Whereas it hath been represented unto Us by the humble Petition
of Martin Stamp, and due proof made by the Testimony of credible
Witnesses, That Timothy Stamp, Brother of the said Martin, being a
Merchant, was in December 1672, taken by a Spanish Man of War, and
his Ship, called the Humility of London, and the Goods therein, to
the value of Five thousand pounds, carried into the Port of Havana;
But the Governour of the place not finding cause for the Detainer of
the said Ship, restored the same, with promise of Satisfaction for
the Damage sustained, and a Protection against all Spanish Ships; Yet
during the restraint of the said Ship, a Man of War was fitted out
under the Command of Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald[1] (Our
Natural born Subject) who retook the said Ship within Musquet shot
of the Castle of Havana, and after Tortured and Murdered the said
Timothy Stamp, and most of his men; some they hanged until they were
half dead, and then cut them with their swords, afterwards hung them
up again until they were almost dead, then cut them in pieces with
an Ax; others had their Arms cut off, and were cleft down with Axes;
And afterwards the said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald, and his
Company shared the said Ship and Goods; And the like Barbarous cruelty
the said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald, hath since exercised
upon other Our Subjects: We have therefore thought fit (with the
advice of Our Privy Council) to publish the same to all Our loving
Subjects, and doubt not of their care and forwardness in the discovery
and apprehension of the said Fitz-gerald: And We do by this Our
Proclamation (whereof he ought and shall be presumed to take notice)
Enjoyn and Command the said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald,
within Six Moneths after the publication hereof, to render himself to
one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or to the chief Governour
of the Island of Jamaica, or to the chief Governour of some other of
Our Foreign Plantations, to receive and undergo such Order as shall be
given concerning him. And We do hereby further publish and declare,
That if the said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald, shall not within
the time aforesaid, render himself accordingly, then if any person or
persons whatsoever shall at any time after apprehend and bring him
dead or alive to one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or to
the Governour of Our Island of Jamaica, or to the chief Governour of
any other of Our Foreign Plantations, he or they so apprehending and
bringing him, shall have a reward of One thousand pieces of Eight. And
We do also strictly Charge and Command all Our Officers and Ministers,
as well Military as Civil, and other Our Subjects whatsoever, to be
diligent, and use their best endeavours to search for and apprehend the
said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald, in all places whatsoever,
as they will answer the neglect therof at their perils. And We do
hereby further publish and declare, That if any of Our Subjects shall
after the publication of this Our Proclamation, directly or indirectly
conceal or harbour the said Don Philip Hellen, alias Fitz-gerald,
or shall not use his or their best endeavours for his discovery and
apprehension, as well by giving due advertisement to Our Officers,
as by all other good means, We will (as there is just cause) proceed
against them that shall so neglect this Our Command, with all severity.
Given at Our Court at Whitehall the First day of October 1675. In the
Seven and twentieth year of Our Reign.