The unwarrantable Proceedings of the French in the West Indies,
and North America, since the Conclusion of the Treaty of Aix la
Chapelle, and the Usurpations and Encroachments made by them upon
Our Territories, and the Settlements of Our Subjects in those Parts,
particularly in Our Province of Nova Scotia, have been so notorious,
and so frequent, that they cannot but be looked upon as a sufficient
Evidence of a formed Design and Resolution in that Court, to pursue
invariably such Measures, as should most effectually promote their
ambitious Views, without any Regard to the most solemn Treaties and
Engagements. We have not been wanting on Our Part, to make, from time
to time, the most serious Representations to the French King, upon
these repeated Acts of Violence, and to endeavour to obtain Redress and
Satisfaction for the Injuries done to Our Subjects, and to prevent the
like Causes of Complaint for the future: But though frequent Assurances
have been given, that every thing should be settled agreeable to the
Treaties subsisting between the Two Crowns, and particularly that the
Evacuation of the Four Neutral Islands in the West Indies should be
effected (which was expressly promised to Our Ambassadour in France)
the Execution of these Assurances, and of the Treaties on which they
were founded, has been evaded under the most frivolous Pretences;
and the unjustifiable Practices of the French Governors, and of the
Officers acting under their Authority, were still carried on, till,
at length, in the Month of April, One thousand seven hundred and
fifty four, they broke out in open Acts of Hostility, when, in Time
of profound Peace, without any Declaration of War, and without any
previous Notice given, or Application made, a Body of French Troops
under the Command of an Officer bearing the French King's Commission,
attacked in a hostile Manner, and possessed themselves of the English
Fort on the Ohio in North America.
But notwithstanding this Act of Hostility, which could not but be
looked upon as a Commencement of War, yet, from Our earnest Desire of
Peace, and in Hopes the Court of France would disavow this Violence and
Injustice, We contented Ourselves with sending such a Force to America,
as was indispensably necessary for the immediate Defence and Protection
of Our Subjects against fresh Attacks and Insults.
In the mean Time great Naval Armaments were preparing in the Ports of
France, and a considerable Body of French Troops embarked for[1] North
America; and though the French Ambassadour was sent back to England
with specious Professions of a Desire to accommodate these Differences,
yet it appeared, that their real Design was only to gain Time for the
Passage of those Troops to America, which they hoped would secure the
Superiority of the French Forces in those Parts, and enable them to
carry their ambitions and oppressive Projects into Execution.
In these Circumstances We could not but think it incumbent upon Us,
to endeavour to prevent the Success of so dangerous a Design, and to
oppose the Landing of the French Troops in America; and in Consequence
of the just and necessary Measures We had taken for that Purpose,
the French Ambassadour was immediately recalled from Our Court, the
Fortifications at Dunkirk, which had been repairing for some Time, were
enlarged; great Bodies of Troops marched down to the Coast; and Our
Kingdoms were threatened with an Invasion.
In order to prevent the Execution of these Designs, and to provide for
the Security of Our Kingdoms, which were thus threatened, We could
no longer forbear giving Orders for the seizing at Sea the Ships of
the French King, and his Subjects. Notwithstanding which, as We were
still unwilling to give up all Hopes that an Accommodation might be
effected, We have contented Ourselves hitherto with detaining the said
Ships, and preserving them, and (as far as was possible) their Cargoes
intire, without proceeding to the Confiscation of them; but it being
now evident, by the hostile Invasion actually made by the French King
of Our Island of Minorca, that it is the determined Resolution of that
Court to hearken to no Terms of Peace, but to carry on the War, which
has been long begun on their Part, with the utmost Violence, We can no
longer remain, consistently with what We owe to Our own Honour, and to
the Welfare of Our Subjects, within those Bounds, which, from a Desire
of Peace, We had hitherto observed.
We have therefore thought proper to declare War; and We do hereby
Declare War against the French King, who hath so unjustly begun
it, relying on the Help of Almighty God, in Our just Undertaking,
and being assured of the hearty Concurrence and Assistance of Our
Subjects, in Support of so good a Cause; hereby willing and requiring
Our Captain General of Our Forces, Our Commissioners for executing
the Office of Our High Admiral of Great Britain, Our Lieutenants
of Our several Counties, Governors of Our Forts and Garrisons, and
all other Officers and Soldiers under them, by Sea and Land, to do
and execute all Acts of Hostility, in the Prosecution of this War
against the French King, his Vassals and Subjects, and to oppose their
Attempts: Willing and requiring all Our Subjects to take Notice of the
same; whom We henceforth strictly forbid to hold any Correspondence
or Communication with the said French King, or his Subjects. And We
do hereby command Our own Subjects, and advertise all other Persons,
of what Nation soever, not to transport or carry any Soldiers,
Arms, Powder, Ammunition, or other Contraband Goods, to any of the
Territories, Lands, Plantations, or Countries of the said French
King; Declaring, that whatsoever Ship or Vessel shall be met withal,
transporting or carrying any Soldiers, Arms, Powder, Ammunition, or any
other Contraband Goods, to any of the Territories, Lands, Plantations,
or Countries of the said French King, the same, being taken, shall be
condemned as good and lawful Prize.
And whereas there are remaining in Our Kingdom, divers of the Subjects
of the French King, We do hereby Declare Our Royal Intention to be,
That all the French Subjects who shall demean themselves dutifully
towards Us, shall be safe in their Persons and Effects.
Given at our Court at Kensington, the Seventeenth Day of May, 1756,
in the Twenty ninth Year of Our Reign.