WHereas in the Fields commonly called the Wind-Mill-Fields, Dog-Fields, and the Fields adjoyning to So-Hoe, and several other places in and about the Suburbs of London and Westminster, divers small and mean Habitations and Cottages have beén lately Erected upon New Foundations, and more of that kind are Daily preparing, not onely without any Grant or Allowance from His Majesty, but some of them against His Majesties Express Command, signified by His Surveyor-general; Which kind of Buildings are likely to prove common and publick Nusances, by being made use of for the most Noysom and Offensive Trades, and by becoming the Receptacles of a multitude of Poor, to the Damage of these Parishes, already too much Incumbred, and by rendring the Government of those parts more Unmannageable; But especially by Choaking up the Aire of His Majesties Palaces and Parks, and endangering the Infection, if not the total loss of those Waters, which by many Expencefull Drains and Conduits, are Conveyed from those Fields to His Majesties Palace at Whitehall; Whereof some Decay is already perceived by His Majesties Sergeant-Plummer, and more is daily feared: Therefore for prevention of such growing Mischiefs, whereby His Ma­jesties Palaces may be greatly Annoyed, the Houses of the Nobility and Gentry very much Offended, the Parishes Over-charged, the Perfecting of City Buildings very much hindred and the Health both of City and Suburbs exceedingly endangered: His Majesty by Advice of His Privy Council, hath thought fit to Publish this His Royal Proclamation, and doth hereby Straightly Charge and Command all manner of persons whom it doth or may concern, That they forbear to Erect, or cause to be Erected any more New Buildings in the Suburbs of London or Westminster, or to Finish any Buildings in the said Suburbs already begun, without His Maje­sties Licence in that behalf, under His Great Seal first had and obtained: To the end That if any more New Buildings be thought fit by His Majesty to be carried on, they may be Built Firm­ly and Regularly, according to such Design and Order as may best suit with the Publick Benefit and Convenience, as they will answer the contrary at their Perils. And if any shall presume to Offend against His Majesties Royal Command herein Declared, His Majesty will cause such Buildings to be Abased and Thrown down, and the Persons of such Offenders to be Arrested and Seised, and further Proceeded against according to the utmost Rigour and Severity of Law.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the Seventh day of April, 1671

GOD SAVE THE KING.