At a Council held in the Council Chamber in the Palace at New Bern Monday the 12th August 1771.

His Excellency then produced His most sacred Majestys Commission or letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster the 19th day of January in the Eleventh year of His Majestys Reign constituting and appointing him the said Josiah Martin His said Majesty's Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of North Carolina, Which said Commission was read and duly published in the presence of the Gentlemen of the Council above named.

Then His Excellency took all the Oaths appointed by Law, declared and subscribed the Test, also took the Oaths for administering the Government and for observing the Acts of Trade and Navigation heretofore made and now in force. Then the Council above named took the Oaths by Law appointed for qualifying Officers declared and subscribed the Test and took the Oaths of office and secrecy.

Ordered that His Excellencys Commission be Recorded. Also Ordered that the following proclamation, be made forthwith, publick property throughout this Province.

North Carolina

By His Excellency Josiah Martin Esquire His Majestys Captain General and Governor in Chief &c. in and over the said Province.

A Proclamation.

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 Offices places and employments until my pleasure be further known, I have therefore thought fit to issue this Proclamation, by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, and do hereby order, signify and declare,

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That all persons who now are, or at the time of the Promulgation of my Commission as Governor and Commander in Chief of this Province, duly and lawfully possessed of, or invested in, any Office, place or employment, Civil or Military, in this Province, shall be and hold themselves continued in the same Offices, places and employments, as formerly they held and enjoyed, 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 Majesty's Subjects in this Province, to be aiding and assisting at the Commandment of the said Officers, in the performance and execution of the said Offices as they will answer the contrary at their peril.

Given under my hand, and to which I have caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the said Province, at New Bern this Twelfth day of August, in the Eleventh year of His Majestys Reign, Anno Dom. 1771.

JO. MARTIN

By His Excellencys Command

Wm. Palmer, D. Sec.

God Save the King.