"Declaration of the causes which compelled the principal commanders of the fleet of her majesty the queen of England in their voyage and descent to Portugal to detain and capture in the mouth of the river of Lisbon several vessels belonging to the queen of England and Wales. Elizabeth I (1558-1603)" is a historical document that reveals the reasons and circumstances of the capture of the fleet of uniformed ships in Lisbon. The authors of this declaration are the commanders of the English fleet, who turned to the armed forces to protect royal interests. The document reflects the political relations of that time and the importance of naval power for the conduct of the kingdom's foreign policy. The Statement of Reasons is an important source for the history and foreign policy of the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I.