"MY LORD,

"1His Majesty, being very much concerned at the frequent robberies of late committed in the streets of London, Westminster, and parts adjacent; and being informed, that they are greatly to be imputed to the unlawful return of felons convict who have been transported to his Majesty's Plantations, has been graciously pleased, for the better discovering and apprehending of such felons, to give orders to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, to cause to be paid to any person or persons, who, before the first day of March next, shall discover any of them, so as they may be apprehended and brought to justice, a reward of 40_l._ for each felon convict returned, or that shall return from transportation before the expiration of the term for which he or she was transported; who shall, by the means of such discovery, be brought to condign punishment.

2"And it having been farther represented to his Majesty, that such felons and other robbers, and their accomplices, are greatly encouraged and harboured by persons who make it their business to keep night-houses, which are resorted to by great numbers of loose and disorderly people; and that the gaming-houses, as also the shops where Geneva and other spirits and strong liquors are drank to excess, much contribute to the corruption of the morals of those of an inferior rank, and to the leading them into these wicked courses: His Majesty has commanded me to recommend it, in his name, in the strongest manner, to his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberty of Westminster, to employ their utmost care and vigilance, in the preventing and suppressing of these disorders; and that they do, in their several parishes or other divisions, hold frequent petty Sessions for this purpose, and call before them the High Constable, Petty Constables, and other proper officers under their direction, and give them the strictest orders and warrants, from time to time, as there shall be occasion, to search for and apprehend rogues, vagabonds, idle and disorderly persons, in order to their being examined and dealt with according to the statutes and laws in that behalf; and the said Justices are also to proceed according to law, as well against all persons harbouring such offenders in their houses, as against those that sell Geneva or other spirits and strong liquors, who shall suffer tippling in their houses or shops, contrary to law; and against such as keep common gaming-houses, or practise or encourage unlawful gaming.

3And his Majesty, having very much at heart the performance of this service, wherein the honour of his government, the preserving of the peace, and the safety of his Majesty's subjects are so much concerned, does further require the said Justices, in their respective Sessions, to draw up in writing, from time to time, an account of their proceedings herein, inserting the names of the Justices of the Peace attending such meetings, and of the Peace-officers whom they shall employ, taking particular notice of the zeal and diligence of each of them in the performance of his duty; which accounts are to be transmitted from the said several Sessions to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to be laid before his Majesty; who, being himself informed of their behaviour, may bestow marks of his Royal bounty upon such of the said officers as shall remarkably distinguish themselves by the faithful and diligent execution of their office; his Majesty not doubting but the said Justices, on their part, will take care to punish with rigour, as by law they may, those who shall appear to have been guilty of corruption or negligence therein.

4"Your Lordship will be pleased to acquaint the Justices of the Peace for the said City and Liberty, and all others whom it may concern, with this his Majesty's pleasure; that the same may be duly and punctually complied with.

5"I am, &c.