KING EDWARD VI.'S LETTER 



The copie of the letters missive, which the right 

 noble Prince Edward the sixt sent to the 

 Kings, Princes, and other Potentates, in- 

 habiting the Northeast partes of the worlde, 

 toward the mighty Empire of Cathay, at such 

 time as Sir Hugh Willoughby knight, and 

 Richard Chancelor, with their company, 

 attempted their voyage thither in the yeere 

 of Christ 1553. and the seventh and last 

 yeere of his raigne. 



Dward the sixt, by the grace of God, King 

 of England, France, and Ireland, &c. To 

 all Kings, Princes, Rulers, Judges, and 

 Governours of the earth, and all other 

 having any excellent dignitie on the same, 

 in all places under the universall heaven : 

 peace, tranquillitie, and honour be unto 

 you, and your lands and regions, which are under your 

 dominions, and to every of you, as is convenient. 



Forasmuch as the great and Almightie God hath 

 given unto mankinde, above all other living creatures, 

 such an heart and desire, that every man desireth to 

 joine friendship with other, to love, and be loved, also 

 to give and receive mutuall benefites : it is therefore 

 the duety of all men, according to their power, to 

 maintaine and increase this desire in every man, with 

 well deserving to all men, and especially to shew this 

 good affection to such, as being moved with this desire, 

 come unto them from farre countreis. For how much 

 the longer voyage they have attempted for this intent, 

 so much the more doe they thereby declare that this 

 desire hath bene ardent in them. Furthermore also, the 

 examples of our fathers and predecessors doe invite us 

 hereunto, forasmuch as they have ever gently and lovingly 

 intreated such as of friendly mind came to them, aswell 

 11 209 o 



A.D. 



1553- 



