Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all our loving subjects, of what
degree or quality soever, greeting.
If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole
kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those
wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be
bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose; however, after this long
silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to
contribute thereunto; and that as we can never give over the hope, in
good time, to obtain the possession of that right which God and nature
hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the Divine
Providence, that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects after so
long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable
possession of that our right, with as little blood and damage to our
people as is possible; nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than
that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, by a full and
entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending
our mercy where it is wanted and deserved.
And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any, conscious
to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the
future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their country, in the
restoration of King, Peers and people to their just, ancient and
fundamental rights, we do, by these presents, declare, that we do grant
a free and general pardon, which we are ready, upon demand, to pass
under our Great Seal of England, to all our subjects, of what degree or
quality soever, who, within forty days after the publishing hereof,
shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall, by any public
act, declare their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and
obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall
hereafter be excepted by Parliament, those only to be excepted. Let all
our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King, solemnly
given by this present declaration, that no crime whatsoever, committed
against us or our royal father before the publication of this, shall
ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them,
to the least endamagement of them, either in their lives, liberties or
estates, or (as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the
prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction
from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining that
henceforth all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be
utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to
a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the
re-settlement of our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by
which, upon the word of a King, we will be advised.
And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced
several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and
animosities against each other (which, when they shall hereafter unite
in a freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood), we
do declare a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be
disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of
religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we
shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as, upon mature
deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that
indulgence.
And because in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many
and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been
made to and by many officers, soldiers and others, who are now possessed
of the same, and who may be liable to actions at law upon several
titles, we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all
things relating to such grants, sales and purchases, shall be determined
in Parliament, which can best provide for the satisfaction of all men
who are concerned.
And we do further declare, that we will be ready to consent to any Act
or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full
satisfaction of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers in the army
under the command of General Monk; and that they shall be received into
our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.
Given under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet, at our Court at Breda,
this 4/14 day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign.