WHereas heretofore sundry wayes haue bene deuised to redresse the disorders among the Postes of our Realme in generall , and particularly to preuent the inconueniences both to our owne seruice , and the lawfull trade of the honest marchantes , by prohibiting that no persons whatsoeuer , should take vpon them publiquely or priuately to procure , gather vp , receiue , bring in , or cary out , any Packets or letters to or from the Countreys beyond the Seas , except such our ordinarie Posts and Messengers for those parties , as eyther by our Master of the Postes , or the Masters of the Postes generall of those Countreys reciproquely , should be found nominated for that kind of seruice , or otherwise be able to shewe sufficient warrant for their voyages and dispatches vnder the hands of our principall Secretaries , any Ambassadours , or others sufficiently authorised : which notwithstanding , diuers disauowed persons haue vsed to intrude themselues contrary to all good order . In consideration of which incoueniences past , we doe hereby straightly prohibite and forbid all persons whatsoeuer , directly or indirectly to gather vp , receiue , bring in , or carie out of this Realme , any Letters or Packets , without the allowance or ordinarie addresse and dispatch of the sayde Masters and Comptrollers of the Posts reciproquely , or their deputies , or shall be sufficiently authorised as is aforesayde . And therefore our will and pleasure is , that you the Lord Treasourer of England , and the Lord warden of the Cinque-Portes , together with our trustie and wel be loued seruant Iohn Stanhop Esquire , Master and Comptroller generall of all our Postes , cause publique knowledge to be giuen hereof vnto all Merchants , both Strangers and others of our Citie of London , and all others whom it may or ought to concerne , that neither they nor any for them doe hereafter take vpon them , openly or vnderhand to employ any disauowed person in the carying of their Letters , but to vse such onely as shall be found lawfully appoynted for that seruice . To which effect also we do expressely wil and command by these presents , all Maiors , Sheriffes , Iustices of Peace , Bailiffes , and all special Commissioners , and more specially all Searchers , Customers and Comptrollers of our Portes , and all other our Officers and Ministers wheresoeuer in their seuerall iurisdictions and offices , to make diligent search of all Males , Bougets , and other Cariages of all such disauowed Curriers , Messengers , or suspected persons comming in or going out of the Realme with Packettes or Letters , and all such so discouered , to apprehend and stay , keeping them in safe custodie , vntill by the viewe of their writings sent vp to our priuie Counsaile , it be seene and aduised what shall be further done with them .