By the King, a proclamation. George R. Whereas we did think fit, by and with the advice of our Privy-Council, to issue our royal proclamation, bearing date the fifth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventeen, in the Fourth Year of Our Reign, therein taking notice, that we had received information, that several persons, subjects of Great Britain, had since the Four and twentieth Day of June, in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifteen, committed divers piracies and robberies upon the high seas in the West-Indies, or adjoyning to Our Plantations, which had and might Occasion great Damage to the Merchants of Great Britain, and others, Trading into those Parts: And We did thereby Promise and Declare, That in case any the said Pirates should, on or before the Fifth Day of September, One thousand seven hundred and eighteen, Surrender him or themselves in manner as therein is directed, every such Pirate and Pirates, so Surrendring him or themselves, as aforesaid, should have Our Gracious Pardon of and for such his or thier Piracy or Piracies, by him or them committed before the Fifth Day of January then next ensuing: And whereas several of the said Pirates, not having had timely Notice of Our said Proclamation, may not have surrendred themselves within the time therein appointed, and by reason thereof are uncapable of receiving the Benefit of Our Royal Mercy and Clemency intended thereby: And though We have appointed such a Force, as We judge sufficient for Suppressing the said Piracies, yet the more effectually to put an end to the same, We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy-Council, to Issue this Our Royal Proclamation [electronic resource].