Printed Material

Proclamation of John Hancock

Date: 1787
Creator: John Hancock
Publisher: Adams and Nourse, Printers
About this artifact

This proclamation by Governor John Hancock of Massachusetts extended mercy and forgiveness to those who were "misled in their participation" in what became known as Shays' Rebellion, providing they took an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth before September 12, 1787. At the time this proclamation was issued, the crimes of Daniel Shays and other men identified as Regulator leaders were believed too serious to be forgiven. By the fall of 1788, anyone who had taken up arms against the Massachusetts government, including Daniel Shays, was pardoned, except for two men hanged in December 1788 for looting.

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Courtesy Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield, MA