Chapter II: Petition of Shipwrights for Incorporation (?) 1578

(_No signatures or date_)

[=S.P. Dom., Eliz., ccxxvii. 63=]

To the right honourable the Lords of her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.

In most humble and reverent wise do complain unto your honours as well the M^r. Shipwrights of her Majesty's Ships, as also all other of the same art, that take charge over any of that faculty, be it in ships, boats, barges, or any such like vessels, both appertaining to her Majesty or her Highness' subjects, specially within the liberty of the Thames and other places near adjoining to the same. In the which place, as all kind of vessels are greatly increased, so are the artificers likewise augmented, only in number, but less in skill, whereby such as do use them are not only deceived but also the work greatly endangered. Besides their manners are mutinous even in her Majesty's service, and their exactions intolerable amongst her Majesty's subjects. These and many other enormities, which daily increase to the great grief of many her Majesty's good and honest subjects, may bring the art to a ruinous state.

In tender consideration of the premises we humbly pray your Honours to be a mean unto her Highness that a Corporation may be granted in such reasonable form as her Majesty's learned Council shall allow of, and be thought meet for us; whereby her Majesty in her own Navy shall be more safely and dutifully served, the whole State through the Realm better furnished, and we daily bound to pray to Almighty God both for her Majesty and your Honours' most happy and prosperous estate.