To the Right Honourable the Lords, assembled in the Higher House of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of John Bulmer sea-captain,  
Showeth,  
THat the Kings Most Excellent majesty was graciously pleased by Letters patents, under the Great seal of England, to grant unto your Petitioner licence, power, and authority, by his own art, industry, and means, to take up any Ordnance, Ships, or other goods, wracked, or sunk in the Sea, within any of His majesty's Dominions; without reserving any thing thereout unto His majesty, his heirs, and successors.  
May it please your Lordships, That the Petitioner is informed by under-Officers, belonging unto the Lord admiral of England, and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (for the time being) that all Goods, Treasure, or other merchandise, taken up out of the Sea, do belong unto one of their Lordships, or some of their under-Officers, whereby such, who would otherwise be willing to assist and supply your Petitioner with moneys and means, to take up such things out of the Sea, are utterly discouraged to supply or assist him.  
That for his own experience in this Art, he hath expended of his Fathers, his own, and Friends assistance, many thousand pounds; and is very loath that so much experience of his gained, with much study, labour, and expense, in these dangerous times, should be buried in oblivion, or fall to the ground, (he yet being both active and willing to do His majesty and the commonwealth service.)  
His humble suit therefore to your Lordships is, That you would be pleased by Order of this House to enable your Petitioner to make experience of his endeavours in the aforesaid Art; (he undertaking the same at his own proper cost and charges) always provided, that he may be free from any claim or claims, that the now Lord admiral, and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, or their successors, their Deputies or under-Officers, may pretend or make.  
And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.   

London, printed for John Harrison. 1641.