Lord Dunmore' s Proclamation

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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.