of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 345

Parliament to pursue the most vigorous Measures for reducing
his rebellious Subjects in North America to Obedience and for
restoring legal Government has given the Royal Assent to the
enclosed act, which I am commanded by his Majesty to trans-
mit to you and at the same time to signify to you his Majesty's
pleasure that you do exhort all persons upon whom the Execu-
tion of this Law shall depend to pay a due attention thereto,
and to use their best endeavours for carrying the provisions of
it into Effect; And I trust that when his Majestys deluded
Subjects in the Associated Colonies are better apprized of the
fatal consequence of the conduct they have adopted, and see
the determined spirit of the Nation to maintain its Constitu-
tional rights they will avail themselves of the means which the
justice and benevolence of the supreme Legislature have held
out to them of being restored to the Kings grace and peace,
and that a happy & lasting reconciliation and union will be
effected. And I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that in
order to accelerate this desireable Object that proper steps have
been taken for passing a Commission under the Great Seal in
conformity to the last section but one of that act, And that the
Commissioner or Commissioners to be appointed for that pur-
pose will have full power to enquire into the state and condi-
tion of the Colonies and confer with proper persons upon such
points as may be necessary for effecting a restoration of the
public tranquility. I am sir y^r most ob^t hble. serv^t

Geo. Germain

Copy, J. Pendleton C. C. Safety
For Virginia

A Copy of the Clause in the act (Restraining Bill) of Parlia-
ment referred to by Lord George Germain.

" Provided always nevertheless, and it is hereby enacted by
the Authority aforesaid, that in order to encourage all well
affected persons in any of the said Colonies to exert themselves
in suppressing the Rebellion therein, and to afford a speedy
protection to those who are disposed to return to their duty, it
shall and may be lawful to and for any person or persons
appointed and authorized by his Majesty to grant a pardon or
pardons to any numbers or description of persons by proc-
lamation in his Majesty's name to declare any Colony or prov-
ince, Colonies or Provinces to be at the peace of his Majesty.

	[William to Robert Eden.] Downing Street, Decr 24th My dear Brother : I am very unable to say a tenth Part of what I ought to say	Virginia Copy.