royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation inhibiting the Importation of Whale fins, or Whale oil, into His majesties Dominions by any, but the Muscouia Company.  
WHereas Our late dear and royal Father, of ever blessed memory, King james, by His Proclamation, bearing date the eighteen day of May, in the seventeenth year of His reign, for the reasons therein expressed, and for the encouragement of His well-beloved Subiects, the Company of Merchants trading for Muscouia, Greenland, and the parts adjoining, commonly called the Muscouia Company, did inhibit the Importation of Whale fins, into any His kingdoms or Dominions, by any persons other then by that Company, and that in their Ioynt-stock only, under the penalties therein mentioned; We now being minded to give the like encouragement and assistance to the said Company, and for the better support of the Fishing-Trade to Greeneland, and the parts adjacent, which by the increase of navigation conduceth much to the common good of Our kingdom and People, haue thought fit to publish Our royal pleasure therein; And therefore We do by these Presents straightly Charge, prohibit, and forbid, as well all Aliens and Strangers whatsoever, as Our natural born Subiects and Denizens, That they, nor any of them,( other then the said Muscouia Merchants only, and that in their Ioynt-stock for the Whale-Fishing;) shall from henceforth directly or indirectly. Import or bring any Whale oil, or Whale fins,( whether the said fins be whole, or cut, in what manner soever) into any Our kingdoms or Dominions, vpon pain of the forfeiture and consiscation of the same; whether they bee found on Board of any Ship, hoy, Boat, or Bottom, or laid on land in any Ware-house, Storehouse, Shop, Cellar, or any other place whatsoever; and vpon pain of Our high Indignation and displeasure, and such other punishments, as by Our Court of starchamber shall bee thought meet to be inflicted vpon them, or any of them, as Contemners of Our royal Will and Commandment in this behalf.  
And Wee do likewise straightly Charge, prohibit, and forbid, as well all Aliens and Strangers, as Our natural born Subiects and Denizens,( other then the said Muscouia Merchants in their Ioint-stock as aforesaid) that they, nor any of them do presume to Buy, utter, Sell, Barter, or Contract, for any Whale oil, or Whale fins, knowing the same to bee Imported into any Our realms or Dominions, contrary to Our Will and Pleasure herein declared; whether the said fins bee whole, or cut as aforesaid, vpon pain of Our high Indignation and displeasure, and such further punishments, as by Our said Court of starchamber shall bee thought meet to bee inflicted vpon such offenders, as Contemners also of Our royal Commandments.  
And to the end, that Our Pleasure hereby declared may take the better effect; Wee do hereby Charge and Command, all Customers, collectors, farmers, controllers, Searchers, Waiters, and all other Our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, in all or any Our Ports, havens, or creeks; that they and every of them in their several places, do carefully attend and see to the due execution hereof; and in no wise to permit or suffer any Whale oil, or Whale fins whole, or cut, directly, or indirectly, openly, or covertly, to be brought or imported into any Our kingdoms or Dominions contrary to Our royal pleasure herein expressed; or being so imported, that they do not permit, or suffer the same to be colourably Customed for other Goods and Merchandise; but that they forthwith do seize, and take to Our use all such Whale fins, and Whale oil as shall bee so Imported, contrary to Our pleasure herein declared, vpon pain to undergo such punishments as shall be thought meet by the Lords of Our privy council.  
nevertheless, Our intent and meaning is, That the said Muscouia Company in their Ioynt-stock only, and none other, shall or may Buy and Sell, Barter, or Contract, for any such Whale fins, or Whale oil, as being imported contrary to this Our Proclamation, shall be confiscate and seized, and the same being sold by the said Company, may be afterwards bought, contracted for, and used by any other Our Subiects, at their will and pleasure; Any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  
given at Our Palace of Westminster, the sixteenth day of May, in the twelfth year of Our reign.  
God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of John Bill. 1636.