1764, March 26.

[1]Text of treaty can be consulted in Chalmers'Collection of Treaties, i, 467.

[2]The events leading up to the issuing of this proclamation have been so thoroughly treated in C. W. Alvord's "Genesis of the Proclamation of 1763" inMichigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, vol. xxxvi, p. 20, and in C. E. Carter'sGreat Britain and the Illinois Country(Prize Essay of the Amer. Hist. Assoc., 1910) that any explanatory notes in this place seem unnecessary.

[3]Nipissimin proclamation as printed in theLondon Gazette.

[Colonizing Granada and other Islands.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION.

George R.

Whereas We have taken into Our Consideration, the great Benefit which will arise to the Commerce of Our Kingdoms and the Interests of Our Subjects, from the speedy Settlement of Our Islands of Grenada, the Grenadines, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Tobago. We do therefore think fit, with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation to publish and declare to Our loving Subjects, that We have, with the Advice of Our said Privy Council, given the necessary Powers and Directions for an immediate Survey and Division into proper Parishes and Districts, of such of the said Islands as have not hitherto been so surveyed and divided, and for laying out such Lands in the said Islands, as are in Our Power to dispose of, into Allotments for Plantations of different Size and Extent, according as the Nature of the Land shall be more or less adapted to the Growth of Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa, Cotton, or other Articles of beneficial Culture, reserving to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, suchParts of the said Islands as shall be necessary for erecting Fortifications thereon, and for all other military Purposes, for Glebes for Ministers, Allotments for Schoolmasters, for Woodlands, High Roads, and all other publick Purposes; and also reserving such Lands in Our Islands of Dominica and St. Vincent, as, at the Time of the Surrender of those Islands, were and still are in the Possession of the French Inhabitants of those Islands, which Lands, it is Our Will and Pleasure should be granted to such of the said Inhabitants as shall be inclined to accept the same, upon Leases for Terms absolute, or for renewable Terms, upon certain Conditions and under proper Restrictions. And We do hereby further publish and declare, that the Allotments for Plantations in Our Islands of Grenada, the Grenadines, Tobago, and St. Vincent, shall contain to Three Hundred Acres, with some few Allotments in each Island of Five Hundred Acres; and that the Allotments in Our Island of Dominica, which is represented to be not so well adapted to the Cultivation of Sugar, and which from its Situation requires in Policy to be well peopled with White Inhabitants, shall be in general from Fifty to One Hundred Acres.

And whereas We have thought fit to declare to Our Parliament at the Opening of the present Session, Our Gracious Intention of reserving for the publick Use, whatever Sums shall be produced by the Sale of any of the Lands belonging to Us in the Islands of the West Indies, which were ceded to Us by the late Treaty; We do further publish and declare, that when these Allotments, or a sufficient Part of them, shall have been laid out, the same shall be set up to Sale by Auction, at a Price per Acre, to be fixed thereon by Commissioners appointed for that Purpose, under Our Great Seal of Great Britain, who shall give publick Notice of the Time and Place of such Sale.

And We do hereby further publish and declare, that the Lands so set up to Sale by Auction, shall not be sold, but upon the following Terms, and under the following Conditions and Reservations, that is to say,

That each Purchaser shall immediately pay into the Hands of such Person as We shall appoint to receive the same, Twenty per Cent. of the whole Purchase-Money.

That the Remainder of the Purchase-Money shall be paid by different Installments, viz. Ten per Cent. within the First Year after the Purchase, Ten per Cent. more within theSecond Year after such Purchase, and Twenty per Cent. within every successive Year, until the Whole is paid.

That each Purchaser of Lands which have been cleared and improved, shall, within the Space of Three Months from the Date of the Grant, settle and constantly keep upon the Lot purchased, One White Man or Two White Women for every Hundred Acres contained in the said Lot; and, in Default thereof, shall be subject to the Payment of Twenty Pounds per Annum for every White Woman, and Forty Pounds for every White Man, that shall be wanting to compleat the Number.

That the Purchaser of uncleared Lands shall clear and cultivate One Acre in every Twenty in each Year, until Half the Land so purchased shall be cleared; and, in Default thereof, shall pay Five Pounds per Annum for every Acre not cleared, pursuant to such Condition; and such Purchaser shall also be obliged to settle and constantly keep upon the Lot so purchased, One White Man or Two White Women for every Hundred Acres, as the same shall be cleared.

That each Purchaser shall, besides the Purchase-Money, be subject to the Payment of an Annual Quit-Rent to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, of Six-pence per Acre, under the Penalty of Five Pounds per Acre upon Non-payment thereof; such Quit-Rents, in the Case of the Purchase of cleared Lands, to commence from the Date of the Grant; and the first Payment to be made at the Expiration of the First Year; and in Case of the Purchase of the uncleared Lands, such Quit-Rents to commence at the Expiration of Twelve Months from the Time each Acre is cleared.

That in Case of Failure in the Payment of the Purchase-Money in the Manner above directed, the Purchaser shall forfeit all Right to the Lands purchased.

That no Person shall purchase at any publick Sale more than Five Hundred Acres of cleared or uncleared Lands, in the Islands of Grenada, and the Grenadines, Tobago, and St. Vincent's, and in the Island of Dominica the Quantity shall be restrained to Three Hundred Acres; and in Order to enforce this necessary and essential Regulation, that a Condition shall be inserted in every Grant, to be made in Consequence of such Purchase, that in Case any Purchase shall be made contrary thereto, so that the Property of the Purchaser in the Islands where the Lands lie, shall thereby amount to more than the above Quantity respectively, thesame shall be void, the Money paid thereon forfeited, and the consequential Grant of no Effect.

That all and every Purchaser of Lands, upon the foregoing Terms and Conditions, shall immediately, upon the Payment of the first Twenty per Cent. of the Purchase-Money, receive a Bill of Sale, signed by the said Commissioners, which shall entitle such Purchasers to a Grant of the said Lands, under the Seal of the Islands, containing the aforementioned Conditions and Reservations: Which said Purchase, and Grant in Consequence thereof, duly registered in the proper Offices, shall be good and valid in Law against Us, Our Heirs and Successors, unless the same shall be revoked: And We do hereby declare the same revocable by Our Commissioners of Our Treasury, or Our High Treasurer for the Time being, within Twelve Months from the Date thereof; in which Case such Purchase and Grant shall become void and of no Effect; and upon Notice of such Revocation, the said Commissioners shall return to such Purchaser the Money paid upon the Purchase, with legal Interest thereon, and reasonable Allowance for any Improvements made on the said Lands.

And whereas the Establishing Towns in proper Situations, within the said Islands, will conduce greatly to the Convenience of the Inhabitants, and the Benefit of Trade and Commerce; We have therefore thought fit, with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to direct a proper District in every Parish in each Island, to be laid out for that Purpose, into Lots for Tenements of different Size and Extent; and each Town-Lot to have a proportionate Allotment of Land contiguous to such Town, for a small Field or Pasture, allowing one Acre for every ten Foot in Front of the Town-Lot to which it is to be annexed; but no Field-Lot to exceed the Quantity of Six Acres.

And We do hereby further publish and declare, that such of these Town and Pasture-Lots, in each Island, as consist of Lands, which have been already cleared and improved, shall be set up to Sale by publick Auction, at a Price per Foot in Front of each Town-Lot, and a Price per Acre of the Field-Lot, to be fixed upon such Lot, by the said Commissioners, in like Manner as upon the Allotments for Plantations.

And We do further publish and declare, that the Lots, so set up to Sale by Auction, shall not be sold but upon the following Terms and Conditions; that is to say,

That the Purchase-Money, shall be paid in the same Proportion, by the like Installments and upon the same Conditions as are required in the Case of the Purchase of Allotments for Plantations.

That each Tenement shall be charged with the Payment of an Annual Ground-Rent to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, of One Penny per Foot in Front, and Sixpence per Acre, for each Acre of the Field annexed to such Tenement; the said Rents to commence at the Expiration of one Year from the Date of the Purchase, and the Purchaser to be liable to the same Penalties, in Case of Failure of the Payment of the Purchase-Money, and the Ground-Rent and Quit-Rent, as We have already required in respect to the Purchase of Allotments for Plantations.

And We do further publish and declare, that the Reservations, which We have directed to be made for Town and Pasture-Lots of uncleared Lands, shall be granted in Fee Simple by Our Governor in Chief, under the Seal of the Islands, to any Persons, who will give such Security as Our Commissioners shall approve, for building on such Town-Lots within a reasonable Time, to be fixed by Our said Commissioners; and also for Inclosing, Fencing, and properly Clearing for Pasture, the Fields that shall be granted with such Tenement.

And We do further publish and declare, that We have directed that no more than one Town-Lot be granted to any one Person, and that no more than Six Acres of Pasture-Land be annexed to such Town-Lot, whatever Number of Feet in Front it shall consist of.

That each Grantee shall be obliged, under proper Penalties, to the Payment of an Annual Ground-Rent to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, of One Penny per Foot in Front of the Town-Lot for a Tenement, and Sixpence per Acre for each Acre of the Pasture-Lot; the first Payment to be made within two Years from the Date of the Grant.

And in order the more effectually to conduce to the Peopling Our said Islands with industrious White Inhabitants, upon which their Strength and Security do essentially depend; We have thought fit, with the Advice of Our said Council, to direct a Quantity of Land, not exceeding Eight Hundred Acres, to be reserved in such Parts of every Parish in each Island respectively, as are not adapted for Sugar Plantations, for the Accommodation of poor Settlers, to be divided into Lots, of not less than Ten, not more than Thirty Acres each; And wedo hereby further publish and declare, that the said Allotments are to be granted in Fee Simple, under the Seal of Our said Islands, to such poor Protestants as shall apply for the same, in Proportion to their respective Abilities to cultivate the said Lands; and subject to the following Conditions; that is to say,

That each Grantee shall, at the Expiration of four Years from the Date of the Grant, pay a Quit-Rent to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, of Six-pence per Acre, for every Acre then cleared, and a Penalty of Two Shillings per Acre, for every Acre of Land uncleared; which said Penalty of Two Shillings per Acre shall be reduced to Six-pence per Acre, as the Land shall be cleared; and in Case of Failure of such Rent and Penalty, the Grantee shall be subject to the further Penalty of the Payment of Five Pounds for every Acre, for which such Quit-Rent shall not be paid.

That each Grantee shall enter upon and occupy the Land within Three Months from the Date of the Grant; and shall continue to occupy and improve the same, for Twelve successive Months, from the Time of such first Settlement.

That the Lands shall, for the Space of Seven Years, be unalienable by Sale, nor shall the same be let, set or assigned over during the same Term, otherwise than to the Use and Benefit of any Child or Children of such original Settler, without especial licence in Writing first had and obtained, from the Chief Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Islands for the Time being; and in Case of Failure or Default in either of the two last mentioned Conditions, the Grant to be void.

And We do hereby further publish and declare, that all Grants made of the said Allotments for poor Settlers, as also all Grants made of Town and Pasture Lots of cleared and uncleared Lands, shall be absolute and final.

That in all Grants to be made of Allotments for Plantations and Town and Pasture Lots, and of Lands for poor Settlers, there shall be a Reservation to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors of all Mines of Gold and Silver.

And We do further publish and declare, that the first Sale of Lands shall be in the Month of June next, if the Surveys can be made so soon; due Notice of which, as also of the Place of Sale, will be given by Our Commissioners appointed as aforesaid, for the Disposal of the said Lands.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-sixth Day of March, One thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, in the Fourth Year of Our Reign.

God Save the King.

A printed copy is noted in Crawford's "Handlist of Proclamations" as being in the Society of Antiquaries, but it could not be found by the present editor, who used the "London Gazette" as the source of his transcript. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 3, p. 342. Printed in "London Gazette" March 27, 1764.

[For Apprehending Destroyers of the Gaspee.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION:

For the discovering and apprehending the Persons who plundered and burnt the Gaspee Schooner; and barbarously wounded and ill treated Lieutenant William Dudingston, Commander of the said Schooner.

Whereas We have received Information, That upon the 10thDay of June last, between the Hours of Twelve and One in the Morning, in the Providence or Narrowganset River, in Our Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, a great Number of Persons, armed with Guns and other offensive Weapons and led by Two Persons, who were called the Captain and Head-Sheriff, in several armed Boats, attacked and Boarded Our Vessel called the Gaspee[1]Schooner, then lying at single Anchor in the said River, commanded by Our Lieutenant William Dudingston, under the Orders of Our Rear-Admiral John Montagu, and having dangerously wounded and barbarously treated the said William Dudingston, took, plundered and burnt the said Schooner:We, to the Intent that such outrageous and heinous Offenders may be discovered, and brought to condign Punishment, have thought fit, with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation: And We are hereby graciously pleased to promise, that if any Person or Persons shall discover any other Person or Persons concerned in the said daring and heinous Offences, above mentioned, so that he or they may be apprehended and brought to Justice, such Discoverer shall have and receive, as a Reward for such Discovery, upon Conviction of each of the said Offenders, the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds. And if any Person or Persons shall discover either of the said Persons who acted as, or called themselves, or were called by their said Accomplices, the Head-Sheriff or the Captain, so that they, or either of them, may be apprehended and brought to Punishment, such Discoverer shall have and receive, as a Reward for such Discovery, upon Conviction of either of the said Persons, the further Sum of Five Hundred pounds, over and above the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds herein before promised, for the discovery and apprehending any of the other common Offenders, abovementioned; and if any Person or Persons concerned therein, except the Two Persons who were called the Head-Sheriff, and Captain, and the Person or Persons who wounded Our said Lieutenant William Dudingston, shall discover any one or more of the said Accomplices, so that he or they may be apprehended and brought to Punishment, such Discoverer shall have and receive the said Reward or Rewards of Five Hundred Pounds, or One Thousand Pounds, as the Case may be, and also Our gracious Pardon for his said Offence. And the Commissioners for executing the Office of Treasurer of Our Exchequer, are hereby required to make Payment accordingly of the said Rewards. And We do hereby strictly charge and command all Our Governors, Deputy-Governors, Magistrates, Officers, and all other Our Loving Subjects, that they do use their utmost Diligence in their several Places and Capacities, to find out, discover and apprehend the said Offenders, in Order to their being brought to Justice. And We do hereby command that this Our Proclamation be printed and published in the usual Form,[2]and affixed in the principal Places of OurTown of Newport, and other Towns in Our said Colony, that none may pretend Ignorance.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-Sixth Day of August, 1772, in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

Printed by Solomon Southwick, Printer to the Honorable the Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations, in New-England.

1 p. folio. Copy in R. I. Historical Society. Entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 9, p. 428. Printed in "R. I. Colonial Records," vii, 107.

[1]The numerous documents relating to the burning of the Gaspee are printed inR. I. Colonial Records, vol. 7, pp. 55-192; also in R. I. Historical SocietyProceedings, 1890-91, pp. 80-92, andPublications, vol. 7, pp. 238-244.

[2]This is the only proclamation of which the editor finds record that was printed outside of Great Britain. A marginal note appended to the entry of the proclamation in the Privy Council Register (III Geo., vol. 9, p. 428) reads: "N. B. The original proclamation under the Great Seal was sent over to Rhode Island with the Commission &c by the Secretary of State." In theLondon Gazetteof September 8, 1772, an article dated at Whitehall, August 29, and evidently officially inspired, recites the circumstances of the attack upon the Gaspee, the appointment of a commission of inquiry, and the issuance of a Proclamation which was "to be printed and published within the said Colony of Rhode Island." Under date of December 22, 1772, Governor Wanton of Rhode Island wrote to the Sheriffs of the several counties: "In obedience to the King's command, signified to me, by the Right Honorable the Earl of Dartmouth, one of his principal secretaries of state, I have caused to be printed His Majesty's proclamation for discovering and apprehending the persons who plundered and burnt the Gaspee schooner; copies of which, I send you by express, which you are forthwith to affix in the most public places of the several towns within your colony" (R. I. Colonial Records, vii, 117). John Howland relates that the proclamation was posted near the Market house in Providence, but was struck down by a patriotic citizen and "mingled with the filth of the street" (Stone'sLife of Howland, p. 37).The editor could find no printed copy of this proclamation in England, but a few days after returning to America had the good fortune to discover one of the original broadsides, which was purchased for the R. I. Historical Society.

The editor could find no printed copy of this proclamation in England, but a few days after returning to America had the good fortune to discover one of the original broadsides, which was purchased for the R. I. Historical Society.

[Providing Copper Currency for Virginia.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

George R.

Whereas it hath been humbly represented to Us on the part and behalf of Our Colony of Virginia that a Currency of Copper Money within the same Colony would be highly beneficial to Our good Subjects the Inhabitants thereof for the more easy and convenient making of small Payments; And Whereas the Treasurer of Our said Colony being thereunto authorized by an Act of Our Governor Council andAssembly of Our said Colony passed in the tenth Year of Our Reign[1]hath delivered to the Master and Worker of Our Mint in Our Tower of London a sufficient quantity of Fine Copper in Barrs nealed for the Coinage of five Tons of the Pieces hereinafter mentioned after making the just and usual Allowances to the Officers of Our Mint; And Whereas Our said Master and Worker of Our Mint hath in pursuance of Our Warrant for that purpose issued Coined thereout five Tons of Pieces of Copper Coin of such Weight that Sixty Pieces thereof are equal to one Pound Weight averdupois without erring either in excess or defect above one thirtieth part and are of the value of two shillings and sixpence according to the Currency of Money in Our said Colony of Virginia And each Piece is Stamped on one side with Our effigies with the Inscription Georgius III Rex and on the reverse with the Virginia Arms with the St. Georges Cross leaving out the escutcheon of Crowns except one Crown at the Top as on the Guinea without Crest Supporters or Motto except the word Virginia round the Arms with the date of the Year which are now ready to be exported to Our said Colony of Virginia.[2]We have thereupon with the Advice of Our Privy Council thought fit to issue this Our Royal Proclamation And We do accordingly hereby Ordain declare and Command that the said Pieces of Copper Money so Coined Stamped and impressed as aforesaid shall be current and lawful Money of and in Our said Colony of Virginia and of and within the Districts and precincts of the same and shall pass and be received therein after the rate following that is to say Twenty four of the said Pieces shall pass and be received for the Sum of one shilling according to the Currency of Our said Province of Virginia and at and after such rate shall be computed accepted and taken accordingly in all Bargains Rates Payments and other Transactions of Money; Provided always and We do hereby further declare that no person shall be obliged to take more than one shilling of such Copper Money in any one Payment of any Sum of Money under twenty Shillings nor more thantwo shillings and sixpence thereof in any one payment of a larger Sum of Money than twenty shillings;

Given at Our Court at St. James's the Sixteenth day of December 1774 in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

No printed copy found. Entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 11, p. 267, from which this transcript was taken.

[1]The Virginia Assembly, in November, 1769, authorized the treasurer to purchase copper in Great Britain for the purpose of importing copper money to the colony (Hening'sStatutes, viii, 343).

[2]There are many of these Virginia copper half-pennies, dated 1773, preserved in coin collections. They answer perfectly in appearance to the above description (see Dickeson,American Numismatical Manual, p. 84, and cut on plate viii). Although dated in 1773, it was apparently not until the following year that they were ready to be exported and the proclamation enforcing their acceptance issued.

[For Suppression of Rebellion in America.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For suppressing Rebellion and Sedition.

George R.

Whereas many of Our Subjects in divers Parts of Our Colonies and Plantations in North America, misled by dangerous and ill-designing Men, and forgetting the Allegiance which they owe to the Power that has protected and sustained them, after various disorderly Acts committed in Disturbance of the Publick Peace, to the Obstruction of lawful Commerce, and to the Oppression of Our loyal Subjects carrying on the same, have at length proceeded to an open and avowed Rebellion, by arraying themselves in hostile Manner to withstand the Execution of the Law, and traitorously preparing, ordering, and levying War against Us; And whereas there is Reason to apprehend that such Rebellion hath been much promoted and encouraged by the traitorous Correspondence, Counsels, and Comfort of divers wicked and desperate Persons within this Realm: To the End therefore that none of Our Subjects may neglect or violate their Duty through Ignorance thereof, or through any Doubt of the Protection which the Law will afford to their Loyalty and Zeal; We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, hereby declaring that not only all Our Officers Civil and Military are obliged to exert their utmost Endeavoursto suppress such Rebellion, and to bring the Traitors to Justice; but that all Our Subjects of this Realm and the Dominions thereunto belonging are bound by Law to be aiding and assisting in the Suppression of such Rebellion, and to disclose and make known all traitorous Conspiracies and Attempts against Us, Our Crown and Dignity; And We do accordingly strictly charge and command all Our Officers as well Civil as Military, and all other Our obedient and loyal Subjects, to use their utmost Endeavours to withstand and suppress such Rebellion, and to disclose and make known all Treasons and traitorous Conspiracies which they shall know to be against Us, Our Crown and Dignity; and for that Purpose, that they transmit to One of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or other proper Officer, due and full Information of all Persons who shall be found carrying on Correspondence with, or in any Manner or Degree aiding or abetting the Persons now in open Arms and Rebellion against Our Government within any of Our Colonies and Plantations in North America, in order to bring to condign Punishment the Authors, Perpetrators, and Abettors of such traitorous Designs.

Given at Our Court at St. James's the Twenty-third Day of August, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1775.

1 p. folio. Copies in Mass. State Archives, Boston Public Library, and N. Y. Public Library. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 12, p. 83. Printed in "London Gazette," August 26, 1775, and in most of the colonial newspapers. It was reprinted in broadside form in Boston (copies in N. Y. Public Library, Mass. Historical Society, and Mass. State Archives), and in New York (copy in Library of Congress); for the full titles, see Evans' "American Bibliography," nos. 14077 and 14078. The original English issue has been printed in facsimile form in the Boston Public Library "Bulletin" for October, 1892, and as an artotype by Bierstadt of New York, about 1890.

[Appointing the Distribution of Prizes.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

Appointing the Distribution of Prizes taken during the Continuance of the Rebellion now subsisting in divers Parts of the Continent of North America.

George R.

Whereas by an Act, made in this present Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act to prohibit all Trade and Intercourse with the Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachuset's Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, the Three Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, during the Continuance of the present Rebellion within the said Colonies respectively; for repealing an Act, made in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, to discontinue the Landing and Discharging, Lading or Shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, at the Town and within the Harbour of Boston, in the Province of Massachuset's Bay; and also Two Acts, made in the last Session of Parliament, for restraining the Trade and Commerce of the Colonies in the said Acts respectively mentioned; and to enable any Person or Persons, appointed and authorized by His Majesty to grant Pardons, to issue Proclamations, in the Cases, and for the Purposes therein mentioned; It is, amongst other Things, enacted, That all Ships and Vessels of or belonging to the Inhabitants of the said Colonies, together with their Cargoes, Apparel, and Furniture, except as in the said Act are excepted, and all other Ships and Vessels whatsoever, together with their Cargoes, Apparel, and Furniture, which shall be found trading in any Port or Place of the said Colonies, or going to trade, or coming from trading, in any such Port or Place, except as are therein also excepted, shall become forfeited to His Majesty, as if the same were the Ships and Effects of Open Enemies, and shall be so adjudged, deemed, and taken, in all Courts ofAdmiralty, and in all other Courts whatsoever: And, for the Encouragement of the Officers and Seamen of His Majesty's Ships of War, it is thereby also further enacted, That the Flag Officers, Captains, Commanders, and other commissioned Officers in His Majesty's Pay, and also the Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers on Board, shall have the sole Interest and Property of and in all and every such Ship, Vessel, Goods, and Merchandize, which they shall seize and take, (being first adjudged lawful Prize in any of His Majesty's Courts of Admiralty) to be divided in such Proportions, and after such Manner, as His Majesty shall think fit to order and direct by Proclamation or Proclamations hereafter to be issued for those Purposes: We, taking the Premises into Consideration, do, pursuant to the said Act of Parliament, (with the Advice of Our Privy Council), by this Our Proclamation, order, direct, and appoint, That the neat Produce of all Prizes taken, in Pursuance of the said Act, by Our Ships of War, be divided into Eight equal Parts, and be distributed in Manner following; that is to say, To the Captain or Captains of any of Our Ships of War, who shall be actually on Board at the Taking of any Prize, Three Eighth Parts; but in case any such Prize shall be taken by any of Our Ship or Ships of War, under the Command of a Flag or Flags, the Flag Officer or Officers, being actually on Board, or directing and assisting in the Capture, shall have One of the said Three Eighth Parts, the said One Eighth Part to be paid to such Flag or Flag Officers, in such Proportions, and subject to such Regulations, as are herein-after for that Purpose mentioned: To the Captains of Marines and Land Forces, Sea Lieutenants and Master, on Board any such Ships, One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them: To the Lieutenants and Quarter Masters of Marines, and Lieutenants, Ensigns, and Quarter Masters of Land Forces, Boatswain, Gunner, Purser, Carpenter, Master's Mate, Chirurgeon, Pilot, and Chaplain, on Board any such Ship, One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them: To the Midshipmen, Secretary to Flag Officers, Captain's Clerk, Master Sail Maker, Carpenter's Mates, Boatswain's Mates, Gunner's Mates, Master at Arms, Corporals, Yeomen of the Sheets, Coxswain, Quarter Masters, Quarter Master's Mates, Chirurgeon's Mates, Yeomen of the Powder Room, and Serjeants of Marines or Land Forces, on Board any such Ships, One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them; To the Trumpeters, Quarter Gunners, Carpenter's Crew, Steward, Cook, Armourer,Steward's Mate, Cook's Mate, Gunsmith, Cooper, Swabber, Ordinary Trumpeter, Barber, Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and Marine or other Soldiers, and all other Persons doing Duty, or assisting on Board any such Ships, Two Eighth Parts, to be equally divided amongst them. And in case any Sea Captain, inferior Commission or Warrant Sea Officers, belonging to any Ship of War, for whom any Shares of Prizes are hereby allowed, be absent at the Time of the Capture of any Prize, the Share of such Sea Captain, inferior Commission or Warrant Sea Officer, shall be cast into the Shares hereby allowed to the Trumpeters, Quarter Gunners, Carpenter's Crew, Steward, Cook, Armourer, Steward's Mate, Cook's Mate, Gunsmith, Cooper, Swabber, Ordinary Trumpeter, Barber, Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and Marine or other Soldiers, and other Persons doing Duty, or assisting on Board any such Ships, to be equally divided amongst them. Provided, That if any Officer or Officers on Board any of Our Ships of War, at the Time of taking any such Prizes, shall have more Commissions or Offices than one, he or they shall be intitled only to the Share or Shares of the said Prizes which, according to the above-mentioned Distribution, shall belong to his or their respective superior Commissions or Offices. And We do hereby strictly enjoin all and every Commander and Commanders of any Ships of War, taking any Prize, as soon as may be, to transmit, or cause to be transmitted, to the Commissioners of Our Navy, a true List of the Names of all the Officers, Seamen, Marines, Soldiers, or others, who were actually on Board Our Ships of War, under his or their Command, at the taking such Prize; which List shall contain the Quality of the Service of each Person on Board, and be subscribed by the Captain or Commanding Officer, and Three or more of the Chief Officers on Board. And We do hereby require and direct the Commissioners of Our Navy, or any Three or more of them, to examine, or cause to be examined, such Lists by the Muster Books of such Ships of War, and Lists annexed thereto, to see that such Lists do agree with the said Muster Book, and annexed Lists, as to the Names, Qualities, or Ratings of the Officers, Seamen, Marines, Soldiers, and others belonging to such Ship of War; and, upon Request, forthwith to grant a Certificate of the Truth of any List transmitted to them, to the Agents nominated and appointed by the Captors, pursuant to the said Act, to take care or dispose of such Prize; and also, upon Application to them, to give, or causeto be given, unto the Agents who shall, at any Time or Times, be appointed as aforesaid by the Captors, all such Lists from the Muster Books of any such Ships of War, and annexed Lists, as the said Agents shall find requisite for their Direction in paying the Produce of such Prizes, and to be otherwise aiding and assisting to the said Agents, as shall be necessary. And as touching the said One Eighth Part, herein before mentioned to be granted to the Flag or Flag Officers, who shall be actually on Board at the taking of any Prize, or shall be directing and assisting therein, We have thought fit, and do, by these Presents, publish, order, and declare, That the following Regulations be observed; First, That a Flag Officer commanding in Chief, where there is but One Flag Officer upon Service, shall have to his own Use the said One Eighth Part of the Prizes taken by Ships under his Command: Secondly, That a Flag Officer sent to command at Jamaica, or elsewhere, shall have no Right to any Share of the Prizes taken, by Ships employed there, before he arrives at the Place to which he is sent, and actually takes upon him the Command: Thirdly, That when an inferior Flag Officer is sent out to reinforce a superior Flag Officer at Jamaica, or elsewhere, the said superior Flag Officer shall have no Right to any Share in the Prizes taken by them before they arrive within the Limits of his Command, and actually receive some Orders from him: Fourthly, That a Chief Flag Officer returning home from Jamaica, or elsewhere, shall have no Share of the Prizes taken by the Ships left behind to act under another Command: Fifthly, That if a Flag Officer is sent to command in the Out-ports of this Kingdom, he shall have no Share of the Prizes taken by Ships that sailed from that Port, by Order from the Admiralty: Sixthly, That when more Flag Officers than One serve together, the Eighth Part of the Prizes taken by any Ships of the Fleet, or Squadron, shall be divided in the following Proportions; videlicet, If there be but Two Flag Officers, the Chief shall have Two Third Parts of the said One Eighth Part, and the other shall have the remaining Third Part; but if the Number of Flag Officers be more than Two, the Chief shall have only One Half, and the other Half shall be divided equally among the other Flag Officers: Seventhly, That Commodores, with Captains under them, shall be esteemed as Flag Officers, with respect to their Right to an Eighth Part of Prizes taken, whether commanding in Chief, or serving under Command.

Given at our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-second Day of December, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1775.

1 p. folio. Copies in Antiq., and P. C. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 12, p. 267. Printed in "London Gazette," December 23, 1775.

[Fast Day in England.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For a general Fast.

George R.

We, taking into Our most serious Consideration the just and necessary Measures of Force which We are obliged to use against Our rebellious Subjects in Our Colonies and Provinces in North America; and putting Our Trust in Almighty God, that he will vouchsafe a Special Blessing on Our Arms, both by Sea and Land, have resolved, and do, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby command, That a Publick Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that Part of Our Kingdom of Great Britain called England, Our Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, upon Friday the Thirteenth Day of December next; that so both We and Our People may humble Ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain Pardon of Our Sins; and may, in the most devout and solemn Manner, send up Our Prayers and Supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy Judgements, which Our manifold Sins and Provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring his Intervention and Blessing speedily to deliver Our loyal Subjects within Our Colonies and Provinces in NorthAmerica from the Violence, Injustice, and Tyranny of those daring Rebels who have assumed to themselves the Exercise of Arbitrary Power, to open the Eyes of those who have been deluded by specious Falshoods, into Acts of Treason and Rebellion, to turn the Hearts of the Authors of these Calamities, and finally to restore Our People in those distracted Provinces and Colonies to the happy Condition of being free Subjects of a free State; under which heretofore they flourished so long and prospered so much: And We do strictly charge and command, that the said Publick Fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all Our loving Subjects in England, Our Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and would avoid his Wrath and Indignation; and upon Pain of such Punishment, as We may justly inflict upon all such as contemn and neglect the Performance of so religious a Duty. And for the better and more orderly solemnizing the same, We have given Directions to the most Reverend the Archbishops, and the Right Reverend the Bishops of England to compose a Form of Prayer suitable to this Occasion, to be used in all Churches, Chapels, and Places of Publick Worship; and to take Care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective Dioceses.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Thirtieth Day of October, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, in the Seventeenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXVI.

1 p. folio. Copy in B. M. Entered on Patent Rolls; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 13, p. 172. Printed in "London Gazette," November 2, 1776. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, November 7, 1776 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 13, p. 174).

[Fast Day in Scotland.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For a General Fast.

George R.

We taking into Our most serious Consideration the just and necessary Measures of Force, which We are obliged to use against Our rebellious Subjects in Our Colonies and Provinces in North America, and putting Our Trust in Almighty God that he will vouchsafe a special Blessing on Our Arms both by Sea and Land, have resolved, and do, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby command, That a Publick Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that Part of Our Kingdom of Great Britain called Scotland, upon Thursday the Twelfth Day of December next, that so both We and Our People may humble Ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain Pardon of Our Sins, and may, in the most devout and solemn Manner, send up Our Prayers and Supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy Judgments which Our manifold Sins and Provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring His Intervention and Blessing speedily to deliver Our Loyal Subjects within Our Colonies and Provinces in North America, from the Violence, Injustice, and Tyranny of those daring Rebels, who have assumed to themselves the Exercise of Arbitrary Power; to open the Eyes of those who have been deluded by specious Falsehoods into Acts of Treason and Rebellion; to turn the Hearts of the Authors of these Calamities; and finally to restore Our People, in those distracted Provinces and Colonies, to the happy Condition of being Free Subjects of a Free State, under which heretofore they flourished so long, and prospered so much. And We do strictly charge and command, that the said Publick Fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all Our loving Subjects in Scotland, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and would avoid His Wrath and Indignation, and upon Pain of such Punishment as we may justly inflict on all suchas contemn and neglect the Performance of so Religious a Duty. Our Will is therefore, and We charge, That incontinent this Our Proclamation seen, ye pass to the Market Cross of Edinburgh, and all other Places needful, and there, in Our Name and Authority, make Publication hereof, that none pretend Ignorance. And Our Will and Pleasure is, That Our Solicitor do cause printed Copies hereof to be sent to the Sheriffs of the several Shires, Stewarts of Stewarties, and Bailiffs of Regalities, and their Clerks, whom We ordain to see the same published: And We appoint them to send Doubles hereof to the several Paroch Kirks within their Bounds, that upon the Lord's Day immediately preceding the Day abovementioned, the same may be published and read from the Pulpits, immediately after Divine Service.

Given at Our Court at St. James's the Thirtieth Day of October, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, in the Seventeenth Year of Our Reign.

God Save the King.

No printed copy found. Entered on Patent Rolls; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 13, p. 173. Printed in "London Gazette," November 2, 1776.

[Fast Day in England.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For a general Fast.

George R.

We, taking into Our most serious Consideration the just and necessary Measures of Force which We are obliged to use against Our Rebellious Subjects in Our Colonies and Provinces in North America; and putting Our Trust in Almighty God, that He will vouchsafe a special Blessing on Our Arms, both by Sea and Land, have resolved, and do, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby command, That a Publick Fast and Humiliation be observed throughoutthat Part of Our Kingdom of Great Britain called England, Our Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, upon Friday the Twenty-seventh Day of February next; that so both We and Our People may humble Ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain Pardon of Our Sins; and may, in the most devout and solemn Manner, send up Our Prayers and Supplications to the Divine Majesty for averting those heavy Judgements, which Our manifold Sins and Provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring his Intervention and Blessing speedily to deliver Our loyal Subjects within Our Colonies and Provinces in North America from the Violence, Injustice, and Tyranny of those daring Rebels who have assumed to themselves the Exercise of Arbitrary Power, to open the Eyes of those who have been deluded by specious Falsehoods into Acts of Treason and Rebellion, to turn the Hearts of the Authors of these Calamities, and finally to restore Our People in those distracted Provinces and Colonies to the happy Condition of being free Subjects of a free State, under which heretofore they flourished so long and prospered so much: And We do strictly charge and command, That the said Publick Fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all Our loving Subjects in England, Our Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and would avoid his Wrath and Indignation; and upon Pain of such Punishment as We may justly inflict on all such as contemn and neglect the Performance of so religious a Duty. And for the better and more orderly solemnizing the same, We have given Directions to the Most Reverend the Archbishops, and the Right Reverend the Bishops of England, to compose a Form of Prayer suitable to this Occasion, to be used in all Churches, Chapels, and Places of Publick Worship; and to take Care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective Dioceses.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-third Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXVIII.

1 p. folio. Copy in P. C. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12, entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 14, p. 458. Printed in "London Gazette," January 24, 1778. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, January 31, 1775 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 14, p. 461).

[Fast Day in Scotland.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For a General Fast.

George R.

We, taking into Our most serious Consideration the just and necessary Measures of Force which We are obliged to use against Our Rebellious Subjects in Our Colonies and Provinces in North America; and putting Our Trust in Almighty God, that He will vouchsafe a special Blessing on Our Arms, both by Sea and Land, have resolved, and do, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby command, That a Publick Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that Part of Our Kingdom of Great Britain called Scotland, upon Thursday the Twenty sixth Day of February next; that so both We and Our People may humble Ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain Pardon of Our Sins; and may, in the most devout and solemn Manner, send up Our Prayers and Supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy Judgments, which Our manifold Sins and Provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring His Intervention and Blessing, speedily to deliver Our loyal Subjects, within Our Colonies and Provinces in North America, from the Violence, Injustice and Tyranny of those daring Rebels, who have assumed to themselves the Exercise of Arbitrary Power; to open the Eyes of those whohave been deluded by specious Falsehoods into Acts of Treason and Rebellion; to turn the Hearts of the Authors of these Calamities; and finally to restore Our People in those distracted Provinces and Colonies to the happy Condition of being Free Subjects of a Free State, under which heretofore they flourished so long and prospered so much. And We do strictly charge and command, That the said Publick Fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all Our loving Subjects in Scotland, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and would avoid His Wrath and Indignation; and upon Pain of such Punishment as We may justly inflict on all such as contemn and neglect the Performance of so religious a Duty. Our Will is therefore, and We charge, That incontinent this Our Proclamation seen, ye pass to the Market Cross of Edinburgh, and all other Places needful, and there, in Our Name and Authority, make Publication hereof, that none pretend Ignorance. And Our Will and Pleasure is, That Our Solicitor do cause printed Copies hereof to be sent to the Sheriffs of the several Shires, Stewarts of Stewarties, and Bailif's of Regalities, and their Clerks, whom We ordain to see the same published; and We appoint them to send Doubles hereof to the several Paroch Kirks within their Bounds, that upon the Lord's Day immediately preceding the Day above mentioned, the same may be published and read from the Pulpits immediately after Divine Service.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-third Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

No printed copy found. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 14, p. 460. Printed in "London Gazette," January 24, 1778.

[Regarding the Distribution of Prizes.]

BY THE KING.

A PROCLAMATION

For granting the Distribution of Prizes during the present Hostilities.

George R.

Whereas, by Our Order in Council dated the Twenty-ninth Day of July last, We have ordered that general Reprisals be granted against the Ships, Goods, and Subjects of the French King, and that as well Our Fleets and Ships, as also all other Ships and Vessels that shall be commissionated by Letters of Marque, or general Reprisals, or otherwise, by Our Commissioners for executing Our Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all Ships, Vessels and Goods, belonging to the French King, and bring the same to Judgement in any of Our Courts of Admiralty within Our Dominions: We, being desirous to give due Encouragement to all Our faithful Subjects who shall lawfully seize the same, and having declared in Council, by Our Order of the Seventh of last Month, Our Intentions concerning the Distribution of all Manner of Captures, Seizures, Prizes and Reprisals, of all Ships and Goods, during the present Hostilities, do now make known to all Our loving Subjects, and all others whom it may concern, by this Our Proclamation, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, that Our Will and Pleasure is, That the Neat Produce of all Prizes taken, the Right whereof is inherent in Us, and Our Crown, be given to the Takers in the Proportion and Manner of Proceeding herein-after set forth: that is to say, That all Prizes taken by Ships and Vessels having Commissions of Letters of Marque and Reprisals, may be sold and disposed of by the Merchants, Owners, Fitters, and others to whom such Letters of Marque and Reprisals are granted, for their own Use and Benefit, after final Adjudication, and not before. And We do hereby further Order and direct, that the Neat Produce of all Prizes which are or shall be taken by any of Our Ships or Vessels of War, shall be for the entire Benefit and Encouragement of Our Flag Officers, Captains,Commanders, and other Commissioned Officers in Our Pay, and of the Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, on Board Our said Ships and Vessels at the Time of the Capture; and that such Prizes may be lawfully sold and disposed of by them and their Agents, after the same shall have been to Us finally adjudged lawful Prize, and not otherwise. The Distribution shall be made as follows; the Whole of the Neat Produce being first divided into Eight equal Parts;

The Captain or Captains of any of Our said Ships and Vessels of War, who shall be actually on Board at the Taking of any Prize, shall have Three Eighth Parts; but in case any such Prize shall be taken by any of Our Ships or Vessels of War, under the Command of a Flag or Flags, the Flag Officer or Officers being actually on Board or directing and assisting in the Capture, shall have One of the said Three Eighth Parts; the said One Eighth Part to be paid to such Flag or Flag Officers in such Proportions, and subject to such Regulations, as are herein-after mentioned:

The Captains of Marines and Land Forces, Sea Lieutenants, and Master on Board, shall have One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them:

The Lieutenants and Quarter Masters of Marines, and Lieutenants, Ensigns, and Quarter Masters of Land Forces, Secretaries of Admirals or of Commodores, with Captains under them, Boatswains, Gunners, Purser, Carpenter, Master's Mates, Chirurgeon, Pilot, and Chaplain on Board, shall have One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them:

The Midshipmen, Captain's Clerk, Master Sailmaker, Carpenter's Mates, Boatswain's Mates, Gunner's Mates, Master at Arms, Corporals, Yeomen of the Sheets, Cockswain, Quarter Masters, Quarter Masters Mates, Chirurgeon's Mates, Yeomen of the Powder Room, Serjeants of Marines, and Land Forces on Board, shall have One Eighth Part, to be equally divided amongst them:

The Trumpeters, Quarter Gunners, Carpenter's Crew, Stewards, Cook, Armourer, Steward's Mate, Cook's Mate, Gunsmith, Cooper, Swabber, Ordinary Trumpeter, Barber, Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and Marines, and other Soldiers, and all other Persons doing Duty and assisting on Board, shall have Two Eighth Parts, to be equally divided amongst them:

Provided, That if any Officer being on Board any of Our Ships of War, at the Time of taking any Prize, shall have moreCommissions or Offices than One, such Officer shall be intitled only to the Share or Shares of the Prizes which, according to the above-mentioned Distribution, shall belong to his superior Commission or Office. And We do hereby strictly enjoin all Commanders of Our Ships and Vessels of War taking any Prize, as soon as may be, to transmit, or cause to be transmitted, to the Commissioners of Our Navy, a true List of the Names of all the Officers, Seamen, Marines, Soldiers, and others, who were actually on Board Our Ships and Vessels of War under their Command at the Time of the Capture; which List shall contain the Quality of the Service of each Person on Board, and be subscribed by the Captain or Commanding Officer, and Three or more of the Chief Officers on Board. And we do hereby require and direct the Commissioners of Our Navy, or any Three or more of them, to examine, or cause to be examined, such Lists by the Muster Books of such Ships and Vessels of War, and Lists annexed thereto, to see that such Lists do agree with the said Muster Books and annexed Lists, as to the Names, Qualities, or Ratings of the Officers, Seamen, Marines, Soldiers, and others belonging to such Ships and Vessels of War, and upon Request forthwith to grant a Certificate of the Truth of any List transmitted to them, to the Agents nominated and appointed by the Captors, to take care and dispose of such Prize; and also upon Application to them (the said Commissioners) they shall give, or cause to be given, to the said Agents, all such Lists from the Muster Books of any such Ships of War, and annexed Lists, as the said Agents shall find requisite for their Direction in paying the Produce of such Prizes, and otherwise shall be aiding and assisting to the said Agents in all such Matters as shall be necessary. We do hereby further will and direct, that the following Regulations shall be observed concerning the One Eighth Part herein-before mentioned to be granted to the Flag, or Flag Officers, who shall actually be on Board at the taking of any Prize, or shall be directing or assisting therein: First, That a Flag Officer, Commander in Chief, when there is but One Flag Officer upon Service, shall have to his own Use the said One Eighth Part of the Prizes taken by Ships and Vessels under his Command: Secondly, That a Flag Officer, sent to command at Jamaica, or elsewhere, shall have no Right to any Share of Prizes taken by Ships or Vessels employed there, before he arrives at the Place to which he is sent, and actually takes upon him the Command: Thirdly, That when an inferior Flag Officer is sentout to reinforce a superior Flag Officer at Jamaica, or elsewhere, the superior Flag Officer shall have no Right to any Share or Prizes taken by the inferior Flag Officer, before the inferior Flag Officer shall arrive within the Limits of the Command of the superior Flag Officer, and actually receive some Order from him: Fourthly, That a Chief Flag Officer returning home from Jamaica, or elsewhere, shall have no Share of the Prizes taken by the Ships or Vessels left behind to act under another Command: Fifthly, That if a Flag Officer is sent to command in the Out-ports of this Kingdom, he shall have no Share of the Prizes taken by Ships or Vessels which have sailed from that Port by Order from the Admiralty: Sixthly, That when more Flag Officers than One serve together, the Eighth Part of the Prizes taken by any Ships or Vessels of the Fleet or Squadron, shall be divided in the following Proportions; viz. If there be but Two Flag Officers, the Chief shall have Two Third Parts of the said One Eighth Part, and the other shall have the remaining Third Part; but if the Number of Flag Officers be more than Two, the Chief shall have only One Half, and the other Half shall be equally divided amongst the other Flag Officers: Seventhly, That Commodores with Captains under them shall be esteemed as Flag Officers with respect to the Eighth Part of Prizes taken, whether commanding in Chief or serving under Command. And We do hereby further order, That in the Case of Cutters, Schooners, and other armed Vessels commanded by Lieutenants, the Share of such Lieutenants shall be Three Eighth Parts of the Prize, unless such Lieutenants shall be under the Command of a Flag Officer or Officers; in which Case the Flag Officer or Officers shall have One of the said Three Eighths, to be divided among such Flag Officer or Flag Officers in the Manner herein-before directed in the Case of Captains serving under Flag Officers: Secondly, We direct that the Share of the Master or other Person acting as Second in Command, and the Pilot, (if there happens to be One on Board) shall be One Eighth Part, to be divided into Three equal Parts; of which Two Thirds shall go to the Master, or other Person acting as Second in Command, and the remaining One Third to the Pilot; but if there is no Pilot, then such Eighth Part to go wholly to the Master or Person acting as Second in Command: That the Share of the Chirurgeon, or Chirurgeon's Mate, (where there is no Chirurgeon) Midshipmen, and Clerk and Steward, shall be One Eighth; That the Share of the Boatswain's, Gunner's, andCarpenter's Mates, Yeomen of the Sheets, Sailmaker, Quarter Master, and Quarter Master's Mate, shall be One Eighth; and the Share of the Seamen, Marines, and other Persons on Board, assisting in the Capture, shall be Two Eighth Parts. But it is Our Intention nevertheless, that the above Distribution shall only extend to such Captures as shall be made by any Cutter, Schooner, or armed Vessel, without any of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War being present or within Sight of, and adding to the Encouragement of the Captors, and Terror of the Enemy: But in Case any of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War shall be present, or in Sight, that then the Officers, Pilots, Petty Officers, and Men on Board such Cutters and Schooners, or armed Vessels, shall share in the same Proportion as is allowed to Persons of the like Rank and Denomination on Board His Majesty's Ships and Vessels of War. Lastly, it is Our Will and Pleasure, That this Our Declaration, and Order in Council thereupon, shall extend not only to Captures from the French King, his Subjects, and others inhabiting his Countries, but also shall extend in the like Manner to all Ships and Goods now taken, and not finally adjudged and condemned, and divided, or to be taken hereafter, under the Act of Parliament of the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign, whereby it is enacted, That, for the Encouragement of Our Officers of Our Ships of War, the Flag Officers, Captains, Commanders, and other Commissioned Officers in Our Pay, and the Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers on Board, shall have the sole Interest and Property of and in all and every such Ships and Goods as therein are recited, which they shall seize and take; but being first adjudged, that is to say, finally adjudged lawful Prize, and which are by the said Act declared forfeited to Us, and to be divided and disposed of in such Proportion and after such Manner as We, Our Heirs and Successors, shall by Proclamation or Proclamations order and direct.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Sixteenth Day of September, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1778.

1 p. folio. Copies in Antiq., and P. C.; also in John Carter Brown Library. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 15, p. 515. Printed in "London Gazette," September 19, 1778.

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