FOOTNOTE:
[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.
[1781, January 12.]
[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).
[1781, January 12.]
[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 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 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.
[1782, January 9.]
[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).
[1782, January 9.]
[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 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 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.
[1783, February 14.]
[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 the Term 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.