A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1579- 



highnesse would vouchsafe to give leave and libertie to 

 II These two him and unto ij two other merchants of your kingdome, to 

 ^'^'"^^^,"^'^' resort hither and returne againe, and that by way of 

 and M. Rich- traffike they might be suffered to trade hither with their 

 ard Staper. goods and merchandizes to our Imperiall dominions, and 

 in like sort to make their returne. 



Our stately Court and Countrey hath beene ever open 

 for the accesse both of our enemies and friends. But 

 because we are informed that your most excellent Regall 

 Majesty doth abound with good will, humanitie, & all 

 kind of loving affection towards us, so much the rather 

 shall the same our Countrey be alwayes open to such of 

 your subjects, as by way of merchandize shall trade 

 hither : and we will never faile to aide & succor any of 

 them that are or shal be willing to esteeme of our friend- 

 ship, favour, & assistance : but will reckon it some part 

 of our dutie to gratifie them by all good meanes. And 

 forasmuch as our Imperiall highnesse is given to under- 

 stand that your most excellent Regall Majestic doth 

 excell in bountie & curtesie, we therfore have sent out 

 our Imperiall commandement to all our kings, judges, 

 and travellers by sea, to all our Captaines and voluntarie 

 seafaring men, all condemned persons, and officers of 

 Ports and customes, straightly charging and commanding 

 them, that such foresaid persons as shall resort hither by 

 [II. i. 138.] sea from the Realme of England, either with great or 

 small vessels to trade by way of marchandize, may law- 

 fully come to our imperiall Dominions, and freely returne 

 home againe, and that no man shall dare to molest or 

 trouble them. And if in like sort they shall come into 

 our dominions by land, either on foote or on horsebacke, 

 no man shall at any time withstand or hinder them : but 

 as our familiars and confederates, the French, Venetians, 

 \\He calleth^ Polonians, and the liking of Germany, with divers other 

 the Germatne ^^j. i-^eighbours about us, have libertie to come hither, & 

 kinzofGer- ^^ returne againe into their owne countreys, in like sort 

 manie. the marchants of your most excellent Regall Majesties 



kingdome shall have safe conduct and leave to repayre 



170 



