their own heads, or temerity, will take upon him or them to do or to
attempt anything, whereby prejudice may arise, without the
commission of the agents as above is mentioned, whereunto relation
be had.

23. Forasmuch as it is not possible to write and indite such
prescribed orders, rules, and commissions to you the agents and
factors, but that occasion, time, and place, and the pleasures of
the princes, together with the operation or success of fortune,
shall change or shift the same, although not in the whole, yet in
part, therefore the said company do commit to you their dear and
entire beloved agents and factors, to do in this behalf for the
commodity and wealth of this company, as by your discretions, upon
good advised deliberations, shall be thought good and beneficial.
Provided always that the honour, good-name, fame, credit, and
estimation of the same company be conserved and preserved; which to
confirm we beseech the living Lord to his glory, the public benefit
of this realm, our common profit, and your praises.

Finally, for the service and due accomplishment of all the premises,
every agent and minister of, and for, this voyage hath not only
given a corporal oath upon the Evangelists to observe, and cause to
be observed, this commission, and every part, clause, and sentence
of the same, as much as in him lieth, as well for his own part as
for any other person, but also have bound themselves and their
friends to the company in several sums of money, expressed in the
acts and records of this society, for the truth and fidelities of
them for the better, and also manifester testification of the truth,
and of their oaths, promises, and bands aforesaid, they have to this
commission subscribed particularly their several hands, and the