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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On January 23, 1770, the British War Office announces King George III's pardon for deserters from his land forces, conditional on surrendering in specified locations by June or December 1770, enlisting or confessing, with provisions for those unfit or already serving elsewhere.
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WHEREAS it hath been represented to the King, that there are at this Time several Deserters from the different Corps in his Majesty's Land Service that by an Offer of his Majesty's gracious Pardon they might be induced to return to their Duty, and that such an Instance of his Royal Clemency might have a due Influence upon their future Behaviour; his Majesty is graciously pleased to grant his free Pardon to all Deserters from his Land Forces, under the following Limitations and Conditions.
1st. That such of the Deserters as are now in Great-Britain or Ireland, or in the Garrison of Gibraltar, or Island of Minorca, do surrender themselves on or before the 30th of June 1770, either to the Regiments to which they belonged, or to any others on those Stations, or to any recruiting Party of the Forces; the Deserters from the Cavalry to surrender to some Corps of the Cavalry; and Deserters from the Infantry, to some Corps of the Infantry.
2dly. That such Deserters as Are now in North America, the West Indies, or Africa, do surrender themselves on or before the 31st Day of December, 1770, to their respective Regiments, or to any others which may be stationed at the Places, where such Deserters happen to be.
3dly. That they shall be entitled to the Benefit of this Pardon, upon their declaring from what Corps they deserted, and consenting to enlist in the Corps to which they shall have surrendered.
4thly, And whereas it has been represented to the King, that many of the said Deserters, may have since enlisted into other Corps: and may be now serving therein, his Majesty is graciously pleased to extend to such Deserters the Benefit of this Pardon, and to permit them to continue to serve in such Corps, upon their confessing their Desertion to their Commanding Officer.
5thly. And whereas it is probable that many of the said Deserters either from Age or Infirmities, may not now be fit to be received again into the Service, it is his Majesty's Pleasure that, upon such Deserters applying to the Commanding Officer of any Corps of the Land Forces, and confessing their Desertion, a Certificate shall be granted to them under the Regimental Seal, and signed by the Commanding Officer, of their having surrendered themselves agreeable to his Majesty's Pleasure herein signified, which Certificate shall entitle them to the full Benefit of this Pardon.
6thly. And whereas several of the Deserters have been apprehended, and are now in Goal or in Military Custody, his Majesty is graciously pleased to extend to them his Free Pardon, of which they are to have the full benefit, upon their Arrival at their respective Regiments, or upon their being permitted to enlist in any other Corps of his Majesty's Land Forces.
By His Majesty's Command,
BARRINGTON.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Great Britain
Event Date
January 23, 1770
Key Persons
Outcome
free pardon extended to all deserters from land forces upon meeting surrender, enlistment, or confession conditions; certificates for unfit individuals; pardon for those in custody upon return to service.
Event Details
The King grants pardon to deserters from his land forces to encourage return to duty, with conditions for surrender in Great Britain, Ireland, Gibraltar, Minorca by June 30, 1770, and in North America, West Indies, Africa by December 31, 1770; requires declaration of origin and enlistment; allows continuation in new corps upon confession; provides certificates for unfit deserters; extends to those in custody.