6

HISTORY OF THE

[ANNO 1783.

‘ which render them worthy of the favour of their Sovereign, and the respect of‘ their fellow subjects; that so their eminent merits may stand acknowledged to‘ the world, and create a virtuous emulation in others to deserve such honourable‘ distinction. And whereas Our loving subjects of Our Kingdom of Ireland‘ have approved themselves steadily attached to Our Royal Person and Govern-‘ ment, and affectionately disposed to maintain and promote the welfare and‘ prosperity of the whole Empire; and We being willing to confer upon Our‘ subjects of Our said Kingdom a testimony of Our sincere love and affectionate‘ regard, by creating an Order of Knighthood in Our said Kingdom with con-‘ stitutions, ordinances, customs, and ceremonies, similar to those observed in‘ the most dignified Institutions of the same nature; and, whereas you have‘ humbly represented unto Us, that such a testimony of Our Royal Favour will be‘ highly acceptable to Our people of Our said Kingdom of Ireland; it is Our‘ Royal will and pleasure, and We do hereby authorize and require you, upon‘ receipt hereof, forthwith to cause Letters Patent to be passed under the Great‘ Seal of Our said Kingdom of Ireland, for creating a Society or Brotherhood, to‘ be called Knights of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, to consist of‘ the Sovereign and fifteen Knights Companions, and for constituting and‘ appointing Our dearly-beloved fourth Son, Prince Edward; Our right trusty‘ and right entirely beloved cousin and councillor, William Robert Duke of‘ Leinster; Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor,‘ Henry Earl of Clanricarde; Our right-trusty and right well-beloved cousin‘ Randal William Earl of Antrim; Our right trusty and right well-beloved‘cousin and councillor, Thomas Earl of Westmeath; Our right trusty and‘ right well-beloved cousin and councillor, Murrough Earl of Inchiquin ; Our‘ right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor, Charles Earl of‘ Drogheda; Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor,

‘ George de la Poer Earl of Tyrone; Our right trusty and right well-beloved‘ cousin and councillor, Richard Earl of Shannon; Our right trusty and right‘ well-beloved cousin and councillor, James Earl of Clanbrassil; Our right‘ trusty and right well-beloved cousin, Richard Earl of Mornington; Our‘ right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor, James Earl of‘ Courtown; Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin, James Earl of‘ Charlemont; Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin, Thomas Earl of‘ Bective; and Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor,

‘ Henry Earl of Ely, to be Knights Companions of the Most Illustrious Order