SEBASTIAN CABOT'S ORDINANCES 



A.D. 



1553- 



Ordinances, instructions, and advertisements of and p. 226.] 

 for the direction of the intended voyage for 

 Cathay, compiled, made, and delivered by the 

 right worshipfull M. Sebastian Cabota Esquier, 

 governour of the mysterie and companie of 

 the Marchants adventurers for the discoverie of 

 Regions, Dominions, Islands and places un- 

 knowen, the 9. day of May, in the yere of 

 our Lord God 1553. anc ^ m tne 7- yeere of 

 the reigne of our most dread soveraigne Lord 

 Edward the 6. by the grace of God, king of 

 England, Fraunce and Ireland, defender of the 

 faith, and of the Church of England and 

 Ireland, in earth supreame head. 



Irst the Captaine general, with the pilot 

 major, the masters, marchants & other 

 officers, to be so knit and accorded in 

 unitie, love, conformitie, and obedience 

 in every degree on all sides, that no 

 dissention, variance, or contention may 

 rise or spring betwixt them and the 

 mariners of this companie, to the damage or hinderance 

 of the voyage : for that dissention (by many ex- 

 periences) hath overthrown many notable intended and 

 likely enterprises and exploits. 



2 Item, for as much as every person hath given an 

 othe to be true, faithfull, and loial subjects, and liege 

 men to the kings most excellent Majestie, his heires 

 and successors, and for the observation of all lawes & 

 statutes, made for the preservation of his most excellent 

 Majestie, & his crown Imperiall of his realmes of England 

 and Ireland, and to serve his grace, the Realme, and this 

 present voyage truely, and not to give up, intermit, or 

 leave off the said voyage and enterprise untill it shalbe 

 accomplished, so farre forth as possibilitie and life of 



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