Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Domestic News
January 9, 1761
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Governor Francis Bernard addressed the Massachusetts General Assembly on the death of King George II and accession of King George III. On Dec. 30, 1760, a proclamation ceremony in Boston featured a procession, militia muster, cannon fire, and evening illuminations, concluding with decorum.
Merged-components note: The proclamation text directly follows and is part of the description of the local proclamation event in Boston; merged and relabeled the notice component to domestic_news.
Clipping
OCR Quality
82%
Good
Full Text
BOSTON, January 1.
On Monday his Excellency was pleased to make the following Speech to the General Assembly of this Province, then sitting here, viz.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
HAVING received certain Advice of the Death of his late Majesty King GEORGE the Second, and the Accession of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the Imperial Throne of Great Britain, I must condole with you on the one Event, and congratulate you on the other.
His late Majesty was so justly endeared to all his Subjects, that it is impossible to part with Him without Tears: And one perhaps there never was so great a national Loss attended with so many Circumstances of Consolation.
The wise Providence which blessed his latter Days as it descended him to his last Moments; his Life was full of Glory; his Death sudden and free from Pain, having been raised above the rest of Mankind by that august station exempted from it to descend to them.
The extraordinary length of his Days (beyond the common Period) afforded Time for the Virtues of his Royal Successor so to ripen and display themselves, that Great-Britain might not lose a Moment's sight of the fair Prospect before her. At the very instant of her Loss, she has the most certain Assurances, that the great Purpose of securing and establishing the British Empire, so happily carried on by GEORGE the Second, will receive its utmost Improvement and fullest Completion from GEORGE the Third.
I have appointed Tomorrow at Noon for the Proclamation of His Majesty, and desire you would assist thereat.
This Ceremony is over, it will be proper that all other Business, except what relates thereto, should be Suspended until Chamber.
Fra. Bernard
Dec. 30. 1760.
Tuesday in the Forenoon, His Honour the Lieut. Governor, the Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and a Number of other Gentlemen, waited upon his Excellency the Governor at the Province House; from whence they walked in Procession to the Council-Chamber, being escorted by the Company of Cadets, commanded by Colonel Jarvis:
The Regiment of Militia, commanded by Colonel Phillips, were mustered on the Occasion, and appeared under Arms in King Street. About XII o'Clock the Proclamation was read, and repeated with a loud Voice from the Balcony of the Court-House; and on finishing with GOD save the KING, three Huzzas were given by a vast Concourse of People of all Ranks, assembled on this Occasion; which was followed by three Vollies from the Regiment of Militia and Company of Cadets: And upon a Signal given, 63 Pieces of Cannon were discharged at Castle William, and also a Round at each of the Batteries in this Town and at Charlestown.
In the Evening there were publick Illuminations, and a handsome Entertainment provided at Faneuil Hall, where the health of His Majesty King GEORGE the Third, the Royal Family, and many other loyal Healths were drank. The whole Ceremony was carried on and concluded with great Decency and good Decorum.
This Morning all the Bells in this Town, began to Toll on Account of the Death of His late Majesty King GEORGE the Second; and to continue tolling most part of the Day. And we hear that Minute Guns, to the Number of 77, the Years of His said Majesty's Age, will be discharged at Castle William to begin at Ten o'Clock.
The following is the Proclamation which was published on Tuesday last.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty GOD to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lord King GEORGE the Second, of Blessed Memory, by whose Decease the Imperial Crowns of Great Britain, France and Ireland are solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty GEORGE Prince of Wales,
WE therefore the Governor of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, with the Lieut. Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, and with the Assistance of Numbers of the Principal Gentlemen of the said Province, do now, with full Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart, Publish and Proclaim, That the High and Mighty Prince GEORGE Prince of Wales, is now by the Death of our late Sovereign, of happy Memory, become our only Lawful and Rightful Liege Lord GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD. King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To whom we acknowledge all Faith and constant Obedience, with all hearty and humble Affection. Beeching GOD (by whom Kings do Reign) to bless his Royal King GEORGE the Third, with long and happy Years to Reign over us.
Given at the Council Chamber in Boston. the Thirtieth Day of December 1760, and in the First Year of His Majesty's Reign.
GOD Save the KING
On Monday his Excellency was pleased to make the following Speech to the General Assembly of this Province, then sitting here, viz.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
HAVING received certain Advice of the Death of his late Majesty King GEORGE the Second, and the Accession of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the Imperial Throne of Great Britain, I must condole with you on the one Event, and congratulate you on the other.
His late Majesty was so justly endeared to all his Subjects, that it is impossible to part with Him without Tears: And one perhaps there never was so great a national Loss attended with so many Circumstances of Consolation.
The wise Providence which blessed his latter Days as it descended him to his last Moments; his Life was full of Glory; his Death sudden and free from Pain, having been raised above the rest of Mankind by that august station exempted from it to descend to them.
The extraordinary length of his Days (beyond the common Period) afforded Time for the Virtues of his Royal Successor so to ripen and display themselves, that Great-Britain might not lose a Moment's sight of the fair Prospect before her. At the very instant of her Loss, she has the most certain Assurances, that the great Purpose of securing and establishing the British Empire, so happily carried on by GEORGE the Second, will receive its utmost Improvement and fullest Completion from GEORGE the Third.
I have appointed Tomorrow at Noon for the Proclamation of His Majesty, and desire you would assist thereat.
This Ceremony is over, it will be proper that all other Business, except what relates thereto, should be Suspended until Chamber.
Fra. Bernard
Dec. 30. 1760.
Tuesday in the Forenoon, His Honour the Lieut. Governor, the Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, and a Number of other Gentlemen, waited upon his Excellency the Governor at the Province House; from whence they walked in Procession to the Council-Chamber, being escorted by the Company of Cadets, commanded by Colonel Jarvis:
The Regiment of Militia, commanded by Colonel Phillips, were mustered on the Occasion, and appeared under Arms in King Street. About XII o'Clock the Proclamation was read, and repeated with a loud Voice from the Balcony of the Court-House; and on finishing with GOD save the KING, three Huzzas were given by a vast Concourse of People of all Ranks, assembled on this Occasion; which was followed by three Vollies from the Regiment of Militia and Company of Cadets: And upon a Signal given, 63 Pieces of Cannon were discharged at Castle William, and also a Round at each of the Batteries in this Town and at Charlestown.
In the Evening there were publick Illuminations, and a handsome Entertainment provided at Faneuil Hall, where the health of His Majesty King GEORGE the Third, the Royal Family, and many other loyal Healths were drank. The whole Ceremony was carried on and concluded with great Decency and good Decorum.
This Morning all the Bells in this Town, began to Toll on Account of the Death of His late Majesty King GEORGE the Second; and to continue tolling most part of the Day. And we hear that Minute Guns, to the Number of 77, the Years of His said Majesty's Age, will be discharged at Castle William to begin at Ten o'Clock.
The following is the Proclamation which was published on Tuesday last.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty GOD to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lord King GEORGE the Second, of Blessed Memory, by whose Decease the Imperial Crowns of Great Britain, France and Ireland are solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty GEORGE Prince of Wales,
WE therefore the Governor of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, with the Lieut. Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, and with the Assistance of Numbers of the Principal Gentlemen of the said Province, do now, with full Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart, Publish and Proclaim, That the High and Mighty Prince GEORGE Prince of Wales, is now by the Death of our late Sovereign, of happy Memory, become our only Lawful and Rightful Liege Lord GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD. King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To whom we acknowledge all Faith and constant Obedience, with all hearty and humble Affection. Beeching GOD (by whom Kings do Reign) to bless his Royal King GEORGE the Third, with long and happy Years to Reign over us.
Given at the Council Chamber in Boston. the Thirtieth Day of December 1760, and in the First Year of His Majesty's Reign.
GOD Save the KING
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Celebration
What keywords are associated?
King George Iii Proclamation
George Ii Death
Boston Ceremony
Francis Bernard Speech
Public Illuminations
What entities or persons were involved?
Governor Francis Bernard
King George Ii
King George Iii
Colonel Jarvis
Colonel Phillips
Where did it happen?
Boston
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
December 30, 1760
Key Persons
Governor Francis Bernard
King George Ii
King George Iii
Colonel Jarvis
Colonel Phillips
Outcome
death of king george ii; successful proclamation of king george iii with public ceremonies, illuminations, and toasts.
Event Details
Governor Bernard delivered a speech to the assembly condoling George II's death and congratulating George III's accession. On Dec. 30, officials and gentlemen processed to the Council-Chamber escorted by cadets; militia mustered; proclamation read with huzzas, volleys, and cannon salutes; evening illuminations and toasts at Faneuil Hall. Bells tolled and minute guns fired for George II on Jan. 1.