as We are given to understand, That Our sayd Proclamation
took not that good effect, nor found that due obedience and conformity
which We expected: We have therefore in further manifestation of our
former intentions and gracious favor towards the sayd Company, thought
good eftsoones to publish Our Royall pleasure heerein, and to revive
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 whatsoever, as also Our naturall born Subjects and Denizens,
That they nor any of them (other then the sayd Muscovia Merchants, and
that in their joynt stocke onely) shall from hencefoorth directly or
indirectly import, or bring into Our Kingdomes and Dominions, or any of
them, any Whale Finnes, upon 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 in any warehouse, storehouse, shop, cellar,
or any other place whatsoever, and upon paine of Our high Indignation
and displeasure, and such other punishment, as by Our Court of Starre
chamber shalbe thought meet to be inflicted upon 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 Subjects and Denizens
(other then the sayd Muscovia Merchants) that they nor any of them doe
presume to buye, utter, 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 and pleasure heerein declared, upon paine of Our
high indignation and displeasure, and such further punishment as by Our
said Court of Starre chamber shall bee thought meet to be inflicted
upon 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 every one in his severall
place, the execution heereof, and in no wise to permit or suffer any
Whale finnes directly or indirectly, openly or privately 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 use all such Whalefinnes as shall be so imported, and
immediately upon such seizure made, to give notice thereof in writing
to Our Register for forfeitures in Our Custome house in the Port of
London, upon paine to undergoe such punishment, as shalbe thought meet
by the Lords of Our Privie Councell.
Neverthelesse Our intent and meaning is, That the sayd Muscovie
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
used by any other Our Subjects at their wil and pleasure. Any thing
heerein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given at Our Mannour of Greenwich, the eighteenth day of May, in the
seventeenth yeere of our Raigne of England, France, and Ireland, and
of Scotland the two and fiftieth.
Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, Printers to the
Kings most excellent Majestie. Anno. M.DC.XIX.
_2 pp. folio. There are two issues slightly varying in set-up. Copies
in Antiq., B. M., Dalk., I. T., P. C., P. R. O., and Q. C._