WHereas His Majestie , out of His Princely care of the defence of this Realm , and safety of His Subjects : Vnderstanding of the great prepartations of Shipping beyond the Seas , as well this present yeer , as in divers yeers preceding , and the imminent perils thereby appearing on every side in these dangerous and Warlike times : For the speedie defence of His Kingdom and people , guarding of the Seas , and secure conduct of Shipping and Merchandize , ( wherein all His Subjects were concerned ) Did as well for divers yeers past , as in November last , direct His severall Writs to severall Sheriffis , Majors , Bayliffs , and other His Officers and Subjects , of the severall Counties of England and Wales , Thereby commanding the providing and getting in readinesse certain Ships furnished with Ordnance and Arms , and manned and victualled at the charges of the said Counties , in such sort as by the same Writs were appointed . But His Majestie finding , that the said Ships were not provided according to the Tenour of the said Writs , nor the moneys Levyed ( according to Estimates yeerly given by the Lords , and others of His Majesties Privie Councell ) for setting forth those Ships ; His majestie , for the common defence and safety of His Kingdom and people , was constrained at His own great charges , yeerly to make out , and maintain that Shipping which he expected from His Subjects .

And therefore His Majestie , as He cannot but censure the most of His Sheriffs and other His Ministers , of great neglects in the execution of that Service , according to their Oaths , and the duty of their places : So He will now expect from them an undelayed and faithfull performance of the same , without favour or connivence . And to that end , His Majestie doth hereby straitly charge and command , all His present Sheriffs , Majors , Bayliffs , and other His Officers and Ministers to whom it appertaineth , forthwith not onely to raise and levie the said Moneys appointed to be collected and raised for the providing and furnishing the said Ships for this present yeer , But also to give forth their Warrants to the preceding Sheriffs , Majors , and other Officers respectively , for the raising and levying of those Arrears which hapned in their times : And that as well the Sheriffs , Majors , and other Officers for this present yeer , as those for the yeere past , who are in Arrear to His Majestie , shall make their payments respectively , to the Treasurers of His Majesties Navie , at or before the first day of October next , without further respite or delay ; upon pain of High contempt against His Majestie , and to be further proceeded with , and punished according to the quality of their offences , in that which so much importeth the publike good and safety of the Kingdom .