THe generall Estates of the vnited Low-countreys . To all those that shall see these presents or heare them to be read , send greeting and let to wete , or make knowne . Whereas we are informed , that in the research of Passengers ships between France & England by the Ships of Warre , which are in seruice of these Countreys , to the end to know whether in the same there be any Souldiors going towardes the Enemie , or other persons actually of the seruice of the Enemie , many abuses & wrongs are offered by the Ships Companie , and others which do abord the said Passengers Ships , as beating , thrusting , wronging , and ryfling of the Passengers contrarie to our order , good intention , instruction and all reason . Likewise that the Ships Company through ignorance , and otherwise in the meane time vpon the Ships , but espectally in the sayd research , doe speake hardly of the Kings Maiestie of Great Britaine &c. From whom the vnited Prouinces , and the Inhabitants of the same , many yeeres haue enioyed , and as yet doe enioy many Royall fauors and pleasures ; vnder pretence that his Maiestie hath made Peace with the King of Spaine : notwithstanding his Maiestie by reason thereof , hath not changed , altered , nor diminished his affections towards these Countteys in the least point , wherein they doe not onely wronge his Maiestie , but also vs the Inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces in generall . Forasmuch as euerie one is holden and bound to endeuour to requite his Maiesties good affection & great fauors with due thanks , and the same to win and conserue for these Countreys , and that such misrules and vnlawful research , as also the said bad speeches and abuses might happen to breede a discontentment between his Maiestie and his Subiects with the Inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces , to the preiudice of the welfare of these Countreys , wherein it is needfull by times by all meanes to foresee . Therefore haue we expresly forbidden and prohibited , doe forbid and prohibite by these presents all and singul●e of what condition or qualitie they be , and namely the Commanders shippe , Captaines , shippe Officers , and Mariners of the ships of war of our Fleete , which doe lye in waight in the narrow Seas and vpon the coasts of Flaunders , and all others which shall be commaunded for the research of the sayd Passengers ships between England and Fraunce , not to vse any disorder or vnlawfull meanes by words or deeds , but to doe the same with all discretion without beating , thrusting , wronging , or ryfling any one . And further we doe forbid all the Inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces and others frequenting the same : as also al those as are in our seruice by water or by land , not to vse any bad or iniurious speeches of the Kings most excellent Maiestie of Great Britaine , &c. nor of his subiects in any manner of wise , nor to slaunder nor impute them with any calumnious speeches , vnder any pretence whatsoeuer , vpon paine to be punished , ( as disturbers of the Common welfare ) in bodie and goods , without contradiction or delay . Prouided alwayes , that we doe not herewith exempt those of what Nation or condition soeuer they be , which shal be found by the sayd research in the Passengers Ships going to the seruice of the King of Spaine , or of the Arch-Dukes , nor those which shal be found to be in their seruice , but our expresse intention and commission is , that such shal be dealt withall and vsed according to the order to that effect giuen in the Fleete . And to the end no man doe pretend to be ignorant of these presents , we doe ordaine and giue commission to our welbeloued the Estates , Gouernors , and committed counsell of the seuerall Prouinces of Gelderland , and Countie of Sutfen , Holland and Westfreesland , Sealand and Wretcht , Freesland , Ouerissell , the Towne of Greenighen , and places adioyning , and all others Iustices , Officers , and Ministers being thereunto required , to make knowne , proclayme and publish this our order in all places , where it is vsuall to publish & proclayme , charging also the Gouernors , Presidents , and provinciall Counsell : likewise the Colledges of the Admiraltie , the Fiscalladuocats , and also the generall Atturneys , and all other Officers , Iudges , and Iustices of the sayd Countreys , and likewise the Admiral , Vice-Admirals , Chiefetaines , Collonels , Commaunders , Captaines , and Officers to accomplish , and cause to be accomplished this our order , and to proceed , & cause to be proceeded against these which shall doe any thing to the contrarie , without any fauour , grace , dissembling , or forbearance , for such is our expresse meaning .