MHS Collections Online

GEORGE R.

WHEREAS many of Our Subjects in divers Parts of Our Colonies and Plantations in
North America, misled by dangerous and ill-designing Men, and forgetting the
Allegiance which they owe to the Power that has protected and sustained them,
after various disorderly Acts committed in Disturbance of the Publick Peace, to the Obstruction
of lawful Commerce, and to the Oppression of Our loyal Subjects carrying on the same, have at
length proceeded to an open and avowed Rebellion, by arraying themselves in hostile Manner to
withstand the Execution of the Law, and traitorously preparing, ordering, and levying War
against Us ; And whereas there is Reason to apprehend that such Rebellion hath been much
promoted and encouraged by the traitorous Correspondence, Counsels, and Comfort of divers
wicked and desperate Persons within this Realm : To the End therefore that none of Our
Subjects may neglect or violate their Duty through Ignorance thereof, or through any Doubt of
the Protection which the Law will afford to their Loyalty and Zeal ; We have thought fit, by
and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, hereby declaring
that not only all Our Officers Civil and Military are obliged to exert their utmost Endeavours to
suppress such Rebellion, and to bring the Traitors to Justice ; but that all Our Subjects of this
Realm and the Dominions thereunto belonging are bound by Law to be aiding and assisting in
the Suppression of such Rebellion, and to disclose and make known all traitorous Conspiracies and
Attempts against Us, Our Crown and Dignity ; And We do accordingly strictly charge and
command all Our Officers as well Civil as Military, and all other Our obedient and loyal Subjects,
to use their utmost Endeavours to withstand and suppress such Rebellion, and to disclose and
make known all Treasons and traitorous Conspiracies which they shall know to be against Us,
Our Crown and Dignity ; and for that Purpose, that they transmit to One of Our Principal
Secretaries of State, or other proper Officer, due and full Information of all Persons who shall be
found carrying on Correspondence with, or in any Manner or Degree aiding or abetting the
Persons now in open Arms and Rebellion against Our Government within any of Our Colonies
and Plantations in North America, in order to bring the condign Punishment the Authors,
Perpetrators and Abettors of such traitorous Designs.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Twenty-third Day of August, One thousand
seven hundred and seventy-five, in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign.

God save the King.

[Endorsement]