THE Kings most Excellent MAIESTIE , obseruing the excessiue waste , and consumption of His Maiesties Powder , vnder pretext of Salutations , and other needlesse Ceremonies , growen into custome , and vsed in His Maiesties Castles , Block-houses , and Forts , and also in his Shippes and Fleetes , which at all times are needlesse and superfluous , but in these times of Action are no way fit to bee continued , when there is so much vse of Powder to bee employed for Seruices of necessity : For reformation of which abuse , and preuenting the like for the future , His Maiestie by the Aduice of His Priuie Councell , doeth hereby straitly charge and command , that from hencefoorth all Commanders , Captaines , and Officers , of or in any Castles , Blocke-houses , or Forts , doe carefully obserue , that they suffer no expence or waste of Powder , to be made in that kinde , or any Shot at all to bee made , in , or from such Castle , Blocke-house , or Fort , otherwise then in Fight with His Maiesties enemies , or as a warning Peece vpon discouery of any enemies , or for staying of any Shippes or Vessels by sufficient Warrant , or for the defence of any the Ships or Vessels of His Maiestie , His Subiects , Friends of Allyes , comming within the protection of any His Maiesties said Castles , Blocke-houses , or Forts : His Maiestie doeth also straitly charge and command all Admirals , Viceadmirals , Rereadmirals , Captaines and Officers , of , or in any of His Maiesties Fleetes and Ships , that they neither make , nor suffer to be made , any Shot from any His Maiesties Ships , or from any Ship or Vessell in His Maiesties seruice , otherwise then for warning , or in Fight , or for intercepting or arrest of any Forraigne Ships , or vpon assault of any His Maiesties enemies , or in case of distresse , or in the defence or protection of any His Maiesties Ships , or His Subiects , Friends , or Allyes , without speciall authority , or instructions in that behalfe giuen , or deriued from His Maiestie , or from the Lord high Admirall of England , vpon paine , that whosoeuer shall presume to disobey , or neglect this His Maiesties Royall Commandement , shall be put from their seuerall and respectiue Commands , Offices , and places in which they serue , and vpon such further punishments , as by the Lawes of this Realme , or by His Maiesties Prerogatiue Royall may be inflicted vpon the offenders .