SEBASTIAN CABOT'S ORDINANCES a.d. 



1553- 



all Cosmographers, and other writers both unknowne, and 



also by apparances of reason voide of experience thought Reason voide 



and reputed unhabitable for extremities of heates, and °f ex P erience - 



colds, and yet indeed tried most rich, peopled, temperate, 



and so commodious, as all Europe hath not the like. 



33 Item no conspiracies, parttakings, factions, false 

 tales, untrue reports, which be the very seedes, and fruits 

 of contention, discord, & confusion, by evill tongues to 

 be suffered, but the same, & all other ungodlines to be 

 chastened charitably with brotherly love, and alwaies 

 obedience to be used and practised by al persons in their 

 degrees, not only for duetie and conscience sake towards 

 God, under whose mercifull hand navigants above all 

 other creatures naturally bee most nigh, and vicine, but 

 also for prudent and worldly pollicie, and publike weale, 

 considering and alwaies having present in your mindes 

 that you be all one most royall kings subjects, and 

 naturals, with daily remembrance of the great importance 

 of the voyage, the honour, glorie, praise, and benefite 

 that depend of, and upon the same, toward the common 

 wealth of this noble Realme, the advancement of you the 

 travailers therein, your wives, and children, and so to 

 endevour your selves as that you may satisfie the expec- 

 tation of them, who at their great costs, charges, and 

 expenses, have so furnished you in good sort, and plentie 

 of all necessaries, as the like was never in any realme 

 seene, used, or knowen requisite and needful for such an 

 exploit, which is most likely to be atchieved, and brought 

 to good effect, if every person in his vocation shall 

 endevour himselfe according to his charge, and most 

 bounden duetie : praying the living God, to give you his 

 grace, to accomplish your charge to his glorie, whose [I. 230.] 

 merciful hand shal prosper your voyage, and preserve you 

 from all dangers. 



In witnes whereof I Sebastian Cabota, Governour 

 aforesaide, to these present ordinances, have subscribed 

 my name, and put my seale, the day and yeere above 

 written. 



205 



