Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

CHARLES R.

TRusty and Well-beloved, We greet you well. Taking into Our Princely conside∣ration, that the Honour and Safety of this Our Realm of England, the preserva∣tion whereof is only entrusted to Our care, was and is more nearly concerned in late than former times, as well by divers counsels and attempts to take from us the Domi∣nion of the Seas, of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner, or Proprietor, and the loss whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom, and other Our Dominions, as many other ways; We, for the avoiding of these and the like dangers, well weighing with Our self, that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in gene∣ral is concerned, and the whole Kingdom in danger, there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general, did, for the preventing so publick a mis∣chief, resolve with Our self to have a Royal Navy prepared, that might be of force and power (with Almighty God's blessing and assistance) to protect and defend this Our

Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers: and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under Our Great Seal of England, directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales, commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City, Town and Village, to provide such a number of Ships, well furnisht, as might serve for this Royal purpose, and which might be done with the greatest equali∣ty that could be. In performance whereof, though generally throughout all the Coun∣ties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulness and alacrity, which We graciously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to Us and Our service, as of the respect they have to the Publick, which well becometh every good Subject: nevertheless finding that some few, haply out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are, or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars, how general soever the charge be or ought to be, have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assessments that were set upon them; and foreseeing in Our Princely Wisdom, that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in Our several Courts at Westminster; We, desirous to avoid such inconveniences, and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People, be∣ing willing to prevent such errors as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into, have thought fit, in a case of this nature, to advise with you Our Judges, who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty: And be∣cause the Trials in Our several Courts by the formalities in pleading will require a long protraction, We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all, to require your Judgment in the Case, as it is set down in the inclosed Paper; which will not only gain time, but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the point.

Given under Our Signet at Our Court of White-hall, the second day of February, in the twelfth year of Our Reign, 1636.

C. R.