THE True Copy of an Edict, made by the King of Spain, concerning the new Christians Dwelling in Portugal, and of their departure out of his said Realms & Dominions, freely without molestation, or loss of their goods, and also of free liberty to them granted, for their return again into his Realms and Dominions: whensoever they shall think good.  
(⸫)  
Translated out of the Portugal language, into English. 1602.   printer's or publisher's device 
❧ At LONDON, Printed by R. B. for Thomas Pavier.   

A True Copy of the King of Spain's late Edict, touching the Christians etc.  
Lord PHILIP,  
by the grace of God, I give to understand unto all those to whom this my Letter, or Edict shall come, to be seen or read, that George Rochiges Soles, and Rodrigo Dandrades, Attorneys, or Solicitors, of thief new Christians, which are dwelling or inhabiting within any of my Realms, lordships and Dominions, did earnestly Request of me, that I should grant them so much favour, as to charged and Command that all such Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances, which were established and made by the King my Lord and Father, which is in Glory, and by other Lords and Kings his predecessors, touching the new Christians inhabiting and dwelling within the Realm of Portugal, might be quite revoked and made frustrate: by which said Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, the said persons were prohibited and forbidden that they should not depart out of the said Realms, Dominions and lordships, without express Leave and Licence: and for to sell their goods and Lands: whereupon the said Attorneys or Solicitors for these new Christians have as aforesaid most earnestly requested and desired, that from that time forwards it might be lawful to and for any of the said new Christians, to departed and go their ways freely out of the said Kingdoms Dominions and lordships, and also for to return back again at all times whensoever it shall please them, with their families and goods, without any offence unto any person: and not to be bound at any time hereafter, to ask or demand any Leave or Licence at all, and likewise that I should give them free leave and licence to sell their goods and Lands at all times when they shall think meet and convenient for their own benefit and good. And that from henceforth, nor at any time hereafter, there shall be any Laws, Statutes, or Ordinances whatsoever, made or ordained in contradiction of this Edict. And that it would please us of our gracious favour and goodness, to pardon all those persons whatsoever, which have heretofore at any time or times, departed out of any of our Kingdoms, Dominions and Lordships, and have sold and put away their goods and Lands contrary to the said former Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, and also that we should charged and Command that all such pretensions, accusations, or molestation of them, or any of them, from this time forward shall cease. And forasmuch as they do partly know the great want which my Treasury doth sustain, and the decreasing of my goods, and by reason of the loyal love and good will which they bear unto me, as my true and loyal Subjects: they have bestowed upon me 17050. ducats towards the Cost and charges thereof. And that as touching this Decree, there might an Edict be made, which may remain in force, and be established for a Law, with a Contract irrevocable, and to that intent and purpose, that I should grant them their request and petition aforesaid, they alleged before me, certain Reasons and Causes to move me to do the same: The which I commanded to be seen & perused, and also thoroughly examined by my laws and Statutes, before the Lords of my Royal Council, and by other wise, discreet, and wise personages, thoroughly and well to examine the said case, and to cause good proofs to be made thereof, and of such Informations as are needful and requisite. Whereupon, now it doth appear by those Laws and accusations, that the said new Christians have received great Troubles, and overmuch punishment. And in consideration of this heavy burden, which they have carried and sustained. We therefore find it very convenient and needful, and also requisite for us to Release them out of this bondage and thraldom, and that it were requisite it should be so done and kept for the good government and public Weal of these my Kingdoms and Lordships, and imagining that they will esteem well of this my Gracious ●●uour to them in this behalf extended, and also acknowledge themselves greatly beholding unto us, and that by reason of their loyal Love and Obedience, and many other kind of Favours by them showed and done: I do hold it for good and convenient, to Revoke and utterly make frustrate all those Laws, Statutes and Ordinances whatsoever, wherein it is prohibited that the said new Christians should not depart out of my said Realms, Dominions and lordships, nor forth of them, nor to sell their goods nor inheritances, without my special Licence. And therefore I do Command and will that from henceforth they may departed and go out of my said Realms with their families & movables, or without them, & that they may return back again at all times, without any molesting or apprehending of them, and that none shall accuse them for departing out of my said Realms without leave or licence: And that likewise they may sell their said goods at all times whensoever they shall think convenient, freely without ask any leave or licence at all, and I do further ordain and hold it for good, that from hence forwards, thief my said Laws, Statutes & Ordinances, shall never be Revoked, but to stand and abide irrevocable for ever: insomuch, that I think it necessary, for divers & sundry causes me thereunto moving: as first, for the service of God, Secondly, for mine Estate and Honour, and thirdly for the great benefit and commodity that may arise & come, unto my said Realms, Dominions and Lordships. And I do likewise hold it for good, and it is my will and pleasure freely, to pardon and forgive all those which heretofore have departed and gone away at any time, before the publication of this my Letter of Edict, out of my said Realms, Dominions and Lordships, and have sold their said goods and inheritances without leave or licence.  
Moreover, I do strictly command and charge, that this Edict nor any part thereof be frustrated, nor to proceed in any thing, directly, or indirectly, against the same, by reason of the Demands, Causes and pretensions before mentioned, which hath been done and executed against all such as have been accused, and Condemned, and have been tried by order of law, and past in judgement, shall for ever hereafter, cease, and not proceed any further. All which I do Command to be performed, done and kept, by virtue of thief my Letters Patents by me now confirmed, Signed, and Sealed with my Royal Saale depending thereunto: The which shall stand, abide, remain, continue and be, with all the force, effect, and Vigour of the law, and also that the Contracts and agreements herein mentioned and expressed for ever hereafter, to be irrevocable: and that all the same wholly, shall be accomplished, performed and kept, in every degree, according to the true meaning & Contents thereof, without any Trouble, Let, Hindrance, or Imperagement thereof at all.  
And further I do desire and entreat, all those Kings and Princes, (my Successors) which hereafter shall succeed me, for to accomplish, maintain and keep this Edict, and also to command and cause the same to be fulfilled & kept, as firmly, and in as large and ample manner, as by thief my Letters Patents in all points do contain, and according to the whole Contents thereof. And the said 17050 Ducats which is paid by the said new Christians, in that form and manner afore mentioned in a Schedule of mine, which as concerning this Case, I did send, and Commanded it to pass, and so to be Registered.  
Given at Madrill, the Fowerth of April, 1602.  
Anthony Fernandis d' Sorses, did do it in the year of our Lord, 1601. and Anthony Aluares de Senedo, did cause this to be Written.   
FINIS.