[Here are three proclamations issued on the 18th, 19th, and 20th October, 1744, the first in relation to a "heinous riot," the second a bloody declaration of war, and the third for a public thanksgiving.]
In two weeks after the thanksgiving proclamation, on the 2d of November, 1744, came forth another proclamation from Gov. Shirley, of a most bloody character, against the Indians, as follows:--
Captain-General and Governour-in-Chief, in and over HIS MAJESTY'S Province of the _Massachusetts-Bay_ in NEW-ENGLAND.
_For the Encouragement of_ Voluntiers _to prosecute the_ WAR _against the_ St. John's _and_ Cape Sable's _Indians_.
Whereas the Indians of the _Cape-Sable's_ and St. _John's_ Tribes have by their Violation of their solemn Treaties with His Majesty's Governours, and their open Hostilities committed against His Majesty's Subjects of this Province and the Province of _Nova-Scotia_, obliged me, with the unanimous Advice of His Majesty's Council, to declare war against them; In Consequence of which the General Assembly of this Province have "_Voted_, That there be granted, to be paid out of the publick Treasury, to any Company, Party, or Person singly, of His Majesty's Subjects, belonging to and residing within this Province, who shall voluntarily, and at their own proper Cost and Charge, go out and kill a male Indian of the Age of Twelve Years or upwards, of the Tribe of St. _Johns_ or _Cape-Sables_, after the _Twenty-sixth_ Day of _October_ last past, and before the last Day of _June Anno Domini_, One Thousand seven Hundred and forty-five (or for such Part of that Term as the War shall continue), in any place to the Eastward of a Line, to be fixed by the Governour and His Majesty's Council of this Province, somewhere to the Eastward of _Penobscot_, and produce his Scalp in Evidence of his Death, the Sum of _one Hundred Pounds_ in Bills of Credit of this Province of the new Tenor, and the Sum of _one Hundred & Five Pounds_ in said Bills for any Male of the like Age who shall be taken Captive, and delivered to the Order of the Captain-General, to be at the Disposal and for the Use of the Government; and the Sum of _Fifty Pounds_, in said Bills, for women; and the like Sum for Children under the Age of Twelve Years killed in Fight; and _Fifty-five Pounds_ for such of them as shall be taken Prisoners, together with the Plunder: _Provided_ no Payment be made as aforesaid for killing or taking Captive any of the said Indians, until Proof thereof be made to the Acceptance of the Governour and Council;"