[Regulating Distribution of Prizes.]

BY THE LORDS JUSTICES.

A DECLARATION

Appointing the Distribution of Prizes taken since the Declaration of War, and before the Commencement of the Act of Parliament for granting the Prizes to the Captors.

Whereas by an Act of Parliament made in the Thirteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act for the more effectual securing and encouraging the Trade of His Majesty's British Subjects to America, and for the Encouragement of Seamen to enter into His Majesty's Service, it is among other Things enacted, That the Flag Officers, Commanders, and other Officers, Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers on Board every Ship and Vessel of War in His Majesty's Pay, shall have the sole Interest and Property of and in all and every Ship, Vessel, Goods, and Merchandize which they shall take after the Fourth Day of January, in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine in Europe; and after the Twenty fourth Day of June, in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and forty, in any other Part of the World (being first adjudged lawful Prize in any of His Majesty's Courts of Admiralty in Great Britain, or in His Plantations in America, or elsewhere) to be divided in such Proportions, and after such Manner, as His Majesty, His Heirs, and Successors shall think fit to order and direct, by Proclamation to be issued for that Purpose, in Pursuance whereof a Proclamation was issued on the Nineteenth of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty, directing in what Manner and Proportion the said Prizes should be distributed among the Captors: And whereas between the Time of His Majesty's Declaration of War against Spain, which was on the Nineteenth of October, One thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine, and the aforementioned Fourth of January, One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine, His Majesty's Ships of War have seized and taken in Europe several Ships, Vessels, and Goods belonging to the Enemy; and between the said Nineteenth of October One thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine, and the said Twenty Fourth of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty, His Majesty's Ships of War have taken divers other Ships, Vessels, and Goods of the Enemy, in other Parts of the World, the Property whereof became vested in His Majesty;

[The remainder of the proclamation provides for the distribution of prize money arising from the sale of the enemy's vessels seized within the specified intervals, among the officers and seamen of the ships concerned in the capture, according to the proclamation of June 19, 1740.]

Given at Whitehall the Eighteenth Day of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty one, in the Fifteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign.

God save the King.

London, Printed by John Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1741.

1 p. folio. Copy in P. C. Entered in Privy Council Register, II Geo., vol. 7, p. 493. Printed in "London Gazette," June 20, 1741.