XIII 
AN EDICT BY THE KING OF PRUSSIA 
DaNTz1G, 5 September, 1773. 
We have long wondered here at the supineness of 
the English nation, under the Prussian impositions 
upon its trade entering our port. We did not, till 
lately, know the claims, ancient and modern, that 
hang over that nation; and therefore could not sus- 
pect that it might submit to those impositions from 
a sense of duty or from principles of equity. The 
following Edict, just made public, may, if serious, 
throw some light upon this matter. 
[“ FREDERIC, by the grace of God, King of Prussia, 
etc., etc., etc., to all present and to come (& tous pré- 
sens et a venir), health. The peace now enjoyed 
throughout our dominions, having afforded us leisure 
to apply ourselves to the regulation of commerce, the 
improvement of our finances, and at the same time 
the easing our domestic subjects in their taxes; for 
these causes, and other good considerations us there- 
unto moving, we hereby make known that, after 
having deliberated these affairs in our council, pres- 
ent our dear brothers, and other great officers of the 
state, members of the same; we, of our certain 
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