❧ By the King.  
❧ Proclamation against selling of Ships.  
THE Kings most Excellent Majesty being certainly advertised of many English Ships with their Furniture sold of late into foreign parts beyond the Seas, contrary to the Law and Statutes in that case provided, and to the great damage and hurt of his loving Subjects; Doth expressly charge and command all Merchants, Owners of Ships, Mariners, and all other his Subjects whom it may concern, That from henceforth they and every of them shall forbear to Sell, truck, Exchange or alienate any English Ship or Vessel, directly or indirectly, without special Licence first obtained for the same, under the great Seal of England, Upon pain for every such offence, to suffer imprisonment during the King's pleasure, and to undergo such forfeitures and Fines as by the Statutes, Laws and Customs ofthis his majesties Realm of England may be inflicted upon them in that behalf, as upon transgressers of the Laws and Statutes, and contemners of his majesties most Royal Proclamation.  
And his Majesty doth hereby straightly charge all Admirals, Viceadmirals, and other Officers of the Admiralty, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Customers, controllers, Searchers, and all other his Officers, whom it may concern, that they do carefully inquire after all such as shall offend in the premises, and cause them to be apprehended, and committed whom they shall find guilty, to the next jail, there to remain until they and every of them shall be bound with sufficient Sureties, in competent sums, for their appearance before the Lords of his highness most Honourable Council at the next star-chamber day, and not to departed thence without special leave first obtained. And if it shall appear that any of the said Officers have used negligence or connivence herein, His Majesty will extend the pain of his displeasure unto them, and cause them to feel the smart thereof.  
Given at our Honour of Hampton Court the 15. day of October, in the second year of our Reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the eight and thirtieth.  
God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. ANNO DOM. 1604.