Octr 1697.

Order about setting
able & sufficient Watcher}

Upon Information given to this Court that the Watchers within
the several Parishes Hambletts Libertys and Precincts in this
County in and near the Suburbs of the City of London are sett too
late in the Night time and that the petty Constable Constables and Headboros
of the said Parishes Hambletts precincts and Libertys discharge their
Watches too early in the Morning and that several Carpenters
Bricklayers and other Workmen useing Ladders in the day time doe
leave them carelesly in the Streets and other Places by means whereof
divers Burglarys Felonys and other great Mischiefs have been comitted
by Ill disposed Persons in and near the Suburbs of the said City of
London and for Preventing any dangers that may happen for the future
by not keeping sufficient Watches and by Carpenters and Bricklayers
and other Workemen leaveing their Ladders not Locked up nor Secured
from being used by Ill disposed Persons for evil purposes Itt is thought
Fitt and Ordered by this Court that the petty Constables & Headboros.
of every Parish Hamlett Precinct and Liberty in this County in and
near the Suburbs of the said City of London doe forthwith upon Notice
of this Order Sett and place in their respective Parishes Hambletts
Libertys and Precincts Strong and Sufficient watches and that the said
Watches be from henceforth untill Lady day next duly and constantly
Sett and continued from Sun Setting to Sun riseing and that all
Workeman and other useing Ladders doe take Effectual care to secure
and Lock them up every Night in Order to Prevent the Mischiefs aforesaid
And itt is further Ordered by this Court that the high Constables of the
respective Divisions in this County doe take speedy and Effectual care
of the due Execution of this Order and upon sight hereof to Apply
themselves unto the Justices of the peace of this County in their respective
Divisions to consider in what places the said Watchers and Stands may
from time to time most conveniently be placed and kept and that they
Cause due Presentments to be made of all Persons neglecting their Duty
herein And itt is hereby recommended to the care of his Maties Justices of
the Peace att their petty Sessions within their severall Divisions in this
County to see this Order duly Observed for the Welfare and safety of his
Maties Subjects resideing in this County And this Court doth require all
High and Petty Constables and all other Persons concerned in the Execution
of this Order to Yeild due Obedience thereunto as they and every of them
will Answer the Contrary att their peril.

P Cur