WHereas the making of Salt-Peeter and Gunne-powder within Our Realmes and Dominions , is a great benefit , strength , safety and defence to vs and Our Subiects in generall , in that it effecteth and assureth a certaine prouision thereof to be had for the furnishing of Our stores at all times , and from time to time with such needfull prouisions , as in time of necessitie , being to be had from forraine parts , are not to be obtained but at the pleasure of other Princes , at vnreasonable rates and prices , and the same being so obtained , may happen to be intercepted , or by contrary winds hindered , or vtterly lost by shipwracke , or such like Casualties on the Seas ; And if no such hazard were , yet the same is not to be had but for ready mony to be transported and paid for the same , whereby the Treasure of Our Realmes would be much diminished , and other forreine Realme thereby enriched : And seeing there is within Our own Realmes great plentie of the Mine of Salt Peeter ( if it be preserued , & not suffered to be destroyed ) the benefit whereof is not meet to be lost , nor the imployment of many of Our louing Subiects thereabouts to bee neglected , ( which great blessing of God vnto this Kingdome , in giuing it meanes for the defence thereof , within it selfe , can neuer be truely valued but by the want thereof ) Wee heretofore , and at this time , haue committed the care of this businesse to persons of Honour and especiall trust , to the end Our Kingdomes might not be vnfurnished with that prouision , which so much concernes the strength , safety , and defence thereof , and of vs , and all Our Subiects in generall ; neither on the other side Our Subiects might be wronged by the Salt-Peter makers , who haue authority to make the same . Yet We are credibly giuen to vnderstand , that this great blessing of God vnto this Kingdome is abused , & like to be vtterly lost , by the euill dealings of many ill disposed persons ( who respecting more their own then the publike good ) and hauing Douehouses for breeding of Pigeons , being in some measure a grieuance and an inconuenience , and an offence to Our Subiects in generall , in destroying their Corne , and other Graine , much more then the profit which it any way bringeth , either to the publike , or owners thereof , might therefore well , without grudging , be contented to affoord the dung thereof for the increasing of so necessary a prouision , as concernes both the safety of themselues , and of the whole Kingdome ; yet being not sensible of the great danger and inconuenience that the want of these prouisions may bring vpon the Kingdome in generall , and themselues in particular , doe take liberty vnto themselues daily to vse , and practise many wayes and deuices purposely to spoile , kill , and vtterly to destroy the Mines of Salt-Peeter , and the growth and increase thereof , aswell in such Douehouses and Douecoats , as in Cellars , stables , and other places in their possessions and occupations ( wherein the same Mines are naturally apt to breed and increase , and which are allowed to be wrought and vsed for Our seruice ) by carrying out of such places the ground or earth that is naturally good for that seruice , & laying the same vpon their land , and by pitching , pauing and laying of such places with Brickes , Stones , Planckes , Boardes , Lime , Sand or Grauell , by which meanes a great part of the best and most sufficient grounds , which heretofore haue beene good , and wrought for Our seruice , are now spoiled and destroyed , and the like practises are daily vsed vpon those grounds that yet remaine good , although the same hath been forbidden by Our expresse Commandement in our Commission granted for that seruice from time to time , for the space of these Tenne yeeres , vpon paine of Contempt in that behalfe . Notwithstanding which Our Royall Commandement therein , the practise is still continued ( as wee haue beene certified , aswell by some of the Lords and others of Our Priuie Councell , to whom Wee committed the care of this so important and weightie a businesse , as also by the Commissioners of Our Nauie , to whom the same was referred ) to the contempt of Our Royall Authoritie , and the vtter destruction of Our said seruice ; Insomuch that if some great care and speedie course bee not taken to restraine such doings , and to preserue the Mine and grounds for Salt-peeter that yet remaine good , and to restore such ( as haue formerly beene destroyed ) to their perfection , this Kingdome of England , ( which hath hitherto beene prouided for within it selfe , and hath beene able to furnish other Our Realmes and Dominions of prouision for Salt-peeter in time of need ) must in very short time bee driuen to bee beholding to forreine parts for the same prouision for the defence of Our Realmes .

Wee therefore , according to Our accustomed care , taking into Our Princelie consideration this so weightie and important a businesse of State , Our care being alwayes to watch ouer the weale of Our Subiects , are resolued to meete with and preuent these so eminent and perillous enormities for the time to come ; And for redresse thereof , doe heereby signifie Our pleasure to all Our louing Subiects and others : And therefore doe by this Our Proclamation straitly Charge and Commaund , That no person or persons whatsoeuer , of what degree or qualitie soeuer , within Our Kingdome of England , and dominion of Wales , doe at any time or times heereafter , paue , or lay with Bricke , Stone , Plancke-boardes , Lime , Sand , Grauell , or other thing whatsoeuer , that shall or may any way hurt , hinder , or preiudice the growth and increase of the Mine of Salt-peeter , any Douehouse or Douecoat , or any Warehouse or Outhouses , allowed by Our Commission to be wrought for Our seruice , or any Cellar or Vault ( excepting only in that part of the Cellar or Vault where the Beere lieth ) and excepting such Cellars and Vaults onely , wherein Noblemen and Gentlemen doe lay or draw their Wine , Beere or Sider for the prouision of their household : And that no Stables bee paued , pitched or grauelled , where the Horse feete vse to stand , but plancked onely , and neither Grauell , Stones , nor pitch bee deceitfully ( as heeretofore hath beene vsed ) laid vnder the planckes , nor before the planckes next the Manger , purposelie to destroy the growth of the Peeter , and to keepe the Peter-men from working , but onely good earth , and such as is fit and apt to breed and increase the Mines of Peeter : And that no Inkeepers , or others that keepe Stables for Trauellers and passengers , doe vse any deceitfull meanes or deuices , wherby to hinder or destroy the growth of Salt-peeter in those Stables , which are the principall places to bee kept for cherishing of that Mine , vpon such paines and penalties , as by the Lawes and Statutes of this Our Realme , or by the seueritie or Censure of Our Court of Starrechamber may be inflicted vpon the offendors , for contempt of this Our Royall Command . And whereas Wee are certified , That many of the aforenamed places haue heeretofore had the Earth , that was naturally good for Our seruice , caried out by the owners thereof , and la● vpon the Land , purposely to destroy the Mine of Saltpeeter , and in the same places haue beene layd Sand , Grauell , Lime , Stone , Brickes , boards , plankes and other things , which haue not onely disabled those places for being fit for Our seruice , as otherwise they would haue beene , but doe also keepe such places from euer being good , or yeelding any Salt-peeter , so long as they bee so kept and continued : Wee doe therefore heereby straitly charge and command , vpon the paines and penalties aforesaid , That all , and euery person or persons whatsoeuer , of what estate or degree soeuer , that haue in their possessions or occupations any Douehouse or Douecoat , that heeretofore hath beene , or now is laid with Bricke , Stone , Sand or Grauell , Lime , Plancks , or other things whatsoeuer , to hurt or hinder the growth and increase of the Mine of Saltpeeter in any of the places aforesaid , That they , and euery of them being the owner , or present possessour or occupier of any such Douehouse or Douecoat , so heeretofore , or at this present pitched , paued or laid with Bricks , Stones , Lime , Sand , Grauell , Boards , plancks , or other thing whatsoeuer , that doth or may hurt , hinder or preiudice the growth or increase of Salt-peter , doe within three Moneths after the date heereof , at his or their owne proper costs and charges , take vp and carrie out of euerie such place or places , all such Bricks , Sand , Stones , Grauell , Lime , Plancks , Boards or other things whatsoeuer , that shall stand , or lie in any such place or places , being hurtfull or hindering to the growth and increase of the Mine of Salt-peter ; And that they and euerie of them being the owner or present occupier or possessor of euery such place , doe within the time before limitted , lay againe into euery such place or places , out of which any ground , Bricke , Stone , Lime , Sand , Grauell , plancks or boards is taken vp or caried out , as is before mentioned , so much of the richest , mellowest , and best mould of earth or horse-dung , being rotten and drie , as shall leuell and fill vp the floore of euery such Douehouse or Douecoate , three foote deepe at the least , to the end that all such places may bee the sooner readie to furnish Our store with the greater proportion and better Saltpeeter .

And if any person , or persons , of what degree or condition soeuer , shall , after the publishing of this Our will and pleasure , presume to carry , or suffer to be carried out of any Douchouse , Douecoat , Cellar , or Vault , any ground or earth , that is good for this Our seruice , or shall lay , or suffer to be laid into any such place , any Bricke , Stones , Sand , Grauell , Lime , Planckes , Boards , or other things , that shall or may hurt or hinder the growth of Saltpeeter , or doe keepe , or suffer to bee kept , contrary to the intent aboue mentioned , in any of their possessions , or occupations , any such place , or places , that heretofore haue beene , or now are laid with Bricke , Stone , Lime , Sand , Grauell , Planckes , Boards , or other things hurtfull , or hindering to the growth and increase of Saltpeeter , and doe neglect or delay , to cast out the same out of euery such place , or places , and to fill againe and leuell , euery such place three foot deepe , at the least , with such materialls as is before commanded , within the time limited ; That then such paines and penalties , as aforesaid , shall bee inflicted vpon the offendours , for contempt of this Our Royall command .

And Wee doe further will and Command , vpon the paines and penalties aforesaid , that from henceforth , no Saltpeeter makers , or their seruants , that shall dig any place , or places , allowed by Our Commission for the making of Saltpeeter , doe leaue the earth vncast in , in those places where they shall worke , but doe throw all such earth in the place againe , and then spread , and lay the same in orderly sort , for the better increase and growth of Saltpeeter ( according as is prouided in our said Commission , and in the couenants by them sealed ) and that no owners of the said grounds shall interrupt , or hinder them in their so doing .

And moreouer , Our will and pleasure is , and Wee doe hereby , giue full power , libertie , and authoritie , vnto our Saltpeeter-makers , and euery of them within the seuerall diuisions , where they , or any of them , shall be lawfully authorized to worke for our seruice , that it shall , and may bee lawfull , for them , and euery of them , at all times in the day time , with the Constable of the Towne , Parish , or place , to goe into the lands , houses , and possessions of any Our louing Subiects , to search and see , how Our Commandement is obeyed and fulfilled , and the grounds made fit for Our seruice , without any let , contradiction , or interruption of any of Our Subiects .

And whereas Wee are informed , that some of Our Subiects of eminencie , place , and authoritie ( to the ill example of others ) doe denie Our Saltpeeter makers the grounds allowed vnto them , to bee wrought for Our seruice , by Our Commission , and are very backeward , and slow in giuing vnto Our Saltpeeter-makers , such assistance for taking such order , with such as denie the grounds , and cariages as by Our Commission is commanded ; By which conniuence , Our authoritie is growne to bee contemned , and Our Saltpeeter-makers sustaine such great losse , and hindrance in doing of Our seruice , that they are vtterly discouraged , and disabled in doing , or performing the seruice required of them : These are therefore straitly to charge and command all Our louing Subiects ( vpon the paines and penalties aforesaid ) that they and euery of them , doe from time to time quietly permit , and suffer Our Saltpeeter-makers , and euery of them , that are lawfully authorized to doe Our seruice , to haue such grounds , cariages , and other helpes and assistance , as by Our Commission is allowed vnto them , without any of their lets , hindrances , or delaies . And whereas information is giuen by the Deputie Saltpeeter-makers , and great complaint is made by them , that diuers euill disposed persons , doe daily perswade and draw their seruants , by giuing them money corruptly to spare their grounds , from being digged for Saltpeeter , and thereby doe not onely defraud Our seruice , but hinder the Saltpeeter-makers , that they cannot performe the proportion , which they are bound to deliuer into Our store ;

We therefore , hereby straitly charge and command , vpon the penalties aforesaid , that no person , or persons whatsoeuer , vpon the paines and penalties aforesaid , shall corruptly , directly , or indirectly giue vnto any persons whatsoeuer , pretending themselues to be Saltpeeter-men , any monie to spare their grounds , as aforesaid . And that no such Saltpeeter-man , or other person whatsoeuer , shall take any such bribes , vpon any pretence to the ends aforesaid .

And for the more better , and speedy performance of this Our seruice , Our Will and pleasure is , That the Commissioners for our Nauie shall from time to time take notice of all such complaints , as shall be brought vnto them , touehing any offence that shall bee committed contrary to this Our Proclamation ; And that the Commissioners shall certifie the same to Our Right trusty and Right Welbeloued Cozen and Counsellor George , Duke of Buckingham , Lord high Admirall of England , and Our Right trusty and Welbeloued Counsellor George , Lord Carew , Master of Our Ordinance , to whose especiall trust and care We haue committed the gouernment of this businesse , by Our Commission vnder Our great Seale of England ; And that they , or either of them , shall from time to time send for all offenders complained of , and cause the offenders complained of , to be examined by Our said Commissioners of Our Nauie , and vpon their report take such further order therein , by referring the offenders to be prosecuted in Our Court of Starre-Chamber , or otherwise , as to their wisedomes shall seeme meet .

And further , We doe by these presents Will and require all and singuler Maiors , Sheriffes , Iustices of Peace , Bayliffes , Constables , Headboroughs , and all other Our Officers , and Ministers whatsoeuer , that they , and euery of them , in their seuerall Offices , and places , be diligent and obseruant in the due execution of this Our Proclamation , and also to be ayding and assisting vnto such person and persons and his and their Deputies , as are or shall be so ( as aforesaid ) authorized and appointed , aswell for discouery of any act or acts to be performed , contrary to the intent of these presents , or the tenor of Our said Commission vnder Our great Seale , as otherwise , in doing and executing of any matter or thing , for the accomplishing of this Our Royall commandement .

And further , Our Will and pleasure is , And We doe hereby charge and command Our Attourney generall for the time being , to informe against such persons in Our said Court of Starre-Chamber , from time to time , whose contempt and disobedience against this Our Royall commandement , shall be certified vnto him , and to prosecute euery such information speedily and effectually , vntill the same shall be brought to sentence ; It being Our expresse Will and pleasure , that seuere punishment shal be executed vpon all the said offenders whatsoeuer . And , as Wee haue signified Our pleasure , how seuerely We will punish such as shall disobey this Our Proclamation : So We let Our louing Subiects to know , that on the other side , Our eares shall be as open to heare the iust complaints of any Our Subiects against any the Salt-Peeter-makers , that shall any way misdemeane themselues towards any of Our Subiects in places where they worke ; It being alwayes Our Princely care to prouide , that no abuse be offered to any of Our Subiects whatsoeuer . And Our pleasure is , that such person or persons , who shall be appointed to take care and charge of the execution of Our pleasure in the premisses , or any person or persons , that shall giue information therein , and follow the same , shall haue the one halfe of the Fine , to be imposed vpon the offenders against this Our Proclamation , for their encouragement to be diligent and faithfull therein .