You can't be ignorant Gentlemen of the Order which his Majesty has repeatedly given to his Courts of Admiralty establish'd in his Ports, not to permit the Sale of Prizes made at Sea-by Strange Armed Vessels, in any of his Ports, & to take care that neither such Armed Vessels or their prizes be allowed to remain in his Ports longer than is necessary to obtain such Succours and Aid as from humanity they may be entitled to. This prohibition, which is founded on the principle of faithfully adhereing to Treatys, ought not to be evaded under any pretext whatever, & his Majesty learns with great Concern that to elude the vigilance of his Courts of Admiralty & to get possession of Goods coming out of prises, divers means have been devised, such as feign'd Contracts, substituting false Names for the Vessels & disguiseing the voyages & their destination. His Majesty charges me to inform The Chambers of Commerce & thro' them the Merchants of every place; that agreeable to the terms of his Treaties no effects taken from Prises bro't into his Ports or harbours can be purchased directly or indirectly, on pain of the goods being confiscated, & the holder or purchaser, answerg personally for the same & being compelled to make restitution of the goods or their value. I wou'd have you Gentlemen clearly understand & accordingly inform the Merchts of your place that his Majesty will not suffer the most distant attempt to be made to contravene these orders.
I am persuaded that the Merchts will be anxious to give proofs of their submission to the Kings pleasure, and of their acknowlegements for the active protection which his Majesty always gives to Commerce. I must farther inform you that the Attorneys of the Courts of Admiralty have orders to prosecute every defaulter. I am &c,
P.S. I inform you farther, that the Ports of the Kingdom being always open to all Nations for Commerce, The Mercht Vessels of North America Shall continue to be admitted with their Cargoes, & that they may take in return, such Merchandise as is admitted to be exported. His Majesty excepts ammunition & he hopes that this permission will not be abused by intro duceing prizes under the pretext of ordinary & allowable Commerce.
Everyone is left to make his own Comments on this Letter I will only observe that it is the first open & formal declaration of Countenanceing & encourageing Commerce with the American States.
