The first proclamation, issued on a broadside, that we have seen, is that
of March, 1743, "for a public fast." It is issued by Gov. Shirley, and
begins, "It being our constant and indispensable duty by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests to God," &c. He
then appoints the 12th of April ensuing to be observed as a day of general
fasting and prayer. After acknowledging "all our heinous and aggravated
offences," the people are required to implore the Divine mercy for "the
following blessings, namely," the life and health of "Our Sovereign Lord
the King;" the prosperity of his government; that he would direct and
grant success to his Majesty's arms in the present war, and prevent a
further rupture among the nations; in behalf of the Prince and Princess of
Wales; and that "it would please God to cover and defend the English
plantations, more especially this Province," &c. Given at the Council
Chamber, signed, &c., and ending "God save the King."
"WAR AGAINST THE FRENCH KING."
The next proclamation which we have is not probably much known, and not
such as were issued by the governors of the Provinces or States, but is a
"Declaration of war against the French King." It purports to be issued
originally from "Our Court at St. James's, the twenty-ninth day of March,
1744, in the 17th year of our reign." "God save the King." "Printed in
London by Thomas Baskett and Robert Baskett, printers to the King's most
excellent Majesty, 1744." "Boston, N. E. reprinted by John Draper, Printer
to His Excellency the Governor and Council, 1774."
The proclamation rehearses the troubles which have taken place among the
European states, "with a view to overturn the balance of power in Europe,
... in direct violation of the solemn guaranty of the Pragmatick Sanction
given by him [the French King] in 1738, in consideration of the cession of
Lorrain." It refers to other offensive conduct of the French King, and
then replies to some assertions made in the "French King's declaration of
war." "Being therefore indispensably obliged to take up arms," the King
calls upon all his subjects to assist in prosecuting the same by sea and
land; but no special reference is made to the British colonies in America,
and the governor (Shirley) does not even add his name to the proclamation.
One copy of the remarkable document, at least, has been preserved, and is
in possession of Mr. John L. DeWolf of Boston. It is headed by an
engraving of the King's arms, as are all the proclamations issued by the
governor, including those for Fast and Thanksgiving Days, &c. It is not
probable, though we do not know the fact, that a declaration of war by the
King of England was ever re-issued by the governor of any other colony.
Previously to this, in this colony, in 1672, the proclamation of war, by
the King of England against the Dutch, was publicly read in Boston.