His Majesties Declaration for Encouragement of Seamen and Mariners im­ployed in the present Service.

HIs Majestie, with much Satisfaction, taking notice of the great resolution and cheerful for­wardness of the Seamen and Mariners in the present service, necessarily undertaken for the Hon [...]r and Defence of His Dominions, and the Commerce and Trade of His Subjects; and re­solving to give d [...]e rewa [...]d and encouragement to their Va [...]our and Faithfulness, hath thought fit (by the advice of His Council) to publish and declare:

That all Captains, Seamen and others, that do or shall serve in any of his Majesties Own, or mer­chants Ships, imployed in his service, shall (for time to come, in lieu of all Prizes) have and re­ceive from His Majestie, for every Ship or Prize they shall lawfully take, whether Merchant-men, or Men of War, laden or light, the sum of Ten shillings for every Tun the said ship shall measure, according to the ordina [...]y rule of Ship-Wrights Hall, and Six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence for every piece of Ordnance, whether Iron or Brass; the same to be paid by the Collector for Prize Goods, within ten days after the payment of the wages of such Seamen (in case Adjudi­cation be made of the Ship in the Admiralty Court) to be shared and divided amongst them pro­portionably, according to the respective places and offices in the ship in which they served, and ac­cording to the customs of the Seas in that case.

And further, That it be lawful for all Captains, Seamen and others, serving as aforesaid, to take and have to themselves as Pillage, without further, or other accompt to be given for the same, all such Goods and Merchandize, as shall be found by them, or any of them, in any ship (they shall take in fight as prize) upon or above the G [...]n-deck of the said ship, and not other­wise. And for every Man of War sunk or destroyed by firing, or otherwise, to have Ten pounds a Gun, onely to be divided as aforesaid, to be paid by the C [...]mmissioners for Prize Goods, within ten days after the payment of the ship as aforesaid, upon Certificate of the matter of fact stated by the Council of War.

That care shall be taken for defraying the charges of sick and wounded men as aforesaid, and for the relief of Widows, Children, and impotent Parents of such as shall be slain in the service at Sea; and for Meddals or other rewards to such Officers and Seamen of the Fleet, as shall be found to have done any eminent or extraordinary service.

And that for supplying of necessary provisions for sick and wounded men on Board, there shall be allowed by His Majestie Five pounds for six moneths service for every hundred men.

That upon the d [...]scharge of sick and wounded men from the ships in His Majesties service, care shall be taken for the payment of their Tickets and Conduct money.

That directions shall be given to all Majo [...]s, Bayliffs, or other Magistrates in any Port Towns, to take care for all necessary accommodations at the charge of His Majestie, for the relief and cure of such sick and wounded men as shall be sent on shore.

That the moyetie of all Hospitals in England, imployed for the cure of wounded and sick people, be reserved during the time of War at Sea, for such as sha [...]l be wounded in the service of the Navy, as they shall become void, from and after the first of November.