Incitement to Mutiny Act 1797

Anno Regni GEORGII III. tricesimo septimo. An Act for the better Prevention and Punishment of Attempts to seduce Persons serving in His Majesty's Forces, by Sea or Land, from their Duty and Allegiance to His Majesty, or to incite them to Mutiny or Disobedience.—

(37 Geo. 3) C A P. LXX.

[6th June 1797]

'WHEREAS divers wicked and evil-disposed Persons, by the Publication of written or printed Papers, and by malicious and advised Speaking, have of late industriously endeavoured to seduce Personsserving in his Majesty's Forces by Sea and Land from their Duty and Allegiance to his Majesty, and to incite them to Mutiny and Disobedience;' be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That, from and after the passing of this Act, any Person who shall maliciously and advisedly endeavour to seduce any Person or Persons serving in his Majesty's Forces, by Sea or Land, from his or their Duty and Allegiance to his Majesty, or to incite or stir up any such Person or Persons to commit any Act of Mutiny, or to make, or endeavour to make, any mutinous Assembly, or to commit any traiterous or mutinous Practice whatsoever, shall, on being legally convicted of such Offence, be adjudged guilty of Felony, and shall suffer Death as in Cases of Felony without Benefit of Clergy.

S-II Where Offences may be prosecuted.

II Where Offences may be prosecuted.

II. Provided always, and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That any Offence committed against this Act, whether committed on the High Seas or within that Part ofGreat Britain called England , shall and may be prosecuted and tried before any Court of Oyer and Terminer or Gaol Delivery for any County in that Part of Great Britain called England , in such Manner and Form as if the said Offence had been therein committed.

S-III Persons tried for Offences against this Act, not to be tried again for the same, as High Treason, or Misprision of High Treason, &c.

III Persons tried for Offences against this Act, not to be tried again for the same, as High Treason, or Misprision of High Treason, &c.

III. Provided always, and it is hereby declared and enacted, That any Person who shall be tried and acquitted, or convicted of any Offence against this Act, shall not be liable to be indicted, prosecuted, or tried...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT