WHereas the Kings most Excellent Majesty hath been advertised, That di­vers Mariners, and other Seafaring men (His Majesties Natural born Subjects) have betaken themselves to the Service of Forreign Princes and States, to the great disservice of His Majesty and their native Countreys, and whereby His said Majesty and His Realms, are unfurnished of Men of their Sort and Calling, if there shall be cause to use them. Therefore for redress thereof for the present, and preventing the like for the future, The Kings most Excellent Majesty by this His Royal Proclama­tion, with the Advice of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, doth Will, and Straitly Charge and Command all and singular Masters of Ships, Pilots, Mariners, Seamen, Shipwrights, and other Seafaring men whatsoever, and where­soever (being His Majesties Natural born Subjects) who are in the Service of any Forreign Prince or State, or do Serve in any Forreign Ships or Vessels, That forth­with they do withdraw themselves, and depart from such Forreign Services, and return home to their Native Countreys, and Lawful Vocations. And further, His Majesty doth hereby Prohibit and Forbid all and singular Masters of Ships, Pilots, Mariners, Seamen, Shipwrights, and other Seafaring men whatsoever (being His Majesties Natural born Subjects) from Entring themselves; And doth hereby Straitly Charge and Command them and every of them, from henceforth to forbear to Enter themselves into Pay, or otherwise betake themselves to the Service of any Forreign Princes or States, or to Serve in any Forreign Ship or Vessel without License had and obtained in that behalf. To all which His Majesty doth and will expect due Obedience and Con­formity; And doth hereby Publish and Declare, That the Offenders to the contrary shall not onely incur His Majesties just Displeasure, but be proceeded against for their Con­tempt, according to the utmost severities of Law, by Seizure of their Goods, Persons, and Estates wheresoever they shall be found, and otherwise. And further, His Majesty doth hereby Authorize and Command all and every the Captains, Masters, and other Of­ficers Serving and Employed in any of His Majesties Ships or Vessels at Sea, to stop, and make stay of all and every such person and persons as shall endeavour to Transport or Enter themselves into the Service of any Forreign Prince or State, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this His Majesties Royal Proclamation, and also to Seize upon, take, and bring away all such Mariners, Seamen, and other persons aforesaid, as shall be found to be Employed, or Serving in any Ships or Vessels, of or belonging to any For­reign Prince or State, or to any Merchant or other person or persons, other than to His Majesty or His Subjects.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the Tenth day of January 1671/2. In the Twenty third year of Our Reign.

God save the King.