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by a just and generous benevolence towards the widows and orphans of those of Our soldiers, sailors, and marines who have been so killed, or who may hereafter die amidst the ravages and casualties of war, and also by their gifts and subscriptions to contribute a portion of those means with which Our nation has been blessed towards the suc- couring, educating, and relieving those, who, by the loss of their husbands and parents in battle, or by death on active service in the present war, are unable to maintain or to support themselves:
Recites that it is
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that public measures should be taken, and that preparation should be made for the safe keeping and beneficial application of the several expedient to take sums of money which may henceforth, and from time to time hereafter, during the measures for safe custody and appli- continuance of this Our Royal Commission, be given, subscribed, or collected, for all cation of funds. or any of the several purposes aforesaid: Aud also for the purpose of securing such prompt and authentic information as may be required, to aid the just and faithful distribution of the said several sums of money, when so received: And it hath also appeared to Us, that by issuing this Our Royal Commission, greater efficacy, power, and support, may be given to the benevolent desires of Our loving subjects: And also that the respective claims, merits, and necessities of individual claimants will be duly inquired into: And that by permitting assistance to be rendered by the officers of Our civil, military, and naval services we may prevent the wrong application, by misre- presentation or otherwise, of those contributions which Our loving subjects may hereafter, during the continuance of this Our Royal Commission, for the several purposes aforesaid, generously and benevolently supply:
era.
NOW KNOW YE, that We, having taken into Our consideration the premises, Constituting Com- and being earnestly desirous, in lasting memory of those who have faithfully fallen in mission and nut Our service, to encourage the loyal and hearty benevolence of Our loving subjects, ing Commission which may hereafter be directed towards the widows and orphans of the soldiers, sailors, and marines of Our forces, who may now or hereafter be serving abroad in Our armies and fleets, or in services connected with Our present hostilities, and for other the several purposes hercinbefore recited or mentioned, and reposing great trust and confidence in your fidelity, discretion, and integrity, HAVE authorized and ap pointed, and DO by these presents anthorize and appoint you, the said Prince Albert, Names of Com the said Duke of Newcastle, the said Duke of Wellington, the said Lord Seymour, missioners. the said Earl of Derby, the said Earl of Shaftesbury, the said Earl of Aberdeen, the said Earl of Hardwicke, the said Earl of Chichester, the said Earl Nelson, the said Earl Grey, the said Viscount Palmerston, the said Viscount Combermere, the said Viscount Hardinge, the said Baron Rokeby, the said Baron Colchester, the said Baron Panmure, the said Baron Seaton, the said Baron St. Leonards, the said Baron Raglan, the said Sidney Herbert, the said James Lindsay, the said Sir James Robert George Graham, the said Henry Thomas Lowry Corry, the said Edward Ellice, the said Robert Vernon Smith, the said Sir John Somerset Pakington, the said Sir Robert Throckmorton, the said Sir William Parker, the said Sir Thomas Byam Martin, the said Sir John Fox Burgoyne, the said Sir Hew Dalrymple Ross, the said Lord Mayor of Our city of London, the said Joseph Hume, the said Thomas Baring, the said John Gellibrand Hubbard, the said John Wilson Patten, the said Samuel Morton Peto, the said Edmund Burke Roche, and the said John Ball, to make full and diligent inquiry into the best mode of aiding the loyalty and benevolence of Our loving subjects, and of ascertaining the best means by which the gifts, subscriptions, and contributions of Our loving subjects can be best applied, according to the generous intentions of the donors thereof, and from time to time to apply the same as you, Our Commis- sioners, or any three or more of you, shall think fit or direct, either for the immediate relief of such special objects of destitution as may come within the meaning and purpose of such benevolence, or, for any of the purposes aforesaid, to increase, ex- tend, or make additions to any of Our Royal or other charitable institutions already founded for similar purposes within Our United Kingdom. Aud, further, to apply, or to order and direct the application of, all such monies in such manner as to you Our Commissioners, or to any three or more of you, shall seem fit in the premises; so that
you
do in all things secure the most impartial and beneficent distribution of all such sums as may hereafter and from time to time be received under or by virtue of this Our Royal Commission.
AND KNOW YE that We do by these presents further give and grant to you, and to any three or more of you, full power and authority to call before you, or any three missioners to call or more of you, all such persons in connection with Our civil, military, and naval persons service, as you shall judge necessary, by whom you may be the better informed of all matters and things most desirable to be done and performed, and to inquire into the premises and every part thereof by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.
And our further will and pleasure is, That for the purpose of aiding you in the execu Appointment of tion of these premises, We do hereby appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Edmund Gardiner Fishbourne, Esquire, Captain in Our Navy, and our trusty and well-beloved John Henry Lefroy, Esquire, Captain in Our Royal Regiment of Artillery, to be joint Honorary Secretaries to this Our Royal Commission.
Power to Com
before
them.
Sceretaries.