A Proclamation signifying His Majesties Pleasure , that all men being in Office of Government at the Decease of the Late King His Majesties most Dear and most Entirely Beloved Brother , shall so continue until His Majesties further Directions .

JAMES R.

FOrasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God lately to call unto his infinite mercy the most High and Mighty Prince , King CHARLES the Second , of most Blessed Memory , the King's most Dear and most entirely Beloved Brother , by whose Decease the Authority and Power of most part of the Offices , and places of Jurisdiction and Government within this Realm , and in the Realm of Ireland did cease and fail ; the Soveraign Person failing , from whom the same were derived ; the King's most Excellent Majesty , in his Princely Wisdom , & Care of the State ( reserving to his own Judgment hereafter the Reformation & Redress of any abuses in Misgovernment , upon due Knowledge & Examination thereof ) is pleased , and hath so expressly fignified ; That all persons that at the time of the Decease of the late King , his dearly beloved Brother , were duly and Lawfully possessed of , or invested in any Office , or Place of Authority of Government , either Civil or Military , within this Realm of England , or in the Realm of Ireland , or in any other His Majesties Dominions belonging thereunto , and namely , all Presidents , Lieutenants , Vice-Presidents , Judges , Justices , Sheriffs , Deputy-Lieutenants , Commissioners of Musters , Justices of Peace , and all others in place of Government , either meaner or Superior , as aforesaid , and all other Officers and Ministers , whose Interests and Estates in their Offices are determined , or ceased , by the means aforementioned , shall be , and shall hold themselves continued in the said Places , and Offices , as formerly they held and enjoyed the same , until His Majesties Pleasure be further known .

And that in the mean while , for the Preservation of the Peace , and necessary Proceedings in matters of Justice , and for the Safety and Service af the State , all the said Persons , of whatsoever Degree or Condition , may not fail every one severally , according to his Place , Office , or Charge , to proceed in the performance and execution of all Duties thereunto belonging , as formerly appertained unto them , and every of them , while the Late King's Majesty was living .

And further , His Majesty doth hereby will and Command all and singular His Highness's Subjects , of what Estate , Dignity or Degree , they or any of them be , to be aiding , helping and assisting , and at the Commandment of the said Officers and Ministers , in the performance and Execution of the said Offices and Places , as they and every of them tender His Majesties pleasure , and will answer for the contrary at their utmost perils .

And further , His Majesty's Will and Pleasure , and express Commandment is , That all Orders and Directions made or given by the Lords of the Privy Council of the late King , in his Life time , shall be obeyed and performed by all and every person and persons , and all and every thing and things to be done thereupon , shall proceed as fully and amply , as the same should have been obeyed , or done in the Life of the said late King , His Majesties most Dear and entirely Beloved Brother .

Given at the Court at Whitehall the sixth day of February , in the First year of His Majesties Reign , of England , Scotland , France and Ireland . God Save the KING . A True Copy . John Nicolas .

WE the Lord Lieutenant and Council , in pursuance of the aforesaid Letters , do hereby publish the said Proclamation : And do require all persons concerned to take notice of His Majesty's pleasure thereby signified , and to yield Obedience thereunto .

Given at the Council-Chamber in Dublin , this Eleventh day of February , 1684. Mich . Armach . C. Franc : Dublin , Roscommon , Droghedah , Arran , Lougford , Granard , Blesinton , Mountjoy , Will . Kildare , H Boyle , Rich . Coote . Char : Meredith , Will : Davys , John Keating , He : Hene , John Davys , Rich : Reynell , John Cole , Mau : Eustace , C : Wich , Tho : Newcomen , Adam Loftus . God save the King .