Numb. 2.  
A Copy of The King's Commission, GRANTED TO SIR NICOLAS CRISPE, Making him Admiral of the Sea-Pirats.  
Brought (with other Papers) to the Parliament by M. Peter's, AND Presented to the Committee for the Navy.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for R. Austin. 1645.   

CHARLES by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.  
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.  
WHereas in the time of this unnatural Rebellion, our own Ships and Vessels belonging to our Royal Navy have been traitorously seized upon, and those and divers Ships and Vessels belonging to others, aswell Strangers as our own Subjects, have been and still are employed against us, or in the service of the Rebels in Arms against us, by carrying or conveying of Arms, Ammunition, Money, Victuals, and other Provisions for their aid and assistance, or by exporting from them Money, Bullion, Plate, or prohibited Goods, without licence, contrary to the Laws; or by trading and carrying of Goods and Merchandise for trade and commerce, to and from those parts, Cities, Towns, and Places which are under the usurped Powers the Rebels in Arms against us: And likewise by paying Customs, Subsidies, and Imposts, to the said Rebels, contrary to the Laws, and our Proclamation in that behalf, which affords them means and ability towards the maintenance and upholding of the said unnatural Rebellion.  
And whereas divers of our good Subjects adhering to us, have suffered great loss and damage by the said Rebels, and their Abbetors aswell upon the Land as upon the Sea, for which they can have no remedy in ordinary course of justice, in regard those that have done the same, are kept out of the reach or hand of justice, by the Powers and Forces so traitorously raised against us.  
And whereas in these times or distractions divers Pirates, and Sea-Rovers commit great spoils and outrages upon our own Subjects, and the Subjects of our friends and allies, and divers of our Subjects of our Kingdom of Scotland, have most perfidiously and traitorously risen up in Rebellion, and taken up Arms, against us their natural Liege Lord and Sovereign, and have in a hostile manner invaded this our Kingdom of England.  
And whereas divers Ships and Vessels as well Scottish, as others, are employed at Sea in their aid and assistance, in manner as aforesaid. And whereas upon those occasions we have been forced to set out Ships at our own great charge, for our own defence, and the defence of our loyal Subjects, and preventing the mischiefs before mentioned, and have likewise thought fit to give all encouragement to any of our good Subjects which are willing and desirous to set out Ships at their own charges for and towards the weakening and suppressing of the said Rebels, and more particularly to those our good Subjects who have sustained damages by the said Rebels, either at Land or Sea, to the end they may obtain some recompense or satisfaction for their said losses.  
And whereas we are informed that Sir Nicholas Crisp Knight, hath suffered great loss and damage in the time of this unnatural Rebellion, by the said Rebels, their Adherents, or Abettors, as well at Sea as upon the Land.  
Know ye therefore, that we reposing special trust in his, the said Sir Nicholas Crisps fidelity and circumspection, whereof we have had very good experience, have given and granted, and by these Presents do give and grant unto him, the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, and to such as he shall take into Partner-ship and Consort-ship with him therein, full power and authority, at his and their own charges to set to Sea, out of any of our Ports of our country of Cornwall, or out of any other our Ports or Havens whatsoever, fifteen or twenty ships, or vessels or war, or any other number of ships and vessels, not being less than fifteen, equipped, victualled, fitted, furnished, and marined for war.  
And, we do hereby give unto him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp full power and authority to command in Chief, as Admiral of the said ships, and other vessels, and men in them, either in his own person, or by his Substitute, and to nominate and appoint vice-admirals, Reare-Admiralls, Captains, Commanders, and Officers, in the said ships, as shall be necessary for each ship.  
And, we do hereby give unto him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, and to such as shall be employed by, or under him, in this service, full power and authority with the said ships so to be set out by him and his partners, as aforesaid, or any of them, to take, seize, or surprise, or in case of resistance, or where necessity requireth, by fight to compel, and take into his or their possessions, or destroy any of our own ships or vessels, set forth without our Commission, Warrant, or Leave. And also, any other ships or vessels belonging to what person, or of what place soever, which are or shall be employed in any service for any of the said Rebels, of either our said Kingdoms of England or Scotland, or of any their Aiders, Abettors, or Adherents; and all goods and merchandise in them contained; and all ships and vessels which shall be employed in importing, carrying, or conveying any Arms, Ammunition, materials, or provision for their, or any of their aid or assistance, or in exporting, or transporting for them, or any of them, or for their, or for any their use, any money, Bullion, or prohibited goods whatsoever, without our Licence, or contrary to the Law, or in trading, or carrying merchandise for trade or commerce to or from any Port, City, Town, or Place; now, or which at any time hereafter shall be under the usurped Power, or holding of the said Rebels, or of any of them, or which have paid, or shall pay them the said Rebels, or any of them, or any other by their direction or appointment, any Customs, Subsidies, Imposts, or other duties whatsoever, unless it be by, and with our special Licence or allowance: And likewise the ships and vessels of all Pirates and Sea-Rovers, together with all furniture, Ammunition, provisions, goods, lading and merchandise in any of the aforesaid ships or vessels; and the said ships, vessels, furniture, ammunition, provisions, goods, merchandise and lading, to cause to be proceeded against, adjudged and condemned, according to the Law and Course of the Admiralty, as the case shall require before the Judge of our Court of Admiralty for the time being, or other Judge or Judges of any Vice-Admiraltie, as good and lawful Prize. And after such adjudication and condemnation, to have, keep, possess, and enjoy all the said ships, vessels, furniture, ammunition, provision, goods, lading, and merchandise, so by them, or any of them taken as aforesaid, as good and lawful prize and purchase to their own use and uses of the Adventurers and Company joining, as aforesaid, to be shared and divided amongst them, as they shall contract and agree together, without any account to be made to Us, our Heirs or Successors, except such of our own ships and vessels, with their Ordnance, tackle, and furniture, as shall be so by them taken, which we will and require shall be restored to Us and to our use, we paying and allowing the sum of five pounds of lawful money of England, upon every Tun of our said own ships and vessels, as shall with the Ordnance, tackle, and furniture of the same, or belonging thereunto, be taken and restored to Us as aforesaid: And allowing also to the said Sir Nicholas Crisp his Partners, Associates, the goods & merchandices in any such of our own ships or vessels, to be made prize and divided amongst them, in such manner, and under such reservation to Us, as other goods and merchandices taken in any other ships or vessels ought to be, according to the tenor of this our Commission.  
And we do also hereby give and grant to him, the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners and Associates, that it shall and may be lawful for him and them, to retain, use, and employ such of our said own ships so to be taken and surprised, till we have made payment of the said five pounds per Tun to him or them for the same, without any account or satisfaction to be made to Us for the same whatsoever. Excepting also further, and reserving to Us all tenths heretofore used to be paid in cases of like nature to the Admiral of England, and all Customs and duties due, or accustomably paid for and upon any the said prizes which we will shall be paid and accounted for to us, and to our use: Provided always, that before any of the said ships or vessels of war so to be set out by him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners or Associates, shall go out of the said Ports, Havens, or Harbours aforesaid, upon the said employment, the said Sir Nicholas Crisp shall cause the Captain, Master and chief Mate of every of the said ships, to enter into a bond or obligation of the penal sum of one thousand pounds to Us, with condition thereupon, that they, nor either of them, nor any their company employed in the said ship, shall wittingly, or knowingly, rob, spoil, hurt, or endamage any of our Subjects, or the Subjects of any of our friends, or allies, other than such of either of our said Kingdoms of England and Scotland, as shallbe in Rebellion against us, or shall be Abettors to the said Rebellion, or have, or shall pay Customs, Subsidies, or Impost to the said Rebels, contrary to the Law, without our special licence or allowance; or shallbe employed in aid or service of the said Rebels, or any of them, or which are or shallbe employed in exporting for them, or for their use, any Bullion, Plate or other prohibited Goods, without our licence, or shall convey any provisions to or for the said Rebels, or shall trade to or from any of those Cities, Towns, Ports, or places, which are or shallbe under the usurped power or holding of the Rebels, of either of our said Kingdoms, of England, or Scotland, or have or shall take the late traitorous Covenant, or League, against us. And likewise, that all Ships by them taken, and surprised, with their furniture, goods, and lading, shall be brought entire, without breaking bulk, into some Port of our Kingdom of England; now or then in our possession and obedience, except in case of apparent danger of the Rebel's Ships: In which case it shall and may be lawful to carry the said Ships, or Vessels, or any of them, into any Port of our Kingdom of Ireland, or into any other Port of any Forragine Prince, or State in league or amity with us; and there to be and remain till the same shall receive sentence, and adjudication of any of our Courts of Admiralty, or Vice-Admiralty, in such manner and upon such testimony, as if the said Ships and Goods were in any of our own Ports and Harbours, so as a true inventory valuation and apprizement of the said Ships, and Vessels, and of their goods & ladings, be first made & delivered into the Court of Admiralty, or Vice-Admiralty, where the proceeding, sentence or adjudication touching the same shall be.  
And forasmuch theas setting out & finishing of the said Ships of War cannot be done without the great charge and expense of the said Nicholas Crisp, his Partners, and Associates, and may probably conduce, not only to and for the reparation of the losses and damages by them sustained, by the said Rebels, but may also much tend to our Service, by weakening the trength of the said Rebels, destroying their trade, and suppressing this present Rebellion.  
We do therefore hereby further grant unto him, the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, and such others as he shall receive into his association and partnership a aforesaid, that none of the said ships, or vessels of war, so by him or them to be set forth, shall be imprested, commanded, or employed upon any other service for Us whatsoever, save only to fetch or convey Arms, or Ammunition from foreign parts into this Kingdom, for our special service. And that only by warrant from Ourself, under our Sign Manual, and then not to stay in any Harbour above twenty days, and to be paid for every such voyage according to the rate of four pounds per month for every man to be employed in every such voyage. And that none of the said ships, vessels, or men be commanded, or employed in any second, or other voyage, upon the said service, until they shall be paid and satisfied what shall be so due unto them upon the first voyage, as aforesaid.  
And further, That no Masters, Masters-Mate, Gunner, Sailer, Mariner, or other Officer or Servant employed by, or under the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, in any of the said ships and vessels shall be imprested, or taken out of the same upon any occasion whatsoever, without the consent of him the said Sir Nichelas Crisp. Nor that any Ammunition, victual, or provision taken up, or provided for the said ships or vessels, or which shall be in, or belonging to any prize taken by any of the said ships or vessels, shall be taken away, or seized upon for our service, or other occasion whatsoever, without the consent or agreement of him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners or Associates.  
And that the said service and employment may be the better effected and performed, and the said Sir Nicholas Crisp the more enabled to provide, furnish, and set out the said number of ships and vessels, by him propounded as aforesaid, We do hereby given and grant to him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners and Associates, full power and authority to provide or take into his or their consortship, any other ships or vessels, as well of Foreigners in amity with Us, as of our own Subjects, upon the best conditions he or they can contract or agree for the same with the Owners thereof; and to employ and use them in the said service.  
And We do like wise give unto the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners and Associates, full power and authority from time to time, and as often as he or they shall think fit and requisite, or conducing to the service, to land Forces as he or they shall think fit, in or near unto any place or places within any our Dominions, where any Insurrection or Rebellion is, or shall happen to be, and to suppress such Rebellion; and in case of opposition or resistance, by fight to subdue, or destroy all such Rebels and Traitors; and to appoint such Commanders over such part of the Forces as shall there be landed, as aforesaid, as shall be by him or them thought fit. And likewise in our name, to save and preserve such persons of the said Rebels so subdued and repressed, either by Land or Sea, as he or they shall think fit to be be saved and preserved, and to exchange, or keep such of the said Rebels, as he or they shall think fit to be kept or exchanged; and to make tender of our Royal Grace and pardon to such of them as shall submit unto Us, and desire to receive our mercy: and shall be thought meet persons to be received into our favour and grace, other than, and except such as are already excepted by Us in any of our Proclamations, or Declarations.  
And, We do likewise give unto him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, power and authority, to make, ordain, proclaim, and put in execution Laws, Ordinances, and Constitutions, for the better order and government of the ships and men, which by virtue of this our Commission, shall be under his charge and command. And to punish mutinies, tumults, rapines, murders, and other crimes which shall be committed and done by any person or persons, under his charge or command, either upon the Sea or Land, according to the course and usage of the Sea, or of War, as the case shall happen to be.  
And we do hereby require and command the Judge of our Court of Admiralty, and the other Judges of their several Vice-Admiralties within our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, or elsewhere, according to this our Commission, they forthwith proceed to sentence, or adjudication of the same with speed and effect, as good and lawful prize, without any unnecessary delay, which may turn to his or their prejudice.  
And we do hereby command and require all Governors, Captains, and Commanders of all our Cities, Castles, Towns, and Garrisons, and all Sheriffs, Majors, Bailiffs, Justices of the Peace, vice-admirals, Constables, and all other our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects whatsoever, within any of our Dominions, to be aiding and assisting to him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners, and Associates, and such as shallbe employed by, or under him, or them, in the execution of the Promises, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils.  
And we do also hereby desire all others, aswell Admirals, vice-admirals, Captains, and Officers, and other the Subjects belonging unto any Prince or State now in amity with us, to be aiding and assisting to us as occasion shall require, to him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, his Partners, and Associates, and those under his or their command, in the execution of this our Commission.  
And we do hereby also require and command the Judge of our Court of Admiralty, for the time being, upon Request made by him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, for that purpose, to grant unto him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, and to the Captains or Commanders of every the Ships to be set out, or employed as aforesaid, several Letters of Mark, or reprisal, or Commissions of that nature, under the great Seal of our Court of Admiralty, enabling them for taking prizes according to the substance of this our Commission, to the end the said Commission may have and receive the greater countenance, authority, and esteem in Foreign parts beyond the Seas.  
And further know ye, that we putting special trust and confidence in the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, and being assured of his zeal and fidelity to us, and our service, we do hereby further grant unto him the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, power and authority to contract and agree with any Master, Master's Mates, Mariners, Sailors, other Person or Persons whatsoever, for bringing in any Ships, Goods or Merchandise of, or belonging to any person or persons in rebellion against us, or assisting or adhering to the said Rebels, into any Port or Haven of this our Kingdom in actual obedience to us, upon such terms or articles as he and they shall agree; which we hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, grant and declare shallbe kept and observed inviolaby in our behalf.  
And do hereby require all our Officers and Ministers, to see the same observed according.  
And our express will and and pleasure is, and we do hereby charge and command the Judge of our Admiralty, and of every Vice-Admiralty, where any the said ships, goods, or merchandise so agreed, or contracted for, shallbe brought, that they shall proceed to sentence or adjudication of, and upon the said ships, and goods, as if the same had been taken and seized upon by force and strength at sea.  
And our will and pleasure is, That the Master of such ships, or he with whom the said contract or agreement is made, upon his performance thereof, and sentence and adjudication given thereof, shall have & enjoy such a proportion or sum of money or other reward, as he contracted or agreed with the said Sir Nicolas Crisp for: And that the said Sir Nicholas Crisp and his Partners, and Associates, shall have and enjoy, to their own uses, the residue of the said Ships. And because it may fall out that the ships of this our Kingdom may not prove so useful for this present service as Dunkirk Frigates, or other Foreign Ships, we of our further grace do grant unto the said Sir Nicholas Crisp, full and free power and liberty by himself, or his agents, to barter, exchange and sell away any of his said ships, or any which shallbe taken as prise in this service, other than our own shpis and vessels which are to be restored to us as aforesaid, to any Forrreigner whatsoever, any Law, Statute, or Ordinance to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. Provided that instead of every such ship so bartered away, exchanged, or sold, there be one other ship provided from Foreign parts, at least equally useful, if not better for the present service and employment.  
And our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby declare, that this our Commission, and the Powers, Liberties, Licence, Authority hereby respectively given and granted, shallbe and continue in force for and during the space of two whole years next ensuing the dare hereof (if this Rebellion should so long continue) and no longer.  
In witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents; Witness Ourself at Oxford, the sixth day of May, in the twentieth year of Our Reign.  
Signed Willis. Per ipsum Regem.   

BY virtue and authority of this Commission granted to me Sir Nicholas Crisp, Knight, I do hereby ordain and appoint my very good and approved friend, and true Subject of the King of England, Gerhard Isbrant owner of the Frigate called S. Patrick of Falmouth, to be Captain and Commander of the said Frigate: And do authorise him the said Captain Isbbrant to do, perform, and execute all such things as are to be done and executed by virtue of this Commission, requiring all the Officers and Martiners of the said Frigate to obey the said Captain Isbrant in all thngs, as their Captain and Commander, not to departed from him having voluntarily put themselves under his command, without the said Captains leave and licence: and the said Captain Isbrant is to obey Sir Nicolas Crisp in all things as his Admiral.  
N. Crisp.  
This Copy being conferred with the Original, is found to agree therewith:  
Jacobus Astella●t. Sereniss. Dom. nostri Magnae Britanniae Regis Not. Pub. admissi atque jurati. 1645.   

To the Committee for the Navy.  
Noble Sirs:  
WE present you here one piece of the Enemies care by sea, the readiness of their undertake, the willing acceptance of such tenders, the counsel they have, their present executions, their engaging of their whole party, even as far as Popery reacheth, and as low as Hell; for from this Commission, the Dunkirk and Ostend Frigates get theirs, and act vigorously: some have formerly said of England, That the sea could give laws to their foreign and domestic broils. We therefore desire that you would look upon this Critical year, and upon such means as God hath betrusted you withal. Remember the sea (in former times) hath ever danced under our vessels laden with victorious trophies from abroad; let us not be baffled at our doors, the ships and seamen are yet yours, 'tis a great prize: God keeps all the world upon the hinges by his counsel; States and Kingdoms must keep their work on the wheels by the same way; this Kingdom will never be delivered by Law, but Men, who being good, carry Law in their bosoms. Show yourselves now, if ever, to save a gasping Nation, that after-ages may say, There was a blessed, faithful, State-saving Committee of the Navy: The Lord help you and us. AMEN.