By His Excellency

Edward Lord Cornbury, His Majesty's Capt. General and Governour in Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c.

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS the Inhabitants of this Province, by their Immoralities and Prophaneness have provoked Almighty God to Anger, and justly brought upon them the heavy Judgments of his severe Wrath, which is now daily felt amongst them to the great Deminution of the People. And whereas Almighty God hath at all times signified his unspeakable Love to Mankind, by with drawing the Rod of his Judgments upon a Nation and People, from them, when such People have (with Contrite Hearts and Unfeigned Repentance) humbled themselves before him, acknowledging his Infinite Power and Money, and with Fasting and Prayer Supplicated his Gracious Favour for the Removing of those Judgments wherewith he hath Afflicted his People To the end therefore that the Wrath of God may be Appealed, and that the Judgments which are now upon this Province and all others which daily threaten the {Omitted text, 1w} may be Removed, and that the Inhabitants thereof may with true and contrite Hearts implore Pardon and Remission for all their Sins.

I have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Her Majesties Council, for the said Province, to Publish and Proclaim, and by these Presents I do Publish and Declare Wednesday in every Week, after the date hereof, A Solemn Day of Fasting and Prayer, to be kept and observed by all and every Person and Persons within this Province of New-York, till further Order, for the Imploring Almighty God to pardon the sins of the People, and to with draw his Judgments from this Province. And I do further, by and with the Advice aforesaid, Charge and command that Wednesday in every Week after the Date hereof shall be strictly kept and observed as Days of Solemn and Publick Fast and Prayer throughout the Province, and that all Servile Work and Labour shall scale on the said several Days; hereby Requiring all Ministers of the Gospel within their several respective Parishes to give as timely Notice thereof as may be, that the same may be Duly and Religiously Observed in their Respective Churches with Preaching and Prayer.

And I do also, by and with the advice of Her Majesties Council aforesaid, strictly Charge and Command all Mayors, Justices of the Peace. High-Sheriffs Undersheriff, Constables, and others whom it shall concern to do the same, to take effectual Care that the said several days of Solemn Fast and Prayer be strictly Observed accordingly, in their several and respective Cities, Counties and Jurisdictions, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril.

Given at Kings-Bridge the 17th Day of September, in the First year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady ANNE, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, QUEEN, Defender of the Faith, Anno Dom 1702.

Cornbury.

God Save the Queen.

Printed and Sold by William Bradford, Printer to the Queens Most Excellent Majesty, in New-York.

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