August 23, 1775
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.
GOD save the KING.