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44 x 56 cm handwritten document. Folded to 44 x 29 cm page with writing on two sides. Wax seal at top left. Signed by Simcoe and Major E. B. Littlehales. Three horizontal and two vertical folds. Housed in burgundy solander box. Text as follows: "By His Excellency John Graves Simcoe Esquire Lieutenant Governor and Major General of his Majesty's Forces &c &c &cProclamationWhereas 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 honor upon the families who had adhered to the Unity of the Empire and joined the Royal Standard in America before the treaty of seperation 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 preserving a Registry of the names of all the persons falling under the description aforementioned to the end that their posterity might be discriminated from (the then) future settlers in the parish registers and rolls of their respective districts and other public remembrances of the Province as Proper Objects, by their persevering in the fidelity and conduct so honorable 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 settling such Persons and families upon the lands now about to be confirmed to them without the incidental expences 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 herby direct all persons claiming to be confirmed by deed under the Seal of the Province in their several possessions, who adhered to the unity of the Empire and joined the royal Standard in America before the treaty of seperation in 1783 to ascertain the same upon oath before the Magistrates in the Michaelmas quarter. ? assembled, now next ensuring the date of this Proclamation in such manner and form as the Majistrates are directed to receive the same; And all persons will take notice, that if they neglect to ascertain according to the mode above set for their clims 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 in the Royal Standard in America before the treaty of Seperation 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 six and in the thirty sixth year of his Majesty's reignJohn Graves SimcoeGod Save the King!By his Excellency's CommandE. B Littlehales" John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) was first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796. Previously he was commander of the Queen's Rangers during the Revolutionary War. In Upper Canada he founded York (Toronto), built roads, and was instrumental in passing the Act Against Slavery of 1793. His long-term goal was the development of Upper Canada as a model community built on aristocratic and conservative principles, designed to demonstrate the superiority of those principles to the republicanism of the United States.His secretary was Edward Baker Littlehales (1764-1825) who kept a diary of his journey with Simcoe and others from Niagara to Detroit in the winter of 1793. He was with Simcoe on March 2 of that year when the party reached what Simcoe called "New London" on their return journey. His description of the site is the first description of the "Forks of the Thames." Littlehales went on to Ireland, first as Private Secretary to Lord Cornwallis (Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) 1798-1801, and, subsequently, as Under-.
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