By the mayor whereas it appears by several examinations taken before me and others His Majesties justices of the peace, that there have been several endeavours and wicked contrivances influencing some apprentices and others, to enter into a detestable combination for wicked purposes against the peace and good government of this city ...

[illustration] blazon of the City of London, consisting of a shield bearing the cross of St. George (patron saint of England) with a sword (emblem of the martyrdom of St. Paul, patron saint of London) in the first quarter of the shield

By the Mayor.

WHereas it appears by several Examinations taken before Me and others his Majesties Iustices of the Peace, that there have been several Endeavours and wicked Contrivances influencing some Apprentices and others, to enter into a detestable Combination for wicked Purposes against the Peace and good Government of this City; several of the Complices being now in Custody to answer the Law.

And foreseeing the Dangerous and sad Consequences (both as to our Religion and Peace) in the Circumstances we are now in, that Riotous and Seditious Assemblies may run into, by the Managery and Artifices of designing Papists and other Persons disaffected to the Government: And the great Numbers of unaccomptable Persons that fill the Suburbs of this City, many of whom are of Desperate Fortunes, and of worse Principles, who may take Advantages to improve Riots and unlawful Assem∣blies, to worse Purposes than Apprentices might intend them.

For Avoiding and Preventing any such wicked Designs and Evils that might thereupon ensue, and for preventing the Mischiefs that Apprentices and others might unwarily run into, and for the preservation of the Peace, Honour, and good Government of this City.

These are (by the Advice of my Brethren the Aldermen) in his Majesties Name, streightly to Command and require all Masters of Families, that they take great heed and care to keep their Apprentices and Servants strictly under their Com∣mands; And that they Warn and Admonish them against all such Combinations and Riotous Assemblies and Proceed∣ings, Especially on the Lords day and Festivals; that by their due care in keeping them to their respective Duties, all un∣due and unlawfull Assemblies may be prevented, which in all times have been of Mischeivous Consequences, and greatly to the dishonour of God, the Scandal of the Protestant Religion, and the good government of this City.

These are also to Charge and Command all Constables and Beadles to take care that the Civil Watches be duly kept, and in full Proportions according to the Law in that case, and upon any defect to Represent it to Me, that effectual care may be taken for the Redressing any neglect or abuses therein; And I do further Recommend it to the Care of the Alder∣man, Deputy, and Common Council-men of each Ward, that they sometimes, with some other Citizens of the Neigh∣bourhood, when they shall think fit, do walk the Rounds, and see that the Watches be duly kept, and do their respective Duties. And it is also recommended to their Care, that this may be speedily Communicated to all Inhabitants within their respective Wards.

Given at Guild-Hall London, the 30th. day of March, Anno Dom. 1680. And in the xxxij. year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

God save the King.