WHEREAS the French King pretending the Execution of a Defensive Treaty with the States Generall of the Ʋnited Provinces, And thereby determining us to be the Aggressors and Invadors of them, (the contrary of which is most notori­ously known to all the world) did on the 16th or 26th of January last de­clare Warr against our Subjects, making himself thus the Aggressor, and rendring the Peace, We have allwayes desired with the said States, more difficult, towards which the French Kings Ambassadours never Offered either satisfaction for past injuries done to our Subjects, or a faire Regulation of the commerce for the future; We relying upon the help of God Almighty in the justice of our cause, and being assured of the valour and affections of our Subjects in the defence thereof have thought fit to declare, and by these pre­sents do declare, That we will oppose the French King, and vigorously prosecute this Warr, which he hath so unjustly begun, with the utmost of our Force by Sea and Land, in the maintenance and defense of our Subjects, Enjoyning hereby our most Dear and intirely beloved Brother our High Admirall, and our Right Trusty Right intirely beloved Cosen and Councellor George Duke of Albemarle Generall of our Forces by land, our Lieutenants of the severall counties, and all other Officers and Souldiers under them both by Sea and land to oppose all attempts of the French King or his subjects, and to do and execute all Acts of Hostility in the prosecution of this Warr against the [...]