By the King, A Proclamation, For Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition"

"Following the outbreak of armed conflict at Lexington and Concord in the spring of 1775, King George III of England issued this proclamation on August 23, 1775. It stated that the colonies stood in open rebellion to his authority and were subject to severe penalty, as was any British subject who failed to report the knowledge of rebellion or conspiracy. This document literally transformed loyal subjects into traitorous rebels..."
King George 111 Proclamation of Rebellion