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 supported 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 open and avowed rebellion, by arraying themselves
in a 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 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 others
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 to condign punishment the authors, perpetrators, and
abetters 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.
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