FOrasmuche as it is notorious , in what sort , sithence the publicke arrest first made of the Queenes Maiesties subiectes , and of their shippes and goodes in the lowe countreys of the kyng of Spayne , in the later ende of December , in the yeere of our Lorde God . 1568. her Maiestie hath ben pleased to geue sundry orders for the preseruation of the goodes of the subiectes of the sayde kyng , beyng afterwarde arrested in this Realme , for the indempnitie of her Maiesties subiectes , without yeeldyng to make any sale of them , sauyng some smal portions , which otherwyse would haue perished , although sale was before made generally in the lowe countreys of the goodes of her Maiesties subiectes there arrested : and howe also afterwarde her Maiestie was wel pleased , that certayne of her marchantes should repayre into the lowe countreys , to treate with the Duke of A●lua , Lieuetenant to the sayde kyng , who had already solde theyr goodes , for some treatie of a mutual restitution of al manner of thynges arrested or stayed in any of the kyngdomes and countreys of both the sayde princes , whereby not only the subiectes of both partes , beyng owners , myght be relieued by recouerie of their owne , but thereby th occasion of vnkindnesse , that myght for lacke of restitution ensue betwixt both the princes , myght also be auoyded . Whereupon dyd also folowe , that certayne persons in the name of both the princes , haue treated for the manner of restitution , wherein many delayes haue ben vsed by the ministers of the part of the sayde kyng . And yet when by the frequent solisitation of her Maiesties ministers vsed , it was thought that al the great difficulties of the treatie had ben fully past , and that the articles and couenantes were ordered to be faire written , or , as the common speache is , put into mundum , so as it was on the Queenes Maiesties part dayly looked , that the same shoulde haue ben subscribed and sealed by the ministers on both sides , and so order for restitution to haue folowed without delay : her Maiestie notwithstandyng this her preceadyng , findeth that contrarye to her expectation , the ministers that treated on the part of the kyng of Spayne , not only lacked sufficient aucthoritie to conclude , as reason was they shoulde , and as they had from the begynnyng thereof ben oftentymes remembred , to procure sufficient commission : but also they dyd , when the conclution was looked for , newly offer before her Maiesties counsel , to adde such other strange clauses and conditions , as coulde not be accepted in any reason , without the manifest preiudice of her Maiesties honnour , and principally , without a playne and open gate or way to defeate the very certaintie of restitution to her Maiesties subiectes , with a special prouision notwithstandyng for a certaintie for the subiectes of the kyng of Spayne . Whereof , though the sayd ministers were playnely and at good length enfourmed by her Maiesties counsel , & most earnestly required to refourme the same , and to make al the couenantes equall & reciproke for both partes : yet they woulde not be induced thereto , pretendyng that without further aucthoritie from the Duke of Alua , they coulde not alter those theyr newe clauses . Wherfore , her Maiestie consyderyng the long delayes herein vsed , the decayes of the goodes here arrested , the lamentable complaintes of her marchantes for lacke of reliefe , with this also , that in the lowe countreys the goodes of her Maiesties subiectes were already solde , by order of the Duke of Alua long tyme sythence , and that in Spayne also such as were of any value , were solde by order of the kinges ministers there , and the rest , for the most part , wasted for lacke of keeping : hath by aduise of her sayd counsel , as it were thereto vrged by very necessitie , determined to cause a publicke sale to be made of the goodes of the sayde kynges subiectes arrested in any of her Maiesties dominions . In whiche sale , her Maiesties determination and pleasure is , that al dexteritie and sinceritie shal be vsed : and for that purpose , her Maiestie hath by aduise of her counsel , caused a competent number of expert , skilful , & honest marchantes , aswel Englishe men , as straungers of sundry nations , to be appoynted , whereof also suche of the subiectes of the sayde kyng of Spayne , as conueniently coulde be founde , haue ben named , called , and offered to be parties yf they wyl , who vpon their othes shal make open sale of al the shippes , goodes , wares , and marchandizes arrested , to the most aduantage and aduauncement in price they can or may , without shewyng any affection therein directly or indirectly , to them selues , or to any other person whatsoeuer . And for the better execution thereof , her Maiestie is pleased , and doth licence euery proprietarie or owner of any the sayde shippes or goodes so arrested or deteyned here , as is aforesayde , or the factour , or lawful atturney of any suche owner , safely and freely to come into this Realme , at any tyme within thirtie dayes after the publication hereof , presenting them selues with al conuenient speede after their arriual , to suche as shal be appoynted to sell the sayde marchandizes , and not doyng or attempting any thyng to the derogation or hurt of her Maiestie , her subiectes , or Realme , but to depart after the said sales made to them without they shal be otherwyse licensed : and that they may also lawfully buye al suche goodes , wares , an marchandizes , as by theyr markes , or otherwyse may be proued to belong to them , geuing as muche as any other reasonably wyll for the same , and that all and euery person and persons buying any of the sayde shyppes , goodes , wares , or marchandizes , may carry and transport the same into any place or countrey beyonde the seas , where it shal seeme good to them , yf the same can not as profitably be solde here , paying al dueties and customes due and payable for the same . And for the further declaration also of her Maiesties good disposition and intent , her Maiestie doth by these presentes notifie to al persons , that notwithstandyng the proceadyng of this sale , none shal be refused that shal come from the sayde kyng fully auctho●●●ed by commission , but shal be wyllyngly heard to treate further , and conclude any thyng that may tende to the benefite and good of both theyr kyngdomes and countreys , and to the weale of the marchantes and subiectes on both partes . And forasmuche as it is suspected , that diuers persons haue imbecelled and conueyed , and yet doo witholde diuers goodes , wares , and marchandizes belongyng to the subiectes of the sayde kyng of Spayne : her Maiestie doth straightly charge and commaunde al manner of persons within her dominions , whiche haue sythence the tyme of the foresayde arrest had any shippes , goodes , or money , belonging to the subiectes of the sayd kyng of Spayne , in his or theyr custodie or possession , whereof there is no report yet made , accordyng to a proclamation set foorth the last of Iune . 1570. shal within fourtie dayes after the publication hereof , bryng or sende a tuft report thereof , to suche persons as shal be assigned or appointed for the sale of the wares and marchandizes , vpon payne that any makyng default of suche reporte , shal not only incurre her Maiesties displeasure , but shal also after this admonition , be charged & punished as concealors and deteynors thereof with felonious mindes and intentes .