Sr.Whitehall April 12th.1728

Letter from the
right honble: the Lord
Viscount Townshend
at of his Majtys. Prinicipal
Secretarys of State

I haveing been Represented to his Majesty< no role > That in
defiance of the Laws and of his Majestyes
Proclamation some Persons have presumed to appoint
Rates to be run on Sundays, which has given great
Offence to those who are Rohgiously and Virtuously
disposed, His Majesty< no role > for the Discouraging such
profane Practices, has Commanded me to Signify
his pleasure to you, which you are to communicate
to the other Justices of the Peace for the County of
Middlesex , that you do Strictly put in Execution
the Statues made in the First Year of the Reign of
King Charles the First for Punishing divers abuses
on the Lords Day called Sunday and in the Twenty
Ninth Year of the reign of King Charles the second
for the better observation of the Lords Day commonly
called Sunday, and all other Laws and Statutes
against the Profanation of that Day, And that you
do to the utmost of your power discourage and
punish any breach of the Laws in that behalf,
And Such of the Justices of the Peace as Shall
distinguish themselves by their Real in a Work so
much for the advancement of Religion and the honour
of his Majestyes Goverment, will thereby more
particularly by recommend themselves to his Royall
Favour, I am Sr. Yor. most humble Servant
Townshend

To John Rotherham< no role > Esquires Chairman of the
Sessions of Peace for the County of Middlesex
Gentleman }

The Chairman haveing received a Letter from the right
honble: the Lord Viscount Townshend one of his Majestyes
Principal Secretarys of State (a Copy whereof is our
herewith transmitted to you) I am directed to write
this to acquaint you that you are desired forthwith
to put in Execution the Statues and Laws therein
mentioned, and to the utmost of your power to discourage
and punish the Breach of the Same, as by the said
Letter is enjoyned, I am Gentlemen

April 15th. 1728.

Yor. most humble Servant

To his Majestyes Justices of
the Peace for the County of
Middlesex resideing in
Division.}P: Walter & of the Peace of
Middlesex