“ The Lives of the most illustrious Persons, who have flourished in all Nations, from the earliest Period to the Present Time,
And have most humbly prayed, That We would grant Them Our Royal Licence, for the sole Vending of their said Dictionary, for the Term of Fourteen Years, according to the Statute in that Case made and provided ; We, being willing to give all due En-couragement, to a Work of this Nature, which may be of public Use and Benefit, are graciously pleased to condescend to Their Request ”