Upper Canada.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN G. SIMCOE, Esq. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MAJOR GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES, &c. &c. &c.
PROCLAMATION
(seal)
WHEREAS it appears by the minutes of the Council of the late Province of Quebec, dated Monday the ninth day of November 1789, to have been the desire of his Excellency Lord Dorchester the Governor-General “To put a mark of honour upon the “families who had adhered to the Unity of Empire, and joined the Royal Standard in America before the treaty of separation in the year 1783,”and for that purpose it was then “Ordered, by his Excellency in Council, that the several Land “Boards (should) take course for preferring a registry of the names of all persons falling under the “description aforementioned, to the end that their posterity might be discriminated from (the then) “future fettlers in the parish registers and rolls of the militia of their respective districts and other “public remembrances of the Province, as proper objects, by their preserving . . . and conduct so “honourable to their ancestors, for distinguished benefits and privileges . . . ” but as such registry has not been generally made; and as it is still necessary to ascertain the persons and families, who may have distinguished themselves as abovementioned ; as well for the causes set forth, as for the purposes of fulfilling his Majesty’s gracious intention of fettling such persons and families upon the lands now about to be confirmed to them, without the incidental expenses (sic) attending such grants : — Now Know Ye, that I have thought proper, by and with the advice and consent of the executive council, to direct, and do hereby direct all persons, claiming to be confirmed by deed and under the seal of the province in their federal possessions, who adhered to the unity of the empire and joined the royal standard in America, before the treaty of separation in the year 1783, to ascertain the fame upon oath before the magistrates in the michaelmas quarter- sessions assembled, now next ensuing the date of this proclamation, in such manner and form, as the magistrates are directed to receive the fame ; — and all persons will take notice that if they neglect to ascertain, according to the mode set forth, their claims to receive deeds without fee, they will not be considered as entitled, in this respect, to the benefit of having adhered to the unity of the empire and joined the royal standard in America before the treaty of separation in the year 1783. Given under my hand and seal at arms, at the government house at York, this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-fix and in the thirty-sixth year of his Majesty’s reign
JOHN GRAVES SIMCOE GOD SAVE THE KING !
By his Excellency’s Command
E.B. LITTLECHALES