FOOTNOTES:
[1] The numerous documents relating to the burning of the Gaspee are printed in R. I. Colonial Records, vol. 7, pp. 55-192; also in R. I. Historical Society Proceedings, 1890-91, pp. 80-92, and Publications, vol. 7, pp. 238-244.
[2] This is the only proclamation of which the editor finds record that was printed outside of Great Britain. A marginal note appended to the entry of the proclamation in the Privy Council Register (III Geo., vol. 9, p. 428) reads: "N. B. The original proclamation under the Great Seal was sent over to Rhode Island with the Commission &c by the Secretary of State." In the London Gazette of September 8, 1772, an article dated at Whitehall, August 29, and evidently officially inspired, recites the circumstances of the attack upon the Gaspee, the appointment of a commission of inquiry, and the issuance of a Proclamation which was "to be printed and published within the said Colony of Rhode Island." Under date of December 22, 1772, Governor Wanton of Rhode Island wrote to the Sheriffs of the several counties: "In obedience to the King's command, signified to me, by the Right Honorable the Earl of Dartmouth, one of his principal secretaries of state, I have caused to be printed His Majesty's proclamation for discovering and apprehending the persons who plundered and burnt the Gaspee schooner; copies of which, I send you by express, which you are forthwith to affix in the most public places of the several towns within your colony" (R. I. Colonial Records, vii, 117). John Howland relates that the proclamation was posted near the Market house in Providence, but was struck down by a patriotic citizen and "mingled with the filth of the street" (Stone's Life of Howland, p. 37).
The editor could find no printed copy of this proclamation in England, but a few days after returning to America had the good fortune to discover one of the original broadsides, which was purchased for the R. I. Historical Society.
[1774, December 16.]
[Providing Copper Currency for Virginia.]
BY THE KING.
A PROCLAMATION
George R.
Whereas it hath been humbly represented to Us on the part and behalf of Our Colony of Virginia that a Currency of Copper Money within the same Colony would be highly beneficial to Our good Subjects the Inhabitants thereof for the more easy and convenient making of small Payments; And Whereas the Treasurer of Our said Colony being thereunto authorized by an Act of Our Governor Council and Assembly of Our said Colony passed in the tenth Year of Our Reign[1] hath delivered to the Master and Worker of Our Mint in Our Tower of London a sufficient quantity of Fine Copper in Barrs nealed for the Coinage of five Tons of the Pieces hereinafter mentioned after making the just and usual Allowances to the Officers of Our Mint; And Whereas Our said Master and Worker of Our Mint hath in pursuance of Our Warrant for that purpose issued Coined thereout five Tons of Pieces of Copper Coin of such Weight that Sixty Pieces thereof are equal to one Pound Weight averdupois without erring either in excess or defect above one thirtieth part and are of the value of two shillings and sixpence according to the Currency of Money in Our said Colony of Virginia And each Piece is Stamped on one side with Our effigies with the Inscription Georgius III Rex and on the reverse with the Virginia Arms with the St. Georges Cross leaving out the escutcheon of Crowns except one Crown at the Top as on the Guinea without Crest Supporters or Motto except the word Virginia round the Arms with the date of the Year which are now ready to be exported to Our said Colony of Virginia.[2] We have thereupon with the Advice of Our Privy Council thought fit to issue this Our Royal Proclamation And We do accordingly hereby Ordain declare and Command that the said Pieces of Copper Money so Coined Stamped and impressed as aforesaid shall be current and lawful Money of and in Our said Colony of Virginia and of and within the Districts and precincts of the same and shall pass and be received therein after the rate following that is to say Twenty four of the said Pieces shall pass and be received for the Sum of one shilling according to the Currency of Our said Province of Virginia and at and after such rate shall be computed accepted and taken accordingly in all Bargains Rates Payments and other Transactions of Money; Provided always and We do hereby further declare that no person shall be obliged to take more than one shilling of such Copper Money in any one Payment of any Sum of Money under twenty Shillings nor more than two shillings and sixpence thereof in any one payment of a larger Sum of Money than twenty shillings;
Given at Our Court at St. James's the Sixteenth day of December 1774 in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
No printed copy found. Entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 11, p. 267, from which this transcript was taken.