This Day in History: February 20

Whereas, it has pleased the Divine Providence to prosper the operations of His Majesty's arms in driving the rebel army out of this province; and WHEREAS it is His Majesty's most gracious wish to rescue his faithful and loyal subjects from the cruel tyranny under which they have groaned for several years, I have thought proper to issue this Proclamation, to invite all such faithful and loyal subjects to repair, without loss of time, with their arms and ten days provisions, to the Royal Standard now erected at Hillsborough, where they will meet with the most friendly reception. And I do hereby assure them that I am ready to concur with them in effectual measures for suppressing the remains of rebellion in this province, and for the re-establishment of good order and constitutional government. [More]