C R  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
At the Court at Whitehall, the Fifteenth of May, 1672.  
Present, 

The Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
 
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury  
Lord Keeper  
Duke of Lauderdale  
Marquis of Worcester  
Earl of Bridgwater  
Earl of Essex  
Earl of Anglesey  
Earl of bath  
Earl of Carlisle  
Earl of Craven  
Earl of Arlington  
Earl of Shaftsbury  
Lord Newport  
Lord Holles  
Lord Clifford  
Mr. Vice-Chamberlain  
Mr. Secretary Trevor  
Sir John Duncombe  
Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy  
Sir Thomas Osborne    
WHereas His Majesty did the seventeenth of March past, upon the reading in Council His Declaration of War against the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, Command His Grace the Duke of Lauderdale, and the Right Honourable the Earl of Arlington, Principal Secretary of State, to Confer that Evening with the Ambassador and Minister of the said States, to Propose the Observance of the Two and thirtieth Article of the Treaty of Breda, on His Majesty's part; for the withdrawing the Persons and Goods of all Dutch Subjects which were either found here, or at that time were voluntarily coming into His Majesty's Ports; Pr 〈…〉 i 〈…〉ed might have the same Benefit of the said Article; Which overture hath been often Renewed by me 〈…〉 of Arlington to the said Ambassador. And it appearing now at length, by Paper from him of the instant (this day read at the Board) That the States have consented to the said Proposition, and will set at Liberty all His Majesty's Subjects, with their Ships and Goods, and that they nay return without any Prohibition, when they shall see fit.  
His Majesty hath thought fit to Command and Order the Right Honourable His Principal Commisioners of Prizes, forthwith to cause all the Ships, Goods, and Merchandizes that were Seized in any of His Majesty's Ports, before the Declaration of the War, or which were voluntarily coming in to the ●●me, to be forthwith set at Liberty and Discharged (they having remained still untouched, in expectaion of what the said States would do in this point.) In like manner all persons belonging to the said Ships, who are under Detention by reason of the War, are to be forthwith set at Liberty, with Power to return with their Ships and Merchandise, when they shall see fit, according to the Tenor of the said Article; And notice hereof to be given to the Dutch Ambassador, that it may be as ingeniously performed on His Master's part as it is now promised. And His Majesty's Commissioners for the care of Prisoners, are requi●ed to take notice hereof, and to give Obedience accordingly.  
And whereas by another Paper of the 13/23. instant (this day also read at the Board) from the Sieur Boreel, by Order of the said States General of the United Provinces, Proposing to enter into some terms of Agreement touching the Exchange of Prisoners of War on either side, His Majesty hath thought fit to refer the Consideration of this matter to the Principal Commissioners of Prizes, that they may Consider thereof, and Propose to His Majesty such Expedients as they shall think fit.  
Likewise all Dutch Merchants or others, who neither in their Persons or Goods are under this Detention, may freely depart the Kingdom, if they think fit, without any encumbrance or molestation.  
Edw. Walker.  
It was ordained by His Majesty in Council, That this be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Edw. Walker.   

EDINBURGh, reprinted by Evan Tyler, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, Anno Dom. 1672.