ism to serve their own country, are permitted
to leave the island and go to Copenhagen.
16. The situation we now are in requires
that we should not suffer the least disrespect
to our person, neither that any one should
transgress the least article of this our proclamation,
which has solely in view the welfare
of the inhabitants of this island. We
therefore solemnly declare, that the first who
shall attempt to disturb the prosperity or
common tranquillity of the country shall
instantly suffer death, without benefit of the
civil law.
17. In all other respects the ancient laws
and regulations shall remain in full force till
such time as the constitution is settled, with
the exception that every Icelander is permitted
to proceed uninterruptedly from place
to place, and to trade wherever and in whatever
manner he pleases, without having passports
from Amptmend or other authorities;
yet all sentences and acts of condemnation
must be signed by us before they can be
executed.
(Signed)
PROCLAMATION. 8 3
Mr. Jorgensen’s seal (J. J.) is affixed to
the original of all these five proclamations.
Mr. Jorgensen, in his own narrative, remarks as follows
: “ Many have found fault with different articles in
my proclamations, and alledge, that they were written
with a great deal too much severity: but this proceeded
from a perfect knowledge o f the people I had to deal
with. Even if there had been some inconsistency in
them, such could not be wondered at, for we are not
to look for the same regularity, during the period of a
revolution, as when a country is perfectly tranquil. But
expressions of severity were absolutely necessary on my
part, thereby to keep the unruly in check; for I knew
my own temper so well, that, had the success o f my
undertaking depended upon the shedding the blood of
one single of my fellow creatures, I should have been
obliged to desist entirely j so that, by appearing what I
really was not, I managed the whole island with ease.
Although it was said in the proclamations, that all officers
who did not remain in their situations should be
transported to Westman s Isles, such a thing was never
attempted to be put in force, neither was a single individual
who resigned, driven out of his habitation, which
might have been done in those houses belonging to go vernment
3 but, on the contrary, I ordered that such
persons and their families should be supplied gratis
with every necessary from the public stores, till an
opportunity offered for them to be sent to Denmark.
Moreover, though it was publicly proclaimed, that any
one, who should disturb the public tranquillity and not
deliver up their arms, should be severely punished, the