Joseph Bucklin's shot in the capture of the Gaspee made him a wanted man!
 Governor
Wanton of Rhode Island issued the proclamation expected of him by England.
Rhode Island was worried that England might send troops or revoke their charter
as a colony, and this document helped to assure the King that "his
government" in the colony was on the King's side of the matter. The Rhode
Island reward was 100 English pounds. Click to enlarge the thumbnail of the
proclamation.
King George issued a stronger proclamation. One thousand
pounds was the price to be paid for information leading to the discovery of the
person "who wounded Ou1000
Poundsr said Lieutenant William Dudingston."
1000 English pounds was a huge sum. The Gaspee ship
was purchased for only about 500 pounds
Click the thumbnail to see this document of the King's rage. (Or click here
for readable text)
In spite of the reward no one in Rhode Island turned in Joseph Bucklin,
and his name was kept secret until after the end of the Revolutionary War.
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