C R  DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for the levying and payment of the Ship-monies in Arreare.  
WHereas His Majesty, out of His Princely care of the defence of this Realm, and safety of His Subjects: Understanding of the great prepartations of Shipping beyond the Seas, as well this present year, as in divers years preceding, and the imminent perils thereby appearing on every side in these dangerous and Warlike times: For the speedy defence of His Kingdom and people, guarding of the Seas, and secure conduct of Shipping and Merchandise, (wherein all His Subjects were concerned) Did as well for divers years past, as in November last, direct His several Writs to several Sheriffis, Majors, Bailiffs, and other His Officers and Subjects, of the several Counties of England and Wales, Thereby commanding the providing and getting in readiness certain Ships furnished with Ordnance and Arms, and manned and victualled at the charges of the said Counties, in such sort as by the same Writs were appointed. But His Majesty finding, that the said Ships were not provided according to the Tenor of the said Writs, nor the moneys Levied (according to Estimates yearly given by the Lords, and others of His Majesty's Privy Council) for setting forth those Ships; His majesty, for the common defence and safety of His Kingdom and people, was constrained at His own great charges, yearly to make out, and maintain that Shipping which he expected from His Subjects.  
And therefore His Majesty, as He cannot but censure the most of His Sheriffs and other His Ministers, of great neglects in the execution of that Service, according to their Oaths, and the duty of their places: So He will now expect from them an undelayed and faithful performance of the same, without favour or connivance. And to that end, His Majesty doth hereby straight charge and command, all His present Sheriffs, Majors, Bailiffs, and other His Officers and Ministers to whom it appertaineth, forthwith not only to raise and levy the said Moneys appointed to be collected and raised for the providing and furnishing the said Ships for this present year, But also to give forth their Warrants to the preceding Sheriffs, Majors, and other Officers respectively, for the raising and levying of those Arrears which happened in their times: And that as well the Sheriffs, Majors, and other Officers for this present year, as those for the year past, who are in Arrear to His Majesty, shall make their payments respectively, to the Treasurers of His Majesty's Navy, at or before the first day of October next, without further respite or delay; upon pain of High contempt against His Majesty, and to be further proceeded with, and punished according to the quality of their offences, in that which so much importeth the public good and safety of the Kingdom.  
Given at the Court at Whitehall the twentieth day of August, in the sixteenth year of His Majesty's Reign. 
 ❧ God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty: And by the Assigns of JOHN BILL. 1640.