"My Lord:
"We have sent the relation less whole than it might have been to avail ourselves of the opportunity by Sir Maurice Berkley; however as to the truth of all passages we hereunto subscribe.
(Signed by order)
"Report of the Sailing of Sir William Petty's
Ship on Twelfth Day.
"We could not think of better expedient to call together all such who were conversant with boats and the water, than on a holiday to propose a match and to make a free offering (without any danger or loss on their side) of a flag of silk, charged with a gilded harp, and in a wreath of laurel above, and in a scroll beneath, this inscription,
'Præmium regalis societas velocioris'.
and this to be given to any boat that should out-sail Sir William Petty's vessel in such course as should be set. The prize being published and the day come, the only boats that would adventure for this reward, and for the day, were but three, for all the rest judged in vain to contest when these three did appear, and as we do believe them the prime ones which this place does afford, so had
