Guildhall Westminster 4th. July 1780

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At a Meeting of the Committee appointed by the Lord
Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenants, and Justices of the Peace of
the County of Middlesex and City and Liberty of Westminster
to consider of the most Effectual means to provide for the better
defence and Security of the said County, City and Liberty, held
this day at the Guildhall Westminster ; His Grace the Duke
of Northumberland having Suggested to the Meeting, that
for the Preservation ofthePeace and good order therein, it has
become necessary to put the Civil Power upon a more Effectual
and regularEstablishment; The Committee were unanimous
-ly of Opinion that until a proper Plan for that purpose be
formed and carried into Execution, an offer should be made
to the several Parishes within the City and Liberty of
Westminster , and to those of the County of Middlesex which
are contiguous thereto, that the Officers belonging to the
Royal Volunteer Companies should during the space of Two
Months give their Attendance with their Noncommissioned
Officers at proper Times in the said Parishes, in order to instruct
Such Housekeepers and other respectable Inhabitants who
have engaged, or may be willing tobern [..] ted inlearn the Use of
Arms for the purpose of assisting the Civil Magistrates in the
Preservation of the Peace when occasion may require; And also to