[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged with the French King, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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 Public Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that Part of Great Britain called England, Our Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, upon Wednesday the Tenth 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 imploring His Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms; and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: And We do strictly Charge and Command, That the said Public 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 Painof such Punishment as We may justly inflict on all such as contemn and neglect the Performance of so religious and necessary 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 Public Worship; and to take Care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective Dioceses.
Given at Our Court at St. James's, the First Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Nineteenth 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. 16, p. 181. Printed in "London Gazette," January 2, 1779. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, January 11, 1779 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 16, p. 184).
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged with the French King, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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, on Tuesday the Ninth Day of Februarynext; 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 imploring his Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: 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 and necessary 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 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 First Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Nineteenth Year of Our Reign.
God Save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXIX.
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. 16, p. 182. Printed in "London Gazette," January 2, 1779.
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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 Fourth 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 imploring his Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: 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 and necessary 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 totake care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective Dioceses.
Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Thirteenth of December, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Twentieth Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXIX.
1 p. folio. Copy in P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 17, p. 453. Printed in "London Gazette," December 14, 1779. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, December 24, 1779 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 17, p. 455).
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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, on Thursday the Third 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 Prayersand Supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy Judgments which Our manifold Sins and Provocations have most justly deserved, and imploring His Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: 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 and necessary 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 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 Thirteenth Day of December, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Twentieth 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. 17, p. 454. Printed in "London Gazette," December 14, 1779.
[Relations of England to Holland.]
MANIFESTO.
George R.
Through the whole Course of Our Reign, Our Conduct towards the States General of the United Provinces has been that of a sincere Friend and faithful Ally. Had they adhered to those wise Principles which used to govern the Republic, they must have shewn themselves equally sollicitous to maintain the Friendship which has so long subsisted between the two Nations, and which is essential to the Interests of both: But from the Prevalence of a Faction devoted to France, and following the Dictates of that Court, a very different Policy has prevailed. The Return made to Our Friendship, for some Time past, has been an open Contempt of the most solemn Engagements, and a repeated Violation of Public Faith.
On the Commencement of the Defensive War, in which We found Ourselves engaged by the Aggression of France, We shewed a tender Regard for the Interests of the States General, and a Desire of securing to their Subjects every Advantage of Trade, consistent with the great and just Principle of Our own Defence. Our Ambassador was instructed to offer a friendly Negotiation, to obviate every Thing that might lead to disagreeable Discussion; and to this Offer, solemnly made by him to the States General, the 2d of November, 1778, no Attention was paid.
After the Number of Our Enemies increased by the Aggression of Spain, equally unprovoked with that of France, We found it necessary to call upon the States General for the Performance of their Engagements. The Fifth Article of the perpetual Defensive Alliance between Our Crown and the States General, concluded at Westminster the 3d of March, 1678, besides the general Engagement for Succours, expressly stipulates, "That that Party of the two Allies that is not attacked, shall be obliged to break with the Aggressor in two Months after the Party attacked shall require it." Yet two Years have passed, without the least Assistance given to Us, without a single Syllable in Answer to Our repeated Demands.
So totally regardless have the States been of their Treatieswith Us, that they readily promised Our Enemies to observe a Neutrality, in direct Contradiction to those Engagements; and whilst they have withheld from Us the Succours they were bound to furnish, every secret Assistance has been given the Enemy; and Inland Duties have been taken off, for the sole Purpose of facilitating the Carriage of Naval Stores to France.
In direct and open Violation of Treaty, they suffered an American Pirate to remain several Weeks in one of their Ports; and even permitted a Part of his Crew to mount Guard in a Fort in the Texel.
In the East-Indies, the Subjects of the States General, in Concert with France, have endeavoured to raise up Enemies against Us.
In the West-Indies, particularly at St. Eustatius, every Protection and Assistance has been given to Our Rebellious Subjects. Their Privateers are openly received in the Dutch Harbours; allowed to refit there; supplied with Arms and Ammunition; their Crews recruited; their Prizes brought in and sold; and all this in direct Violation of as clear and solemn Stipulations as can be made.
This Conduct, so inconsistent with all good Faith, so repugnant to the Sense of the wisest Part of the Dutch Nation, is chiefly to be ascribed to the Prevalence of the leading Magistrates of Amsterdam, whose secret Correspondence with Our Rebellious Subjects was suspected, long before it was made known by the fortunate Discovery of a Treaty, the first Article of which is:
"There shall be a firm, inviolable and universal Peace, and sincere Friendship, between their High Mightinesses the Estates of the Seven United Provinces of Holland, and the United States of North America, and the Subjects and People of the said Parties; and between the Countries, Islands, Cities, and Towns, situated under the Jurisdiction of the said United States of Holland, and the said United States of America, and the People and Inhabitants thereof, of every Degree, without Exception of Persons or Places."
This Treaty was signed in September, 1778, by the express Order of the Pensionary of Amsterdam, and other principal Magistrates of that City. They now not only avow the whole Transaction, but glory in it, and expressly say, even to the States General, that what they did "was what their indispensable Duty required."
In the mean Time, the States General declined to give any Answer to the Memorial presented by Our Ambassador; and this Refusal was aggravated by their proceeding upon other Business, nay upon the Consideration of this very Subject to internal Purposes; and while they found it impossible to approve the Conduct of their Subjects, they still industriously avoided to give Us the Satisfaction so manifestly due.
We had every Right to expect, that such a Discovery would have roused them to a just Indignation at the Insult offered to Us, and to themselves; and that they would have been eager to give Us full and ample Satisfaction for the Offence, and to inflict the severest Punishment upon the Offenders. The Urgency of the Business made an instant Answer essential to the Honour and Safety of this Country.[1]The Demand was accordingly pressed by Our Ambassador in repeated Conferences with the Ministers, and in a Second Memorial: It was pressed with all the Earnestness which could proceed from Our ancient Friendship, and the Sense of recent Injuries; and the Answer now given to a Memorial on such a Subject, delivered about Five Weeks ago, is,That the States have taken it ad referendum. Such an Answer, upon such an Occasion, could only be dictated by the fixt Purpose of Hostility meditated, and already resolved, by the States, induced by the offensive Councils of Amsterdam thus to countenance the hostile Aggression, which the Magistrates of that City have made in the Name of the Republic.
There is an End of the Faith of all Treaties with Them, if Amsterdam may usurp the Sovereign Power, may violate those Treaties with Impunity, by pledging the States to Engagements directly contrary, and leaguing the Republic with the Rebels of a Sovereign to whom she is bound by the closest Ties. An Infraction of the Law of Nations, by the meanest Member of any Country, gives the injured State a Right to demand Satisfaction and Punishment: How much more so, when the Injury complained of is a flagrant Violation of Public Faith, committed by leading and predominantMembers in the State? Since then the Satisfaction we have demanded is not given, We must, though most reluctantly, do Ourselves that Justice which We cannot otherwise obtain: We must consider the States General as Parties in the Injury which they will not repair, as Sharers in the Aggression which they refuse to punish, and must act accordingly. We have therefore ordered Our Ambassador to withdraw from the Hague, and shall immediately pursue such vigorous Measures as the Occasion fully justifies, and Our Dignity and the essential Interests of Our People require.
From a Regard to the Dutch Nation at large, We wish it were possible to direct those Measures wholly against Amsterdam; but this cannot be, unless the States General will immediately declare, that Amsterdam shall, upon this Occasion, receive no Assistance from them, but be left to abide the Consequences of it's Aggression.
Whilst Amsterdam is suffered to prevail in the general Councils, and is backed by the Strength of the State, it is impossible to resist the Aggression of so considerable a Part, without contending with the Whole. But We are too sensible of the common Interests of both Countries not to remember, in the Midst of such a Contest, that the only Point to be aimed at by Us, is to raise a Disposition in the Councils of the Republic to return to our ancient Union, by giving Us that Satisfaction for the past, and Security for the future, which We shall be as ready to receive as They can be to offer, and to the Attainment of which We shall direct all Our Operations. We mean only to provide for Our own Security, by defeating the dangerous Designs that have been formed against Us. We shall ever be disposed to return to Friendship with the States General, when they sincerely revert to that System which the Wisdom of their Ancestors formed, and which has now been subverted by a powerful Faction, conspiring with France against the true Interests of the Republic, no less than against those of Great Britain.
St. James's, December 20, 1780.
G. R.
No printed copy found, except as published in the "London Gazette Extraordinary," December 21, 1780, from which this transcript was taken.
[1]The Privy Council, by an order of April 17, 1780, declared that whereas the United Provinces had not lived up to the terms of their alliance with Great Britain, they should henceforth be considered a neutral power not privileged by treaty. On the same date as the publication of the Manifesto, December 20, 1780, the Council ordered that general reprisals should be granted against the ships of the United Provinces (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 18). On December 27, 1780, the King issued a proclamation providing for the distribution of the prizes during the hostilities with the United Provinces, which is not here printed since it remotely concerns America.
[1]The Privy Council, by an order of April 17, 1780, declared that whereas the United Provinces had not lived up to the terms of their alliance with Great Britain, they should henceforth be considered a neutral power not privileged by treaty. On the same date as the publication of the Manifesto, December 20, 1780, the Council ordered that general reprisals should be granted against the ships of the United Provinces (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 18). On December 27, 1780, the King issued a proclamation providing for the distribution of the prizes during the hostilities with the United Provinces, which is not here printed since it remotely concerns America.
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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 Wednesday the Twenty-first 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 imploring His Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity to Us and Our Kingdoms. 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 and necessary 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 Twelfth of January, One thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, in the Twenty-first Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXXI.
1 p. folio. Copies in P. C., and P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 19, p. 31. Printed in "London Gazette," January 13, 1781. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, January 22, 1781 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 19, p. 34).
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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, on Thursday the Twenty-second 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 Provocationshave most justly deserved, and imploring his Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: And We do stricly 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 and necessary 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 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 Twelfth Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, in the Twenty-first Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXXI.
1 p. folio. Copy in P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 19, p. 33. Printed in "London Gazette," January 13, 1781.
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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 Eighth 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 imploring His Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity to Us and Our Kingdoms: 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 and necessary 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 Ninth Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, in the Twenty-second Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXXII.
1 p. folio. Copies in P. C., and P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 20, p. 124. Printed in "London Gazette," January 12, 1782. A proclamation with practically the same wording was issued by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, January 17, 1782 (copy in Dublin P. R. O.), in consequence of an order of the Privy Council (Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 20, p. 126).
[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 Hostilities in which We are engaged, and the unnatural Rebellion carrying on in some of Our Provinces and Colonies 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, on Thursday the 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 andProvocations have most justly deserved, and imploring His Blessing and Assistance on Our Arms, and for restoring and perpetuating Peace, Safety, and Prosperity, to Us and Our Kingdoms: 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 and necessary 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 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 Ninth Day of January, One thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, in the Twenty-second Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. MDCCLXXXII.
1 p. folio. Copy in P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 20, p. 125. Printed in "London Gazette," January 12, 1782.
[Declaring Cessation of Arms.]
BY THE KING.
A PROCLAMATION
Declaring the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty, the Most Christian King, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, and enjoining the Observance thereof.
George R.
Whereas Provisional Articles were signed at Paris, on the Thirtieth Day of November last, between Our Commissioner for treating of Peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America and the Commissioners of the said States, to be inserted in and to constitute the Treaty of Peace proposed to be concluded between Us and the said United States, when Terms of Peace should be agreed upon between Us and his Most Christian Majesty:[1]And whereas Preliminaries for restoring Peace between Us and His Most Christian Majesty were signed at Versailles on the Twentieth Day of January last, by the Ministers of Us and the Most Christian King: And whereas Preliminaries for restoring Peace between Us and the King of Spain were also signed at Versailles on the Twentieth Day of January last, between the Ministers of Us and the King of Spain: And whereas, for putting an End to the Calamity of War as soon and as far as may be possible, it hath been agreed between Us, his Most Christian Majesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, as follows; that is to say,
That such Vessels and Effects as should be taken in the Channel and in the North Seas, after the Space of Twelve Days, to be computed from the Ratification of the said Preliminary Articles, should be restored on all Sides; That theTerm should be One Month from the Channel and the North Seas as far as the Canary Islands inclusively, whether in the Ocean or in the Mediterranean; Two Months from the said Canary Islands as far as the Equinoctial Line or Equator; and lastly, Five Months in all other Parts of the World, without any Exception, or any other more particular Description of Time or Place.
And whereas the Ratifications of the said Preliminary Articles between Us and the Most Christian King, in due Form, were exchanged by the Ministers of Us and of the Most Christian King, on the Third Day of this instant February; and the Ratifications of the said Preliminary Articles between Us and the King of Spain were exchanged between the Ministers of Us and of the King of Spain, on the Ninth Day of this instant February; from which Days respectively the several Terms above-mentioned, of Twelve Days, of One Month, of Two Months, and of Five Months, are to be computed: And whereas it is Our Royal Will and Pleasure that the Cessation of Hostilities between Us and the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, should be agreeable to the Epochs fixed between Us and the Most Christian King:
We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to notify the same to all Our loving Subjects; and We do declare, that Our Royal Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby strictly charge and command all Our Officers, both at Sea and Land, and all other Our Subjects whatsoever, to forbear all Acts of Hostility, either by Sea or Land, against His Most Christian Majesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, their Vassals or Subjects, from and after the respective Times above-mentioned, and under the Penalty of incurring Our highest Displeasure.
Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Fourteenth Day of February, in the Twenty-third Year of Our Reign, and in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
God save the King.
London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1783.
1 p. folio. Copies in P. C., and P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 21, p. 181. Printed in "London Gazette," February 15, 1783, and in many of the American newspapers. Reprinted by James Rivington at New York, 1783, as a broadside, a copy of which is in the N. Y. Public Library. There is also a lithographic facsimile in the Emmet Collection in the N. Y. Public Library.
[1]The text of the Provisional Articles of November 30, 1782, can be found inTreaties and Conventions(1889), p. 370.
[1]The text of the Provisional Articles of November 30, 1782, can be found inTreaties and Conventions(1889), p. 370.