By the Lord Protector. A proclamation of his Highness concerning a cessation of all acts of hostility between the Commonwealth of England, and that of the United Provinces, and their respective people,: and the restitution of all things taken and seized upon by either party after the fourth of this instant May.

[illustration] seal of the Commonwealth

By the Lord Protector.

A Proclamation Of his Highness concerning a Cessation of all Acts of Hostility between the Com∣monwealth of England, and that of the United Provinces, and their respective people, and the restitution of all things taken and seized upon by either party after the fourth of this instant May.

OLIVER Lord Protector of the Com∣monwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging. Whereas the Commissi∣oners appointed by Vs to treat with the Am∣bassadors Extraordinary of the Vnited Pro∣vinces; and the said Ambassadors, by way of Explanation of the third of those Articles of Peace, lately concluded between this Com∣monwealth, and that of the Vnited Netherlands, and for removing all questions and differences which may arise thencefrom, Have agreed & con∣cluded the following Article, viz. That whereas in the third of those Articles of Peace, Union and Confe∣deration

made, established, and promulged between the Lord PROTECTOR of the Common∣wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Lords the States General of the United Provinces, It is agreed, That all Injuries, Charges and Dam∣mages, which either party hath sustained by the o∣ther since the 18/28 of May in the year one thousand six hundred fifty two shall be taken away and forgotten in such manner as that hereafter neither party shall pretend any matter against the other for or upon occasion of any the aforesaid Injuries, Charges and Dammages, but that there shall be a perfect abolition of all and every of them until this pre∣sent day. And all Actions for the same shall be held and reputed void and null, excepting such de∣predations as shall be committed by either side in these Seas after the space of twelve daies, and in all other places on this side the Cape of St. Vincent, af∣ter six weeks, and from thence within the Mediter∣ranean Sea, and to the Equinoctial Line after ten weeks, and beyond the Equinoctial Line, after the space of eight Moneths, or immediately after sufficient notice of the said Peace given in those places. And wher∣as certain questions may possibly arise about the fore-rehearsed words, which may minister occasion of debates and disputes, The said Lord Protector, and the said States General, to the end all manner of controversie and difference may be removed, which might arise by reason of any thing in the aforesaid Article contained, Have unanimously accorded & agreed, and do by these presents publish and declare to all and sin∣gular their People and Subjects respectively, that immediately after Publication of the Treaty of Peace, which is already done, all acts of Hostility shall immediately cease in all

places expressed in the said Article, and in all o∣thers wheresoever. And that all depredations, dammages and injuries which shall be done or committed by one party against the other after the fourth day of this instant May in all places whatever, mentioned in the foresaid Article, or elsewhere, as well on this side the Line as be∣yond, shall be acounted for▪ And all things ta∣ken or seized after the abovesaid fourth of May, shall be restored without any form of Process, as also damages growing by occasion thereof. And to the end this Agreement and Article may be the better known, both parties shall Publish the same within their respective Territories and Dominions, and straitly charge and command as well their Ships of War, as others whether in Port, or at Sea, to observe the same.

Wherefore we having considered what is a∣greed as aforesaid, have confirmed and ratified, as we do confirm and ratify the same by these presents, which we have caused to be published, that all persons concerned therein may take no∣tice thereof. And we do hereby straightly charge and require all the Ships of War, and others, either belonging to the State, or to any particular persons set forth upon private Com∣missions, or otherwise, to observe the said A∣greement. And to the end none may pretend ignorance herein, The Commissioners of the Admiralty are hereby required to give effectual notice hereof to all the Ships of War of this State, either at Sea, or in Port, within these Dominions or elsewhere. And the Judges of the High Court of Admiralty are also by vertue of these presents, forthwith to call in upon their

several Securities given in that Court, all such Ships as have been set forth upon private Com∣missions against the Vnited Provinces, or the People thereof.

Given at Whitehall this first of May, in the year 1654.

In witness whereof as well the Lords Commissioners of His Highness, as the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the States General, have signed these presents with their own hands.

Done at Westminster the 28. of April Old style, in the year 1654.

• ...H. Laurence Pres.
• ...Gil. Pickering.
• ...E. Mountagu.
• ...Wal. Strickland.
• ...H. Beverningck.
• ...Wil. Nieupoort.
• ...Alar. P. Jongestall.