A Proclamation or Edict. Touching the Opening and restoring of the Traffic, and Commerce of Spain, with these Countries: Although they have severed themselves from the obeisance of the Illustrious Archduke, As also with all Vassals and Subjects of Princes and Commonweals, being their friends, or Neutrals.  
Faithfully Translated out of the Nether-landish tongue according to printed Copy.  
Imprinted at Brussels.  
Imprinted at London for Thomas Archer and are to be sold at the little shop by the Exchange. 1603.   


By the Archduke.  
To our trusty and well-beloved, the Chancellors and Persons of our Counsel in Brabant: health.  
IT is so manifest, with what desire, zeal, and care, the King (our beloved Lord & brother,) hath ever and yet doth seek to further our help and assistance of the good will which we bear to the furtherance and welfare of our good Subjects: for, as much as in us lieth to redeem and discharge them of the miseries, inconveniences and suppressions which they have & do endure through the continuance of these long-lasting wars, procuring them all benefits and easements, in acknowledgement of their fedilitie. We then desiring like wise the quiet and advancement of the other our Vassals of the Isles of Holland and Zealand, and other Provinces, separated from the obedience, which as their Sovereign and natural Princes they own unto us, being deceived and seduced by some ill-willers, who for their own benefit have and do yet hold them in so great oppression.  
And marking the miseries & oppressions which they endure, with all the intolerable taxes which they wring from them, under the false colour of war, into the which they have cast themselves, under the pretence of the preservation of their Privileges, taking away their substance and means, and reducing them to an utter poverty & despair, over shadowing & concealing the good will which we have to the furtherance of their welfare and quietness, and to draw them out of the bondage and oppression wherein at this present they remain: for it is certain, that all the evils and mischiefs which are happened by reason of these said wars and disobediences (together with the bloodsheades which to our great grief hath ensued thereon, and as yet are continuing) do not proceed from the will of our Vassals, but from the bad hearts of such as have taken and usurped all authority and Sovereign government, as also from the subtleties and lies wherewith they entertain them, sucking and drawing all their means and substance from them: therewith to make their own private benefit and gain, to the great disadvantage of the Commonalty, and to maintain themselves in the aforesaid authority.  
To the end therefore that they may manifestly see and perceive, what love and affection we bear them, we have resolved to suffer and permit them the trade and Navigation which we heretofore have prohibited them, in the Provinces of our obediences: As also at our request and in our favour and respect, they have been done by his Majesty in his Realms of Spain, according to the Declaration, published by his certain command and Edict, and sent unto us in the spanish tongue: whereof the translation followeth from word to word.   

By the King's Majesty.  
Whereas I have taken regard that through the continuation of the wars risen in the Neitherlands and Provinces of Flanders, by some subjects, the which by bad counsel are withdrawn from their due obedience, drawing to them a great number of the good and obedient Vassals, there have ensued great hurts and effusions of blood since these 36. years past, and that thereby hath been introduced great and dangerous mutations in the Policy and good government. Also that the old and ancient train and course of trade hath thereby been greatly broken and inverted, drawing the same out of the hands of the good & obedient subjects of the said Provinces: whereas heretofore was used to be the greatest trade as well of the merchandises which were brought out of these our Realms, Lands, and Dominions, towards the North parts, and others: As also for those which from the aforesaid parts were brought into the said Neitherlands: and these our said Realms, Dominions, and others whereout are sprung manifest disorders and inconveniences.  
And as we desire to restore and renew the Commerce, and to set it in his form, train, and order as heretofore it hath been in the said Provinces, & especially, in the havens & towns as yet remaining under the due obedience of the illustrious Archduke, Albertus, and the Infanta, Lady Isabella, my brother and Sister, to the welfare and profit of their obedient subjects as for the good and well-minded love of the common good: seeing herein the clemency & kindness unto which I am bound by the place whereunto it hath pleased th' Almighty GOD to call me. And by the effects, to show the desire which I have always had, to the welfare of the common good, & especially of the aforesaid Nether-lands: having communicated all the same unto my abovenamed Brother and Sister, and thereupon received th' advice of our Counsel of State, I have resolved to open and again to raise up, the aforesaid trade of Merchandise, upon the conditions and manner following.  
1 INprimis, I am content and ordain, that all persons of what quality and condition soever, as well of my Vassals and Subjects, as of other Princes & Commonweals, my Friends, Allies, and Neutrals, although they were borne & dwelling in the Isles of Holland and Zealand, and in the other Provinces, which are fallen from the obedience & allegiance of my beforenamed Brother and Sister, which still come to trade, traffic and negotiate in my said Kingdoms, and in the havens thereof (the East and West Indies and the Isles of Barlovent, with others by the Laws forbidden excepted) may quietly and merchant like come to use their trade and traffic, according to the laws & customs of these Kingdoms, in paying for the wares which they shall bring thither, such duties as have been imposed thereupon until they day of the publication hereof, conditionally and upon express charge, that they have not nor shall not pay directly, nor indirectly any duties to the enemies of this Crown, of my said brother and Sister, nor also to these of the Countries of Holland and Zealand, and other Provinces their adherents, fallen from their allegiance: upon pain, that if at any time it shall be proved, that they have paid any duty to the said disobedients or to our enemies, such merchandises shall be forfeited: and if in case they were sold or made away, the factor or person to whom they should have been directed, and that should have sold the same, shall be forced to repay the worth of the same, without any acquitting, nor exception of persons whatsoever.  
2 In like sort, I will and ordain, that all Merchandises not prohibited, which shallbe carried forth of these my Realms, whether by Strangers or by the Naturals thereof, towards any Country whatsoever, the places here-under specified only excepted, shall pay me 30. in the 100 The which I impose for a new duty of that which they shall convey out, without any exceptions of persons nor Merchandises, and this over and above the ordinary duties established upon them until the day of the publication of this my Edict, all which Merchandises that shall be conveyed out of these Realms, shall be of such, as by the laws thereof shall not be forbidden or prohibited.  
3 As for the Traffic and Commerce with the Kingdoms, Countries, and Estates, bordering upon the Mediterranean-sea, as well mine, as of my Friends and Allies: my will is, That there be no Novelties nor change made from that which hath been heretofore used, as well in regard of the Merchandises, as for the duties which are accustomed to be paid: upon this condition always, that all such as shall lad for those Countries and Kingdoms, shall be bound to put in security, within six Months after the day of their departure from the Ports of this Realm, to present certificate of the Consuls and persons thereunto appointed, or to be appointed in the Ports of the said Realms, Countries and Estates of mine, my Friends and allies, bordering upon the Mediteranean-sea, to have livered and discharged the said Merchandises in those parts for the which they had laden them, by means whereof they shall be discharged of their said suretieship or caution, without paying aught but the ordinary duties, imposed before the date hereof. And in default of presenting the said certificate, the said sureties shall be bound to pay 20. in the 100 of all the Merchandises which they shall have remained out. And to the end therein be no fraud used, it is declared that the Navigation and Commerce of the said Kingdoms, Countries and Estates of the Mediterranean-sea, and of my Friends and allies, shall be from the straits of Gibraltar, towards the parts of Levant, and from them of the North until the said straits, for that if those of the said Medite●ranean-sea, do pass above the said straits, and do lad in these Realms of Spain and Iles thereof, for the North Countries, they shall not enjoy the said Freedom, but shall be subject to the charge declared in the former chapter.  
4 In like manner, shall be free from the duty of 30. in the 100 the Iron and Steel which shall be shipped out of the Province of Guipuzcoa, and Lordship of Biscaye, the Mountains and Kingdoms of Navarre's for France, paying only the ordinary duties, at the charge always of the self same caution declared in the Chapter above.  
5 My will and pleasure is, that all & every person & persons, which in the form above said manner shall come to trade in these my Kingdoms with their Ships and Merchandises, and shall bind themselves to conduct and discharge those which they shall lad in them, in the Ports of the towns under the obedience of my said Brother and Sister, without paying any thing directly or indirectly to our enemies and disobedient Subjects, shall be free and exempt of the said duty of 30. in the 100 without that they shall be bound to pay any other but the ordinary duties.  
6 And to the end that they may more easily do it and enjoy the said freedom, without paying the said 30. in the 100 I command and ordain, all Officers of justice of these my Realms and Lordships, freely to suffer all persons to ship without paying any other than the ordinary duties, for all sorts of merchandises, those only excepted which by the laws of these Realms are prohibited, upon condition that they set good & sufficient caution or security before such persons which hereunto by me shall be ordained in my Ports: to present certification from the persons which my said Brother and Sister there unto shall appoint, to have discharged the said Merchandises frank and freely, in the said Ports and Towns of their obedience, or such part thereof, as they shall have unladen there, and that within six months after their departure from my said Ports: that then by virtue thereof, they shall remain freed and absolved of the said caution or security: By reason that by the said certificate shall appear that only they shall have discharge there, and for the remainder their Sureties shall pay the aforenamed duty of thirty in the hundred, which Certificate, shall be given unto them by the aforenamed persons without any trouble, or without demanding any duty of them for the same.  
7 I defend, and ordain expressly, that in these my Kingdoms by what means or way soever, be not brought either directly or indirectly, the Merchandises here under declared, unless they be made and wrought in the obedient Provinces of the Nether-lands. (To wit:)  

Hondscote Says, and all manner of Sayet wares.  
Little Cushions to sow, or otherwise.   

Points, and pings.  
Starch.  
Buratoes, and Taffatyes.  
Cow-hydes,  
Mokadoes.  
Tryplt-Veluets.  
Sarges, or Worsteds.   
And other works, the which are made at Lille, and Tournaye, Carpets.  

Kettles, and Basins.   
Which are made in the said Neitherlands, and at Axe, so far forth as they bear the mark of my said Brother and Sister.  

Red Copper wrought.  
Cambric.  
woollen Stockings.  
All manner of Knives.  
Chests or Coffers.  
Pewter.  
wire of Iron, and Copper.   
linencloth, with all sorts of Linnen-drapery counterfeit to those which are made in the said obedient provinces.  

Fine thread, called spinal.  
Sowing thread, of all colours.  
tablecloths, and Napkins.  
Woollen clothes.  
All manner of Pictures, either in oil or water.  
Lace of thread, or Silk.  
Narrow canuases, & Tapestries of all sorts.   
All manner of small Haberdasherrie-wares, counterfeit to those that are made in the obedient provinces.  

Tykes, or Quiltes for bed and feather.   
And to th'intent the said wares be known, to be the workmanship of the said obedient Countries, they shall be verified by signs of such persons, as by my seal, & my said brother & sister thereunto shall be deputed which shallbe given to them that shall require it, without paying any thing therefore, upon pain that those which shallbe found to be without the said my sign or mark, or known to be other countreywork, shallbe confiscated & made good lawful prize.  
8 I Ordain, that in my said Kingdoms shall not be suffered to come nor be brought in those Merchandises following, without the Seal of my Brother and Sister, and the Passport or Warrant of those which we shall appoint thereunto. But it is withal to be understood that the said Seal and Passport shall be given them gratis, and without any cost.  

Buckarums.  
Bays.   
Dyed and dressed in the said obedient Provinces, the which above the aforesaid Seal, and Passport, shall bring with them a private Seal from the place where they are died.  

Nails, and all manner of Iron-works.   

Molten Wax.  
Sheep Skins.  
Buff-skinnes.  
Fustians.   
All manner of Merchandises, and small wares, coming from Norinbregh. (To wit:)  
Of all sorts. 

Spangles and grain work of Glass.  
Copper curtain Rings.  
Sail Needles.  
All manner of Spectacles.  
Scales, or Balances.  
Buttons.  
Pincers, and Nails for Shoemakers.  
Chafing-dishes of all sorts.  
Horn for Lanterns.  
Glue of all sorts.  
Matches for Guns.  
White wax.  
Clasps and Eyes of all sorts.  
Tape of all fashions.  
Strings for all Instruments.  
Tallow Candles.  
Wax to seal Letters.  
Chamblets of all sorts.  
Bed-pannes.  
Clocks.  
Broken clocks.  
Bells of metal.  
Hog's Bristles for Shoemakers.  
Small Bells of all sorts of metal  
Padlocks of all sorts.  
Nails of metal.  
Shooing-hornes of all sorts.  
Candlesticks of all sorts.  
Saws.  
Whistles of all sorts.  
Pens or quills to write.  
All manner of printed Images upon Paper.  
Looking Classes, of all sorts.  
Tinne-foile,  
Writings, Boxes, or Cabinets of all sorts.  
Inkhorns of all sorts.  
Brus●…es of all sorts.  
Horn bottles of all sorts.  
Buckles for Girdles, of all sorts.  
Carved Images of all sorts.  
wire of metal.  
wire of all sorts.  
Instruments of all sorts.  
Copper in rolls.  
Flax of all sorts.  
Table-books.  
All manner of Fyles.  
Masks of all sorts.  
Wrought English Alabaster of all sorts.  
Metals wrought of all sorts.  
Milan scenes.  
Gold, and Silver to gild.  
Counterfeit gold, of all sorts.  
Lace of Cruel, of all sorts.  
Led wrought of all sorts.  
Presses, and wooden lists, or edged of all sorts.  
Horse-haire.  
Weights of mark of all sorts.  
Watches or small clocks of all sorts  
Beads of all sorts.  
Wheels of all sorts of metal.  
Small nails for stools or chairs.  
Steeles of all sorts.  
cabbage-seed.  
Caffas, and of all sorts.  
Hatbands of all sorts.  
Tongues and shoovels of all sorts.  
Bone wrought of all sorts.  
Broken metal of all sorts.    
And my will is, that these Merchandises that shall come with the said Seal and Passport, shall be free and exempt from the said duty of 30. in the 100 and all such as shall show themselves with the said Passport and Seal, before my justices, Customers, or to the persons which I shall appoint thereunto, in my Havens and Ports, may freely traffic upon the sale of such commodities, paying only the ordinary duties, without that any hindrance shall be done unto them by any, but rather shall be given unto them all assistance, at the hands of the justices. And all Merchandise that shall not come with the said Seal and Warrant, shall pay the aforesaid duty of 30. in the 100  
9 And to yield the trade of Merchandises the more easy our will is, that the Captain or Master of what Ship soever, as soon as he shall be arrived, shall immediately deliver up, his cargazin, or contents of his lading, of the Merchandises or Packs which he shall have brought, with their marks and declaration to whom they are directed, unto the justices of the havens for the which he shall be freighted, the which being done, he shall be permitted to discharge his Merchandises and deliver them unto their owners, or unto whom they shall belong. And if in case any deceit or trespass be found to be used against my orders, those which shall have received such Merchandises, shall be constrained to make good the value thereof, without that in this behalf any hindrance or molestation shall be done unto the said Ships, Captains, or Masters of the Ships, the which shall freely be suffered to lad and return, unless they have themselves concealed the same and been participant in the deceit and falsehood.  
10 And to the end that there be a difference, and a distinction between our enemies & those which are withdrawn from their lawful obedience and will still continue in their errors, and between our good Vassals and Subjects of the said netherlands: and of all others that will trade freely and securely within these our Realms, and that desires in sincerity without fraud or guile to enjoy this grace and benefit.  
And to the end that the Ships, Shipper, Merchants, and other persons of like sort and quality, at this presence holding their residence in the aforenamed Provices of Holland & Zealand, and other being out of the obedience of my aforenamed Brother and Sister, may be known by my Captain, Generals of the Armies, Galleys and all other sorts of Ships of War, I am content and command: That in bringing Passport in due manner and form, from my aforenamed Brother and Sister, or from the persons which we, and they shall appoint thereunto, in the aforesaid Lands, shall freely, and frankly pass, enter, remain, deal, and quietly and freely exercise their trade, according to the Laws and customs of these aforenamed Realms, by virtue of the aforesaid Passport, without offering them any let or hindrance, but that all aid, favour and assistance begiven them, and that they be defended against all enemies, as well Pirates as Armies at sea which should seek to disturb this their free trade, and that as well in these my said Realms, as in the said obedient Provinces of my Brother and Sister, & the said Passports shall be given unto all such as shall require them, without any delay, or without taking any duty or other thing whatsoever.  
11 And to the end that it may be known with what assurance they shall remain and exercise their trade, in these my said Realms, all such as shall intend to remain and trade therein, by virtue of this present Edict, and how well they shall be received, and how secure their persons and goods shall be therein: I promise upon my Kingly word; that over and above th'accomplishment of all the Premises above written, that if at any time it were found convenient, or that unto me it might seem good to change, or recall this my ordinance, they shall be warned thereof a year before hand, that within the said time they may departed freely and securely with their goods and dispose of their matters, and to transport themselves to such places as they shall desire, and those which shall be absent from thence, may be able in like sort, to dispose of all their goods within the aforesaid term of one year, as to themselves shall seem most meet and convenient, without that either in the one or in the other any let shall be done unto them.  
12 And for the accomplishment of what is aforesaid, touching the aforenamed trade of Merchandise, I command and ordain all justices and Officers of these my Realms, that they suffer to enter in all the havens thereof all sorts of Ships, Shippers, and Merchandises of the aforesaid Provinces of Holland and Seland, & other their adherents, also of the Subjects of all Princes, Potentates and Commonweals, my Friends and Neutrals, which shall come with Passport from my said Brother and Sister, or from the persons which I, and they shall appoint thereunto, and that they permit them to enter, remain, and exercise their trade, freely and frankly, following the orders and customs of my aforenamed Reamls: maintaining and framing themselves in all things, according to the tenor of this my present Edict, without doing there against in any manner: the which I command to be proclaimed, and published with the accustomed solemnities, as well in my Court, as in all the Cities, Towns, Villages, and Havens of my aforenamed Realms of Spain, and the islands thereof, to the end that it may come to the knowledge of every one.  
And all what therein is contained, be perpetually to be maintained, performed, and observed, as the like shall be done by all persons to whom it may appertain. Upon pain of falling into my heavy indignation, and others reserved to my arbitration, whereof I have caused these presence to be made.  
Signed with my own hand, and Sealed with my Privy Seal, and Subscribed by Andreas de Prada, my Secretary of State. Given in Valladolid, the 27. of February. 1603.   

By the Archdukes.  
ANd delivering of our presents, to follow and put in execution, the good and merciful intent of his aforenamed Majesty: We grant, and give leave and licence, to all and every one, as well our Subjects, (although there were of the aforenamed Isles of Holland and Zealand, and other Provinces, withdrawn from our allegiance) as also unto all others, of what Princes and Commonweals, and of what quality, Nation, or condition soever they be, our Friends, or Neutrals, after the publication hereof, to bring & discharge in our Lands on this side being under our obedience, either through the havens thereof or through the Havens, which at this instant are held and occupied, by those of our aforenamed islands, or by the way of France, and Germany, as well by themselves, as by interposition of persons, all sorts of Merchandises, and all other things whatsoever or howsoever they be brought, or that they shall draw out of the Kingdoms and dominions of Spain, the which we declared, as well in entering as in going out, to be free and frank from all duties, which have been raised, imposed, and augmented thereupon, within these thirty years, so far forth that they have not neither shall not, either directly or indirectly pay any impositions, customs or other duties, in what nature soever, unto the aforesaid disobedient Provinces nor unto our enemies, upon the pain that having paid any such duties, they shallbe forfeit & confiscated to wit, only such as shall have paid the same.  
In like manner, & upon the same condition, we give leave & licence unto all persons of what Nation never of our friends, & Neutrals with the same freedom & liberty, to bring into the Havens of our o● bedience, & also to transport from thence through what place soever all manner of Merchandises: only excepted these, which his Majesty by his aforesaid Edict doth prohibit, because they are not made nor wrought in these obedient Provinces, being those same which are specified in the seventh Article of his royal Commandment above inserted, forbidding, & interdicting, that neither directly nor indirectly, nor by any means whatsoever, they be not brought in the aforesaid Lands of our obedience: Upon pain of confiscation, and that the transgressors of this Ordinance shall be punshed with all rigour.  
And to the end that each one, the better may enjoy this grace and benefit of his Majesty, and of us, and make their voyages towards the kingdoms of Spain: We will at all time's cause to be given and granted the Passports, which they shall need for their security, at what times they shall require them free and frank, without paying any duty therefore.  
In like manner, touching the Merchandises, which his Majesty by this his said Edict are comprehended, & forbiddeth not to enter in his realms, unless they were made in the Lands of our obedience, or have passed there thorough with certification from the persons, the which in his Majesties, and our behalf thereunto shall be appointed, according to the tenor of the aforenamed Edict, to the en●, that the same do not disturb the course of the trade, and that all such persons, freely ma● come without any peril or danger, in the aforenamed Realms, the said Certificate, or Warrant shall be granted unto them, yea, without paying any thing for the same, by the hands of john de Gauna, or of such other persons, as we shall name there unto, to the assistance of those which his Majesty shall depute, and appoint thereunto, and being the said certificate or Warrant signed by them both, it shall be valeable, and other ways not.  
And to the end that, that is above written have his whole and lawful effect, and that each one, so much the better, may know our good heart and affection, we give leave and licence, to all trading Merchants, Shippers or their Factors, Officers, Handecrafts-men, & all other persons of ●he lands withdrawn from our obedience, to return into these of our allegiance, and there to live and enjoy these goods being in the hands of the fiscal, in such manner as at this present they are, without power to sell or alienate the same, unless with our consent, so far forth they maintain the Laws of the aforesaid Lands: and such persons as shall come in this manner, we will receive them into our grace and mercy, with utter abolishment of all forepast matters, the which is to be understood, to be done, in regard of such as shall have absented themselves by reason of the wars, without any other private offence, and that shall not presever nor intermeddle further therein.  
Therefore, we will and command you, that immediately and without delay, you are to publish these presents with all solemnity, throughout all the Towns and places of our Countries and County of Artoys, where the Proclamations and Edicts are usually published, to the end they may come to the knowledge of each.  
Ordaying and Commanding, unto all Governors, justicies, Officers and men of Law of your iurisdicting the strict observance, and maintenance thereof, using all good entertainment, and kind usage, unto all such as shall be willing to accept of this ordinance and favour, receiving them in their Towns and Offices respectively, although that at this present, they do hold or have held their residence, in the Provinces distracted from our obedience, or in any other places, so far forth as they behave themselves according to the Laws and Customs there used, even as the like is done by these which are resident in the places of our said obeissance, and upon the charge, that before hand shall present themselves, unto the Magistrates of the Cities, and Towns where they shall desire to dwell, without that they shall need at any time to show any other diligence nor duty, neither before nor after.  
And all this to be effected, without doing of suffering to be done unto them, for the forepassed matters: any trouble, disturbance or hindrance, upon pain that the transgressors shall endure our heavy indignity and to be rigorously punished, for that such our pleasure is.   
Given in our City of Brussels, vn●… our Counter-Seale: Imprinted thereon in form of Edict. The fifth day of April. 1603. Signed, by the Archdukes and their Counsel, and subscribed. And thereon standeth imprinted their highness Counter-Seale, in form of Edict.  
The like Edicts, mutatis mutandis, have been dispatched in the Netherlandish-tongue, for Gelderland, Flanders, and Malynes: And in the French tongue for Luxenbrough, Artoys, Hainault, Namur, Lille, Dovay, and Vrchids, Tournay, and Dournesay, and Valencienne.  
FINIS.