By the Council of State appointed by authority OF PARLIAMENT.  
Whereas for the encouragement of seamen, a considerable augmentation hath been made of their Wages, and seasonable provision for such of them as have been sick, or Wounded, and due consideration had of the Wives, children, and impotent Parents of all Officers and seamen that have been slain in the present service, as also their month's gratuity, and Wages fully paid them upon coming in of the respective Ships in which they have served, notwithstanding all which, and the extraordinary care that hath been taken by the State from time to time for their encouragement, divers seamen, and others, did on the 26. and 27. days of this instant October, in a mutinous and seditious manner, assemble together in numerous Companies, with Pistols, Swords, and other Weapons, on the Tower-Hill, at Charing Cross, and other places in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, to the disturbance of the public Peace; Now to the end that such practices for the future may be prevented, which we have too much cause to believe have been animated and fomented by discontented and ill affected persons, and that others in time to come may not be seduced to their own ruin, We do hereby declare, that exemplary justice shall be inflicted upon the chief Authors or King-leaders in this Mutiny and Sedition, some of which are now under custody; And do straightly charge and command, That no Mariners, seamen, or other persons whatsoever, upon pain of death, do presume to assemble together in a mutinous or seditious manner, or any ways countenance or abet such mutiny or sedition. And we do further declare, That a speedy course shall be taken for the adjusting and payment of the money due to the seamen for their shares of Prizes, and that all due encouragement (which shall hereafter be particularly expressed) shall be given to such as shall voluntarily engage themselves in this present Service.  
Dated at White-Hall, this 27. day of October 1653. Signed by command of the Council of State, JOHN THURLOE Secr.   

London, by Printed Henry Hills for him, Giles Calvert, and Thomas Brewster, Printers to the Council of State, MDCLIII.