DIEV ET MON DROIT  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
By the King.  
A PROCLAMATION Commanding all Masters and Owners of Ships to stay for their Convoy before they put to Sea.  
CHARLES R.  
WHereas His Majesty out of His Printely Care and Compassion of all His Subjects Trading by Sea, hath for their better Protection and Security, Ordained and Appointed several Ships of War, to be unto them as Guards and Convoys through their several Voyages; and yet nevertheless, some persons neglecting their own safeties, and being desirous to make more than ordinary haste unto the Foreign Markets, do frequently put to Sea, without staying for their appointed Convoys; and that either singly, or in such small numbers, that they very easily, and very often become a Prey to the Turks and Moors, who by such Advantages are encouraged to hold out, and not to yield to Peace upon reasonable Terms, to the great Damage of the Kingdom in general, and the utter ruin of the particular persons thus needlessly exposing themselves: Therefore for remedy hereof, His Majesty by the Advice of His Privy Council, hath thought fit to Publish this His Royal Proclamation, and doth hereby straight Charge and Command all Masters and Owners of Ships, which are or shall be bound for any Voyage, for which any Guard or Convoy is or shall be appointed, That they presume not to depart from the Port, or set out to Sea, without having their appointed Convoy in Company. And as His Majesty will cause all His Officers to be severely Punished, if by their Negligence or Default any of His good Subjects shall be Delayed or Hindered of their Voyages; So His Majesty doth likewise Declare, That if any of His Subjects shall presume to adventure out to Sea without and before the Appointed Convoy, and shall afterwards be taken Captives, His Majesty will leave them under such their Misfortunes, nor shall any part of the Charitable Contribution for Redemption of Captives be at any time hereafter applied to the Relief of such persons, who shall be found to have Broken and Contemned these His Majesty's Royal Commands: And hereof His Majesty Requires all His Subjects whom it may concern, to take notice at their utmost perils.  
Given at Our Honour at Hampton Court, the Twenty third day of June, 1681. In the Three and thirtieth Year of Our Reign. 
 God save the King.   

LONDON, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1681.