blazon or coat of arms of the City of London By the Mayor.  
To the Alderman of the Ward of _____  
WHereas by an Ordinance entitled, An Ordinance for the better amending and keeping in repair the common Highways within this Nation: It is ordained amongst other things that in every Parish within this Nation of England and Wales there be two or more (according to the greatness of the Parishes) able and sufficient Householders inhabiting in such Parish, yearly elected and chosen to be Surveyors for amending Highways, Streets and Pavements, within their respetive Parishes the first Tuesday next ensueing the twenty fifth of March yearly, under the penalty of Twenty pounds to be forfeited by the Parishioners of such Parish where no such Surveyors shall be chosen as aforesaid, who being chosen are to accept of the said place, and be sworn, as is appointed by the said Ordinance, after such election, under the penalty therein contained; Streets and pavements being thereby declared to be common Highways, and Scavengers to be Surveyors, within the intent and construction of the said Ordinance and within all Laws in force concerning Highways, And whereas by a latter Ordinance of the twelfth of April 1654. the time for election of such officers this present year is appointed to be before the first day of May next, and sworn on or before the first of May aforesaid, under the penalties aforesaid, as by the said several Ordinances may appear: In persuance thereof, and to the intent that all persons concerned therein may be careful to perform what on their part is to be observed, and that a more full reformation may be had and made, then formerly in the paving and cleansing the streets and in the channels and watercourses within this City and liberties thereof. These are therefore in the name of his Highness the Lord Protector, of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to will and require you that presently upon sight hereof you send directions with a copy of this precept to every parish within your ward, That the Scavengers now in being and other Householders inhabiting in their respective parishes rated to the poor do before the first day of May now next ensuing chose two or more according to the greatness of their said parishes to be Scavengers according to the true intent and meaning of the said several Ordinances, and for the purposes therein contained, to the end they may be sworn in due time and proceed in the due execution of the premises: And that on or before the said first day of May you cause certificate in writing to be made unto me of the names of all such persons as shall be chosen Scavengers, and the several parishes for which they shall be so chosen, And herein you are not to fail.  
Dated this 25th of April 1654. Sadler.   

Printed by James Flesher, Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON.