A Declaration from the Court of Com­mon Councell of the City of London.

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 ſaid4 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 preven­tion5 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. 6And 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: