C ² R  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  royal blazon or coat of arms  
BY THE Lord Lieutenant AND COUNCIL.  
ORMOND.  
WHEREAS by the good and wholesome Laws of this Realm; It hath been ordained and Enacted, That for the more surety of the Country, Night-watches should be kept from the day of Ascension, unto the day of St. Michael, and from Michaelmas unto the Feast of Easter yearly in manner following (that is to say) In every City Six Men at every Gate; In every Burrow Twelve Men; and in every Town six or four, according to the Number of Inhabitants of the Town, And that they should Watch the Town continually all Night, from the Sun setting, unto the Sun rising; And if any stranger do pass by them, and no suspicion be found, He shall go Quit; But if they find cause of suspicion, Then they shall deliver him to the Sheriff, and the Sheriff to receive him without damage, and shall keep him safely until he shall be Acquitted in due manner; And if such person or person 3 will not Obey the Arrest, the Watchmen shall Levy Hue, and Cry upon them, and such as keep the Town shall follow with Hue and Cry, with all the Town and the Towns Near; And so Hue and Cry shall be made from Town to Town, until that they be taken, and delivered to the Sheriff, in manner as aforesaid; And that for the Arrestment of such Strangers, None should be punished: And whereas many Burglaries, Thefts, Robberies, Felonies, and Murders have been of Late Committed in divers Cities, Burrougheses, Towns and Villages of this Kingdom, And the person and persons who Committed the same, have made their Estapes, and could not be then apprehended by any Endeavours that have been used, which yet in all probability they might have been, if the aforesaid Laws had been duly Observed in all Places throughout this Realm.  
Now We the Lord Lieutenant and Council taking the same into our Consideration, and minding by all ways possible we can, to presarve, and keep all his Majesty's good Subjects, their goods, and Persons in Peace, and safety, as well by night, as by day, and to secure them against the like Mischiefs for the time to come; have thought fit by this our Proclamation to Publish and Revive the Execution, and Observance of the aforesaid good, and wholesome Laws. and therefore We do hereby will and require, and in his Majesty's name straightly Charge, and command all, and every the Magistrates and Officers in the several and respective Cities, Burrougheses, Towns, and villages of this Kingdom, That they do forthwith cause the aforesaid Laws, and Statutes to be put in Execution, and duly observed: And we do likewise require the several justices of the Peace in the respective Coun●i●s of this Kingdom, that they take special Care that Night-Watches be duly kept in the several Towns and Villages, within the respective Counties wherein they dwell. And we command and require, That all and every His Majesty's good Subjects in their respective Townships, and dwellings, be ready, and forward to pursue the 〈◊〉 Execution of the said Laws by Hue, and Cry, from Town to Town as often as occasion shall require; As they will answer the contrary at their utmost Perils.  
Given at the Council-Chamberin Dublin, the 19th day of Decemb. 1677. 

Ja: Armachanus.  
Mich: Dublin Cane,  
Barrymore.  
Arran.  
Strafforde.  
Blesinton.  
Lanesborough.  
R: Fitz-Gerald.  
Char: Meredith.  
Jo: Bysse.  
Ol. St. George.  
Ja: Cuffe.  
Walter Plunkett.   
 GOD SAVE THE KING.   

Dublin, Printed by Benjamin Took, Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesties and are to he sold by Joseph Wild's Bookseller in Castle-street. 1677.