Constables & Headboroughs for the whole parish is but small.

Sixthly, & Lastly, To all the above Reasons we presume
to add That the Statute of Winchester on which this Extraordinary
measures is pretented to be founded, is entirely foreign to the purpose.
That obsolate Statute which is almost five hundred Years Old, relates
only to Walled Towns, and appoints Watchman only to keep Guard
at the Gates during the rights of the Summer Seasons. Besides there
being no Penalties Annexed, the Refractory who refused to contri-
bute, could not be compelled & those who complied would be the
more Severely Taxed. In short this Statute on which so unjust
so Arbitrary a measure is built, has in many tried cases been set aside,
and found not to be Obligatory, for all which Reasons, we hope Your
Worships will suspend issuing out any Precept till the sense of
the parish can be taken in afair & regulat Manner, as we have
reason to think that three fourthe of the Inhabitants are at
present against the said measure or if you Worships think
proper to issue out any such precept that you would as is Usual
in Acts of Parliament in the like Cases, Carefully ascertain the
rate in the pound & not impower any Vestry to exceed that
Rate. And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever
pray

Signed at Islington by the
Under named parishioners this
19th. day of October 1767}

John Shield< no role >
J. Barker.
Willm. Porvel< no role >
Thomas hirley< no role >
Edward Hopkins< no role >
Saml Bolton< no role >