"A proclamation for the search and apprehension of John Cotton, Esquire.
"Whereas John Cotton of Warblington, otherwise of Subberton, in the Countie of Southhampton, Esquire, is by sundry strong and vehement presumptions, discovered to have committed matter full of very strange and execrable high treasons, against our person and state; and the same John Cotton (as it should appeare by all circumstances) hath, upon a guiltie conscience, and some privie intelligence of search intended for him, fled from his house and dwelling, and lurketh or wandreth in unknowen places; although it standeth not with the course of justice to condemne any man unheard, yet for that the presumptions and proofes appeare to be so forcible against him, as if after this publique notice, he shall not forthwith come in, and render himselfe, we shall have iust cause to conclude him guiltie; we have thought fit, (besides our more secret directions) to have recourse to the industrie and love of our people, which never failed us, in any case that concerned our safetie or honour, for his bringing forth or apprehension.
"Wherefore wee doe charge and command all our Justices, Mayors, Sheriffes, Bayliffes, Headboroughs, and Constables, and also all officers of our ports, to doe their best and utmost endeavours, to search for, and apprehend the said John Cotton; (of whom, for the better informing of those that know not his person, wee have caused a description to be hereunto annexed.) And doe neverthelesse require all our loving subiects, not only to be aiding and assisting to our said officers therein, but likewise to use their owne particular diligence, care, and industrie, aswell for the finding out and apprehending of the said John Cotton, as for the giving intelligence and advertisement unto any of our justices or officers, where hee hath beene at any time lately seene or met, or otherwise where there is any likelyhood that he should harbour, repaire, or be received.
"And for the better encouragement of our loving subiects to doe their duety in this case (which wee take so much to heart) wee doe hereby declare, signifie and promise, that whosoever shall apprehend and bring into the hands of any our officers of justice, the person of the said John Cotton living, shall have for his reward the summe of one thousand crownes.
"And on the other side, if any of our subjects shall voluntarily receive, harbour, convey, favour, or conceale the said John Cotton, wee doe signifie unto them all, that we shall account them as partakers, and abettors of the said treasons: and if any of our officers, or others shall neglect or let passe any opportunitie, occasion, or meanes for the performance, or executing of their duety in this behalfe, we shall proceede against such persons to their condigne punishment with all severitie according to our lawes.
"Given at our Palace of Westminster the eleventh day of June, in the eleventh yeere of our reigne of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland.
"God save the King.
"John Cotton is of the age of fourtie eight yeeres, or thereabouts, of a reasonable tall stature, slender of body, the haire of his head and beard flaxen, but now inclining to white, well complexioned, with somewhat a long and leane visage.
"¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's most excellent Maiestie.