By His Excellency Francis Legge Esquire, Captain General & Governor ih Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of Nova: Scotia, and its dependencies Vice Admiral of the same &c &c &c

A Proclamation

Whereas in prejudice of all order and regularity, a daring and traiterous Rebellion, against his Majestys Person and Government, at present Subsists in many of His Plantations, and Colonies on this Continent.

And Whereas in pursuance of such unnatural and traiterous designs, many of the Rebels from the said Colonies, have at several times dar'd to insult, and make actual Invasion on this Province; to the great detriment of numbers his Majestys faithfull Subjects therein.

And Whereas by such like lawless proceedings as these, the Trade of this Province may be endanger'd, and thereby the accustom'd and lawfull pursuits of its Inhabitants be hinder'd or prevented. Armed Vessels fitted out by the Rebels, having at several times traiterously and Illegally seiz'd and made Prizes of Vessels, the Property of his Majesty's loyal Subjects of this Province, and particularly of late, two Armed Vessels have appear'd off Canso, where they have daringly seiz'd and taken a Schooner belonging to that Port. To the intent therefore that all, and such like proceedings may in future be prevented, the Persons and properties of his Majesty's faithfull and loyal Subjects within this Province, be render'd secure; and that all Aiders, Abettors, and Correspondencers with Rebels, in Arms against his Majesty's Government, may more effectually, and speedily be convicted and brought to condign Punishment, for such atrocious and treasonable Crimes.

I have thought fit, and I do hereby, with, and by the Advice, and Consent of His Majestys Council, publish and declare Martial Law, to be of full force, within this Province, requiring all Persons to take Notice thereof.

And all His Majesty's Officers Military, are hereby requir'd to Assemble in Military Array, and by Force of Arms to repel all such Invaders, and all other his Majesty's Enemies; and all His Majesty's Civil Officers, and others His leige Subjects. are hereby requir'd to be aiding and assisting therein, agreeable to the Laws of the Province, in that case made and provided, and to obey all such Orders, as they shall receive from me, or other Military Officers appointed by me, for that Purpose.

Given under my hand & Seal at Halifax this fifth day of December 1775. in the Sixteenth year of His Majesty's Reign.