¶ By the King.  
❧ Orders for thorough Posts, and Curriers, riding in Post in our affairs.  
THe Lords of the privy Counsel endeavouring heretofore the like furtherance of the service of the State, aswell in horsing such as ride on their Prince's affairs, as the speedy dispatch of Packets in all places, where Posts were erected and ordained, considering, that for the service of the one, a daily fee is allowed, and for the other no certain wages at all, but the hire of the Horses let out, and that often ill paid, whereby they stand not so bound to the one, as to attend the other: And that the Towns and Countries beside became many ways vexed and perplexed, by the over great liberty of Riders in Post, specially by such as pretend public service by special Commission, contrary to the King's meaning or their Lordship's orders: Who minding nothing more, than the particular good of his Servants and Subjects: for the benefit of the one, relief of the other, and more regard to the good usage of all Owners of Horses, and the beasts themselves, did think it expedient, to digest and set down sundry necessary Orders indifferent for all parties to observe and follow. Which Orders being by us reviewed and considered, are now according to the necessity of the times, thought meet to be eftsoons allowed and published. The execution whereof we seriously recommending to the Master and Controller of all our Posts, for the better warranting and directing of Posts, so far as this service may concern them, We do hereby straightly charge and command, all and every Lieutenants of Shires, deputy Lieutenants. justices of all Assizes and Peace, Sheriffs, Majors, bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and all other his Officers, Ministers, and loving Subjects, to be aiding and assisting to the same, with their utmost help, authority and countenance where need shall require, as they tender the furtherance of the service of the State, and our displeasure.  
1 First it is ordered, That in all places where Posts are laid for the Packet, they also as persons most fit, shall have the benefit and pre-eminence of letting, furnishing & appointing of Horses to all riding in Post, (that is to say) with Horn and Guide by Commission or otherwise, And to that end shall keep, and entertain of their own, or have in a readiness under their direction, such and so many able and sufficient Post horses, with convenient furniture, as their own abilities will bear, or that the contributary provision of the Towns and Countries shall enable them unto, or afford. And if it fall out that Curriers or Thorough Posts, riding in our affairs by special Commission come so thick, or in such numbers, that their ordinary provision will not suffice, than the Constables of the places where they dwell, with the assistance of the chief Magistrates there, and of the Countries adjoining, (being required in our name) shall take up, bring in, and supply the Posts with Horses where they may be had or hired.  
2 And like as in the Orders for the carrying of the Packets, the furtherance of our service and the State, is only aimed at, so in this it is intended, that none be holden to ride on public affairs, but with special Commission, and the same signed either by one of our principal Secretaries of State, or six at the least of our privy Counsel, or the Master and Comptrowler general of the Posts, for all journeys outwards, and from the Court only. And to the Court, the Lords of the privy Counsel of Scotland, any Lieutenant, deputy or Governors in Ireland, the Precedents of Counsels, or Vicepresidents established in the North, or in the Marches of Wales, the Governor of Berwick, Any Ambassador, Governors of Towns, or Agents beyond the Seas, The Warden of the Cinque Ports, or his Lieutenant of Dover, specially sending to the Court, to the body of the Counsel, or Secretaries of State, or any Packet so directed, that it may appear, the party dispatched therewith, rideth in our special affairs, (the Ambassadors of foreign Princes within this our Realm, and the ordinary Posts for France and Flanders allowed, and by their badges sufficiently commissionated, excepted) and of all such so riding in public affairs, it shall be lawful for the Posts, or the Owners of the Horses to demand for the hire of each Horse after the rate of two pence halfpenny the mile, (besides the Guides groats.) But of all others riding post with Horn and Guide, about their private businesses, the hire and prices are left to the parties discretions to agree and compound within themselves.  
3 It shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever riding in post by Commission or otherwise, to take and ride away the Horse or Horses of any man, Post or other, not having first and aforehand fully paid and satisfied for the price and hire unto the Owners or the Post for them, nor ride them further than the next immediate Stage without changing, without the knowledge and consent of the Post of the Stage, by whom he rideth in post, nor charge any horse so taken to ride in post with any Male, or burden, (besides his Rider) that exceedeth the weight of thirty pounds: Neither shall any man so riding in post, offer to ride any man's Horse above seven miles the hour in Summer viz. From the first of April, till the last of September, nor above six in Winter, which shall be accounted the rest of the year: And if any shall wilfully disobey herein or in any point hereof to the manifest hurt or hindrance of the Horse or his Owner, The Officers and Magistrates of the place upon complaint made, shall stay the parties offending until they have given present satisfaction, or sufficient security to repay the damage.  
4 Finally, as it is only intended that our service in this kind, be at all hands furthered, and the Posts to that end, in all their wants and wrongs to right themselves by the help and authority of the Magistrates, Towns and Countries as abovesaid: So if the service shall seem unto any Post a burden over great for his private state to bear and undertake, and the Towns and Countries (notwithstanding the ease and quiet they reap thereby) no way willing to countenance, encourage or enable him thereto: or otherwise in regard of years or indisposition, shall not see reason to underlie the charge, and trouble of the service, as being a hindrance to his special duty in the service of the Packet: The Post in such case attending his peculiar charge, the Constables, and Magistrates of the places shall take order from time to time, that Horses be provided for all riding in post by Commission, or specially sent in our affairs as beforesaid, in such sort as they were subject to do before there were any Posts there, and as in places where are yet no standing Posts at all. Unto whom also our pleasure is, that these Orders shall be in force, and available (being delivered them from the Master and controller of the Posts) so far as they, and any branch of them may concern the furtherance of public service, or their own relief.  
God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. Anno 1603.