Proclamation by Governour Gage

v2:1027

Whereas, notwithstanding the repeated assurance of the Selectmen and others, that all the inhabitants of the Town of Boston had, bona fide, delivered their Fire-Arms unto the persons appointed to receive them, though I had advices at the same time of the contrary; and whereas I have had since full proof that many have been perfidious in this respect, and have secreted great numbers;

I have thought fit to issue this Proclamation, to require of those who have yet Fire-Arms in their possession immediately to surrender them at the Court-House to such persons as shall be authorized to receive them; and hereby to declare that all persons in whose possession any Fire-Arms may hereafter be found, will be deemed enemies to His Majesty' s Government.

Given at Boston, the nineteenth day of June, 1775, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

THOMAS GAGE.

By his Excellency' s command:

THOMAS FLUCKER, Secretary.