THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Independence Day.. Emancipation to Independence... ELIZABETH THE SECOND BY THE GRACE OF GOD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND OF OUR OTHER REALMS AND TERRITORIES QUEEN HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH DEFENDER OF THE FAITH To our trusty and well beloved Sir Kenneth William Blackburne Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Jamaica and Clifford Clarence Campbell Esquire (commonly called the Honourable Clifford Clarence Campbell) President of the Senate of Our Parliament of Jamaica and Tacius Nathaniel Golding Esquire (commonly called the Honourable Tacius Nathaniel Golding) Speaker of the House of Representatives of Our said Parliament and To Our trusty and well beloved the Members of the said Senate and House of Representatives and Our People of Jamaica Greeting : Whereas by the Jamaica Independent Act 1962 provision is made for the attainment by Jamaica of fully responsible status within the Commonwealth And Whereas in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution set out in the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962 Our Parliament of Jamaica has been summoned to meet for certain arduous and urgent affair concerning the Government thereof And Whereas We are desirous of marking the importance of the opening of the first meeting of the said Parliament after the attainment by Jamaica of fully responsible status as aforesaid and of showing Our special interest in the welfare of Our Loyal Subjects in Jamaica and for as much as for certain causes We cannot conveniently be present at Our said Parliament in Our Royal Person Now Know Ye that We trusting in the discretion fidelity and care of Our most dear and entirely beloved Sister Princess Margaret Rose Countess of Snowdon Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India Dame Grand Cross of Royal Victorian Order Do give and grant by the tenor of these Presents unto the said Princess Margaret Rose full power in Our name to hold Our Parliament of Jamaica and to open and declare and cause to be opened and declared the causes of holding the same and to do everything which for Us and by Us shall be therein to be done Willing that the said Princess Margaret Rose shall hereby convey to Our said Parliament and People Our Royal message of goodwill and Our assurance of Our earnest prayer for the blessing of Almighty God on the new Constitution of Jamaica and for the continued prosperity and happiness of all Our Loyal Subjects in Jamaica Commanding also by the tenor of these Presents as well all and every the said Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief the said President Speaker and Members of Our said Senate and House of Representatives as all others whom it concerns to meet in Our said Parliament that to the same Princess Margaret Rose they diligently intend in the promises in the form aforesaid AND We do further direct and enjoin that these Our Letters shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places as Our said Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief shall think fit within Jamaica In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the first day of August in the eleventh year of Our Reign. By The Queen Herself Signed with Her Own Hand