A letter written by her Maiestie to the King of China, in Februarie 1583.

Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, &c. Most Imperial and
inuincible prince, our honest subiect Iohn Newbery the bringer hereof, who
with our fauour hath taken in hand the voyage which now hee pursueth to the
parts and countreys of your Empire, not trusting vpon any other ground then
vpon the fauour of your Imperiall clemencie and humanitie, is moued to
vndertake a thing of so much difficultie, being perswaded that hee hauing
entered into so many perils, your Maiestie will not dislike the same,
especially if it may appeare that it be not damageable vnto your royall
Maiestie, and that to your people it will bring some profite: of both which
things he not doubting, with more willing minde hath prepared himselfe for
his destinated voyage vnto vs well liked of. For by this meanes we
perceiue, that the profit which by the mutual trade on both sides, al the
princes our neighbors in the West do receiue, your Imperial maiestie and
those that be subiect vnder your dominion, to their great ioy and benefit
shal haue the same, which consisteth in the transporting outward of such
things whereof we haue plenty, and in bringing in such things as we stand
in need of. It cannot otherwise be, but that seeing that we are borne and
made to haue need one of another, and that wee are bound to aide one
another, but that your imperial Maiestie wil wel like of it, and by your
subiects with like indeuor wil be accepted. For the increase whereof, if
your imperial Maiestie shall adde the securitie of passage, with other
priuileges most necessary to vse the trade with your men, your maiestie
shall doe that which belongeth to a most honorable and liberal prince, and
deserue so much of vs, as by no continuance or length of time shalbe
forgotten. Which request of ours we do most instantly desire to be taken in
good part of your maiestie, and so great a benefit towards vs and our men,
we shall endeuor by diligence to requite when time shal serue thereunto.