By His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq; ... A proclamation : Forasmuch as the Island of Sables is not inhabited, and so scituated as it often happens, that ships and other vessels are unfortunately cast on said island ... And whereas Mr. Andrew Le Mercier, by his petition has represented to me the great advantage it would be to his majesty's subjects to make a settlement on said island ... Given at the Council chamber in Boston, the fourth day of September 1738. - Belcher, Jonathan (Printed by J. Draper, printer to his excellency the governour & Council, 1738)