To his Grace the Duke of Newcastle One of his
Majesties Principal Secretaries of State and
Custos Rotulorum of the County of Middlesex .

Representation against
Street Robbers and other
disorderly Persons.}

Wee the Justices of Peace for this County assembled in our
General Quarter Sessions, find our selves obliged by his
Majesty' s Commands lately signified to us, to acquaint
your Grace: That we have and will still continue to us
with the utmost Zeal and Vigour against those Street
Robbers & other disorderly persons, who have of late infested
this Town, and hope our Endeavours have produced some
good Effect by repressing their Boldness and forcing them to
Shift their Habitations and Seek for shelter in more
obscure and distant places, by the frequent searches we
have caused to be made by Day and Night, wherein we most
thankfully acknowledge his Majesties great Goodness &
Paternal Care of his subjects in sending his Guards to
our Assistance whenever required, which hath procured a
great Security & Encouragement to the Civil Officers
in the Execution of our Warrants.

But Notwithstanding all our Endeavours, Outrages
of the same kind are still committed, and are likely to be
continued unless some further & more effectual Remedies
be provided against these Enormities which without such
Provision will probably grow and increase upon Us and
from robbing of foot Passengers in the Streets soonwill
reach to the Coaches & Dwelling houses of his Majesties.
Subjects, not to mention the Damages which may accrue
to the Publick from the Confederacies of so many armed
Villains, or what Use our Enemies may find Means to
make of them on any future Occasion.

What is the best Course to be taken to put an End to these
Disorders, and to bring the Offenders to Condign Punishment
must be submitted to your Grace, But as far as our
Observations will enable us to judge, no means can be