WHEREAS We have been given to understand , That several untrue and groundless Reports , have been of late industriously spread among the Seamen of the Fleet , touching the incertainty of their Receiving the Wages due to them for their Service therein , to the occasioning great Discontents and Disorders within the said Fleet ; We out of the just Regard , which We do and shall always bear , to the Satisfaction and Encouragement of the Seamen of this Kingdom , have thought fit hereby to declare , That as well the Arrears already due , as the growing Wages of all and every Officer and Seaman , serving Us in the said Fleet , shall be fully made good to them , according to the known Methods of the Navy ; so soon as the Ships whereon they have or shall respectively Earn the same , shall be brought in and laid up .

And whereas among other the ill Effects of the Reports beforementioned , One is , That several Seamen have been thereby misled to the Absenting themselves from their Ships , without Leave , and thereby Subjecting themselves to the Penalties , by the Laws of the Sea ; provided on that behalf : We do hereby further Declare , That all such Absenters , who shall Return to their Duties , on Board their Respective Ships , within the space of Fifteen Days after the date hereof , shall be by Us Pardoned their said Offence , and Exempted from the Punishment by Law due for the same ; And be moreover entitled to the full Benefit of this Our Declaration , in Reference to their Wages ; But so as that whoever of them shall be found either Refusing or Neglecting to lay hold of this Our Gracious Offer , by a timely Return to their Duties , as before , shall be diligently sought after , and ( being Apprehended ) strictly proceeded against for the same , as Deserters , according to Law.