WHEREAS the late Parliament dissolving themselves, and resigning their Powers and Authorities, The Go­vernment of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by a LORD PROTECTOR, and Succe­sive Triennial Parliaments, is now established; And whereas OLIVER CROMWELL, Captain-General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth, is declared LORD PROTECTOR of the said Nations, and hath accepted thereof: We have therefore thought it ne­cessary (as we hereby do) to make publication of the Pre­misses, and strictly to Charge and Command all and every person and persons, of what Quality and Condition soever, in any of the said three Nations, to take notice hereof and to conform and submit themselves to the Government so established. And all Sheriffs, Maiors, Bayliffs, and other Publick Ministers, and Officers, whom this may concern, are required to cause this PROCLAMATION to be forthwith published in their respective Counties, Cities, Corporations, and Mar­ket-Towns, To the end none may have Cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf.

Given at White-Hall this sixteenth day of December, 1653.