By the King and Queen, A PROCLAMATION For Prohibiting Seamen from Deserting Their Majesty's Service.  
WILLIAM R.  
WHereas the King and Queen's most Excellent Majesties have occasion to Employ Their Royal Navy for the Honour and Safety of Their Majesty's Realms and Dominions, in carrying on a War against the French King; And whereas by the Laws of this Realm, every Mariner, Seaman and Soldier receiving Press-Money to Serve the King in any of His Ships, and after refusing to Serve, or absenting himself at the Time and Place appointed unto him for His Service, doth incur Danger and Penalty of Felony, and is to be Punished and Forfeit as a Felon; Nevertheless His Majesty is Informed, that several Mariners, Seamen and Soldiers, Pressed for His Service, and having received Press-Money, do neglect to Repair to, and Desert the said Service, whereby Their Majesty's Ships may be unfurnished, and Their Service disappointed, to the Dishonour of Their Majesties, and Danger of Their People, especially in this Time, when the French have already Invaded Their Majesty's Dominions, and are Preparing to Deprive Their Subjects of their Privilege of Trade and other Interests.  
Their Majesties therefore in Their Princely Wisdom, foreseeing the Inconveniences which may ensue, have thought fit, with the Advice of Their Privy Council, to Publish Their Majesty's Royal Proclamation, and do hereby straight Charge and Command all Mariners, Seamen and Soldiers, who are or shall hereafter be Pressed for Their Service in any Ships or Vessels belonging to the said Navy, and have received, or shall receive Press-Money for that purpose, that they duly repair and come to the Places, and at the Times appointed unto them, and there continue in the Service unto which they are or shall be respectively Commanded, upon Pain of Death, and all such other Pains, Penalties and Forfeitures, as by the Law can be Inflicted or Imposed upon them. And for the speédy and effectual Prosecution of such Offenders, Their Majesties have thought fit, and do intend forthwith to Issue Commissions of Oyer and Terminer, for their Legal Trial and Punishment according to justice: And for the better Execution of this Their Royal Intention, do hereby Charge and Command all and singular Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants, Mayors, Sheriffs, justices of the Peace, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and other Their Majesty's Officers, Ministers and Subjects whatsoever within this Realm, with all Care and Diligence to make Search for, Discover, and Apprehend all and every Person and Persons offending as aforesaid, and such as shall be Apprehended, forthwith to Commit, or cause to be Committed to the next Goal of the County, City or Place where they shall be so Apprehended, there to remain until they shall be duly Proceeded against, and Delivered by Course of Law. And that the Names of the Persons so Apprehended and Committed, be forthwith sent to Their Majesties, or the Privy Council, that Care may be taken for their speedy Prosecution accordingly.  
Given at Our Palace of Hampton-Court the Twenty Ninth day of April, 1689. In the First Year of Our Reign.  
God Save King WILLIAM and Queen MARY.   

LONDON, Printed by Charles Bill, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the King and Queen's Most Excellent Majesties. MDCLXXXIX.