Lord
Dunmore's Proclamation.
5 May 1774
From Documentary History of Dunmore's War, edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites and Louise Phelps Kellogg (Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society, 1905), p. 283
Whereas, I have reason to apprehend that the Government of Pennsylvania, in prosecution of their claim to Pittsburg and its dependencies, will endeavour to obstruct his Majesty's Government thereof, under my administration, by illegal and unwarrantable commitments of the officers I have appointed for that purpose, and that that settlement is in danger of annoyance from the Indians also; and it being necessary to support the dignity of his Majesty's Government, and protect his subjects in the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of their rights, I have therefore, thought proper, by and with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council, by this Proclamation in his Majesty's name, to order and require the officers of the militia in that district, to embody a sufficient number of men to repel any insult whatever; and all his Majesty's liege subjects within this Colony, are hereby strictly required to be aiding and assisting therein, as they shall answer the contrary, at their peril. And I do further enjoin and require the several inhabitants of the territory aforesaid, to pay his Majesty's quit rents, and all public dues, to such officers as are, or shall be appointed to collect the same, within this Dominion, until his Majesty's pleasure therein shall be known.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the Colony, at Williamsburg, this 25th day of April, 1774, in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's reign.
Dunmore
God Save the King