WHereas divers of Their Majesties Subjects have of late presumed on Board their Ships to wear Their Maje­sties Iacks, Pendants and Ensigns, which according to Ancient Vsage have been appointed as a distinction for Their Majesties Ships, and many times thinking to evade the punishment due for the same, have worn Iacks, Pendants and Ensigns in shape and mixture of Colours so little different from those of Their Maje­sties, as not without difficulty to be distinguished therefrom, which practice is found attended with manifold Inconveniences: For prevention of the same for the future, Their Majesties have thought fit, with the Ad­vice of Their Privy Council, by this Their Royal Proclamation, strictly to Charge and Command all Their Subjects whatsoever, That they do not presume to wear in any of their Ships or Vessels, Their Majesties Iack, commonly called the Vnion Iack, nor any Pendants, nor any such Ensigns or Colours as are usually born by Their Majesties Ships, without particular Warrant for their so doing from Their Majesties, or the Lord High Admiral of England, or the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral for the time being. And Their Majesties do hereby also further Command all Their Loving Subjects, that with­out such warrant as aforesaid, they presume not to wear on Board their Ships or Vessels, any Iacks, Pendants, Ensigns or Colours, made in imitation of those of Their Majesties, or any other Flags, Iacks, Pendants or Ensigns what­soever, than those usually worn in Merchants Ships, Viz. The Flag and Iack White, with a Red Cross, commonly called St. George's Cross, passing quite thougt the same, and the Ensign Red, with the like Cross in a Canton White at the upper Corner thereof next the Staff, nor any kind of Pendant whatsoever, saving that for the better Distinction of such Ships as shall have Commissions of Letters of Mart or Reprisals against the Enemy, and any other Ships or Vessels which may be employed by the Principal Officers and Com­missioners of Their Majesties Navy, the Principal Officers of Their Majesties Ordnance, the Commissioners for Victualling Their Majesties Navy, the Commissioners for Their Majesties Customs, and the Commissioners for Transportation for Their Majesties Ser­vices, relating particularly to those Offices. Their Majesties do Command that all such Ships as have Commissions of Letters of Mart or Reprisals, shall besides the Colours which may be worn by Merchants Ships, wear a Red Iack, with the Vnion Iacks, described in a Canton at the upper Corner thereof next the Staff; And that such Ships and Vessels as shall be employed for Their Majesties Ser­vice, by the Principal Officers and Commissioners of Their Majesties Navy, the Principal Officers of Their Majesties Ordnance, the Commissioners for Victualling Their Majesties Navy, the Commissioners for Their Majesties Customs, and the Commissioners for Transportation for Their Majesties Services, relating particularly to those Officers, shall wear a Red Iack with the Vnion Iack in a Canton at the upper Corner thereof next the Staff, as aforesaid, and in the other part of the said Iack shall be described the Seal used in the respective Offices aforesaid, by which the said Ships and Vessels shall be employed. And Their Majesties do s;trictly Charge and Com­mand That none of Their Loving Subjects do presume to wear any of the said Distinction Iacks, unless they shall have Commissions of Letters of Mart or Reprisals, or be employed in Their Majesties Service by the before mentioned Offices respectively. And Their Majesties do hereby require the principal Officers and Commissioners of Their Majesties Navy, the Governours of Their Forts and Castles, the Officers of Their Customs, and the Commanders or Officers of any of Their Majesties Ships, upon their meeting with, or otherwise observing any Ships on Vessels of Their Majestes Subjects, wearing any Flag, Pendant, Iack or Ensign contrary hereunto, whether at Sea or in Port, not only to Seize, or cause such Flag, Pendant, Iack or Ensign to be forthwith Seized, but also to Return the Names of the said Ships, and Vessels, together with the Names of their respective Ma­sters or Commanders, unto the Lord High Admiral, Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral, or the Iudge of the High Court of Admiralty for the time being, to the end that the persons offending may be duly punished for the same. And Their Majesties to hereby Command and Enjoyn the Iudge and Iudges of the High Court of Admiralty for the time being, That they make strict Enquiry, and caus;e all such Offenders to be duly punished. And all Vice-Admirals, and Iudges of the Vice-Admiralties are also to do the same, and attend the due Observation hereof within the several Ports and Places belonging to their respective Precincts. And Their Majesties further Pleasure is, That this Proclamation shall take place according to the times hereafter mentioned, Viz. For all Ships in the Channel or British Seas, and in the North Sea after Twelve Days from the Date of these Presents; And from the Month of the Channel unto Cape St. Vincent after Six Weeks from the Date of these Presents; And beyond the Cape, and on this side the Aequinoctial Line, as well the Ocean and Mediterranean as elsewhere, after Ten Weéks from the Date of these presents; And beyond the Line after the space of Eight Months from the Date of these presents.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the Twelfth Day of July, 1694. In the Sixth Year of Our Reign.

God save King William and Queen Mary.