❧ By the King.  
¶ Order for the Posts of our Realms, and for all men to observe and obey in the speedy carriage of Packets, directed for our Affairs.  
WHereas heretofore the Lords of the Privy Counsel to the Queen our sister deceased, for great and weighty causes concerning the State, have endeavoured to set down, and publish sundry Orders, and general directions for matters of Posting, especially for the speedy dispatch of Packets and Letters importing the Prince's immediate Affairs, the colour whereof serving private turns, hath greatly frustrated their endeavours: It is now therefore, for the better warrantise and direction of our Posts, thought meet and convenient, that the former Orders be revived, and (according to the necessity of the times) renewed and published in our name in manner as followeth.  

1. FIrst, every Post receiving a daily Fee, and entertained specially for the Packet, according to the proportion of his wages by the day, shall keep certain Horses, to the number of two at the least, with furniture convenient, and those always to have at hand in a readiness to run with our Packets only in Post, so soon as the same are brought to his hands. He shall have also two Bags of Leather at the least well lined with Bays or Cotton, to carry the Packet in, and Horns to sound and blow, as oft as he meets company, or four times in every mile.  
2. EVery Post thus furnished, shall at all hours receive and carry, or send away, all Packets or Letters brought unto him, directed for our special Affairs, dated on the outside, with the time and place of their first delivery, and subscribed by the hands of our Principal Secretaries, and Master and controller general of the Posts: And for matters of the Navy, or to the Maritime Forts upon the Sea coast, or principal Port Towns, by our Admiral of England: For matters of the Cinque Ports, by our Warden: For matters of Scotland, by our Treasurer and Secretary of Scotland: And for Ireland, by our Lieutenant the L. Mountioy, Or addressed to them in the proper business of their places, or to the body of our Counsel, from what persons or places whatsoever: Of whose names, and address only, the Posts shall take notice, according to the first Institution, and Original use of their service, and of none other.  
3. EVery Post so receiving our Packets, directed and subscribed as abovesaid, shall within one quarter of an hour at the most after they come to his hands, dispatch them away in Post, and shall run therewith in Summer (that is, from the first of April to the last of September) after seven Miles the hour: and in Winter (which shallbe esteemed the rest of the year) after the five Miles the hour at the least, as the ways afford, and the weather fall out.  
ANd that it may appear from time to time (when, and as often as it shall be required) with what care and diligence the service is at all hands applied and performed, Every Post shall keep a large and fair leger Paper Book to enter our Packets in, as they shall be brought unto him, with the day of the month, hour of the day or night, that they came first to his hands, together with the name of him or them, by whom or unto whom they were subscribed and directed, taking and entering only such for our Packets, as come warranted as aforesaid, and all others to pass as by-Letters.  
5. LAstly, to the end that the Posts generally may the better attend their several Services, and perform their duties in that behalf. Our pleasure is, that they and every of them shall brook and enjoy the benefit of all former favours allowed them, Namely, That they and their servants be holden free and exempted from all priests and attendances at Assizes, Sessions, Inquests, and Musters.   
Signed by his Majesty, and subscribed by Sir john Stanhop Knight, Master and controller general of his highness Posts. 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. Anno 1608.