WHereas heretofore the Lords of the Priuie Counsell to the Queene our sister deceased, for great and weightie causes concerning the State, haue en­deuoured to set downe, and publish sundry Orders, and generall directions for matters of Posting, especially for the speedy dispatch of Packets and Letters importing the Princes immediate Affaires, the colour whereof seruing priuate turnes, hath greatly frustrated their endeuours: It is now therefore, for the better warrantise and direction of our Posts, thought meete and conuenient, that the former Orders bee reuiued, and (according to the necessitie of the times) renewed and published in our name in maner as followeth.

• 1. FIrst, euery Post receiuing a dayly Fee, and entertained specially for the Packet, according to the proportion of his wages by the day, shall keepe certaine Horses, to the number of two at the least, with furniture conuenient, and those alwayes to haue at hand in a readinesse to runne with our Packets onely in Post, so soone as the same are brought to his hands. He shall haue also two Bags of Leather at the least well lined with Bayes or Cotton, to cary the Packet in, and Hornes to sound and blow, as oft as he meets company, or foure times in euery mile.
• 2. EVery Post thus furnished, shall at all houres receiue and cary, or send away, all Packets or Letters brought vnto him, directed for our speciall Affaires, dated on the outside, with the time and place of their first deliuery, and subscribed by the hands of our Principall Se­cretaries, and Master and Comptroller generall of the Postes: And for matters of the Nauie, or to the Maritime Forts vpon the Sea coast, or principall Port Townes, by our Admirall of Eng­land: For matters of the Cinque Ports, by our Warden: For matters of Scotland, by our Trea­surer and Secretary of Scotland: And for Ireland, by our Lieutenant the L. Mountioy, Or ad­dressed to them in the proper businesse of their places, or to the body of our Counsell, from what persons or places whatsoeuer: Of whose names, and addresse onely, the Posts shall take notice, according to the first Institution, and Originall vse of their seruice, and of none other.
• 3. EVery Post so receiuing our Packets, directed and subscribed as abouesaid, shall within one quarter of an houre at the most after they come to his handes, dispatch them away in Post, and shall runne therewith in Sommer (that is, from the first of April to the last of September) after seuen Miles the houre: and in Winter (which shalbe esteemed the rest of the yeere) after the fiue Miles the houre at the least, as the wayes affoord, and the weather fall out.
• ANd that it may appeare from time to time (when, and as often as it shall bee required) with what care and diligence the seruice is at all handes applied and performed, Euery Post shall keepe a large and faire leger Paper Booke to enter our Packets in, as they shall be brought vnto him, with the day of the Moneth, houre of the day or night, that they came first to his handes, together with the name of him or them, by whom or vnto whom they were subscribed and directed, taking and entring onely such for our Packets, as come warranted as a­foresaid, and all others to passe as by-Letters.
• 5. LAstly, to the end that the Posts generally may the better attend their seuerall Seruices, and performe their dueties in that behalfe. Our pleasure is, that they and euery of them shall brooke and enioy the benefite of all former fauours allowed them, Namely, That they and their seruants be holden free and exempted from all Prests and attendances at Assises, Sessions, Inquests, and Musters.