By the Committee of Safety of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. A proclamation inhibiting all meetings for the raising, or drawing together of forces, without order of the said Committee, or the Lord Fleetwood.

Author: England and Wales. Committee of Safety.1659

[blazon or coat of arms]

❧ By the Committee of Safety of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. A PROCLAMATION Inhibiting all Meetings for the Raising, or drawing together of Forces, without order of the [...]ai [...] Committee, or the Lord Fleetwood.

WHereas it hath pleased God in his all-ordering providence, to cast the present Care of preserving the publick Peace and Safety of these Nations upon this Committee, who, upon a due sence and consideration of their Duty▪ conceive themselves obliged both to God and their Countrey, to use their utmost Endeavours for preservation thereof, most especially in such a season, wherein they must needs expect, that partly, through endeavours used by the common Enemies, and partly through the inadvertency and animosities of some friends, the continuation of the Peace and Welfare of these Nations will be in apparent hazard; and their intended provision for the Liberty of the good people of this Commonwealth, both as men, and as Christians, in a Settlement of a Government of these Nations, without a King, Single Person, or House of Peers, thereby interupted and retarded, to the great prejudice and disturbance of the People.

And whereas this Committee have understood, That several Meetings have been held, wherein matters, tending to the disturbance of the publick Peace, and in favour of the Enemies thereof, have been asserted and promoted, whose influence, if not prevented, may tend much to the publick prejudice.

They do therefore Declare and Order. That no persons whatsoever, upon any pretence whatsoever, do maintain, or frequent any Meetings within the Cities of London or Westminster, or late Lines of Communication, or within any other the Counties, Cities, Towns, and Places of this Commonwealth, thereby to draw together, or to contrive or endeavour the drawing together of any Forces whatsoever within this Commonwealth; nor to Countenance, Abet, or Promote any Assemblies, Meeting or Meetings in order thereunto, without the particular Order of this Committee, or the Lord Fleetwood, or by Commission or Instructions from or by either of them, upon penalty of being reputed and proceeded against, as enemies to, and disturbers of the Peace of this Commonwealth.

And this Committee do Declare, That if any persons do, from and after the Seventh day of November, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, Assemble, or Meet together, to Assert, Promote, Countenance, or Abet, or in Order to the Promoting, Abetting, or Countenancing the Matters aforesaid, without order as aforesaid, such persons shall be had, reputed, and taken to be disturbers of the Peace, and enemies to the Settlement of this Commonwealth.

Given at Whitehall the 5th. day of November, 1659.

ORdered by the Committee of Safety, That this Proclamation be forthwith Printed and Published.

William Robinson, Clerk of the Committee of Safety.

London, Printed by Henry Hills and John Field, Printers to the Committee of Safety, 1659.

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