The Newport Gazette

HALIFAX June 1779.

Extract of a letter from on board his Majesty's ship Blonde, Andrew Barkley, Esq; Commander, & we are informed, that General McLean with the Troops had took from hence the 12th of last Month, had arrived at Penobscot, under convoy of his Majesty's ships Blonde, Nautilus, North, &ca where he had taken a very secure & advantageous post. The Blonde with the armed Schooner Arbuthnot came from thence last Thursday.

On their arrival the following Proclamation was published-

A PROCLAMATION.

By Brigadier General Francis M'Lean, and Andrew Barkeley, Esq; Commanding detachments of his Majesty's Land and Naval Forces in the River Penobscot.

WHEREAS it is well known to the Inhabitants of North America, now in open Rebellion many persons, who still retain a sense of their duty- and who are only detained from an open proof of it by the fear of becoming objects of that cruel treatment. which they have seen exercised on others, by persons who having plunged their Country into the horrors and distresses it now labours under, industriously

Whereas the Inhabitants on the River Penobscot, and the Islands therein, are well affected to His Majesty's person and the ancient constitution; but have been seduced from their allegiance by the wicked insinuations of evil designing men, who have taken the advantage of their distance from the centre of Government, to mislead them into measures inconsistent with their duty and interest, and from whose restoration they can alone expect relief from the distressed situation they are now in.

We, the Commanders in Chief of His Majesty's Land and Naval Forces in North America, taking the good dispositions of the Inhabitants above mentioned (so represented to us) into our consideration, have ordered the Forces under our respective commands to protect them from any molestation on that account, the persons prosecuting them, and securing their respective property and effects.

We therefore, in obedience to their directions, hereby invite and earnestly request all the Inhabitants on the River Penobscot, and the Islands therein, to return to their duty and allegiance, and to submit themselves to His Majesty's Government; and that they, in general, be the first to return to their duty, by openly professing their loyalty and allegiance, from which they have been led to swerve by arguments and apprehensions of the bloodsheds, as well as of the views of those who first promoted them.

We also call on all those in whom these principles have never been shaken, to embrace this present opportunity of manifesting them without dread or apprehension, as we hereby assure them of every protection in the power of the Forces under our respective commands to bestow.

And to quiet the apprehensions of any persons who might be deterred from embracing this opportunity by the dread of being punished for any former acts of rebellion, which they may have been led to commit. We hereby declare, that we will extend our protection, and give every encouragement to all persons of whatever denomination, who shall within eight days from the date hereof, take the oath of allegiance and fidelity to His Majesty before such persons as we shall appoint, either at the Head Quarters of His Majesty's troops at Majabigwaduce, or at Fort Pownal; which oaths of allegiance and fidelity we require all persons whatever to come and take within the required time, and not by neglecting to give such testimony of their loyalty, leave room to look on them as desirous of continuing in an obstinate and unavailing rebellion, and subject themselves to the treatment such conduct will deserve.

To all persons who by returning to their allegiance shall merit it, we not only promise protection and encouragement, with the relief that shall lie in their power to alleviate their present distresses, but we also declare that we will employ the forces under our command to punish all persons whatever who shall attempt in any manner to molest them either in their persons or property on account of their loyalty or conduct towards us; and if forced by their behaviour to punish any men or set of men, we declare that we will do it in such an exemplary manner as we hope will deter others from obliging us to have recourse to such severe means in future.

And whereas the inhabitants to whom this Proclamation is addressed, as well as those in general situated in that part of the country called the Province of Maine, have seated themselves on lands and cultivated them without any grant or title by which their possessions can be secured to them or their posterity. We therefore declare that we have full power to promise, and we do hereby promise, that no person whatever who shall take the oaths of allegiance as above required, and give such other testimony of their attachment to the constitution as we or other officers commanding His Majesty's forces may require, shall be disturbed in their possessions.

On which, before the Blonde sailed for this port, six persons came voluntarily and signed and took the following Declaration and Oath:

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, do profess and acknowledge ourselves to be true and faithful subjects to his Majesty King George the Third, lawful Sovereign of the British colonies in North America (now falsely styling themselves the United States) as well as of Great Britain, France and Ireland. We do in our hearts abhor the present rebellion now carrying on in the colonies aforesaid. And we do abjure and utterly deny the authority of any set of men calling themselves Congress, Committee, or by what other name they may be known, who have or may set up any government in opposition to or in any manner repugnant to that of his Majesty King George the Third aforesaid. In witness of which acknowledgment, as well as of our having voluntarily and solemnly taken the under written Oath before the commander, on board his Majesty's ship Blonde, in Majabigwaduce river, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

I, A. B. calling the great and most sacred God to the truth of my intentions. I do most solemnly promise and swear, that I will bear true allegiance and be a faithful subject to his most sacred Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and of the colonies in North America now falsely calling themselves the United States of America. That as a good and faithful subject, I will always demean myself to the best of my knowledge, that as such I will not give any countenance or assistance, either by intelligence, provisions, arms, or in any manner whatsoever, either by word or deed to the rebellion now carrying on in his Majesty's colonies. That I will give the most early intelligence in my power to the King's officers of any movements, which a good and faithful subject ought not to conceal. That I will never consent to the present illegal authority set up by persons calling themselves the Congress of the United States of North America, or to any other authority already set up, other than that of our most sacred Majesty King George aforesaid, all this I swear in the presence of Almighty God, from whose justice the perjurer must expect the most severe vengeance, and from whom I expect to find help and favour, only as I keep this oath.

The following Journal is also come to hand.

On the 12th of June arrived and anchored at Majabigwaduce river. Several of the transports got aground, but soon got off without damage.

15th, About 50 men were landed. The peninsula was reconnoitred, the camp marked out, and the place pitched on for erecting Fort.

16th, The troops were landed and encamped, and from thence to the 24th, time was employed in landing provisions, stores, &c. which was a most laborious work, there being a steep hill to roll them up.