515 A, EF. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 103 
In a proclamation for a period of fasting and prayer, to be observed 
every Sunday during Lent, issued by Governor John Harrison, Jan. 
29, 1623, he referred to the threatened war with Spain; to a recent 
famine ; and to a pestilence, then prevailing, in which both the late 
Governor (John Bernard) and his wife had both died and been 
buried in one day. Governor Bernard had died only six weeks after 
his arrival in the islands. 
He stated that the only means of overcoming the disease was by 
fasting and prayer, which was the current belief at that time, and 
for long after, but although this treatment did not prove very 
effectual, it undoubtedly did much good indirectly, by allaying the 
fear and calming the minds of the afflicted people. 
The following proclamation was issued by Governor Fflorentius 
Seymer (or Seymour) and refers to an epidemic of some importance. 
It was probably the bubonic plague, which was very prevalent in 
London, in 1663 and 1664. 
“ By the Governor, A Proclamation, May 7, 1664.” 
““ Whereas the afflicting hand of the Almighty hath bin justly, as 
well as lately, stretched out against us and most of our ffamilies by 
sickness and distemper of bodie, which is not yet wholie abated. 
And I, haveing very lately received Christian premonition from our 
reverend Ministers, for the averting & absolute remoeving (if the 
Lord shall soe please) thereof. By appointing and setting apart a 
daie of Humiliation (the sovaraigne remedy for cureing any Epi- 
demicall sicknes & distemper). These are therefore (in discharge of 
my dutie, and in psuance of their desires therein) to Will and require 
all, and all manner of Inhabitants of these Islands, to repayre to the 
respective Churches whereatt the severall Ministers shall think fitt 
to appoint ; there to meete uppon Thursday the 12th of this instant 
Moneth, then and there duly and humblie to attend with them the 
worke of that day, more especially at the Church and in the tyme of 
meeting aforesaid. Whereof all manner of persons are hereby in his 
Maiesties name charged and Comanded to take notice and to yeald a 
redie observation of the day and duty as aforesaid, (intended & sett 
apart for the glory of our Maker, and our spirituall and temporall 
good,) as they will answer the contrary at their perills. And wholly 
to refrayne from all manner of bodilie labor and superfluous acting, 
speaking, or doeing that whole day.” 
Given under my hand the 7th of May, 1664 
Fflor. Seymer.” 
