PROTEST.
C. P. of W. R. of Gr. Br. &c. &c.
NO one is ignorant of the Hereditary Rights of Our Royal House to the Throne of Gr. Br. it is needless to enter into a particular Detail thereof. All Europe is acquainted with the Troubles, which have so often disturbed these Kingdoms, and the Wrongs We have suffered. She knows that Length of Time cannot alter the Constitution of the State, nor Ground a Prescription against the fundamental Laws. She cannot see, without Astonishment, that We should remain silent, while the Powers in War are holding a Treaty for a Peace, which may, without regard to the Justice of Our Cause, (in which all Sovereigns are concerned) agree upon, and stipulate Articles, prejudicial to Our Interests, and to those of the Subjects of Our Most Honoured Lord and Father.
For these Causes, authorized by the Examples of Our Most Honoured Grand-father, and Our Most Honoured Lord and Father, We, as well in the Name of Our Most Honoured Lord and Father, who has given to Us full Powers, by committing to Us the Regency of His Kingdoms, as also, in Our own and proper Name, as natural Heir to the Crown, protest, in the most solemn Manner, and in the best Form, that may be done, against all that may be said, done or stipulated in the Assembly now held at Aix—la-Chapelle, or in any other Assembly, which in Consequence thereof may be held in any other Place, to the Prejudice or Diminution of the Lawful Rights of Our Most Honoured Lord and Father, of Our own, or those of the Princes or Princesses of Our Royal House, that are, or shall be born.
We protest in like Manner against all Conventions, which may be stipulated in the Assemblies aforesaid, which shall be contrary to the Engagements before made with Us.
Declaring by these Presents, That We look upon, and shall ever look upon, as null, void, and ineffectual, all that may be agreed upon and stipulated, which may tend to the Diminution of Our just Rights, and the Recognition of any other Person whatsoever in Quality of Sovereign of the Realms of Gr. Br. other than the Person of the Most High and Most Excellent P. J. III. Our Most Honoured Lord and Father, and in Default of him, to the Person of his next Heir, conformably to the fundamental Laws of Gr. Br.
We declare to all the Subjects of Our Most Honoured Lord and Father, and more particularly to those, who have lately given Us such strong Proofs of their Attachment to Our Royal Family, and the antient Constitution of the State; that nothing shall alter the warm and sincere Love, which Our Birth inspires Us with for them; and that the just sense which We have of their Fidelity, Zeal and Courage, will never be effaced from Our Hearts; that, far from listening to any Proposal which may tend to annul or weaken these indissoluble Bands which unite Us, We look upon Ourselves, and shall always look upon Ourselves, under the most intimate and indispensible Obligation, to be constantly attentive to every Thing that may contribute to their Happiness, and that We shall be ever ready to spill even the last Drop of Our Blood, to deliver them from a foreign Yoke.
We protest and declare, that the Defects, which may be in this present Protestation, shall not hurt or prejudice Our Royal House, and We reserve to Ourselves all Our Rights and Actions, which remain safe and entire.
Given at Paris, 16th July 1748.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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