Proclamation of King George I

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Proclamation of King George I — 30 Aug 1716

Statements – King George I—30 Aug 1716

"A Proclamation Concerning Pyrates" Jamaica. August 30, 1716. JCM ff.153-155.

[Actually issued by Lord Archibald Hamilton, governor of Jamaica, in the king’s name, in response to Don Juan del Valle’s complaint. Hamilton was chastised by the Jamaican Assembly for abusing power and calling for the arrest (charged to surrender themselves by 1 Dec 1716) of some of Jamaica’s more important citizens… who also happened to be pirates! That didn’t stop them from complaining to the king. This was one of Hamilton’s last acts as governor. His removal had been ordered and three weeks later, he sailed back to London. On the way, about 22 Sep, his ship was captured by one of the most arrogant of these pirates, Henry Jennings, who took a few minor things, and released them. It may have been Jennings’ way of warning Hamilton about coming back!]

By the King

A Proclamation

George by the Grace of God of Great Brittain France and Ireland King and of Jamaica Lord Defender of the Faith & To all our good & loving Subjects of our Island of Jamaica and other Dominions & Territories in America,

Greeting,

Whereas divers Robberies Piracies & Depredations have been lately comitted on the Subjects of the Crowns of Spain & France in the Gulph of and on ye Coast of Florida and elsewhere in breach of and contrary to the Faith of our sevll. treaties with Spain & France and highly prejudiciall to ye Interest and trade of our Subjects And whereas Henry Jennings late Comander of ye Sloop Bersheba, John Wills late Comander of ye Sloop Eagle, Francis Fernando late Comander of the Sloop Bennet, James Carneagie late Comander of the Sloop Discovery, Leigh Ashworth late Comander of the Sloop Mary, Benjamin Young late Comander of a large Periagua of an unknown name, John Greenland late Master of ye Sloop Bersheba, Joseph Leonard Mariner, and Peter Deremer late of ye Town of Port Royall Mercht. stand charged with having [had?] a hand in and being Principall Actors in the Comitting the said Robberies Piracies and Depredations or of some of them and wheras the said Henry Jennings, John Wills, Francis Fernando, James Carneagie, Leigh Ashworth, Benjamin Young, John Greenland, Joseph Leonard, and Peter Deremer have withdrawn thenselves from Justice some of them having transported themselves into parts remote and others remaining Concealed in this Island whereby the publick Justice is eluded and the Persons by whom such Piracies Robberies and Depredations have been comitted may hope to escape the Punishment by Law due to their Crimes. Wee therefore of our Princely wisdom and Justice being resolved to discountenance and discourage all such Practices by ye Punishment of those who have Comitted such Crimes have thought fitt by and with the advise of our Councill of this our Island of Jamaica to issue this our Proclamation strictly requiring the said Henry Jennings, John Wills, Francis Fernando, James Carnegie, Leigh Ashworth, Benjamin Young, John Greenland, Joseph Leonard, and Peter Derimer each and every of them to Surrender themselves to our Governor Cheif Justice or Judge of the Admiralty of that our Island on or before the first day of December next ensuing and in case of failure of them the said Henry Jennings, John Wills, Francis Fernando, James Carnegie, Leigh Ashworth, Benjamin Young, John Greenland, Joseph Leonard, and Peter Derimer or of any of them so to do, the person or persons so failing to surrender him or themselves by the day so limited and appointed for such their Surrender shall from thenceforth without further or other Ceremony be reputed deemed and taken as notorious and declared Pirates and Sea Robbers and as such shall be proclaimed. Accordingly of which our Will and Pleasure all our good and loving Subjects are hereby strictly charged and required to take notice as they will answer the Contrary at their perill.