[1] This proclamation was issued by the Lords Justices in the absence of the King, who from May to October, 1740, was at Hanover endeavoring to secure the allegiance to England of Frederick the Great.
[2] 1739-40. War had been declared with Spain, October 19, 1739.
[1741, June 18.]
[Regulating Distribution of Prizes.]
BY THE LORDS JUSTICES.
A DECLARATION
Appointing the Distribution or Prizes taken by Way of Reprizal before His Majesty's Declaration of War.
| Wilmington, P. | Devonshire, | Montagu, | Cha. Wager.[1] |
| Dorset, | Holles Newcastle, | Pembroke, |
His Majesty having, on the Tenth Day of July, One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine, taken into His serious Consideration the many and repeated Depredations which had been committed, and the many unjust Seizures which had been made in the West Indies, and elsewhere, by Spanish Guarda Costas, and Ships acting under the Commissions of the King of Spain, or his Governors, contrary to the Law of Nations, and in Violation of the Treaties subsisting between the Crown of Great Britain and Spain, whereby His Majesty's trading Subjects had sustained great Losses; and His Majesty having determined to take such Measures as were necessary for vindicating the Honour of His Crown, and for procuring Reparation and Satisfaction to His injured Subjects, was pleased, by and with the Advice of His Privy Council, upon the said Tenth Day of July, to order that General Reprizals should be granted against the Ships, Goods, and Subjects of the King of Spain; so that, as well His Majesty's Fleet and Ships, as also all other Ships and Vessels that should be commissionated by Letters of Marque or General Reprizals, or otherwise, by His Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, should and might lawfully seize all Ships, Vessels, and Goods belonging to the King of Spain, or his Subjects, or others inhabiting within any the Territories of the King of Spain, and bring the same to Judgement in any of the Courts of Admiralty within His Majesty's Dominions: