❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation concerning the bringing in of Whale-finnes into his majesties Dominions, etc.  
AS We conceive, it cannot be construed by any Our doings or proceed, that We are carried with any ambitious or unjust appetite, to covet that which appertaineth to others: So it shallbe always Our desire and resolution, to nourish and maintain the happy estate of Our loving Subjects, and the honour of Our Kingdoms; not only in the same degree, in the which we have received them; but likewise with that increase and advancement, whereof the providence of Almighty God by just occasions shall put means and opportunities into Our hands; and in nothing more (next unto the true worship of God, and the administration of justice) then in the maintenance and increase of Navigation, wherein Our kingdoms both by situation, strength of shipping, skill of Narriners, value of Commanders at Sea, and many honourable discoveries and exploits, have for long time, and more and more of late time flourished. And whereas Our Company of Merchants for the discovery of new Trades, commonly called the Muscovia Company, have with their great costs and charges, of late yceres discovered a Land, which they call by the name of King james his Newland, to the increase of Navigation and Mariners, and have further by their care and industry entered into a trade of fishing for the Whale, and procured Biscainers, skilful in striking the Whale, teach and Instruct the English Nation therein: And whereas a principal part of the bevefit of the Whale-fishing consisteth in the commodity of Whale-finnes, imported into Our Kingdoms; And that experience already showeth, that Our own subjects in their return from that Fishing, are able to furnish and serve Our Kingdoms with sufficient quantity for the use of Our loving subjects: it being also a matter of deliracie, & rather to be considered as it may concern Navigation, then in itself: We have therefore thought fit for the better encouragement of the said Company, and other Our Subjects, in services of like nature, to Prohibit all Aliens and strangers, and also Our own subjects, (except the saith Muscovia Merchanks, & that in their joint stock) to bring hereafter into any Our Kingdoms the said commodity.  
Wherefore we do by these presents, straightly and expressly forbid and prohibit, all Aliens and strangers whatsoever, and also all Our own Subjects (others than the said Muscovia Merchants, and that in their joint stock) to bring into any Our kingdoms, and Dominions any Whale-finnes, upon pain of Confiscation of the same, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further punishment, as shallbe meet to be inflicted upon the offenders for their contempt in that behalf: And We do further hereby charge and require all Our Customers, controllers, Searchers & other Officers, and also the Farmers of Our Customs, and their ministers, carefully to attend every one in their several duties, the execution of this Our Royal Proclamation, and in no wise to permit or suffer any Whale-finnes, either directly or indirectly, openly or privately, to be brought into the Ports, or other places of any of Our kingdoms: And in case any be brought in, the same to seize to Our use, and by all other means to find out, and inform of all offences tending to the breach of this Our Royal Proclamation.  
Given at Wansted the eleventh day of September, in the twelfth year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. 1614 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty ANNO DOM. 1614