¶ A Proclamation to prevent Plundering:  BY ROBERT Earl of ESSEX, &c. Captain general of the Army raised and employed for the defence of the Protestant Religion, King, Parliament and Kingdom. 
WHereas I am informed, That several insolences and Outrages have been of late committed by some Troopers, and other soldiers belonging to this Army, without the approbation or allowance of myself, or the Officers of the Army, to the great prejudice of many the Inhabitants of this County of Berks, and Counties adjacent; I do hereby publish and declare, That if any Officer or soldier, horse or foot belonging to this Army, shall (after Proclamation hereof made by the Provost Martial general of the Army) upon any pretence whatsoever, seize, take, embezzle or purloin any the Horses, Mares, Oxen, Cows, Calves, Sheep, or any other the Goods of any the Inhabitants of this County, or other the adjacent Counties, either Papist or Malignant, or other ill-affected person whatsoever, without special and particular Warrant from myself; That every such person so offending, shall undergo and suffer such punishment by death or otherwise, as the nature of the offence shall require: But in case any the Officers or soldiers shall seize or take any the Horses or Goods of any person or persons whatsoever, coming or sending supply of necessaries for the Army, that such person or persons so offending, shall suffer death without mercy. And if any Officer or soldier of this Army shall by virtue of any Warrant, seize or take away the Horses or Goods of any person or persons whatsoever, and shall not within Two days' next after the seizing of them repair unto my Quarter, to certify unto me in writing whose Horses and Goods have been so seized, and by whose Warrant, that they may be brought hither to be disposed of by me, such person or persons so offending, shall be deemed and accounted guilty of the breach of this Proclamation, and shall be proceeded against accordingly. And I do hereby further Declare, that if any the horses or goods of any person or persons inhabiting within this County, or any other adjacent Counties have been unjustly seized or taken from them or any of them, upon his or their just complaint made unto me, I shall give present Order for the restitution of them according to justice. And lastly, I do will and require all and every the high Constables of the several Divisions within the counties of Berks, Southampton, and Oxon, that they do forthwith upon, and after Proclamation hereof made, make out several Warrants to the petty Constables, for the assessing and taxing of the several Parrishes with such Quantities of provision of all sorts as they are stored with, and to make, and return a Certificate within three days of such assessments, what several quantities are assessed upon the said Parrishes, with the Names of such persons as shall refuse to provide and send provisions to the Army as aforesaid, which Certificate is to be delivered into the hands of two or more of the Commissioners appointed to receive the same, that such further order may be taken with the persons so refusing as shall be thought fit. And I do hereby Declare, that I expect that the several Inhabitants of the said several Counties should readily contribute their assistance herein, which I doubt not but they will do with the more cheerfulness, it being for the supply of this Army which is raised for the defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom, the preservation of God's true Religion, and the just Rights and Liberties of the Subjects from violence and oppression. And I do hereby will and require all the Officers and soldiers of this Army, and all others whom it may concern to be obedient hereunto, as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their uttermost peril:  
Given under my Hand and seal at arms, this twenty fourth day of April. 1643. ESSEX.   

It is his excellency's pleasure that this Proclamation be forthwith printed.  
Rob: Chambers, Secr.   

London, Printed for Edw: Husbands. 1643.