Whitehall 1st. Septr. 1747.

Sir

Entry of a Letter from
the Earl of Chesterfield
one of his Majestys
principal Secretarys of
State for Suppressing
unlawfull Gaming.}

His Majesty< no role > being greatly concerned at the Notorious Immoralities
and Vices daily committed and at the Robberys & Disorders which So
often happen in the Streets of London & Westminster & parts adjacent
and being informed that these Several Immoralities & Vices are greatly
to be attibuted to the Encouragement given to Rogues and their
Accomplices by Persons who keep Night Houses and Cellars which are
resorted to by great Numbers of loose and disorderly Persons and that
Gaming Houses and also the Places where Strong Liquors are drunk
to excess contribute much to the Corruption of those of an Inferior
Rank, And as it is evident that through the Means of Gaming Houses
in particular many unfortunate Persons having been reduced to a
want of Subsistance to take other most indirect and illegal Methods
to Supply that want and fall into a Course of the most wicked Practices,
has commanded me to recommend it in his Name in the Strongest
manner to the Justices of the Peace for the County of Middx to employ
their utmost Care and Vigilance in preventing and Suppressing
these Disorders, by holding frequently Petty Sessions for this purpose
in their Several Parishes or other Divisions by calling before them
the High Constables and other proper Officers under their Direction
and giving them the Strictest Orders and Warrants from time to
time as there Shall be Occasion to Search for apprehend
Rogues, Vagabonds, idle and disorderly Persons in order to their
being dealt with according to Law; And likewise to proceed with
Rigour as well against those who keep the Said Night Houses or
Cellars, Tipling or Gaming Houses or who practice or encourage
unlawfull Gaming.

And his Majesty< no role > does further recommend to his Said Justices of the
Peace that they or a Sufficient Number of them to take care personally
to attend the Contables from time to time charged with their
Warrants for the Purposes abovementioned that the Same may be
the more effectually carried into Execution.

And I am further to acquaint you and the rest of his Majesty< no role > 's
Justices of the Peace that his Majesty< no role > is of Opinion that is would be
of great use that no Licenses were granted for the keeping of any
Publick Houses of what Denomination Soever where Gaming of
any Sort is carried on.

And his Majesty< no role > having very much at Heart the performance of this
Service, wherein the Honour of his Government, the Preservation
of the Peace, and the Safety of his Subjects are So much concerned,
does further require the Said Justices in their respective Sessions to
draw up in Writing from time to time an Account of their