1717–1718 Acts of Grace

The Proclamation for Suppressing of Pirates (also known simply as the Act of Grace, though not an Act of Parliament) was a royal proclamation issued by George I of Great Britain on 5 September 1717. It promised a pardon for acts of piracy committed before the following 5 January to those pirates who surrendered themselves to the correct authority before a deadline. Originally, the surrender had to occur on or before 5 September 1718; this was later extended by a second proclamation to 1 July 1719.

The proclamation also included bounties for the capture of pirates who failed to surrender before the deadline, as well as offering rewards for pirate crew members facilitating the capture of their captains.

In December 1718, a further extension of the deadline was suggested, in hopes of dissuading pirates from entering Spanish service during the War of the Quadruple Alliance.