P Adjornement die tune att 14. Decembr 1696.

To Confirm Report
approving a New
Watchhouse in
Playhouse Yard

Whereas by Order made att the General Quarter Sessions of
the Peace had or adjournment att Hicks hall in St John Street in and for this
County on Monday the Twelthday of October last for the reasons therein
contained itt was recomended and referred to Collonel pery Mr. Underhill and Mr.
Withers Justices the Peace of this County or any two of them to View the new
Erected watch house in Playhouse Yard in the Liberty of Whitecross street in the
Parish & St. Giles without Cripplegate in this County and to report to this Court
this Present Sessions which place in the said Liberty to most Convenient for the
Watch to be Kept att for the safety of the Inhabitants there and by whose Order
the said now Watchhouse hath been erected and the Watch removed from
the Ancient place of Watching the said Liberty Now upon reading the report
of the said Collonell Pery and Mr. Withers dated the Eleventh day of December Indent
Setting Forth that pursuant to the said Recited Order they have Viewed the said New
Erected Watch house and Sumoned all parties concerned to appear before them and fully
Examined the said Matter and doe find that the said New Erected Watchhouse is
the most Convenient place in the said Liberty for the Watch to be Kept att for the
safety of the Inhabitants of the same Liberty and Whereas by the Present enstone
in the said Liberty they have but Six men to Watch each Night there the said referred
are of Opinion that there ought to be Eight able Watchmen Kept and placed att convenient
Stands in the said Liberty two Whereof to Stand att Chiswell Street and there and that
the respective Constables there should sett and place their Watched att Tenn of the
Clock every Night and to continue untill Four in the Morneing This Court upon
Consideration of the said matter doth racifie and Confirme the said report and the
same is hereby ratified and Confirmed accordingly and doth further Order that the
Constables of the said Liberty for the time being doe from henceforth place and sett
eight able Watchmen att the most Convenient places and Stands in the Said
Liberty from time to time according to the Judgement and direction of the Justices
Inhabiting in or near the same Liberty or any two of them and that from
Michmas day to Lady day the Watches be sett every Night att Tenn of the Clock
and to continue till Six in the morning and from Lady day to Michmas day
att Tenn att night and to continue upon their Watch untill Four in the Morning
as the said Constables and every of them will Answer the Contrary att their perils

P Cur