Governor Jonathan Belcher's Proclamation

for Bringing a Criminal to Justice (1733)


 

By His EXCELLENCY

Jonathan Belcher, Esq;

Captain General and GOVERNOR in Chief in and over His Majesty's

Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.

A PROCLAMATION

for Apprehending Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh.

    WHEREAS Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh of Boston did on the twenty-seventh day of October last, in a most violent and outrageous manner with force and arms assault and abuse William Brattle, Esq; a member of the House of Representatives, for some discourse of the said William Brattle upon a debate had that day in the said house; Which assault and abuse the Great and General Court or Assembly of this Province then sitting did resent as a high affront and indignity offered to themselves as well as to that member, and did accordingly pass an order requiring the sheriffs of the several counties in this Province and their officers to apprehend the body of the said Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh and to have him before the Court to answer for the said crime; And whereas the said Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh has thereupon absconded and fled from justice;

    I have therefore thought fit, at the request of His Majesty's Council and the House of Representatives, to issue forth this Proclamation, hereby requiring all sheriffs, under-sheriffs, constables, and other [of] His Majesty's officers, to make diligent search and inquiry after the said Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh, and to apprehend and bring before one or more of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, that so he may be had [presented] before the Great and General Court or Assembly to answer for his said crime. And as a reward for the good service of such officer or officers, or of any other of His Majesty's good subjects that shall apprehend and secure the said Gyles du Lake Tidmarsh and render him to justice as aforesaid, there shall be allowed and paid to such person or persons the sum of fifty pounds out of the public treasury of this Province.

    Given at the Council Chamber in Boston, the ninth day of November 1733, in the seventh 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 etc.

By Order of the Governor,

with the Advice of the Council,                                 J. BELCHER.

        J. Willard, Secr.

   
                 GOD save the King.

BOSTON: Printed by J. Draper, Printer to His Excellency the GOVERNOR and COUNCIL. 1733.


Home - Policy Analysis - Christian Law Library - Christian History Library

Historical Biographies - Belcher Bulletin - Publications - Belcher History Center

About Governor Jonathan Belcher - About the Belcher Foundation - Copyright/Disclaimer - Site Index