The Hambourgers letter to the king conteenes ther complainte to his majestie of certaine insolencies and extorsions don to, and exacted from sum of ther citicens, marchands and masters of ships trading in Schetland, by his majesties subiets: namly by on David Murray living in Cathenes, and Cap. Gideon Murray, his brother, indweller in Edinburgh, who gathering togither, as they alleage, a nombre of armd men, manned and made them selves masters of ther ships, put the seamen a shore, commanded all and did what they pleased; laying on what impost they thoght fit under the notioun of excise, with out ordre or consideration, and if they did refuse to pay that whiche was imposed they threatned to expose the ships and goods to plunder, whiche to shunne the parties interessed, for the preservation of ther fortunes wer forced to paye.
As Anthony Berg, for 163 tones of portugall payed 180 ricks dalers, besydes 23 to ther attenders.
Adolp Westerman, 186 tones of salt, 200 ricks dalers, to ther attenders, 26. Claus Koster, 150; Hans Heyman, 108; Joachim Peylin, 100.
This they say was not all. Shortly, on Craigdy, indweller of Orcinay, exacted the excise of beer, tobacco and strong waters, took money from those who had it, and who had non gave him bond to paye him.
This is the somme of ther greevances; therafter they humbly desyr reparation of these abuses, and to be secured by his majesties authoritie in tyme coming from so bad usage, that peace may be keept, and trade made free betuixt the nations. Such things wer not practized formerly, and now ther oght lesse to be suffered then ever under the regne of so juste and powerfull a king.
To conclud they supplicat his majestie to take in his royalle protection and sauegarde the ships goods and persones of ther citicens who trade in Shetland, that they be not molested nor suffer such outrages and extorsions.
Transcript by John Ballantyne