WHEREAS by the Ancient Laws and Statutes of this Realm, there ought to be but One Weight and Measure used throughout this Kingdom, to be Marked according to the Standard of his MAJESTIES Exchequer.

And whereas, for the more effectual Observation thereof, several subsequent Laws and Statutes have been made (and amongst others) It is provided by an Act of Par­liament made 11 Hen. 7. Cap. 4. That no Person or Persons shall Buy or Sell by any Weight or Measure, except it be Marked, and Like and Equal with the said Standard, upon Pain, That such Defective Weights shall be broken and burnt, And the Offenders, for the First time, to Forfeit Six Shillings Eight Pence, for the Second Offence, Thirtee [...] Shillings and Four Pence, and the Third Offence, the Penalty of Twenty Shillings, and to be set upon the Pillory for the Ensample of others.

And by another Act of the 17 Car. 1. Cap. 19. It is further provided, That if any one shall sell by any other Weight, Measure or Yard, than according to the Standard of the Exchequer, and being thereof Convicted, shall Forfeit Five Shillings.

And by another Act made in the Second Year of his present MAJESTY King WILLIAM, and the late Queen MARY, it is Enacted, That if any Person or Persons shall sell or utter by Re­tail, in or by any Glass-Bottle or Bottles, or in or by any other Retail Measure, not made of Pewter, and sealed according to Law, any kind of Wine, or other Liquor exposed to Sale for Wine, or shall sell the same for a greater Price than by the afore-mentioned Act is Directed and Appointed, and be­ing thereof Convicted, shall Forfeit for every such Offence, the Sum of Fifty Shillings.

The said Respective Penalties and Forfeitures to be Recovered in such Manner and Form, as in and by the said Acts are Directed, and as may by the said several Acts more at large appear.

Notwithstanding all which Laws and Provisions, the Deceits and Abuses designed to be Redressed by the same, have [...]aily Increased; And the Grand Jury of this City having at the last Sessions of Peace holden for the same, [...]esented the said Offences to be very Prejudicial to His Majesties Sub­jects Inhabiting in, [...] Resor [...]ng to this City, And that for want of Incouragement of Prosecution, the said several Laws have been neglected.

Now this Court taking the same into their Consideration, and being truly sensible of so great a Grievance in general, and more particularly of the Hardships brought upon the Poor of this City and Liberties thereof, by such Practices (especially in this present Scarcity and Dearness of Provisions and all Sorts of Commodities) And being resolved (as much as in them lies) to prevent such Abuses for the fu­ture, by causing the said several Laws to be effectually put in Execution, Doth this Day Agree and Order, That every Person and Persons who shall be Instrumental in the Discovery and Prosecution of any of the said Offences, shall not only be Countenanced and Vindicated by this Court, but shall also receive due and fitting Incouragement for their so doing.

And that no Person shall o [...] may pretend Ignorance of the said Statutes, and the Penalties Inflicted thereby, it is Ordered, that this ORDER be forthwith Printed, Published and set up in all the Pub­lick Places of this City.