FOrasmuch as to the Court of Common-councel of the City of London this day assembled, as well upon the in­formation of the Committee for the Militia of the said [Page 4]City, upon examinations of divers persons brought before them, openly read in the said Court, (as otherwise) it did plainly and evidently appeare, that the Parliament and Ci­ty is in great and imminent danger by a desperate Plot and Designe, intended and carried on by evill disposed persons against the same, in a secret and under-hand Listing of Ap­prentices and other persons within the said City, and Li­berties thereof, under Oath of a Covenant and Secresie; A copy of which Oath and Covenant (being found in the hand of some the Actors) was there also openly read: The which persons so Listed (as was expressed in the Exa­minations) were many Thousands, deluded and drawn in under specious pretences, and were to be under the com­mand of severall persons, who have been Commanders and actors in the Kings Army against the Parliament; with an intent to joyn with severall disaffected persons in severall Counties near this City, who are by the said Plotters ex­pected suddenly to approach in great multitudes, and to seize the Bridge and Tower of London, and thereby to make the City their owne, and to worke their wills thereupon: And to that purpose doe buy up many pocket Pistols, and Daggers, and other Armes and Ammunition for Horse and Foot. And at the meeting of divers Irish Papists, severall Daggers were laid upon the Altar, and by the Priest deman­ded if they were sharpe, and by him were sprinkled with holy Water; with an intimation, That many others would be ready for the same purpose. All which, and many other the like dangerous Passages (made knowne unto said Common-councell) do threaten the like massacre as was in Ireland, and the utter ruine and destruction of the Parlia­ment and City, if not timely and speedily prevented: And to the intent that the Inhabitants of this City may have knowledge of the dangers, they are in, and be more sensible thereof, then yet they are; And that my selfe, the Alder­men, and Common-councell-men may discharge our re­spective duties herein; and every one in their severall places and conditions may adde their endeavours for the preven­tion [Page 5]of the said wicked Designe: These are by the direction of the said Court of Common-Councell to will and require you, That presently upon sight hereof, you cause the Deputy and Common-councell-men of your Ward, with the Constables thereof, forthwith to repaire into their severall Precincts, and make knowne the Con­tents hereof unto the severall Inhabitants within the same; And to desire them to suffer their Sonnes, Servants, and o­ther persons (fit to beare Armes) not Listed in the Trained Bands, to be Listed in the Auxiliaries, under such faithfull and honest Commanders, as are and shall be appointed for that purpose by the said Committee for the Militia, accor­ding to their late Warrant, and to be in a readinesse for the defence of themselves, the parl. and the City, against all Tu­mults, Invasions, and Insurrections that may happen with­in, or against the same: And for that purpose, to follow such Directions as by the said Committee, and their several Commanders shall be given and required; with this inti­mation, That every person that shall not willingly further the said Service, will thereby give just occasion of suspition to be engaged in the said horrid Designe: And that you certifie unto Me, or some other of the Justices of the Peace, or Committee of the Militia, the Names of such persons as shall either oppose, or not act in the furthering of the said Service.

And that you doe cause a strict charge and command to be given to every Inhabitant within your Ward, That they doe carefully examine all their Sons and Servants, or any other under their command, whether themselves, or any o­thers (to their knowledge) are within the said Design and Plot, Covenant, Listing, and Oath of Secresie; or what they know or have heard concerning the same: and do make diligent search for any Weapons or Papers that may bee found in the custody of any of them touching the Premi­ses. And that what shall be herein discovered, be certified from time to time either to my Selfe, or some of the Ju­stices of the Peace, or unto the said Committee of the Mi­litia. [Page 6]And further, That every Housholder be command­ed so to order and dispose of their Sonnes Servants, and others under their charge and command, as that they bee not found to be any Actors in the said desperate Designe, nor so farre (as shall be in their power, by perswasion, or otherwise) any consenters thereunto, or concealers there­of. And that you cause diligent search to be made in all Places (whereof you shall have notice, or that you have cause to suspect) for all such Weapons, and other Ammuni­tion of War, and persons that you shall find, that may dis­cover any such Intention or Design, as is before declared: And to seise the things, and secure the persons, and spee­dily to acquaint Me, the said Justices, or the said Commit­tee of the Milita therewith, that such order therein may be taken, as shall be fit. And lastly, That according to former Precepts, you take speciall care, that your Deputy, and Common-councell-men, and Constables do with all diligence take care, and use their best indeavour, That all persons within your Ward of the Trained Bands, doe spee­dily upon the beat of the Drum repaire to their Colours: And also, That the double Watch and Ward in every Pre­cinct be carefully observed, and duly set and continued; and the Gates, Chaines, and Landing-places, maintained and kept from time to time, untill you receive order from Mee to the contrary. And that all other things be done with care, faithfulnesse, and diligence, that may conduce to the safety and preservation of the Paliament and City; and to the preventing of this present dangerous and hor­rid Plot and Design, and other dangers that are threatned and intended against the same. And hereof fail you not, as you tender the welfare of the Parliament and City, and wil answer the contrary at your perill: