English coat of arms, circa 1687 
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  
dieu ET MON DROIT   
BY THE Lord Deputy General, AND General governor of IRELAND.  
A DECLARATION Concerning the Pay, and Clothing of the Army.  
TYRCONNEL,  
WHEREAS We are given to Understand, That His Majesties Forces, especially the Foot, are in a miserable Condition for want of their due weekly subsistence; and that His Majesties End, the Preservation of the Peace of this His Kingdom, for which He is at the Charge of maintaining an Army, is in danger to be Defeated, by the many Disorders and Abuses thence like to arise: We have thought fit, for prevention of these and such like Mischiefs, to look into very narrowly, and examine with all possible exactness, the present condition of the Army; and having sent for several Clothiers and tradesman, and brought down, as low as might be, the Prices and Rates of every thing, using Our utmost Care and endeavours for the Souldiers subsistence, and to make them pleased with the Service; and having computed their present Debts for Old Clothes, to the Disbanded Men, and the deductions for New Clothes, their Swords and Belts; We find their circumstances will not permit a greater allowance for the subsistence of a Private sentinel in the Regiment of Guards in Dublin, whose Pay is eight pence a day, than two shillings six pence a week; Nor for the subsistence of a Private sentinel in the other Regiments, whose Pay is six pence a day, than one shilling and eleven pence half-penny a week, from the last of March to the last of December next. We do therefore Declare and Command, that every private sentinel in the Regiment of Guards, shall weekly receive in and for that time, two shillings six pence for subsistence. Every private sentinel in the other Regiments, one shilling and eleven pence half-penny. Every Sergeant six shillings; and every Corporal four shillings, which We will take care shall be lodged in their respective Officers hands, that the men may be duly and punctually paid. And that from and after the said last day of December next, by which time all their Debts will be fully paid, every private soldier in the Regiment of Guards, shall receive weekly after the Rate of six pence a day, three shillings six pence; and in the other Regiments, after the Rate of four pence a day, two shillings four pence. Every Sergeant seven shillings; and every Corporal four shillings eight pence clear of all deductions whatever. And We do likewise declare, that the Army shall be Clothed once in 18 Months; and for that time every Man is to receive a Coat and Breeches lined, and after ten Months to be turned without any Charge; an Hat, four pair of shoes, three pair of stockings, three Shirts, three Cravats, and a Sash, all very good in their kind, according to the patterns of the several particulars shown and lodged with us.  
And to the end we may understand the true state of the Army, and see how every man has been paid for the time he has served, We do hereby straightly Charge and Require all colonels, or, in their absence, the Commandants of every Regiment of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons in the Army, forthwith to call together the Respective Captains and Officers, and take an account of every individual mans Pay, Clothing delivered, subsistence paid, and all manner of deductions, from the last of March 1686, to the first of April 1687; and transmit to Us that account, signed by the several Captains and Officers, and Countersign'd by the colonels or Commandants.  
And We do also Publish and Declare, that as We have resolved, no labour and care, on Our part, shall be wanting to make this Army useful, and to give the Officers all due Encouragement and Countenance; so, on the other hand, We have determined not to suffer any hardships to be put upon the private Souldiers; of whom, as We have been credibly informed, many lately in-listed, have been frequently turned off, without being accounted with, or paid, for the time of their service. We do therefore hereby strictly Require and Command, that for the future no man be dismissed, except by Our particular Order, but at the Musters, the Cause expressed and approved by the colonel, or Officer Commanding in Chief, in the Respective Garrisons, and a new man at the same time produced and in-listed; and that every man discharged, be first accounted with, and fully paid off to a farthing.  
And We do likewise Will and Require, that the colonels, Captains, and Subalterns of the Respective Regiments, do take special Care, that their men keep and wear their Clothes and linen neat and clean.  
And lastly, that all Disorders and Irregularities may be Rectified and redressed, and all grounds of Complaint, for the future, taken away; We do hereby straightly Charge and Command, that this Our Declaration be within ten days from the date of it, red and Published at the Head of every Troop and Company, and afterwards posted up, and fixed in the Market, and other public places, of the several Garrisons within this Kingdom; to the End, the private men may know what they are to expect: and that none may pretend ignorance of these Our Orders and Directions, which are to be carefully and punctually observed by all persons concerned; upon the pain of Cashiering, and Our utmost Displeasure.  
Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin this 29th day of April, in the Year 1687.   

By his Excellencies Command.  
THO. SHERIDAN.   

DUBLIN, Printed by Andr. Crook and Sam. Helsham Assigns of Benjamin took, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty; And are to be Sold by Andrew Crook at His Majesties Printing-House on Ormonde-Key, and by Samuel Helsham at the Colledge-Arms in Castle-Street. 1687.