By the KING,
A PROCLAMATION.
GEORGE R.
WHEREAS divers wicked and seditious Writings have been printed, published, and industriously dispersed, tending to excite Tumult and Disorder, by endeavouring to raise groundless Jealousies aad Discontents in the Minds of Our faithful and loving Subjects, respecting the Laws and happy Constitution, of Government, Civil and Religious, established in this Kingdom; and endeavouring to vilify and bring into Contempt the wise and wholesome Provisions made at the Time of the Glorious Revolution, and since strengthened and confirmed by subsequent Laws for the Preservation and Security of the Rights and Liberties of Our faithful and loving Subjects: And whereas divers Writings have also been printed, published and industriously dispersed, recommending the said wicked and seditious Publications to the Attention of all Our faithful and loving Subjects: And whereas we have also Reason to believe that Correspondencies have been entered into with sundry Persons in Foreign Parts, with a View to forward the criminal and wicked Purposes above mentioned. And whereas the Wealth, Happiness and Prosperity of this Kingdom do, under Divine Providence, chiefly depend upon a due Submission to the Laws, a just Confidence in the Integrity and Wisdom of Parliament, and a Continuance of that zealous Attachment to the Government and Constitution of the Kingdom, which has ever prevailed in the Minds of the People thereof: And whereas there is nothing which We so earnestly desire as to secure the Publick Peace and Prosperity, and to preserve to all Our loving Subjects the full Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties, both Religious and Civil: We, therefore, being resolved, as far as in Us lies, to repress the wicked and seditious Practices aforesaid, and to deter all Persons from following so pernicious an Example, have thought fit, by the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, solemnly warning all Our loving Subjects, as they tender their own Happiness, and that of their Posterity, to guard against all such Attempts, which aim at the Subversion of all regular Government within this Kingdom, and which are inconsistent with the Peace and Order of Society; and earnestly exhorting them at all Times, and to the utmost of their Power, to avoid and discourage all Proceedings, tending to produce Riots and Tumults; and We do strictly charge and command all Our Magistrates in and throughout Our Kingdom of Great Britain, that, they do make diligent Enquiry, in order to discover the Authors and Printers of such wicked and seditious Writings as aforesaid, and all others who shall disperse the same: And We do further charge and command all Our Sheriffs, justices of the Peace, chief Magistrates in Our Cities, Boroughs and Corporations, and all other Our Officers and Magistrates throughout Our Kingdom of Great Britain, that they do, in their several and respective Stations, take the most immediate and effectual Care to suppress and prevent all Riots, Tumults and other Disorders, which may be attempted to be raised or made by any Person or Persons, which, on whatever Pretext they may be grounded, are not only contrary to Law, but dangerous to the most important Interests of this Kingdom: And We do further require, and command all and every Our Magistrates aforesaid, that they do, from Time to Time, transmit to One of Our Principal Secretaries of State, due and full Information of such Persons as shall be found offending as aforesaid, or in any Degree aiding or abetting therein; it being Our Determination, for the Preservation of the Peace and Happiness of Our faithful and loving Subjects, to carry the Laws vigorously into Execution against such Offenders as aforesaid.
Given at Our Court at the Queen’s House, the Twenty-first Day of May, One thousand seven hundred and-ninety-two, in the Thirty-second Year of Our Reign.
GOD save the KING.
Source: London Gazette, 13422, 22 May – 26 May 1792.
Image: National Archives.
Lindsey: Handlist of Proclamations, 1714-1910.
Further reading: Wikipedia.