Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion 1775, Catalogue ref: CO 5/993 f.7.
In this document, King George III referred to the American colonists as traitors. The proclamation was printed and distributed by William Franklin, the Colonial Governor of New Jersey (1763–1776), a Loyalist during American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin, his father, however, became one of the most important Patriot leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father of the United States.
* ‘Whereas’ is often used in legal documents and proclamations it means ‘that being the case’ or ‘in view of the fact’.
** ‘Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms’ means according to powers delegated to William Franklin by the Crown.
*** Burlington: Find this town on the Source 1 map [on Delaware River in the state of New Jersey, now a suburb of Philadelphia.]
Transcript
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esq.
Captain-General, Governor and Commander in Chief and over the Province of New-Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in AMERICA, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the same, etc.
A PROCLAMATION .
WHEREAS I have received His Majesty’s Royal proclamation, bearing Date at St. James, the twenty-third Day of August last, together with His Majesty’s Commands to cause the same to be made public in such Manner as has been usual on the like Occasions, which Proclamation is in the Words following:
BY THE KING
A PROCLAMATION
For suppressing Rebellion and Sedition
George R [Rex]
Whereas many of our Subjects in diverse Parts of or 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 for the public 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 with 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 supress such Rebellion, and to bring the Traitors to Justice; but that all our Subjects of this realm and the Dominions thereunto belong are bound by Law to be aiding and assisting in the Suppression of such Rebellion, and to disclose and make know 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 an 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 [deserved] Punishment the Authors, Perpetrators and Abettors [accomplices] of such traitorous Designs.
GIVEN at our Court at St James’, the twenty-third Day of August, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five, in the fifteenth year of or Reign.
I DO THEREFORE, in Obedience to His Majesty’s Commands, and with the Advice of His Majesty’s Council for this Province, hereby publish the same, to the end that all His Majesty’s liege Subjects in this Province may be fully acquainted therewith and govern themselves accordingly.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms**, in the City of Burlington***, the twenty-fourth Day of November, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-five; and in the sixteenth Year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the Third of Great-Britian, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, Etc.
- FRANKLIN
By His EXCELLENCY’S Command
CCHA. PETTIT, D. Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE KING
- What does the description of William Franklin at the top of the proclamation infer about his role and duties in in New Jersey?
- Why did George III make this proclamation to his colonial subjects in North America?
- How does George III explain the reasons for rebellion in the colonies?
- What does he mean by the ‘obstruction of lawful commerce’?
- What does the document infer about the colonial relationship with the British Crown?
- How does the British Crown intend to treat any resistance to its rule in the colonies?
- What is the difference between ‘rebellion’ and ‘sedition’?