Proclamation of Jonathan Belcher, 1756

From By His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq · A proclamation.

By his Excellency
Jonathan Belcher, Esq;
Captain General, Governor, and Commander in Chief, in and over his Majestyâs Province of Nova-Casara, or New-Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor, and Vice-Admiral in the same, &c.

A Proclamation.

Whereas his most gracious Majesty, for the maintaining and securing his Rights and Possessions of his Crown, and Subjects in North-America, against the most unjust Agressions and Hostilities, committed on the part of France, hath among other Measures, been pleased to appoint and station seven Regiments, three in Nova-ScotiaÐ, and four in the Province of New-York; and hath by his Ministers signified to me, his Royal Will and Pleasure, that those several Regiments be recruited as soon as possible, to their full Complement of One Thousand Men each. In order to engage his faithful Subjects, in a Service so essential to their own Defence and Preservation, consents, that such Recruits shall not be obliged to serve any where but in North-America; that they be discharged when Hostilities shall cease; and that each of them shall have a Grant of Two Hundred Acres of Land, free from the Payment of Quit-Rents for Ten Years, either in the Province of New-York, New-Hampshire, or Nova-Scotia, at their own choice, to be granted them, on producing their Discharge from the Commander in Chief, to the Governor of either of the said Provinces respectively. And in Case they should be killed in the Service, their Widows and Children shall be entitled to the said Lands, in such Proportion as the Governor and Council of the Province, wherein such Lands lie, shall direct. I have in Consequence thereof, and by and with the Advice and Consent of his Majestyâs Council, published the above favourable Terms, granted by his Majesty to all his faithful Subjects, who shall within this Colony enlist in either of said Regiments, hoping and not doubting, but they will be productive of the great and good Ends proposed by his Majesty. And I do hereby strictly charge and enjoin all Officers, Civil and Military, and others his Majestyâs liege Subjects within this Province, to be aiding and assisting, from Time to Time, in raising said Recruits, as the Occasion may Require.

GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, at Arms, at the Borough of Elizabeth, in the Province of New-Jersey, the first Day of July, in the Thirtieth Year of his Majestyâs Reign, Annoque Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six.

GOD Save the KING.