[This is a Journal of the Tenth Voyage, kept by Ralph Crosse, the purser on board the Hoseander, which vessel sailed from Gravesend in company with the Hector, James, and Solomon, on the 3rd of February 1612, the general of the whole fleet being Captain Best. The Journal commences with the following “Articles” issued under Captain Best's own hand, with orders that they were to be read every month in the hearing of the respective crews.]

“To thend that Almightie God may have glorie, the King honor, our merchants profitablie served, and our vaiges1 soberlie governed, I, Thomas Best, chief captaine and comaunder of the Dragon, James, and Sallomon, and Hosiander, do establish and ordeyne thes lawes and ordinances followinge, straitlie chargeinge and comaundinge both captaines, merchauntes, and mrs., with all other officers and mariners, saillers, or other persons whatsoever imploj'ed in this vaige, to observe and keepe the said lawes and ordinances so far as doth concerne him, or eyther of them upon the penaltie herein comprised, from the daie of the publicacion hereof.”

“1. Imprimis, that everie morneinge and eveneing you the chief comander or mr, assemble together vour men, or company to heare Devyne Service, and care be taken that your praieres and the Word of God be read in all sobernes, as in the presence of God, that He may have glorie and yourselves comfortt, with increase of knowledge, and that no man absentt himselfe from thes your publick praieres and excersses of Religion, neyther willinglie nor neicligentlie, nor yt no man causse any disturbance nor lewdlie demeane himselfe in this your Devyne Service upon paine of punishment.”