❧ 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 by order from the queens most excellent majesty diuers ships of war set forth this last summer by the Cine of London, to toyne in consort with her majesties Fleet and others, under the couduct of the Lord Thomas Howard, haue taken sundry prizes of Spanish ships coming from the West Indies freight with Merchandises and good commondities 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 risling 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 diners parcels of the goods and commodities laden whithin 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 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 to wards herself and other her Subiects the adventurers in the said Fleet, doth straitly charge and command, that all such persons as haue bought, exchanged, or haue any wayers received of any maner person, directly or indirectly, out of the said London Fleet, any forcine 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 Mayor 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 Lotnes, to be brought to Sir John Gilbert, and the Maiors of the same towns: And of any goods about exeter, to be 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 cafe any that hath so bought, exchanged or received of my of the said Captames, Masters or Mariners, or others of the said fleet any 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 prizes they paid, and the names of whom the same was bought, with the day, time, and place, where, where, and forth of what Ship or prise the same was bought, and deliver or cause to be delivered the same the same within the time, and according as before is severally specified and imoyned to the said Commissioners above name, shall be 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 twentieth day of December, in the four and thirtieth yeereof our reign. 1591. 
 God save the queen.   

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