By the Honourable JAMES DELANCEY, Esq;
His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over the Province of New-York, and the Territories depending thereon in America.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS several Desertions have lately happened from the Regiment under the Command of Sir William Pepperrell, Baronet, quartered in this City, which at this Time may be attended with particular Prejudice to his Majesty's Service, and the Interest of his Colonies in general. In order therefore to discourage Desertion from any of his Majesty's Forces now, or which may hereafter be within this Province, and for the speedy apprehending and securing such Persons; I Have thought fit to issue this Proclamation: Hereby in his Majesty's Name, strictly enjoining and requiring all and every his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, from time to time to make, and cause strict Enquiry to be made within their respective Counties or Districts, for such Deserters; and them to cause to be apprehended, and committed to the County Goal, and to give immediate Notice thereof to their Commanding Officer, to the Intent they may be sent to their respective Quarters. And all Officers Civil and Military, are charged and commanded to be aiding and assisting therein. And all Keepers of publick or other Ferries within this Province, and the Persons attending the same, are required to stop all Persons whom they shall suspect to have deserted from his Majesty' Forces, and to carry, or cause them to be carried before the next Justice of the Peace; who is hereby required forthwith to examine, and upon good Cause to commit them, giving Notice thereof as aforesaid. And to the End no Person may harbour, conceal, or entertain such Deserters, or buy, exchange, or otherwise receive from them any Arms, Clothes, or Furniture belonging to the King, upon any Pretence whatever; or cause the Colour of such Clothes to be changed: It is hereby Declared, that the several Penalties of Five Pounds, Sterling, inflicted by Act of Parliament on Persons offending in such Cases, shall be, and all his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, within this Province are to cause the same rigorously to believed on all Delinquents.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Fort George in the City of New-York, with the Advice of His Majesty's Council, the Thirteenth Day of May, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five, and in the Twenty Eighth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the Second, by the Grace of GOD, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
JAMES DE LANCEY.
By his Honour's Command,
Gw. Banyar, D. Secry.
God Save the King.
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