DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
BY THE Lord Lieutenant and Council.  
ORMONDE,  
WHereas We have been necessarily occasioned to take especial notice, That His Majesty's Revenue arising by Hearths, Firing places and Stoves within this Kingdom, hath of late become very much impaired, and still continues deeply in arrear, and unsatisfied into His Majesty's Exchequer, partly through the great discouragement and obstructions given unto His Majesty's Officers, and their Deputies, in the improvement and collection of the same, and the misdemeanours of several persons who have laboured to conceal many Hearthes', Firing places and Stoves, which by the Law are chargeable, and partly by the obstinacy of such persons of Quality, and Commanders of His Majesty's Castles and Forts, as refuse to permit His Majesty's Officers, or their Deputies to enter into their houses to view and number the several Hearths, Firing places and Stoves therein, or to take Distresses for the duty arising thereout; as also through the Combination of several Inhabitants, who purposely to defraud His Majesty, do take upon them to shelter the Distresses of their neighbours, who by their Delinquency are become liable thereunto; and lastly through the negligence or counivance of several Magistrates, Ministers, Constables and other Officers, who have given too much countenance to such undue proceed, and too little assistance to His Majesties said Officers and their Deputies, in levying and improving the said Revenue, whom they have in some places suffered to be reproached, and violently abused, without punishing the Malefactors, although it be the duty of all Constables and other inferior Officers, to accompany, assist and defend His Majesty's Officers and their Deputies, as well in the viewing and numbering of the several Hearths, Firing places and Stoves, as in their collecting of the Revenue arising thereout, and the duty of all justices of Peace and chief Magistrates, in their respective places and callings, and with the utmost of their Authority, to support His Majesties said Revenue, so well established by Law, and so necessary to the safety and defence of His Majesty and His good Subjects: We therefore being resolved to redress the aforesaid abuses, and for the time to come to remove all impediments to the levying and collecting of the said Revenue, and to take a strict account of all such persons as shall hereafter be found wanting in their duty to His Majesty, and to the Laws of this Kingdom, have thought fit to publish and declare, That all arrears of the said Revenue, as well those which were incurred from the 24th day of June, 1665. to the 25th of March 1666. as those which have accrued since, and all future growing duties shall forthwith, and with all possible speed, and diligence be collected and levied by and paid unto His Majesty's respective Officers and their Deputies aforesaid, published, nominated and appointed for that purpose by our Proclamation of the 15th of August, 1666. and no others; And we do hereby strictly charge and command all justices of Peace, chief Magistrates, Constables and all other Officers and Ministers of justice, whom it doth or may concern, that upon pain of being proceeded against as contemners of His Majesty's authority, and as persons ill affected to the Peace and safety of this his Kingdom, they be aiding and assisting to His Majesties said Officers and their Deputies, aswel in viewing and numbering the said Hearths, Firing places and Stoves, as in collecting and levying all such sum or sums of money as is already become due, and in arrear, or which hereafter shall become due and payable for or by reason of the duty arising out of the said Hearths, Firing places and Stoves, And herein we do expect and require from them, and every of them such vigorous and effectual assistance to be given to His Majesties said Officers and their Deputies, that all concealments of any Hearths, Firing places and Stoves may be speedily detected, all illegal and undue practices for exempting any persons liable, or sheltering of their distresses prevented, all obstructions in the collecting of His Majesties said Revenue removed, and all persons who shall deny admission into their Houses, or any ways affront, or abuse His Majesties said Officers or their Deputies in word, or deed exemplarily punished; And we do hereby will and require all Sheriffs, Mayors and Bailiffs in the several and respective Counties, Cities and Towns Corporate of this His Majesty's Kingdom to cause this our Proclamation to be published in all and every the Market places within their limits upon some Market day within fourteen days next after thereceipt hereof, as they will answer the contrary at their perils.  
Given at the Council Chamber in Dublin, the 21 day of March, 1666. 

Ja. Armachanus.  
Mich. Dublin. Canc.  
Ossory.  
R. Coote.  
Hen. Midensis.  
Kingston.  
Fra. Aungier.  
Santry.  
J. Temple.  
Rob. Byron.   
 GOD Save the KING.   

Dublin, Printed by John Crook, Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, and are to be sold by Samuel Dancer in Castlestreet. 1666.