❧ Articles set downe by the right worshipfull Thomas Randolph Esquier, Master and Comptroller generall of all her Maiesties Postes, and straightly by him commanded to be kept by the Postes from London, to the Northerne borders against Scotland, for the better obseruation, and due execution of such orders as lately were appointed by the Lords or her Maiesties pruie Councill.
FIrst, that euery Post for the seruice of the Packet for her Maiesties affaires, shall haue in his stable, or in a readinesse throughout the yeere, three good and sufficient post Horses, with sadles and furniture fitte and belonging. Three good and strong leather bagges well lined with bayes or cotton, to carrie the Pachet in. And three hornes to blowe by the way, as by their Lordships order is commanded. Whosoeuer shall faile hereof, at any time when they shall be surueyed, shall abide the punishment that the Master of the Postes shall lay vpon him.
2 That euery Post, so soone as the Packet directed for her Maiesties affaires shall be brought vnto him, shall foorth with or within one quarter of an houre after, with all speede and diligence carrie the same, or cause it to be carried to the next Post, according to the orders by their Lordships also set downe. The breach of this article shall also be punishable at the Master of the Postes pleasure.
3 That euery Post, either of his owne, or such as he shall keepe or appoint vnder him, shall [...] alwayes in readinesse, toure good and sufficient Post horses, and two hornes, to serue at all occasions for such as either by commission, or other wise for better expedition shall ride in Post. And if the number of horses exceede their owne [...], then that they supplie their want, as by their Lordships is prouided for, and set downe.
[...]. That euery Post from hence forth keep two faire paper bookes, or one large and great one, aswel to register the names, [...]s and number of horses, of such as either with commission, or without shall runne the Post, as also to enter the Pac [...] that for her Maiesties affaires shall passe and be caried by them. And the same shall signifie at the end euery moneth, [...] then ten days after vnto the Master of the Postes. And so often as he shall vpon occasions, either generally or parti [...] [...]all and send for the same.
That no Post shall hazard or send any Packets directed for her Maiesties affaires by any person whatsoeuer, but by an [...] seruant of his owne, and that in post, Vpon paine of forfeiture of one quarters wages for the first offence, whereof [...] to be giuen to the informer thereof whosoeuer, and the other halfe to bee at the disposing of the Master of the [...] And for the second offence, expulsion out of his office, the same being duely prooued against him.
That all Postes and guides ryding with any Currior, or Through Post, either with Commission, or without, shall [...] partie so riding vnto the house and dwelling place of the next standing Post, that is also to furnish him of fresh [...] shall signifie the same vnto him the partie being a personage or man of sort, that for his pleasure will make choice [...] his lodging. And shall not suffer him so ryding, to passe the next ordinarie stage without the consent and liking of the [...] of the place. Vpon paine of forfeiture of ten shillings to the Post offended, and a full restitution of so much as he should [...] pained.
Also be it especially and duely obserued by all her Maiesties Postes, as they will answere to the contrary, That if any [...] Hackneymen, or other whatsoeuer, hauing horse to hyre, shall take vpon him contrarie to their Lordships orders [...]out any horses with horne and guide, to any man running the Post, either with Commission or without, Without knowledge and consent of the ordinarie Post of the place where the horses were deliuered (if any Postes there bee ap [...]. The Post of the next stage, by whom he passeth, shall in this case stay and charge the officer with safe custodie of [...] or conductor, and shall not deliuer anie horses to the partie so ryding, till notice be giuen either to her Maiesties [...] or the Master of the Postes.
[...] no Post or guide ride without his horne, and the same to blow as is prescribed by their Lordships: bee it either [...] Packet, or with Through Post. Neither shall he refuse to carrie the male or other cariage of the partie ryding be [...] so that the same exceed not the weight of fourtie pounds at the vtmost.
[...]a [...] no Postes seruant or boy ryding with the packet, shall deliuer any by letters or priuate packets, before he haue [...]ged himselfe of the packet for her Maiesties affaires by deliuering the same into the hands of the next standing [...] unto whom also he shall commit and deliuer all the by letters and priuate packets aswell as the other, vpon paine of [...] [...]feiture of ten shillings to the Post offended, and the displeasure of the master of the Postes.
That no Postes seruant or boy riding with the packet, and hauing bp letters or priuate packets, or other kinde of ca [...] committed vnto them, shall aduenture to open or breake vp, or any other wayes directly or indirectly, shall fraudu [...] [...] or conuey the same wilfully: but shall safely deliuer the same vnto the hands of the next Post as is abouesaid. [...] whatsoeuer he be that shall be found to be faultie herein, he shall lose his Masters seruice, and the Master shall vnderly [...] punishment as the Master of the Postes shall finde him worthie of.
Lastly. Because that the negligence of seruants and boyes hath alwayes bene the greatest cause of the former disor [...] ▪ And that also to grow and fall out through the small care and want of gouernement in the Masters: These therein a warming in time to come, shall be to signifie vnto all the Postes in generall. That whose seruant or boy soeuer [...] [...]ster either directly or indirectly, breake, disobey, or be found faultie of any of these Articles aboue said. The penal [...] [...] forfeiture thereof shall lye vpon the Master himselfe, without fauour or remission.
And heretunto I will all her Maiesties Postes to haue a speciall care and regard, as they will answere to the contra [...]