Northumberland House 5th. July 1779.

Gentlemen

Having receiv'd an Order of His Majesty's
Most Honourable Privy Council directed to me as Custos
Rotulorum of the County of Middlesex , requiring me to
call upon His Majesty's Justices of the Peace within the said
County of Middlesex , and strictly to enjoyn and require
them to cause all Straggling Seamen who are fit to
Serve on Board His Majesty's Ships, to be taken up and
sent by proper Persons from Place to Place until they
shall be brought to the Clerks of the Cheque of His
Majesty's Yards at Deptford , Woolwich , Chatham,
Sheerness, Portsmouth , Plymouth or to the Naval Officers
at Harwich or Deal according as those Places shall be
nearest to where such Straggling Seamen shall be taken
up, that so they may be put on board such of His
Majesty's Ships or Vessels as shall be appointed to receive
them and otherwise to be dealt with as in the said Order
is directed.

In Obedience therefore to the said Order I have
given directions to Henry Collingwood Selby< no role > Esquire The
Clerk of the Peace for the County of Middlesex to lay the
said Order before You for Your Consideration, not doubting
but