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
to 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.