Manuscript DS, signed “Charles R,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 12, July 9, 1672. Warrant granting a pardon to twenty Quakers and other non-conformists, naming those who are pardoned for not attending church, for not taking the Oath of Allegiance, and for frequenting or being present at seditious meetings. In part: "Our Will and pleasure is that you forthwith prepare a Bill for our Royall signature to passe our great seale containing our gracious pardon…of all offences, contempts and misdemeanors by them…against the severall statutes made in the 1th, 23d, & 25th yeares of the the reigne of Queen Elizabeth, in the 3d yeare of the reigne of our late Royall grandfather King James, and in the 16th yeare of Our Reigne in not coming to Church & hearing divine service, in refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance and supremacy and frequenting or being present at seditious conventules." Annotated along the bottom edge of the first page: "Pardon to severall Quakers &c." Neatly signed at the head in ink by King Charles II and countersigned at the conclusion by Lord Clifford. The white paper seal affixed at the head remains intact. In very good to fine condition, with overall toning and foxing.
King Charles II favored a policy of religious tolerance, attempting to introduce freedoms for Protestant nonconformists and Roman Catholics with his 1672 Royal Declaration of Indulgence. Issued on March 15, 1672, the decree suspended the execution of the penal laws that punished recusants from the Church of England. Ultimately, in 1673, the Cavalier Parliament compelled Charles to withdraw the declaration. Nevertheless, this significant warrant for the pardon of a group of Quakers demonstrates Charles' interest in promoting religious freedom in spite of political pressures to do otherwise.
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