Scalping Proclamation 1744

By His Excellency Wm. Shirley, Captain, General and commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.A proclamation for encouragement of volunteers to prosecute war against the Saint John,s and Cape Sable Indians.

Whereas,the Indians of the Cape Sables and St. John's Tribes haveby there violation of there solemn Treaties with His Majesty's Governors and there open hostilities committed against His Majesty's Subjects of this Province and the Province of Nova Scotia, obliged with the unanimous advice of His Majesty,s Council to declare war Against them.

In consequence of which the General Assembly of this Province has Voted, that there be granted to be paid out of the Public Treasury to any company, party or person belonging to and residing within this Province who shell voluntarily and at there own proper cost andcharge go out and kill a male Indian of the age of twelve years or upwards, of the Tribe of St. John or Cape Sables after the 26th day of October last past, and before the last day of June 1745, or for such part of that term as the War shell continue, the sum of one hundred pounds in bills of credit of this province of New England, and the sum of one hundred and five pounds for any male of the like age who shell be taken captive.

And the sum of fifty pounds for women,and children under the age of twelve years killed in fight, and fifty five pounds for such of them as shell be taken prisoners together with the plunder. No payment shell be made for killing or taking captive any of the said Indians until proof thereof be made to the acceptance of the Government and council.

I have with the advice of His Majesty's Council determined that the line to the Eastward of which the said Indians may be slain and taken prisoners, shall begin on the sea shore at three leauges distance from the Easternmost part of the Passamaquoddy River, and from thence to run north into the Country through the Province of Nova Scotia to the River St. Lawrence. I have therefore thought fit also to give notice to the said Tribes of the Eastern Indians who are still in Amity with us, of the Bounty Line aforesaid, assuring them that this Government have determined to treat as Enemies all such Indians as live beyond the said line.

Governor William Shirley