Whitehall 11th. Novr. 1728

Letter from the Lord
Viscount Townshend
Principal Secretary of
State touching the
Defending of Accons
brought against Constables
Etc for Searching after
Felons Etc at the Kings
Expence

Sir
It having been Represented to His Majesty< no role > , that
the Constables in the Out parts of the City of London ,
and of the City and Liberty of Westminster , lying
within the County of Middlesex , are discouraged
from Executing the Warrants of His Majestyes
Justices of the Peace for the said County by the
Vexations Actions and Suits at Law brought
against them for Searching Houses where Felons
and other disorderly Persons, resort, His Majesty< no role >
has commanded me to acquaint you, that Orders
Shall be given to the Sollicitor of His Treasury
to defend, at His Majestys Expence all Constables
and other Peace Officers of the said County in the
Parts adjacent to London and Westminster , in any
Actions or Suits at Law that may be brought or
commenced against any of them for what they
shall have done in the due and faithfull Discharge
of the Duty of their respective Offices, by putting in
Execution the Warrants issued to them by the Justices
of the Peace for the purposes above mentioned; of
which you will please to take Care, that Notice be
given them, that the Apprehension of Trouble
and Expense on this Account may no longer
be a Hindrance to the Carrying on of a
service so Important to the Peace and
Security of His Majestys Subjects, and which
His Majesty< no role > , out of His great Goodness to them
is graciously pleased to have so much at
Heart.I am Sir,

Your most humble Servant
Townshend