His Excellency informed this Board, that he had received dispatches from Col. Fanning of the Orange Regiment of Militia giving him an Account of some disturbances from the Inhabitants of that County which dispatches His Excellency laid before the board, and desired their opinion what measures they would recommend Him to take to suppress the same, and prevent the Evil from
spreading through the province and becoming general, which from the present circumstances of the Country there is cause to apprehend. Then the several dispatches were read as follows Vizt—Col Gray to Col Fanning 9th of April 1768—Colonel Fanning to Lieut. Col Gray the 13th April 1768, Adjutant Nash and Captain Hart to Col Fanning dated the 17th April 1768—And Colo Fannings Letter from Hillsborough to His Excellency the Governor dated the 23d April 1768. This Board having taken the same into consideration are of opinion that an absolute Insurrection of a dangerous tendency has broke out in Orange County, and that a Proclamation issue for suppressing the same.Ordered, That a Proclamation issue in the following words Vizt
North CarolinaBy His Excellency William Tryon Esqr &c &c
A Proclamation.
Whereas information hath been made unto me, that several Riotous and disorderly persons in the County of Orange have confederated together to oppose the just Measures of Government, and Assembling themselves in a tumultuous Manner in Arms, have committed several outrages in open Violaton of the Laws of their Country, contrary to the professed loyalty of the Inhabitants of this province, highly derogatory to the Honour of His Majestys Crown and Dignity, and subversive of that security derived to every individual from a submission to order and good government.
I have therefore thought it expedient by and with the unanimous advice and consent of His Majestys Council to issue my Proclamation, strictly commanding and requiring all persons any ways concerned in such Insurrections immediately to disperse and retire to their Respective habitations submitting themselves to the Laws of their Country, and in case of refusal, I do hereby require and command all Officers Civil and Military to take all lawful means for suppressing the same, and all other persons are strictly required to be aiding and assisting therein as they shall answer the contrary at their peril.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal &cWm. TRYONGod save the King
This Board recommends to His Excellency to issue orders to the Commanding Officers of the several adjacent Countys to hold themselves in readiness to March in support of this Proclamation.
His Excellency Ordered the Secretary to provide expresses to set out immediately with the said Orders.