1 Benjamin Franklin [1773 
knowledge, full power, and authority royal, have 
made and issued this present Edict, viz.: 
“Whereas it 1s well known to all the world, that 
the first German settlements made in the island of 
Britain were by colonies of people subject to our 
renowned ducal ancestors, and drawn from their do- 
minions, under the conduct of Hengist, Horsa, Hella, 
Uffa, Cerdicus, Ida, and others; and that the said 
colonies have flourished under the protection of our 
august house for ages past; have never been emanci- 
pated therefrom; and yet have hitherto yielded little 
profit to the same; and whereas we ourself have in 
the last war fought for and defended the said colonies 
against the power of France, and thereby enabled 
them to make conquests for the said power in Amer- 
ica, for which we have not yet received adequate 
compensation; and whereas it is just and expedient 
that a revenue should be raised from the said colo- 
nies in Britain, towards our indemnification; and 
that those who are descendants of our ancient sub- 
jects, and thence still owe us due obedience, should 
contribute to the replenishing of our royal coffers (as 
they must have done, had their ancestors remained 
in the territories now to us appertaining); we do 
therefore hereby ordain and command that, from 
and after the date of these presents, there shall be 
levied and paid to our officers of the customs, on 
all goods, wares, and merchandises, and on all grain 
and other produce of the earth, exported from the 
said island of Britain, and on all goods of whatever 
kind imported into the same, a duty of four and a 
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