royal blazon or coat of arms C R HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE BY THE KING. ΒΆ A Proclamation for repealing and making void of all Letters of Marque or reprisal, and Commissions of that nature, granted before the first of July, in the 18th year of His majesty's reign. WHEREAS at several times before the first day of July in the Eighteenth year of Our reign, several Letters of Marque or reprisal and Commissions of that nature, have been granted to several Persons under Our Great seal of England, or under the seal of Our Admiralty, giving them power thereby to set forth to Sea one or more ship or ships Equipped, Victualled and Manned in Warlike manner, and therewith to take, seize, or surprise the Ships Goods and Merchandizes of such Persons, countries, or States as are limited or mentioned in the said Commissions, for the satisfaction and reimbursement of such Person or Persons to whom such Commissions were granted, of and for the Losses and damage which they had sustained at Sea or in foreign Parts; and in particular such Letters of Marque or reprisal, or a Commission of that nature, was granted before the said first day of July, unto one Gregory Clements of London Merchant, and his Partners or Associates. And whereas the said Gregory Clements, his Partners or Associates, and others to whom such Letters or Commissions have been granted as aforesaid, have had sufficient time to recover their losses, and as We are credibly informed, have seized, and taken the Ships, vessels, Goods, and Merchandizes of diverse Subjects of Our friends and Allies, and have received full satisfaction for their Losses, and do shelter themselves under the power of the rebels, which are now in arms against Us, so that there is no means open for examination of what Goods, or Merchandizes have come to their hands, or have been taken or seized by them, and yet still they endeavour to make further use of those Commissions, or Letters of Marque or reprisal; we do therefore by this Our Proclamation, Publish and Declare Our Will and Pleasure to be, To repeal, Revoke, Determine, and make void, all Letters of Marque or reprisal, and all Commissions of that nature, for letting forth any ship or ships, and taking of Prizes, granted at any time since the beginning of Our reign, before the said first day of July, in the said eighteenth year of Our reign, to the said Gregory Clements, his Partners or Associates, or to any other person or persons, or to any Corporation or Body-politic whatsoever, upon any pretence or suggestion whatsoever; And that all such Commissions, and Letters of Marque or reprisal granted within the time aforesaid, and the force and effect of the same, be from henceforth revoked, repealed, and absolutely void and determined; and accordingly We do hereby Revoke, repeal, Determine, and make void the same; And We do hereby further publish & declare, That all prizes which shall at any time hereafter be taken, & all Acts whatsoever which shall at any time hereafter be done or Acted, by or under colour or pretence of any such Commission, Letters of Marque or reprisal, granted within the time aforesaid, shall be taken, deemed and adjudged as illegal and void, and without warrant or authority, and the person or persons which shall take, act, or do the same to be punishable, as if such Commissions, Letters of Marque or reprisal, had never been made or granted, any Clause, Matter, or thing contained in any such Commission Letters of Marque or reprisal to the contrary here of not withstanding. Given at Our Court at Oxford, the 19 day of December, in the Twentieth year of Our reign. GOD SAVE THE KING. Printed at Oxford, by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the university. 1644.