A PROCLAMATION INHIBITING THE IMPORTATION OF WHALE FINNES, OR WHALE
OILE, INTO HIS MAJESTIES DOMINIONS BY ANY, BUT THE MUSCOVIA COMPANY.
Whereas Our late deare and Royall Father, of ever blessed memory, King
James, by His Proclamation, bearing date the eighteenth day of May, in
the seventeenth yeere of His Reigne, for the reasons therein expressed,
and for the encouragement of His welbeloved Subjects, the Company of
Merchants trading for Muscovia, Greenland,[1] and the parts adjoyning,
commonly called the Muscovia Company, did inhibite the Importation of
Whale Finnes, into any of His Kingdomes or Dominions, by any persons
other then by that Company, and that in their Joynt-stock only, under
the penalties therein mentioned; We now being minded to give the like
encouragement and assistance to the said Company, and for the better
support of the Fishing-Trade to Greeneland, and the parts adjacent,
which by the increase of Navigation conduceth much to the common good
of Our Kingdome and People, have thought fit to publish Our Royall
pleasure therein; And therefore We do by these presents straightly
Charge, prohibite, and forbid, as well all Aliens and Strangers
whatsoever, as Our naturall borne Subjects and Denizens, That they, nor
any of them, (other then the said Muscovia Merchants only, and that
in their Joynt-stock for the Whale-Fishing;) shall from henceforth
directly or indirectly Import or bring any Whale Oyle, or Whale Finnes,
(whether the said Finnes be whole, or cut, in what manner soever)
into any Our Kingdomes or Dominions, upon Paine of the forfeiture and
confiscation of the same; whether they bee found on Board of any Ship,
Hoye, Boat, or Bottom, or laid on land in any Ware-house, Store-house,
Shop, Cellar, or any other place whatsoever; and upon Paine of Our high
Indignation and displeasure, and such other punishments, as by Our
Court of Starre-Chamber shall bee thought meet to be inflicted upon
them, or any of them, as Contemners of Our Royall Will and Commandment
in this behalfe.
And Wee do likewise straightly Charge, prohibite, and forbid, as well
all Aliens and Strangers, as Our naturall borne Subjects and Denizens,
(other then the said Muscovia Merchants in their Joint-stock as
aforesaid) that they, nor any of them do presume to Buy, Utter, Sell,
Barter, or Contract, for any Whale Oyle, or Whale Finnes, knowing
the same to bee Imported into any Our Realmes or Dominions, contrary
to Our Will and Pleasure herein declared; whether the said Finnes
bee whole, or cut as aforesaid, upon Paine of Our high Indignation
and displeasure, and such further punishments, as by Our said Court
of Starre-Chamber shall bee thought meet to bee inflicted upon such
Offendours, as Contemners also of Our Royall Commandments.
And to the end, that Our Pleasure hereby declared may take the better
effect; Wee do hereby Charge and Command, all Customers, Collectours,
Farmours, Comptrollers, Searchers, Waiters, and all other Our Officers
and Ministers whatsoever, in all or any Our Ports, Havens, or Creekes;
that they and every of them in their severall places, do carefully
attend and see to the due execution hereof; and in no wise to permit
or suffer any Whale Oile, or Whale Finnes whole, or cut, directly,
or indirectly, openly, or covertly, to be brought or imported into
any Our Kingdomes or Dominions contrary to Our Royall pleasure herein
expressed; or being so imported, that they do not permit, or suffer
the same to be colourably Customed for other Goods and Merchandise;
but that they forthwith do seise, and take to Our use all such Whale
Finnes, and Whale Oyle as shall bee so Imported, contrary to Our
pleasure herein declared, upon Paine to undergo such punishments as
shall be thought meet by the Lords of Our Privie Councell.
Neverthelesse, Our intent and meaning is, That the said Muscovia
Company in their Joynt-stock only, and none other, shall or may Buy and
Sell, Barter, or Contract, for any such Whale Finnes, or Whale Oyle, as
being imported contrary to this Our Proclamation, shall be confiscate
and seised, and the same being sold by the said Company, may be
afterwards bought, contracted for, and used by any other Our Subjects,
at their will and pleasure; Any thing herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding.
Given at Our Palace of Westminster, the sixteenth day of May, in the
twelfth yeere of Our Reigne.