Letter of Reprisal
Mr. Ceasar, whereas there hath been delivered unto me from one Captain John Foxall, of London, merchant, a note of sundry losses by him and one John Field, his partner, sustained by arrests made of their goodes and merchandise at Cadiz, in Spaine, to the value of £7800, whereof (as he informethe) they have heretofore made proof in the court of the Admiraltie, and could never obtain any restitution, although means have been made from her Majestie to the King by Sir Henry Cobham and Sir John Smith, Knights, at their several ambassies into Spaine, whereby the said Captain Foxhall hathe been brought to utter undoing and decay, and therefore, among others, is now an humble suitor to be licensed to arm forth some shippe for reprisal against the subjects of the said King of Spaine.
This shall be therefore to require you, according to the articles heretofore set down for those purposes, and the course already held with such as have been licensed in the like, to deliver unto said Captain Foxhall a commission, under the seal of my office of Admiral, for the arming forth of one shippe to the seas by way of reprisal, to recover upon the subjects of the said King such recompense and restitution as may countervayle his losses and damages sustained. And this shall be your sufficient warrant in that behalf.
So fare you well.
From the court at Richemond in the twenty ninth day of November 1585
your lovying friend
C.Howard
