- ' ACopieof S\(uml>.z. ■1^ t The Kings Commifsion> GRANTED TO S ir NICOLAS CRISPE, Making him (lAdmirall of the Sea-Tirats. Brought (with other Papers) to the Parliament by M.Peters^ AND Prefented to the Committee for the Navie. Ttthli/hed according to Order^ LONDON, ; Printed for i?. i ^ 4 5- (O • i C H A R L E s .by the grace-'6f God, -of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, KingjDefender of the Faithji&e. * To all to whom thcfc Prcfents fhall come. Greeting. vsKSfe^Hercasinthetimcof this unniturall Rebellion, our owne Ships and Veffells belonging to our Royw> Navie have bin traiterouflyfeitd upon, and thofe m m and divers Ships and Veffells belonging to others,aU well Strangers as our owne Subjeds, »have bin and ftill are imployed againft us, or in the fervice of the Rflbellsin Armesagtinftus. by carrying Ammumtion, Money, Viftwlls, oth« PtoyiGons for A 2 «i»» CO and afliftancc, or by exporting from them Money, Bullion, Plate, or prohibited <5oods, without licence, contrarie to the iLaWes; or by trading and'carrying.of©oods and Merchandize for trade and commerce, to and from thofc parts, Cities, Townes, and Places which are liiKier the ufUrped Powers the Rebells in Arraes againQ: us: AndliJ^^feby^paying Cuftorties , Subfidies, and ImpoftSi to the faid iSJSls, coiitrary to the Lawes, and our Proclamation in that behalf, which affoords them meanes and ability towards the maintenance and upholding of the faid unnatural! Rebellion. And whereas dive]^ of our good Sub|efts adhering to us, have fuffered great loffe^aSTd^pdHiage by the faid RebeHs, arid their Abt betorsafweli upon the Land as upon the Sea, for which t^ey can have no remcdie in ordinarie courfc of juftice, in regard thofe that have done the fame, are kept out of the reach or hand of juftice, by ' JVna wherps in tnefc times opdi"P^i%s divep Prytates, anc^ (^ir t>>$:ne, Sii^ )efts,and the SuWeftsof ott^friends-^ndaUiM, and djvers 6f our SubjeCfs of Si^tlanlphawit^ftiii^rridvgi^ traiteroufly rifen up in Rebellion, and taken up Armas, agalnft us their naturall Leige Lord and Soveraigne, and have in a hoftile are imployed at Sea in their aid and afliftaQ^^ marip^ 'as faid. And whereas upon thofe occaiionS'rWynave been fbrcca to fct out Ships at our own great charge, for our o wne defence, and the defence of our loyall SubjeCfs, and preventing the mifehiefs be- fore mentioned, and have like\yire thought Ht to give all encouragV to any of our pood SuBj'^Rs whidi^ arc'' WilHng and deftrous toTet-qut'Shipi fct'tfieif.t>\\'s^ dlai^e^totf^d'icwattls tlie V^aken - in^indfupprelfiri^'c^^rk^ faid Rthfelfi^'j "atidl msrKpartkularly to thofe our gbbd S®'jei?s who kave fuftairied dammagesby the faid Rebells , either-af t^^ they may obtaine forneri^ompiriffebf^^sfaCtWfopthekfai^^ loffes;' '' And^fij^a® Sir Knight,; hath futefdd Jteat-Toft^and cfei^Mag^ittShV'titneof this urinaturall ^ ^ Rebellion, Rebellion, by the faid Rebels, their Adherents, or Abettors, as well at Sea as upon the Land. Know yee therefore, that wee repofing fpeciall truft in his, the faid Sir Nicholas Crijps fidelitie and circutnfpe^ion, wher- of we have had verie good experience, have given and granted, and by thefe Prefents do give and grant unto hig^ the faid Sic Nicholas Cri^, and to fuch as hee mall take int<Wrartner-{hip and Confort-fhip with him therein, full jiibwer and authoritie, at , his and their owne charges to let to Sea , out of any of our Ports of our countrey of Cornwall,'or out of any other our Ports or Havens whatfoeveri fiftecne or twentic fHips,»or veffeisorwar, prany other number of Ihips and veffels^ not being lefle than fifteene, equipped, viduallcd, fitted, furnilhed, and manned for war. . - And, wee doe hereby give unto hirn the'laid SxxNichot^ Crijp full power and authoritie to command in Chiefe, zs Ad- mirall of the faid IKips, and other veffels, and men in them, ei- ther in his owns perfon, or by his Subftitnte, and to nominate and appoint Vice-Admiralls, Reare- Admiralls, Captains,Com- itianders, and Officers, in the ffeid lhip«, as ffiall bb nccelfatie for each iliip. I '' ' And,wfcdo hereby give unto him the faid Sir Nicholas Crijp'y and to fuch as (hall be employed by, or under him, in thisfer- vice, full power and authoritie with the faid fhips fo to be fet out by him and-his partnerSj ast afore^faid, or any of them, to take, feize, or fuVprize, or in cafeof refiftance, or where necef- fitie requireth, by fight to compell, and take into his or their poflellions, or dcftroy any of our owne fhips or velfels, fet forth without our CorhmlfTion, Warrant, 6r Leavb. And alfo, any oiher fhips or veffels byongrng to what perlbn-, or of what placefoever/ which arebr'diall bfe etiiploycd itf any^fervice for. any of the faid Rebels, pf either our laid Kingdomes of Eng- land or Scotland,.'or of any their Aiders, Abettors, or Adhe- rent^ ; andallgocds and wierchahdice in them contained; and all ffiips and VsCfels Which ffiall be einployed in importing, car - rying. tying', or Conveying any Amies, Ammunition, materials, or provifion for their, or any of their aid or afliftance, or in expor- ting, or tranfporting for them, or any of them, or for their, or for any their ufe, any money, Bullion, or prohibited goods whatfocver, without our Licence, or contrarie to the Law, or in trading, qr carrying merchandice for trade or commerce to or from any Wrt, Citie, Towne, or Place j now, or which at any time hereafter (hall be under the ufurped Power, or hoi- ding of the faid Rebels, or of any of them, or which have paid, ^ or (hall pay them the fiiid Rebels, or any of them, or any other by their direction or appointment, any Cuftomcs, Subfidie?, Imports, or other duties whatfocver, unlefle it be by, and with ourfpeciali Licence or allowance : And like wife the (hips and vertels of all Pyrats and Sea-Rovers, together with all furnU ture, Ammunition, provifions, goods, lading and merchandice in any of the aforefaid (hips or veflels; and the faid fhips, vef- fels, furniture, ammunition, provisions, goods, merchandice and lading, to caufe to be proceeded againrt, ad judged and con- dcmned, according to the Law and Courfe ofthe Admiraltie, as the cafe (hallyequire before the Judge of our Court of Ad- miraltiefor the time being, or other Judge or Judges of any Vice-Admiraltie, as good and hwfull Prize. And after fuch adjudication and condemnation, to have, keep, poffeffe, and en- joy all the faid (hips, velTels, furniture, ammunition,provifion, goods, lading, and merchandice, fo by them, or any of them ta- ken as aforefaid, as good and lawfull prize and purchafe to their owne ufe and ufes of the Adventurers and Company joyning, as aforefaid, to be ihtred and divided amongft them, as they (hall contradi; and agree together, without any account to be made to Vs, our Hcires or Succelfours, except fuch of our owne fhips and veffcis, with their Ordnance, tackle, and fur- niture, as (hall be fo by them ukeo, which we will and require (hall be rertored to Vs and to our ufe, wee paying and alb wing the fnm of five pounds of lawftdl money of England, .upon cvcrie Tun of our faid owne (hips and vefTcls, as (haU with the CO the Ordnince, tackle, and furniture of the fame, or belonging thereunto, be taken and reftored toVs as aforefaid: And al- lowing alio to the faid Sir Nicholas Crijp his Partners, Aflb- ciates, the goods & merchandices in any fuch of our own (hips or veflcis, tobemade prizeand divided amongft them, in fuch manner, and under fuchrefervation toVs, as ^er goods and merchandices taken in any other fhipsor veffeis ought to be, according to the tenour of this our Commilfion. And we do alfo hereby give and grant to him, the faid Sic Nicholas Crijp, his Partners and Aflbciates, that itflialland may be laWfuIl for him and ihem, to retaine, ufe, and employ fuch of our faid o wne Ihips fo to be taken and fnrprized, till we have made payment of the faid five pounds/rr Tun to him or them for the fame, without any account or fatisfaAion to be made to Vs for the fame whatfoerer. Excepting alfo further^ and referving to Vs all tenths heretofore ufed to w paid in ca- fes of like nature to the Admiral! of England, and all Cuftomes and duties due, or accuftomably paid for and upon any thefaid prizes which we will ihall be paid and accounted for to us, and to our ufe : Provided alwaics, that before any of the faid (hips or veffeis of warfo to be ft tout by him the faid Sir Nicholas^ Crijp, his Partners or Affociates, ftialige out of the faid Ports, Havens, or Harbours aforefaid, upon the faid employment, the faid Sir Nichelas Crijp ihall caufe the Captaine, Maffer and chiefo Mate of everie of the faidfh'ps, to enter into a bond or obligation of the penall fiimme of one thoufand pounds to Vs, with condition thereupon, that they, nor either of them, nor any their company employed in the faid fliip, (hall wittingly, or knowingly, rob, fpoyle, hurt, orendam- mage any of our Subjects, or the Subjefts of any of our friends, or allies, other than fuch of either of our faid Kingdoms of Eng- land and Scotland, as fhalbein Rebellion Kainll us, or (Hal be A ^ttors to the faid Rebellion, or have, or fnall pay Cuftomes, Subfidies, or Impoft to the faid Rebells, contrary to the Law, without our fpccialllicence or allowance; or (halbe imployed in aid or ferviceofthe faid Rebells, or any of them, or which 'are «re or ftialbe itnployed in exporting for them, or for their ufe. Bullion, Plate or other prohibited Good?, without our li - ccnce.or (hall convey any provilions to or for the faid Rebells, or (hall trade to or from any of thofe Cities, Towns, Ports, or places, which are or fhalbe under the ufurped power or holing <?f the Rebells^^qfeitherof our faid Kingdoms, of England, or Scotland, •r Ae or fhall take the late traiterous Covenant, or league, againft us<. And likewife, that all Ships by them taken, and furprized, with their furniture, goods, and lading, lhall be , broughpintire, without breakmg bulk, into fome Port of our Kingdpmc of England, now or then in our poffefldon. and obedience, except in cafe of apparent danger of the Rebells Ships: In which care it lhalland may be lawful! to cafrie the faid Ships, or VefTells, or any of them, into any Port of our Kingdomc, of Ircf^d, or into any other Port of any Forragine Prince, or Stat^ inleague or amity with us •, and there to-be and remain till the fame ihall receive fentence, and adjudication of any of our Courts of Admiralty, or Vice-Admiralty^ in fuch''manner and upon fuch teltimony, as if the faid Ships and Good^ were in any of our owhe Ports and Harbours, fo as d true inventory valuation and ip^rize- Uient of the faid Ships, and Veflells, and oftheif gpodi^ & ladings, be firfi made & delivered into the Coutt of Admiralty, or Vice-Admiralty,wherc the proceeding, fentence or adjudication touching the famciliall be. ' And forarmiichtheas ferting out & finifhing of the faid Ships of Warre cannot be dorfe without fh^^greac chatge and expence of the faid Nicholas Cri/p^ his Part- ncrs , and AfTociatcs, and may probably conduce, not onely to and for the reparation of the lolfes and dammages by them fuftained, by %t\c Idid Re- hcls^, but may alfo much tend to our Service, by ^ ■ (7) by weikeningthe ftf^ngthof the ftid Rebels, deftroyiog thek tnde, and fupprefling this prefent Rebellion. We do therefore hereby tui ther grant unto him, the faid Sir Nicholof Crijjf, and fuch otKc rs as he fhall receive into his aiTo- elation and partnerihip a sforefaid, that none of the faid (hips, or velfrls of war, fo by him or them to be (et forth, (hall be im- prefted, commanded, or employed upon any othit fervice for Vs whaifoever, faveonlyto fetch or convey Armes, or Am- munition from forraine parts into this Kingdome, foroucfpe- ciall fervice. And that only by warrant from Our Selfe, un- derour Signe Manual!, and then not toftayinany Harbour a- hove twentie daycs,and to be paid for everie fuch voyage iccor- ding to the rate oi foure pounds per month for everie man to be employed in everie fuch voyage. And that none of the faid (hips, velTels, or men be commanded, or employed inany (e» cond, or other voyage, i^n the faid fervice, untiU they (hall be paid and fatisHed what (hall be fo due unto them upon the firft voyage, as aforefaid. And further. That no Mailers, Mafters-Mate, Gunner, Sai- ler, Marrincr, or other Officer or Servant employed by, or un- der the faid Sir Nicholas Criffy in any of the faid (hips and vef- fels (haU be imprefted, or taken out of the fame upon any occa- (ion whatfoever, without the confent of him the faid Sir iVi- eholas Crifp. Nor that any Ammunition, viAuall, or provifion taken-up, or provided lot the faid (hips orveffels, or which (hail be in, or bdonging to any prize taken by any of the faid (hips or vcffels, (hall be taken away, or fefzed upon for our fer* vice, or other occafion whatfoever, without the confent or a- greement of him the faid Sir Nicholas Crifpy his Partners or Aflbciates. And that the faid fervice and employment may be the better effcfted and performed, and the faid Sir Nicholas Crifp the more enabled to provide, furnilh, and fet out theYaid number of (hips and vetfels, by him propounded as aforefaid. Wee doe hereby give and grant to him the faid Sir Nicholas Crifp, his Paitncrs and Alfpciates, full power-and authoritie t© provide B ©r C8; iif fake into his or their confortfliip, any other flaips or veflfels, aswellof Forraincrs inamiticwith Vs, asof ourowneSub- je&Sf upon the beft conditions hee or they can contratff or agree for the fame with the Owners thereof; and to employ and ufe them in the faid fervice. And Wee do likewife.give unto the faid Sir Nicholoi Crijjf, his Partnerrand Aflbciates, full power and authoritic from time to time, and as often as hee or they fhill think fit and re- quilite, or conducing to the fervice, to land Forces as he or they fhall think fit, in or neere unto any place or places within any our Dominions, where any InfurrcAipn or Rebellion is, or Ihill happen to be, and to fuppreffe fuch Rebellion; and in cafe of oppofition or refiftancc, by fight to fubdue, or deftroy all fuch Rebels and Tray tours; and to appoint fuch Commanders over fuch part of the Forces as fhall there be landed, as afercM (aid, as fhall be by him-or them thought fit» And likewifoin Our name, tofave and prcferve fuch petfons of the f«d Rebels fofubdued and repreffed, either by Land or Sea, as hee or they fKalkhink fit to be be faved and preferved, and to exchange, or keep fuch of the faid Rebek, as hee or they feall think fit to be kept Or exchinged; and to make tender of out Royall (jrace afcrPpardbn to fuch of them as (Kali fubmit unto Vs, and dcfirc to recefve bur mercie: and fhill be thought meet perfons to be received into our favour and grace, other than, and except fuch fis'are already excepted by Vs inanyof our PrGclamatioDS, or Declarations. .a. And, Wee do likewife give unto him thefjud Six Ni6hsl4i Cri^y power and authorititie, to make, ordaioe, procIaime>and put in execution Lawes, Ordinances, and Conftitutions, for the better order and government of the (hips and men, which by vcrtueof this our Commiflion, fhall be under his charge and command. A/id to punifh mutinies, tumults, rapines, mur- thers, and other crimes which fhall be committed and done by any perfon or perfons, under his chaise or command, either upon the Sea orLan(jl, according to the courfe and ufage of the Sea; or of War, as the afe fhall happcQ to be. And And we do hereby requireand -tommand the Judge of our Court of Admiralty, and Ah fher Judges of their icvcrall Vice- Admiralties within our Kint dome of England and Dominion of Wales, or elfewhere, according to this our Commiffion, they forthwith proceed to fentence, or ad/udication of the fame with fpeed and efFedf, as good and liwfull prize, without any unnc- ccffary delay, which may turnc to his or their prejudice. And we do hereby command and require all ^overnours, Captaines, and Comrrtandersofallour Cities, Caftles, Towns, and Garrifons,andall Sheriffes, Majors, BailifFes, Juftices of the Peace, Vice-Admiralls, Conftables, and all other our Offi- cers, Minifters, and Sub jefts whatfoever, within any of our Dominions, to be aiding and affifting to him the faid Sir Nkho- tas his Partners, and AfTociates, and fuchas lhalbe im- ployed by, or under him, or them, in the execution of the Pre- mifes, as they will anfwerc the contrary'at their utmoft perills. • Andwedoalfo hereby defireall others, afwell Admiralls, Vice-Admiralls, Captains, and Officers,and other the Sabjt^s belonging unto any Wince or State now in amity? Jwith us, to be aiding and allifting to us as occaiion fhal require, t6 him the faid Sir Nicholat CrifpybXs Partners, and Affociates,tnd thofe under his or their command, in the execution of this our Commiflion. And we do hereby alfo require and command the Judge of our Court of Admiiilty, for the time being, upon Requeft made by him the faid Sir Crifpy for that putpofe, to grant unto him the faid Sir Nicholas Crifp, and to the Captains or Commanders of every the Ships to be fct out, or impioyed as a- forcfaid, feverall Letters of Marke, or Reprifall, or Commilfi- onsof that nature, under the great Scale of our Court of Ad- miralty,enabling them for taking prizes according to the fub- ftance of this our Commiffion, to the end the faid.Commilfi- on may have and receive the greater countenance, authority , and efteem in Forraigne parts beyond the Seas. And further know yee , that we putting fpeciril truft and confidenceinthe faki Six Nicholas Crifp^ and being affured of ~ B 3 his (lo) hiszealeand fidelity to us, and our fervice, we do hereby far- ther grant unto him ihe faid Sir Nicholas Cri^, power and au- thority to contrail and agree with any Mafter, Mafters Mates Marriners, Saylors, other Perfon or Perfons whatfoever, for bringing in any Ships, Goods or Merchandize of, or belonging to any perfon or perfons in rebellion againft us, or affiftingor adhering to the faid Rebells,.into any Port or Haven of this our Kingdom in aAuall obedience to us, upon fuch termes or arti- cles as he and they (hall agree ; which we hereby, for us, our heirs and fucceffors, grant and declare fhalbe kept and obfcrved inviolaby in our behalfe. And do hereby require all our Officers and Minifters, to fee the fame obferved according. And our expreffe will and and pleafure is, and we do hereby charge and command the Judge of our Admiralty, and of every Vice-Admiralty, where any the faid ftiips, goods, or mercban- dize fo agreed, or contradfcd for, fhalbe brought, that they fhall proceed to fentence or adjudication of, and upon the faid fhips, and goods, as if the fame had been taken and feized upon by force and ftrength at fea. And our will and pleafure is, That the Mafter of fuch fhips, or he with whom the faid contraft or agreement is made, upon his performance thereof, and fentence and adjudication given thcrof, (hall have & enjoy fuch a proportion or fum of mony or other reward, as he contraded or agreed with the faid Sir Nico. las Crifp for: And that the faid Sir Nicholas Crifp and his Part- ners, and Aflbciates, fhall have and enjoy, to their owneufe?, therefidueof the faid Ships. Andbecaufe it may fall out that the fhips of this our Kingdome may not prove fo ufefull for this prefent fervice as Dunkirk Frigots, or other Forraigne Ships, we of our further grace do grant unto the faid Sir Nicho- Cr^jfpll and free power and liberty by himfelfe, or his a- gents, to bartcr,cxchange and fell away any of his faid fhips, or any which fhalbc taken as prize in this fervice, other than our owne fhpis and veflells which arc to be rcftored to us as afore- iaid,t© any Forrre^ner whatfoever, any Law,Statute,or Ordi- nance (ll) mnce to the contrary in any wife notwithftanding. Provided that inftead of every fuch fliip fo bartered away, exchanged, or fold, there be one other (hip provided from Forraigne parts, at leaft equally ufefull, if not better for the prefent ferviceand employment. And our will and pleafure is, and we do hereby declare, that this our Commiflion, and the Powers, Liberties, Licence, Au- thority hereby refpedively given and granted, fhalbc and con- tinue in force for and during the fpace of two whole years next enfiting the date hereof (if this Rebellion (hould fo long conti- nue) and no longer. In witneffe whereof Wee have caufed thcfe our Letters fo be made Patents; Witnefle Our Selfe at Oxford, the fixth day of May, in the twentieth yearc of Our Raigne, Signed P er ipfnm Rej^em* WiUis* gY vertue and authoritie of this Commiffion granted to me Sir Nicholas Crifp, Knight, I do hereby ordaincand appoint my very good and approved friend, and true Subjed: of the King of England, C/frW/i Jjhrant owner of the Frigot called S.Patrick of Falmoiith, to be Captalne and Commander of the faid Fri- got: And do authorize him thefaid Captaine Jjhhrant to doe, pertorme, and execute allluch things as are to be done and exe- cuted by vertue ofthis Commiflion, requiring all the Officers and Marrincrs of the faid Frigot to obey the faid Captaine 7- fbrant in all thngs, as their Captaine and Commander, not to depart from him having voluntarily put themfelves under his command, without the faid Captains leave and licence: and the faid Captain J fir ant is to obey Sir Nicolas Crig> in al things as his Admirall. ^ N. Crifi, This Copic being conferred with the OriginaJJ, is found to agree theiCwith ; j'acohw/iflellaBt.Serenilf^Do^.HojiriMagfiaSri- ' tanhia Regis Not, Pub* adm'ijp atsjue jurati, 1^45* To , : i-r To the Committeefor the Jfohle Sirs; 'E E prefent you here one peece of the Enemies care by fea, the readi- nfefle of their undertakings, the willing acceptance offiich tenders^ the coun- ftll they have^ their prefent executions, their engaging of their whole partie, even as far as Poperie reacheth, and as low as Hell • for from this Commilsion , the Dunkirk and Oftend Frigots get theirs,and a<51: vigoroufly : fbme have formerly faid of England,That the fea could give lawes to their forrainc and do- rmeftick broyles. Wee therefore defire that -you would look upon this Criticall yecre,and upon fuch meanes as God hath betrufted you withall. Remember the fea (in former times) hath ever danced under our veffels laden with victorious trophies from abroad • let us riot be baffled at our doors, the fliips and fea-men are yet yours, 'tis a great prize : God keeps all the world upon the hinges by his coun- fell. Cm) fell • States and Kingdomes muft keep their work on the wheeles by the feme way j this Kingdome will never be delivered by Law, but Men, who being good, carrie Law in their bolbmcs. Shew your felves now,ifever, to lave a gafping Nation, that after-ages may fey. There was a blcired,faithfixll,State-feving Committee of the Navie: The Lord help you and us. Amen. / COti :i -A T ' t p c »* •• • -'. - t cimo. 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