APPENDIX H 759 



APPENDIX H. 



(P. 251.) 



REGLEMENT FOR PREVENTING ABUSES IN AND ABOUT 

 THE NARROW SEAS AND PORTS. 



(State Papers, Domestic. "James I., Vol. 11, No. 40. 1604." Charles I., 

 Vol. 279, No. 18. 1634.) 



His most Excellent Ma^' taking into his Royall Consideration, 

 upon the frequent Complaints, as well of his own Subjects, as the 

 Subjects of other Princes and States in Peace and Amitie with his 

 Ma*}'. That his Seas (commonly called the four English Seas) 

 are more infested now a days then heretofore, by men of ^^ ^ arre 

 and such others, who living by spoile haunt those Seas, with ships 

 and vessels of strength warlikely appointed to gett prey and booties, 

 whereby not only his Ma*}" 6 ' 8 own Subjects and the Subjects of his 

 friends suffer manifold losses, violences and Injuryes in their persons, 

 ships and goods, but also divers strange Insolencyes indignityes and 

 contempts are committed, tending indirectly and by consequence to 

 the denyall and impeachment of that Soveraignety and especiall and 

 peculiar Interest and property, w ch his Ma*y and his Predecessors time 

 out of mind have had and enjoyed in the said Seas, and soe approved 

 not only by the fundamental! Lawes of this his Kingdome, but 

 by the acknowledgement and assent of the bordering Princes and 

 Nations, as appeareth by undoubted Records. His Ma^ out of 

 his Princely wisedome and providence (with the Advice of his Privy 

 Councell) hath thought it most necessary, as well for vindicating 

 his own honour and right in the said Seas, as in point of Justice 

 for securing the passage of his Subjects and friends to and fro his 

 harbours and Ports, and all other Ports [1 parts] of his Dominions, 

 to make this open declaration ensuing. 



1. That notwithstanding the continuance of y e war between the 

 K. of Spaine on the one side, and the United Provinces of the 

 Low Countryes on the other side, his Ma*y doth streightly pro- 

 hibite any force, violence, surprize, or offense to be done or attempted 

 either fro Man of Warre to man of Warre, or man of Warre to 

 Merchant, or Merchant to Merchant of either Party within the 

 limits w ch his Ma*y will cause to be described in a Plott for that 

 purpose, but that all of what Nation soever soe long as they 

 shall be upon those places or Seas aforesaid, especially within 

 such limits, shall be understood to be under his Ma^ 68 Protection, 

 and obliged to be at Peace each with other. 



