FOrasmuch as the Commoditie of Seacoales of Newcastle vpon Tyne , Sunderland , and Blythe , within Our County of Northumberland , and Our County Palatine of Duresme , and the places thereunto adioyning , is a merchandize so vsefull , aswell in respect of the decay of wood already much wasted within this Our Realme of England , as also in respect of the transporting of them into forreigne parts to the aduancement of the Trade of this Kingdome , by the natiue commodity thereof , as that We haue thought it a matter well worthy Our speciall care , and much importing the state and welfare of this Our Common wealth , to vphold and maintaine the reputation and value of the same :

And whereas vpon Information and Complaint made vnto vs heretofore , of the many and great deceits , and abuses , done and offered vnto vs , and Our louing Subiects of this Our Realme of England by the Oastmen , Diggers , Getters , and Traders for Coale in the Coalemines of Newcastle , Sunderland , and Blythe aforesaid , and in all other places thereabouts , where the said Coales are digged and gotten , who in stead of good and merchantable Coales , send and bring vnto Our citie of London , and other parts of this Our Realme of England , and elsewhere , much Blacke earth , Drosse , Slate , and other vnmerchantable stuffe , which ariseth in , and about the said Coale-pittes , and is blacke like Coales , but not fit to burne , or Fuelable , and which the Oastmen , Diggers and Traders in Coales , doe well knowe , and yet doe purposely and voluntarily mingle the said deceitfull Blacke earth , Slate , Stone , and other vnfuelable stuffe amongst their good Coales , and sell and vtter the same for good and merchantable Coales , to the enriching of themselues , the preiudice of the Common-wealth , and the disgrace , and discredite of the said commodity in forreigne parts :

Wee thereupon taking into Our princely care and consideration , the qualitie of these abuses , and the consequences thereof , and much desiring a reformation of the same , yet Our care was , that the said abuses informed of , might first euidently appeare to bee such indeede , as they were alleadged to be , and the Offendors and their manner of offending discouered thereby , the better to finde out a remedy to preuent the like inconueniences , and to that end Wee did referre the examination of the same , first vnto some of Our Counsell learned in the Law at that time , who made certificate thereof vnto vs , and afterwards the Lords , and others of Our Priuie Counsell , vpon Petition exhibited vnto them by the Traders , and Laders of Seacoales at Newcastle , did take consideration of the same , and did order and appoint a tryall thereof , to bee had by a legall proceeding in Our high Court of Starre-chamber ; vpon which triall , as also by the certificate aforesaid , it did then appeare , That there were , and are seuerall sorts of Coales , at , or neere Newcastle , some of tenne and eleuen shillings the great Chaldron , which are good and fuelable , and some of foure or fiue shillings the chaldron , which are drossie , and vnfuelable , fit onely for Salt-pannes , and Lime-kilnes ; And that albeit there are sufficient store of good Coales to serue the Realme of England , and forreigne vent , without any mixture of the bad , yet neuerthelesse the Oastmen , and Traders for Coales at Newcastle , ( claiming a speciall Priuiledge to sell them to the Shippers ) haue vsed voluntarily to mingle the good Coales with the bad and drossie Coales , and to sell them so mingled to gether at the highest prices of tenne and eleuen shillings the chaldron , warranting them all to bee of the best Coales , by this meanes gaining almost halfe in halfe , which said voluntary mingling , and corrupting of Coales , Our said Court of Starre-chamber found to be a great and generall abuse and enormity to Our whole Realme , and very meete to be suppressed , reformed and punished , And did then decree , that the offendors , then the Defendants , should be committed to the Fleete , and fyned twenty pounds a piece .

And to the end that others might take notice , how far Our said Court did mislike , & condemne the said fraud and deceit , and their resolution to punish the same , The said Court thought fit , and so ordered , that the said Decree should bee publiquely read in open market , in the towne of Newcastle , where the said offence had beene committed , on two Market dayes , when most people were assembled , for the more publique declaration thereof to the Countrey , as by the said Decree more at large appeareth .

And whereas , notwithstanding that exemplary punishment , inflicted by Our said Court of Starre-chamber , as aforesaid , and the publique manifestation thereof , before declared , Our desire for a due reformation of the abuses before mentioned , did not take that effect which Wee expected , but the deceits , and abuses aforesaid , did rather more and more increase , insomuch as the Masters , Wardens , Assistants , and companies of Wood-mongers , Brewers , Chaundlers , and other Traders in London for Newcastle-Coales , became petitioners vnto vs , crauing Our gracious fauour and assistance for the due reformation thereof ; whereupon , and vpon consideration againe thereof had , by seuerall committees from the Lords , and others of Our Priuie Councell , at seuerall times , vpon seuerall petitions exhibited , aswell by the Wood-mongers , Brewers , Chaundlers , and Traders for Coales in London , and other Porte Townes within this Our Realme of England , as also by the Shippers , Masters , & Owners of Ships , trading for Coales from Newcastle aforesaid , and vpon suruey , and examination of the true state of those Coale-mines , and Coale-pits , by their Lordships speciall directions had , and taken , it appeared , and was found , that the abuses and deceits aforesaid , ( notwithstanding the pretences to the contrary ) did yet continue , and that there was no meanes so probable for reformation of the same , as the vigilant care and paines of faithfull and industrious persons , to be imployed and attendant at the Coale-pits , and Wharfes , of Newcastle , and other places adiacent , and they to be furnished with absolute authority from vs , for the prohibiting , and preuenting of the deceitfull mixture of Coales , by the Oastmen and others , and to make certificates of the goodnesse , or badnesse of Coales , for the buyers direction , and auoiding of deceits therein not discernable by the eye ; And the said Lords , and others of Our Priuie Councell , did humbly propose vnto vs , diuers limitations , orders , and prouisions , which they conceiued fit and obseruable in the execution of the same . Wee therefore hauing well considered , and ●pprooued of the propositions , and prouisions before mentioned , and of the great care , and extraordinary charge vsed in the discouery of the abuses aforesaid , and of prouiding , propounding , and setling a fit and apt meanes for the reformation thereof , haue graciously beene pleased , not onely to reuoke all former Letters Patents , by vs made for that purpose , ( they in some particulars being found to bee defectiue , ) but by other Our Letters Patents vnder . Our great Seale of England , bearing date the twentieth day of September , in the one and twentieth yeere of Our Reigne of England , France and Ireland , and of Scotland the seuen and fiftieth , Haue for vs , Our Heires and successours , straitly ordained , established , charged and prohibited , that thereafter none of the said low prized Coales , called Panne coales , nor Drosse , blacke Earth , or other vnmerchantable stuffe whatsoeuer , shall by any of the said Oastmen , Owners , and Diggers of the said Newcastle Coales , or by any other person or persons whatsoeuer , be mingled , mixed , or put amongst good and merchantable Coales , nor shall at any time , or times hereafter , being so mingled , be brought , or transported into any the Ports , or places of this Our Realme of England , or transported into any the parts beyond the Seas , vpon paine of Our high displeasure , and other the penalties therein contained .

And for the better obseruation and performance of Our will and pleasure in the same , We haue in , and by Our said Letters Patents , made , ordained , appointed , constituted , and erected an office to haue perpetuall continuance , which for euer hereafter shall be , and shall be called the office of Surueyour of Coales to be shipped at Newcastle , Sunderland , and Blythe , or any of them , or at any other places adiacent , to be brought and transported to Our citie of London , or other places of this Our Kingdome of England , or any the parts beyond the Seas ; Which said office , We , of Our especiall Grace , certaine knowledge , and meere motion , and at the request and nomination of Our late right trustie and right welbeloued Couzen and Councellour , Lodowicke Duke of Richmond and Lenox , since deceased , Haue by Our said Letters Patents graunted vnto Our trusty and welbeloued Sir Robert Sharpeigh Knight , and Alexander Haitely Esquire , to hold to them and their Assignes , for the space of one and twentie yeeres , with such Fees and Allowances , and such Cautions , Directions , Limitations , and Promsions for the execution thereof , as by the said Lords , and others of Our priuie Councell haue beene thought fit and aduised , as in , and by the said Letters Patents nore at large may appeare .

Now , to the end Our louing Subiects may perceiue with what care and caution Our selfe and Our priuie Councell , haue proceeded in this businesse for the welfare of Our people , and the preuenion of all future inconuenience that may arise in a businesse of this nature , and to the end such as haue heretofore beene Delinquents in the premisses , may hereby take notice of Our pleasure , and not plead their ignorance , as an excuse for their misdemeanour ; Wee haue thought fit hereby to make manifest and declare such speciall and necessary obseruations and directions , tending to the reformation aforesaid , and contained in Our said Letters Patents , as are most meet to be published , and of necessitie to be obserued in the performance of the same ; And doe therefore signifie and declare Our will and pleasure to be , and We doe hereby straitly charge , prohibite and command , aswell all and euery the said Oastmen , and all others trading for Seacoales at Newcastle , Sunderand and Blythe aforesaid , and the places adiacent , or working thereon , or imployed in or about the ●… me , as also all and euery the Masters and Owners of any Shippes , Boats , Hoyes , Crayer or ●… her vessels imployed for the conueying , transporting , or bringing the said Seacoales vnto Our ●id citie of London , or vnto any other Ports or places of this Our realme of England , or into any the ●rts beyond the Seas , That they , or any of them presume not to endeauour or attempt at any ●ne or times hereafter , directly or indirectly by any practise or deuise whatsoeuer , to mingle or mixe any of the said low prized and vnfuellable Coales , Drosse , Slate , Blacke-earth , or other vnmerchantable Coales , not well picked or wealled , amongst , or with any the said good , pure and fuelable Coales , neither shall buy , lade , or fraight into any their Ships , Boats , or other vessels any of the said drossy , and vnmerchantable Coales , as aforesaid , mingled with the said good and merchantable Coales ; Nor shall at any time or times hereafter conuey or transport any of the said base and vnmerchantable Coales in any ship or other vessell whatsoeuer , in which the said good and merchantable Coales are conueyed or transported , nor together with the said good Coales ; And that no woodmongers , wharfingers , merchants , or other traders in Coales whatsoeuer , shal at any time or times hereafter , lay or cause to be laid any of the said baser sort of Coales vpon one and the selfe same wharffe , together with the said good Coales .

And further , that none of the said Masters or Owners of Ships or other vessels , shall transport or conuey any such mingled Coales , or any other Coales , of what nature or qualitie soeuer , without Certificate from the Officer or Officers of vs , Our Heires and Successors appointed for the surueying of Seacoales , as aforesaid , their Deputie or Deputies , vnder the Seale of their said Office , testifying the goodnesse , qualitie , or badnesse of his and their Coales , and the quantitie thereof first had and obtained ; And that no woodmonger , wharfinger , merchant , or trader in Seacoales in Our said citie of London , or in any other place or places whatsoeuer , within this Our realme of England , shall at any time or times hereafter , presume or goe about to buy or take any Coales of any Shipper , Owner or Master of any Ship , or other vessell whatsoeuer , that shall not shew and produce such certificate , as aforesaid , vpon paine of Our high displeasure , and such other paines , penalties and imprisonments , as by the Lawes and Statutes of this Our realme of England , or by Our prerogatiue Royall , can or may be inflicted vpon them for their disobedience and contempt of Our Royall commandement in this behalfe .

And Wee will , and Our pleasure is , that for the more certaine preuention of the abuses aforesayd , All and euery the Oastmen , Fitters , and Coale-owners , Staithes-men , Merchants for Coales , and all and singuler Masters and Owners of Shippes or other vessels , when they or any of them shall agree or contract together for any Coales to be conueyed or transported , as aforesaid , that they and euery of them , by themselues , their seruants , deputies or agents , shall from time to time deliuer , or cause to be deliuered vnto the said officer or officers of vs , Our Heires and Successors or his or their deputie , or deputies for the time being , true notes and tickets in writing , testifying the sortes and quantities of all such Coales , as from time to time they shall contract for , and from what Staithes they shall be serued and sent aboard , before the lading and clearing of the same , in such sort and manner , as by Our Letters Patents before recited is directed and set downe .

And whereas , in and by Our Letters Patents aforesaid , and vpon the offer of the Woodmongers , Brewers and other Traders for Coales in Our citie of London , and by the aduise of Our said Priuie Councell , Wee haue granted a Fee of foure pence vpon euery great chaldron of Coales to be conueyed and transported , as aforesaid , ( those that are to be transported beyond the Seas by strangers only excepted ) to be paid vnto the officer or officers of vs , Our Heires and Successors for surueying of Seacoales , for their paines and charges in surueying of them , and making certificates , and keeping Registers concerning the same ; Our pleasure is , that all and euery Masters and Owners of ships or other vessels , shall from time to time , vpon their receiuing of their Certificates aforesaid , pay or cause to be paid vnto the said Officer or Officers of vs , Our Heires or Successors , their Deputies or Assignes the said Fee of foure pence for euery great chaldron of Coales , by them to be conueyed or transported , as aforesaid .

And that the said Woodmongers , Wharfingers , common Brewers , Dyers , Chaundlers , and others buying Coales from the Shippes , or other vessels , and selling the same againe in grosse , or by retaile , shall well and duely answere , and pay vnto the sayd Shipper , Master , or Owner of any Shippe , or other vessell , producing such certificate , the said Fee , or Allowance of foure pence vpon euery great Chaldron of Coales , by him or them payd vnto Our sayd Officer or Officers , as aforesaid , without inhansing the prices of the said Coales vnto Our louing Subiects , that shall buy them againe for their priuate vse and expence , according to the aduice and order of the Lords , and others of Our Priuy Counsell therein .

And Our further will and pleasure is , and Wee doe hereby straitly charge and command the said Sir Robert Sharpeigh , and Alexander Haiteley , vnto whom Wee haue granted the said Office of Surueyour of the Seacoales , as aforesaid , That they , the said Sir Robert Sharpeigh , and Alexander Haiteley , their Executors , Administrators , and Assignes , by themselues or their sufficient deputies or seruants , doe , & shall from time to time , during the said terme in Our said Letters Patents to them therof made , contained , faithfully , industriously , and carefully endeauour to see Our will and pleasure in the premisses strictly & duely performed & obserued ; And to make true certificates , from time to time , of the quality and quantity of the said Coales , for the preuention of the abuses aforesaid , according to our particular directions in Our Letters Patents aforesaid to them giuen . And if at any time or times it shall happen , that the sayd Surueyour or Surueyours , their deputie or deputies , shall wittingly and willingly make any false certificate , and it be found at any shippe or other vessell , that the said Coales are contrary to such certificate , corrupted and mingled , and not such in trueth , as they are certified to be ; Then Our pleasure is , That the said Surueyours , their Executours , Administrators or Assignes , so wittingly and willingly falsifying the trust Wee haue reposed in them , shall make sufficient restitution and satisfaction vnto such Merchant , Wood-monger , Wharfinger , and other Traders in Coales , for the Losse and Dammage that he or they shall sustaine thereby .

And lastly , Wee doe hereby will and command all and singuler Maiors , Iustices of Peace , Customers , Comptrollers , Searchers , Waiters , Baylifes , Constables , Officers , and Ministers of vs , Our Heires and Successours , to whom it shall , or may appertaine , that they , and euery of them , be from time to time , aiding and assisting vnto the said Sir Robert Sharpeigh , and Alexander Haiteley , their Executors , Administrators , Deputies and Assignes , & to all other the Officers of vs , Our Heires and Successors in this behalfe , in all lawfull manner , for the due execution of Our seruice herein , according to Our pleasure herein signified .

And that they , and euery of them , doe from time to time , cause diligent suruey , and inquiry to be made within their seuerall precincts , limits , and iurisdictions , of all offenders in this behalfe , and together with Our said Officer , or Officers , to make speedy certificate of their names without partiality , or conniuence vnto the Lords and others of Our Priuie Councell , or to Our Attourney generall for the time being , that they may be proceeded against in Our Court of Starre-chamber , or otherwise , according to their demerites . And Our will and pleasure is , That aswell the said Lords , and others of Our Priuie Councell , as Our Attourney generall for the time being , vse all care and diligence , to punish with seuerity , aswell the partiality , negligence , and remisnesse of the said Maiors , Iustices of Peace , Surueyors of Coales , and other Officers aforesaid , in not making due suruey , or certificate , as aforesaid , as the contemptuous behauiour of such , as shall presume to violate this Our Proclamation , or the Letters Patents before recited .