DIEV ET MON DROIT  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
¶ A Proclamation for better furnishing the Navy, and Shipping of the Realm, with able and skilful Mariners.  
WHereas the most Excellent, High and Mighty Prince, King james, of most noble and blessed memory, Our most dear and royal Father, out of his princely and provident care of the safety and honour of His Kingdoms and people, and for the continuance and maintaining of the Navigation of this Realm, and to the intent that skilful Mariners, and Seafaring men might be always in readiness, to furnish, as well His own Royal Navy, as the shipping of His loving subjects, did by Proclamation, dated the sixth day of August, in the twentieth year of His Reign, straight inhibit and forbid, That no Mariner, or Sea faring man, Shipwright, or Ship-carpenter whatsoever, being His subject, should, without express licence of Himself, or His Admiral of England, enter or attempt, or go about to enter into the service of any foreign Prince, or State, or be employed out of this Realm, in any service whatsoever, unless it were in the service of the said late King, Our most dear Father, or of some of His liege subjects: And did afterwards by a later Proclamation, dated the seven and twentieth day of February then following, further straight charge and command. That no Mariner, or Sea faring man should absent, hide, or withdraw himself from His late Majesty's service or priests, and that all such persons having prest-money given, or tendered unto them, should dutifully, and reverently receive the same, and repair aboard the ships appointed, and continue in that service, as to the duty of good subjects appertained, and not withdraw themselves, or depart therefrom, without special licence: And did lately by another Proclamation, bearing date the twentieth day of this instant month of March, likewise straight inhibit and forbid. That no Owner or Master of any ship or vessel, nor any other, setting forth any vessels of Trade, fishing, or otherwise, should hire, or entertain any Mariner, or Seafaring man, knowing him to have offended against either of the said Proclamations: and if such Owner, or other person not knowing of the said offences, should hire or entertain any such offender or offenders, did will and command, That forthwith, upon notice of any the said offences, they should deliver such offenders over unto the next justice of Peace, Maior, Bailiff, Constable, or other Officer, to be imprisoned, until the said offenders should give sufficient bond and caution, for their foorth-comming and appearance, in such Court, or place of justice, unto which it might appertain, to have them proceeded against and punished, according to their demerits, and withal, that the said Masters, Owners, and other persons, should forbear to pay to the said offenders any wages.  
And did further thereby straight charge and command all Lieutenants, Deputy-Lieutenants, justices of Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, searchers, and officers, aswell of the Admiralty, as of the Ports, and also all and every person and persons, to whom any Commission, Deputation, or Letters of Assistance should be directed, for the presting of Mariners, and Seafaring men for public service, that they should from time to time use all possible diligence, and endeavour, to apprehend, and cause to be apprehended, aswell all such Mariners and Seafaring men, offending, as aforesaid, as also all such Owners, Masters, and others, as should entertain or hire them, or pay them any wages, or otherwise help them to escape the hands of justice; and such as they should apprehend, they should, with Certificate of their names and offences, bind over to appear before the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy, in London, to be by them committed, and delivered over to the ordinary course of justice, either in the Court of Star-chamber, or of the Admiralty, or otherwise, as the quality of the offence should require, with special charge and commandment to all Pressed masters, and their Assistants, that they should publish the names of all such, as should be pressed by them in the Ports where they should be taken, as also deliver a note of their names to the officers of the Ports, and others who were fittest to discover them, if they should fail in the performance of their duties, As in and by the said several Proclamations more at large appeareth.  
Now we, having taken the premises into Our Princely consideration, and advised seriously thereof with Our Privy Council, finding how necessary it is, both for the safety and honour of this Our Kingdom and State, That all the several Proclamations before mentioned should be put in due execution, for preventing and suppressing the manifold abuses, contempts, and neglects heretofore committed in services of so weighty consequence▪ Do hereby straight charge and command, that all the said Proclamations, and every branch and article therein contained, be continued at all times hereafter, and be from time to time hereafter carefully observed, and put in exact execution, as fully, and effectually, as the same should, or might have been in the life time of Our said dear Father, upon the pains and penalties specified in the said Proclamations, and such further punishments, as by Our Laws or Prerogative Royal may be inflicted upon the offenders:  
Letting all Our loving Subjects hereby know, That, as Our said most dear and Royal Father, in the publishing of the last of the said Proclamations, had a gracious eye unto the special service then intended, and to be now shortly performed; So we rest assured, that none of Our said Subjects in the advancement thereof (so much concerning the safety of Our Kingdoms and Our Imperial Crown and Dignity) willbe wanting to do their uttermost in making Us such a supply, as may give testimony of their extraordinary care, faithfulness, and dutiful affection towards Us, who had much rather have cause to express Our gracious acceptance thereof at their hands, then be enforced to any other course, which the necessity and importance of Our service will otherwise require.  
Given at Our Court at Saint james, the one and thirtieth day of March, in the first year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
M.DC.XXV.