By the Mayor.  
WHereas by neglect of executing the good laws and Statutes against Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy beggars That vermin of this Common wealth doth now swarm in and about this City and Liberties, disturbing and annoying the inhabitants and Passengers, by hanging upon Coaches, and clamorous begging at the doors of Churches and private Houses and in the Streets and common ways; veguiling the modest, laborious and honest poor, (the proper objects of Charity) of much relief and alms which otherwise might be disposed to them by bountiful and well minded people: And by this means and their corrupt and profane communication, do bring dishonour to God, scandal to Religion, and shame to the Government of this City: And for as much as it is intended and resolved that for Reformation of this living nuisance, the said laws and Statutes shall be henceforth duly and strictly executed within this City and Liberties thereof, and the penalties and punishments thereby appointed, imposed and inflicted upon all Persons offending against the same: I do therefore give notice thereof, And in the name of his highness the Lord Protector, do hereby require and Command all Constables and other Officers and Persons whatsoever within this City and Liberties, to be diligent and watchful about their duties herein: For better information whereof and that none may excuse himself by pretence of ignorance, I have caused some branches of the said Statutes of most Common concernment to be added hereunto, expecting that accordingly every Constable do presently apprehend (and so continue to do during his said Office) all such Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy beggars as shall be found in his parish or precinct, or shall be brought or sent to him by any of his neighbours, and to send to Bridewell the place of Correction) such of them as live within this City and Liberties, who are there to be received and dealt withal according to Law; and such as live not within the Liberties aforesaid, to whip and pass away to the place of their dwelling or last abode. And that all other Persons do apprehend or cause to be apprehended all such as they shall see or know to resort to their houses to receive or beg any alms, and carry or cause them to be carried to the next Constable, And that in all other things they give that furtherance to this work as by the Law is required. And further I do hereby require all and every the said Constables, to the end their dwellings may be the better known and more readily found, that they have their staves see or fired at their street doors, plainly to be seen by all Passengers. And moreover, that on the first Wednesday in every month at four of the clock in the afternoon, they deliver in to the Corporation for the poor at Weavers Hall, a list of the names and firnames of all such Rogues and beggars as shall by them respectively be apprehended, whipped and passed away, with the time when and the place to which they are sent. As they will answer the contrary at their perils. Dated the Twenty third day of January 1655.  
To all and every the Constables within the City of London and Liberties thereof. Sadler.   


39 Eliz. cap. 4.  EVery Rogue, Vagabond, or Sturdy beggar that shall be taken begging, vagrant, wandering, or misordering themselves, shall be apprehended by any Constable of the Parish where such Person shall be taken, and be stripped naked from the middle upwards and be openly whipped, till his or her body be bloody and shall be forthwith sent from Parish to Parish by the said Officer, the next straight way to the Parish where he was b●rn, if the same may be known by the party's confession or otherwise, And if the same be not known, then to the Parish where be or she last dwelled, before the same punishment, by the space of one whole year, or if it be not known where he or she was borne, or last dwelled, then to the Parish to which he or she last passed without punishment &c.  

39 Eliz. cap. 4.  If any Constable be negligent and do not his and their best endeavours for the apprehension of such Vagabond, Rogue, or Sturdy beggar, and to cause every of them to be punished and conveyed as aforesaid, than the Constable in whom such default shall be, shall lose and forfeit for every such default ten shillings.  

39 Eliz. cap. 4 . Also if any Person do disturb or let the execution of this Law, or make recuse against any Officer or Person authourised for the due execution of the premises, such Person offending shall forfeit for every such offence five pounds, and be bound to the good behaviour.  

1 lac. cap. 7.  Every Person or Persons shall apprehend or cause to be apprehended, such Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy beggars as he or they shall see or know to resort to their houses to beg, gather, or receive any alms, and him or them shall carry or cause to be carried to the next Constable, upon pain to forfeit for every default ten shillings.  

1 lac. cap. 7.  And if such Constable do not cause the said Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy beggars to be punished and conveyed as aforesaid, such Constable shall forfeit and lose the sum of Twenty shillings for every default.   

Printed by James Flesher Printer to Honourable City of LONDON.