❧ By the queen.  
❧ A Proclamation to be published in cornwall, devonshire, Dorcetshire and Hampshire, for restitution of goods lately taken on the Seas from the Subiects of the King of spain by way of reprisal.  
WHereas order from the queens most excellent majesty diuers ships of war set forth this last summer by the city of London, to join in consort with her majesties fleet and others, under the conduct of the Lord Thomas Howard, haue taken sundry prizes of Spanish ships coming from the West Iudies freight with Merchandises and good commodities of sundry sorts: The which prizes the Captaines of the said London ships, haue not directly brought home to the said port of London, as they should and might haue done, the wind serving thereunto, but into other remote ports and havens of this realm, with purpose( as should seem) to take opportunity of such distant places for the risting of the said prizes and the enriching of themselves and contrary to all right and the trust reposed in them, the said Captaines Masters and mariners of the said London ships, going vpon wages, haue taken out and embezzled diuers parcels of the goods and commodities laden within the said ships and the same haue sold and exchanged to sundry persons dwelling within the said port towns and other adjacent places thereto to the great slander and prejudice of Sea discipline and wrong to the adventurers by whom they were employed.  
The queens most excellent majesty, not willing to suffer so great a disorder nor so great a wrong and injustice to be done towards herself and other her Subiects the adventurers in the said fleet, doth straightly charge and command, that al such persons as haue bought, exchanged, or haue any ways received of any maner person, directly or indirectly, out of the said London fleet, any foreign coin, Bollyon of Gold or silver, jewels, pearls, Stones musk, wrought or raw silk, Cochenelia, indigo, or any other merchandises, commodities or things whatsoever, or that shall haue in their possession any of the goods of the aforesaid natures: shall presently after the publication of this Proclamation, or within ten dayes next following, bring in a true particular note in writing of the same, with the several prizes what they paid, and the names of whom the same was bought, or tokens deciphring the person and persons, as near as they can remember, and the day, time and place, where and when the same was bought, exchanged, or received, and forth of what ship or prise the same was brought( as near as they can call to remembrance) to Sir Francis Drake Knight, the Maior of Plymmouth Christopher Harris, or any two of them, being Commissioners appoynted by her majesty for the receiving of any such goods in Plymmouth: And for goods taken near Dartmouth and Totnes, to be brought to Sir John Gilbert, and the Maiors of the same towns: And of any goods about exeter, to bee brought to the Maior there, and Sir Robert Dennis: And of goods about Southampton and Portesmouth, to be brought to any of the Maiors there, and Sir Thomas West, and Thomas Henslow, or any two of them. And in case any that hath so bought, exchanged or received of any of the said Captaines, Masters or Mariners, or others of the said fleet and such treasure, commodity or thing( as is abovesaid) and do not bring in and deliver a particular note of the same in writing with the several prices they paid, and the names of whom the same was bought, with the day, time, and place, where, when, and forth of what Ship or prise the same was bought, and deliver or cause to bee delivered the same within the time, and according as before is severally specified and enjoined to the said Commissioners above name, shall bee held, and taken as Felons and abettors to pirates, and to be proceeded against, as in case of felony is accustomend to be done by the laws of this realm.  
given at our palace of westminster the nine and twentieth day of December, in the sour and thirtieth year of our reign. 1591. 
 God save the queen.   

❧ Imprinted at London by the Deputies of Christopher Barker, Printer to the queens most excellent majesty.