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A PROCLAMATION, For Quieting the Post-Master-General in the Execution of his Office.
CHARLES R.
WHereas We have by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal, constituted and ap∣pointed Our Trusty and wel-beloved Henry Bishop Esq Our Post-Master-General, to perform and execute all and every the powers mentioned in a late Act of Parlia∣ment, touching the erecting and setling an Office of Post-Master-General; And whereas the secret and indirect conveyance of Letters, by ways unlawful, and un∣authorized, doth not onely tend to the diminution of Our Revenue, by lessening the Office of Post-Master-General, but may be a means to promote Seditious designs, and to disturbe the Peace of Our Realm; We have thought fit therefore by this Our Proclamation, to advertise all and singular Our good Subjects of their duty, and to require their Obedience accordingly; And we do hereby strictly prohibite, and for∣bid all and singular person and persons whatsoever (other then the said Henry Bishop, his Deputies, Servants, or Assignes, directly, or indirectly) to do, execute, perform, or intrude themselves, to have any Employment in or about any thing, which ought to be done by him the said Henry Bishop, his Deputies, Servants, or Assignes, without his the said Henry Bishop's Deputation, Licence or Allowance, upon pain of Our Displeasure, and such other penalty as may be inflicted upon the Offenders for contempt of this Our Royal Commandment, and of the said Act of Parliament. And that the said Henry Bishop, his Deputies, Servants, and Assigns may the better intend the service and duty of the said Office of Post-Master-General, We do hereby further Declare Our Royal Will and Pleasure to be, That the said Henry Bishop, his Deputies, Servants and Assignes, shall be from henceforth freed, exempted, and discharged, of, and from serving upon all Iuries, In∣quests, Musters, or any other Publike Employments or attendances, that may any way impede, retarde, or prejudice the execution of his or their duty and service in the said Office; And that he and they shall have and en∣joy all such Priviledges as have been formerly granted by any of Our Royal Ancestors, unto the Masters of their Posts, and servants. And We do further expresly Will and Command by these presents, all Maiors, Sheriffs, Iustices of Peace, Constables, Bailiffs, all Searchers of Our Ports, and all other Our Officers and Ministers wheresoever, within their several Iurisdictions and Offices from time to time to make diligent search for all Males, Bougets, and other carriages of all such disallowed and unlicenced Carriers and Messengers, or other suspected persons carrying Pacquets, or Letters, from place to place within Our said Realms and Domini∣ons, or coming in or going out of this Realm, to or from any other Kingdoms or Countries, contrary to the te∣nor of the said Act of Parliament, and the Rights and Priviledges of the Post-Master-General therein declared and established; and to Seize all and every such Males and Pacquets of Letters which shall be found in the hands of persons not having lawful Warrant or Authority from Our Post-Master-General for the time being, to carry the same and the said Males or Pacquets of Litters, together with the names of the persons so, as afore∣said, presuming to convey them, immediately to send up, and certifie to Our Privy Councel.
Given at the Court at Whitehall, the Sixteenth day of January, in the Twelfth Year of His Maje∣sties Reign, One thousand six hundred and sixty.
GOD SAVE THE KING.