At a Council held in the Council Chamber at the Palace in New Bern Monday 1st July 1771

His Honour the President directed to be read His Majestys Commission to His Excellency William Tryon wherein it is appointed on the death or absence of the said Governor, That the President of His Majesty's Council take upon him the administration. And His Honour took and afterwards administered unto the several Members of Council now present the Oaths mentioned in an Act passed in the first year of His late Majesty's Reign Intitled an Act for the further security of His Majesty's Person and Government and the succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia being Protestants and for extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and secret abettors.

His Honour also made subscribed and administered to the said Members of Council the Declaration mentioned in an Act of Parliament made in the 25th year of the Reign of King Charles the second, Intitled an Act for preventing dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants. His Honour also took an Oath for the due execution of His Office as also the Oath required to be the 4th of George the Third by Governors of Plantations.

His Honour was pleased by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council to order a Proclamation in the following words—

North Carolina

By the Honorable James Hasell Esquire President and Commander in Chief in and over the said Province.

A Proclamation.

Whereas By the appointment and removal of His Excellency William Tryon Esquire to the Government of New York the administration of the Government of this Province hath devolved on me, And whereas it is necessary for the Peace and good Government of this Province that all officers therein both Civil and Military should hold themselves continued in their several places and employments. I have therefore thought fit to issue this Proclamation by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council that all Persons in any office place or employment Civil or Military in this Province shall be and hold themselves continued in the same offices, places or employments as formerly they held and enjoyed the same until my pleasure be further known, and that the said persons do not fail, & every one severally according to his place, office or charge to proceed in the performance and execution of all duties thereunto belonging. And further I do hereby will and command all and singular his Majestys subjects in the Province to be aiding and assisting at the commandment of the said Officers in the performance and execution of the said Office, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.

Given under my hand to which I have caused to be affixed the Great seal of this Province at New Bern this 1st day of July 1771

JAs. HASELL.

By His Honours Command

Wm. Palmer, Dep. Secry.