blazon of the Commonwealth  
IN THE NAME AND ON THE BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND.  
By the Lords Proprietors of the Island and Region of Newfoundland. To all Planters and Inhabitants of the said Island, and all others whom it may concern.  
WHereas the late King did by his Letters Patents, bearing date the thirteenth day of November, in the thirteenth year of his Reign, give and grant unto James late marquis of Hamilton, Philip late Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery, Henry late Earl of Holland, and to Sir David Kirke Knight, all that the Region or Island of Newfoundland, in the Confines of America, and all Lands and Islands within thirty Leagues of the same; Together with all the Royalties and Immunities thereof, to have and to hold to them the said James marquis of Hamilton, Philip Earl of Pembroke, and Mountgomery. Henry Earl of Holland, and the said Sir David Kirke, their Heirs and Assigns for ever. And whereas the sole Right, Property, and Interest of the premises, did survive, and come by the Laws of England, to the said Sir David Kirke and his Heirs, and the said Sir David Kirke hath by his Deed Indented under his hand and seal lawfully executed, and bearing date the eighteenth day of this instant june, sufficiently conveyed and assured to Philip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery, Colonel Nathaniel Rich, Colonel Richard Ingoldesby, john Claypooll, Esq and Colonel William Goffe., their Heirs and Assigns for ever, All the said Region and Island of Newfoundland, and all and singular the Premises with their Appurtenances; and all Rents, Issues and profits of the same, to be equally divided in six parts, between the said Sir David Kirke, Philip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery, Nathaniel Rich, Richard Ingoldesby, john Claypooll, and William Goffe., as by the said Letters Patents and the said conveyance, more at large appears. Now know ye that we the said Sir David Kirke, Philip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery, Colonel Nathaniel Rich, Colonel Richard Ingoldesby, john Claypooll, Esq and Colonel William Goffe.▪ do hereby notify and declare to all and every person and persons whatsoever, that we are sole and only Lords, and Proprietors of the said Region or Island of Newfoundland, and of all Lands and Islands, within thirty Leagues of the same. And of all Ports, Creeks, Harbours, Royalties and immunities whatsoever, belonging to the same; And do hereby will and require all Planters and Inhabitants of the said Region or Island of Newfoundland, to take notice thereof, and to attorne Tenants to us or our Commissioners, (by us empowered and sent, to our use) for the Lands they severally hold in the said Region or Island, and to pay their Duties, and several Rents reserved upon any former grants made to them for the time to come, upon the twentieth day of August, to such Receivor or Receivor or Receivors, as we shall appoint from time to time by our warrant, under the seal of the said Island, to collect and gather the same, and that they the said Planters and Inhabitants, and all others resorting thither, or residing there, do live in obedience to the former Laws and Ordinances, enacted for the Government of the said Island or Region, which are not repealed, until other Laws and Ordinances shall be made, established and published by the Legislative power of the Commonwealth of England, for the better Government of the said Island and Region, and the Planters and Inhabitants thereof, and others resorting to the same. For the doing and performing whereof, we do hereby promise to renew and confirm unto them upon their several surrenders of all their ancient grants of any their Lands and Privileges, in as ample manner as they now do, or formerly have enjoyed the same, and to give them safety and protection as much as in us lies, against all invaders and intruders upon their possessions, Rights and Liberties, and redress of all their injuries and grievances. And to the end we may be the better informed of the state of the said Island, and Grievances, we have made, constituted and appointed, our said Commissioners and Agents herewith sent, to receive all Rents and Duties accrueing by reason of any grant, or grants, Lease or Leases, heretofore made unto any persons, or persons, by the forecited Proprietors or any of them, or by reason of the occupation and enjoyment of any part and parcel of the said Region or Island, by any person or persons to whom no such grant or grants, Lease or Leases, have been had, made, granted and confirmed, by all or any of the said Proprietors. And to receive their several acknowledgements and attornments unto us, and to hear and receive their Complaints and Grievances, to the end we may by the power, aid and authority of this Commonwealth, apply timely and due remedy and relief unto them according to equity and justice.  
Given under the seal of Newfoundland this four and twentieth day of june, In the year of our Lord God, one thousand six hundred fifty and three.