By the Lords Justices — A Proclamation.
Ordering a reward of Thirty Thousand Pounds to any person who shall seize and secure the eldest son of the Pretender, in case he shall land, or attempt to land, in any of his Majesty's dominions.

WHEREAS, by an Act of Parliament made in the seventeenth year of his Majesty's reign, it was enacted, that if the eldest, or any other son or sons of the person who pretended to be the Prince of Wales in the lifetime of the late King James II, and since his decease assumed the name and title of James III, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, should, after the first day of May, in the year 1744, land, or attempt to land, or be found in Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the dominions or territories belonging to the Crown of Great Britain, or should be found on board any ship, vessel, or boat, being so on board with intent to land in Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the dominions or territories aforesaid, he and they respectively should, by virtue of said Act, stand and be adjudged attainted of High Treason, to all intents and purposes whatsoever. And whereas we have received information that the eldest son of the said Pretender did lately embark in France, in order to land in some part of his Majesty's Kingdoms, we, being moved with just indignation at so daring an attempt, and desirous that the said Act may be carried effectually into execution, have thought fit, by the advice of his Majesty's Council, and do hereby, in his Majesty's name, command and require all his Majesty's officers, civil and military, and all others his Majesty's loving subjects, to use their utmost endeavours to seize and secure the said son of the Pretender, whenever he shall land, or attempt to land, or be found in Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the dominions or territories belonging to the Crown of Great Britain, or shall be found on board any ship, vessel, or boat, being so on board with intent to land in Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the dominions or territories aforesaid, in order to his being brought to justice; and to give notice thereof immediately when he shall be so seized and secured, to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State. And to the intent that all due encouragement may be given to so important a service, we do hereby further, in his Majesty's name, promise a Reward of Thirty Thousand Pounds to such person or persons who shall so seize and secure the said son of the said Pretender, so as that he may be brought to justice. And His Majesty's High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for the time being, is, and are hereby required, to make payment thereof accordingly. And if any of the persons who have adhered to or assisted, or who shall adhere to or assist, the said Pretender or his said son, shall seize and secure him, the said son, as aforesaid, he or they who shall so seize and secure him, shall have his Majesty's gracious pardon, and shall also receive the said Reward, to be paid in manner aforesaid.

"Given at Whitehall the first day of August, in the nineteenth year of his Majesty's reign.

"God save the King!"

The Prince remained only one night at Glenfinnan. On the 20th of August he marched to the head of Loch Lochy, where he encamped. At this place a copy of the proclamation for his apprehension was brought him, which exasperated the Highlanders to such a degree that they insisted on a counter one being issued, offering a reward for the apprehension of "the Elector of Hanover." Charles remonstrated against such a step, but he was forced to yield, and, accordingly, put forth the following answer:—

"Charles, Prince of Wales, &c., Regent of the Kingdoms of Scotland, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging,—

"WHEREAS we have seen a certain scandalous and malicious paper, published in the style and form of a proclamation, bearing date the first inst, wherein, under pretence of bringing to justice, like our Royal ancestor King Charles the I., of blessed memory, there is a reward of Thirty Thousand Pounds sterling promised to those who shall deliver us into the hands of our enemies, we could not but be moved with a just indignation at so insolent an attempt; and though, from our nature and principles, we abhor and detest a practice so unusual among Christian Princes, we cannot but, out of a just regard to the dignity of our person, promise the like reward of Thirty Thousand Pounds sterling to him or those who shall seize and secure, till our further orders, the person of the Elector of Hanover, whether landed, or attempting to land, in any part of his Majesty's dominions. Should any fatal accident happen from hence, let the blame be entirely at the door of those who first set the infamous example."

This proclamation, which was dated from the "Camp at Kinlocheill," was countersigned by Murray of Broughton, who had lately joined the Prince, and been appointed his secretary. — [Brown's "Highland Clans."]

 

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