SIGILUM CIVITATIS NOVI EBORACI
1664

Proclamation!

To the Citizens of New York:

Upon just grounds and after long and patient forbearance, the President and the Congress of the United 
States have declared that by the act of the autocratic government which rules in the Empire of Germany 
war exists between the two countries, and the free people of America are about entering into the great 
World Conflict. Millions of the people of this city were born in the countries engaged in this great 
war. No part of the earth is without its representatives here.

I enjoin upon you all that you honor the Liberty which so many of you have sought in this land, and 
the free self-government of the American Democracy in which we all find our opportunity and individual 
freedom, by exercising kindly consideration, self-control, and respect to each other and to all others 
who dwell within our limits, that you one and all aid in the preservation of order and in the exercise 
of calm and deliberate judgment in this time of stress and tension.

There will be some exceptional cases of malign influence and malicious purpose among you, and, as to 
them, I advise you all that full and timely preparation has been made adequate to the exigency which 
exists for the maintenance of order throughout the City of New York; and, for the warning of the 
ill-disposed, I quote the Statute of the United States which is applicable to all residents enjoying 
the protection of our laws whether they be citizens or not: “Whoever owing allegiance to the United 
States levies war against them or adheres to their enemies giving them aid or comfort within the United 
States or elsewhere is guilty of treason.” The punishment prescribed by law for the crime of treason 
is death or at the discretion of the court imprisonment for not less than five years and a fine of not 
less than $10,000. All officers of the police have been especially instructed to give their prompt and 
efficacious attention to the enforcement of this law.

John Purroy Mitchel
MAYOR.