❧ Articles set down by the right worshipful Thomas Randolph esquire, Master and controller general of all her majesties posts, and straightly by him commanded to be kept by the posts from London, to the northern borders against Scotland, for the better observation, and due execution of such orders as lately were appointed by the Lords or her majesties pruie council.  
FIrst, that every Post for the service of the Packet for her majesties affairs, shall haue in his stable, or in a readiness throughout the year, three good and sufficient post Horses, with saddles and furniture fit and belonging. Three good and strong leather bags well lined with bays or cotton, to carry the Pachet in. And three horns to blow by the way, as by their Lordships order is commanded. whosoever shall fail hereof, at any time when they shall be surveyed, shall abide the punishment that the Master of the posts shall lay vpon him.  
2 That every Post, so soon as the Packet directed for her majesties affairs shall be brought unto him, shall forth with or within one quarter of an hour after, with all speed and diligence carry the same, or cause it to be carried to the next Post, according to the orders by their Lordships also set down. The breach of this article shall also be punishable at the Master of the posts pleasure.  
3 That every Post, either of his own, or such as he shall keep or appoint under him, shall 〈◇〉 always in readiness, tour good and sufficient Post horses, and two horns, to serve at all occasions for such as either by commission, or other wise for better expedition shall ride in Post. And if the number of horses exceed their own 〈◇〉, then that they supply their want, as by their Lordships is provided for, and set down.  
●. That every Post from hence forth keep two faire paper books, or one large and great one, aswell to register the names, ●●●●… s and number of horses, of such as either with commission, or without shall run the Post, as also to enter the Pac●●●●… that for her majesties affairs shall pass and be carried by them. And the same shall signify at the end every month, 〈◇〉 then ten days after unto the Master of the posts. And so often as he shall vpon occasions, either generally or parti●●●●●●●●all and sand for the same.  
That no Post shall hazard or sand any Packets directed for her majesties affairs by any person whatsoever, but by an 〈◇〉 seruant of his own, and that in post, Vpon pain of forfeiture of one quarters wages for the first offence, whereof 〈…〉 to be given to the informer thereof whosoever, and the other half to bee at the disposing of the Master of the 〈◇〉 And for the second offence, expulsion out of his office, the same being duly proved against him.  
That all posts and guides riding with any Currior, or Through Post, either with Commission, or without, shall 〈…〉 party so riding unto the house and dwelling place of the next standing Post, that is also to furnish him of fresh 〈…〉 shall signify the same unto him the party being a parsonage or man of sort, that for his pleasure will make choice 〈◇〉 his lodging. And shall not suffer him so riding, to pass the next ordinary stage without the consent and liking of the 〈◇〉 of the place. Vpon pain of forfeiture of ten shillings to the Post offended, and a full restitution of so much as he should 〈◇〉 pained.  
Also be it especially and duly observed by all her majesties posts, as they will answer to the contrary, That if any 〈…〉 Hackneymen, or other whatsoever, having horse to hire, shall take vpon him contrary to their Lordships orders ●●●●out any horses with horn and guide, to any man running the Post, either with Commission or without, Without knowledge and consent of the ordinary Post of the place where the horses were delivered( if any posts there bee ap●●●●…. The Post of the next stage, by whom he passeth, shall in this case stay and charge the officer with safe custody of 〈…〉 or conductor, and shall not deliver any horses to the party so riding, till notice be given either to her majesties 〈…〉 or the Master of the posts.  
〈◇〉 no Post or guide ride without his horn, and the same to blow as is prescribed by their Lordships: bee it either 〈◇〉 Packet, or with Through Post. Neither shall he refuse to carry the male or other carriage of the party riding be●●●●●… so that the same exceed not the weight of forty pounds at the utmost.  
●●a● no posts seruant or boy riding with the packet, shall deliver any by letters or private packets, before he haue ●●●●●●ged himself of the packet for her majesties affairs by delivering the same into the hands of the next standing 〈◇〉 unto whom also he shall commit and deliver all the by letters and private packets as well as the other, vpon pain of 〈◇〉 ●●●feiture of ten shillings to the Post offended, and the displeasure of the master of the posts.  
That no posts seruant or boy riding with the packet, and having by letters or private packets, or other kind of ca●●●●… committed unto them, shall adventure to open or break up, or any other ways directly or indirectly, shall fraudu●●●●… 〈…〉 or convey the same wilfully: but shall safely deliver the same unto the hands of the next Post as is abovesaid. 〈◇〉 whatsoever he be that shall be found to be faulty herein, he shall lose his Masters service, and the Master shall vnderly 〈◇〉 punishment as the Master of the posts shall find him worthy of.  
Lastly. Because that the negligence of seruants and boyes hath always been the greatest cause of the former disor●●● ▪ And that also to grow and fall out through the small care and want of government in the Masters: These therein a warming in time to come, shall be to signify unto all the posts in general. That whose seruant or boy soever 〈◇〉 ●●●… ster either directly or indirectly, break, disobey, or be found faulty of any of these Articles above said. The penal●●… 〈◇〉 forfeiture thereof shall lie vpon the Master himself, without favour or remission.  
And heretunto I will all her majesties posts to haue a special care and regard, as they will answer to the contra●●●  
London, the xxii. of Ianuarie. 1583. Tho. Randolph controller of all her majesties posts.