King George III Signed Handwritten Letter October 20, 1763 Council Notes Post Proclamation – COA JSA

Presented is an original vellum handwritten document from King George III in 1763. The letter was written as a follow up in instructions by the King shortly after the Proclamation of 1763 on October 20, 1763. The dual sided letter is in regard to land within the colonies as it mentions Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Wyoming which is an area of Pennsylvania. The King also relays the peaceful support and protection of the Six Indian Nations. The front of the letter features the George R circular drawn hallmark with verso of the letter signed by George III, dated and notated as council notes. It measures 7-1/2″ x 13-3/8″ with some expected foxing and spotting from age.

In context of American history, the letter is an important dialogue of the leadership at the time which was King George III of the British monarchy of course who was intertwined with  parliament. Interestingly, the King was only 25 years-old at the time. Eventually, there were expectations from which the colonial people had disagreements like in the form of taxation (hence, the Revolution). But, the surrounding context of the letter puts into perspective the King’s intention which ultimately was to keep peace.

At the end of the French and Indian War in order to appease Native Americans, the Proclamation of 1763 (October 7, 1763) was issued by the British.  It was the first measure to affect all thirteen colonies. It checked the encroachment of European settlers and their lands and aimed to divert colonial expansion to the north (to Nova Scotia) and to the south (Florida), and protect the British fur trade with the Indians. The edict also forbade private citizens and colonial governments alike from buying land or making any agreements with natives; the empire would conduct all official relations.

The boundary was created as the “proclamation line” which separated the British colonies on the Atlantic coast from American Indian lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. In the centuries since the proclamation, it has become one of the cornerstones of Native American law in the United States and Canada. The Proclamation Line did not bother the majority of settled farmers, but it was unpopular with a vocal minority. This discontent ultimately contributed to conflict between the colonists and the British government.

Furthermore, only licensed traders would be allowed to travel west or deal with Indians. Theoretically protecting colonists from Indian rampages, the measure was also intended to shield Native Americans from increasingly frequent attacks by white settlers. The proclamation also established three new mainland colonies: Quebec, West Florida and East Florida, while extending Georgia’s southern border and granting land to soldiers who had fought in the Seven Year’s War.

Authentication: JSA Full Letter

King George III Signed Handwritten Letter October 20, 1763 Council Notes Post Proclamation