THe Kings Maiestie perceiuing of late times, the great numbers that are of Hackney Coaches kept and vsed in the Cities of London and West­minster, and the Suburbes thereof, as also the generall and promiscuous vse of Coaches in and about His said Cities, whereby not only a great di­sturbance growes to His Maiestie, His dearest Consort the Queene, the Nobilitie, and others of place and degree, in their passage through the Streets of the said Cities; but the Streets themselues so pestered, and the Pauements thereof so broken vp, as the Common passage is thereby hindred and made dangerous, and the Rates and Prices of Hay and Pro­uender, and other Prouisions of Stable thereby made exceeding deare; Hath thought fit, with the aduice of his Priuie Councell, to publish His Royall pleasure for reformation herein. And therefore His Maiestie doth hereby expresse and de­clare His Will and Pleasure to bee, and doth hereby expresly Command and forbid; That from the Feast day of Saint Iohn the Baptist next comming, no Hackney or hired Coach, or Coaches be vsed or suffered in London or Westminster, or the Suburbes or Liberties thereof; Except the same Hack­ney Coach or Coaches bee to trauaile at the least three Miles out of London or Westminster, or the Suburbes thereof, or further.

And also, that no person or persons, shall goe in a Coach in the Streets of London or Westminster, or the Suburbes or Liberties thereof, except the Owner of the same Coach, shall, and doe con­stantly keepe within the said Cities and Suburbes thereof, foure sufficient and able Horses or Gel­dings fit for His Maiesties Seruice, whensoeuer His Maiesties occasions shall require: vpon paine of His Maiesties high displeasure and indignation, and such Paines and Penalties as may bee in­flicted for the Contempt of His Maiesties Royall Commands in the premisses, whereof Hee is re­solued to require a strict accompt.

And for the due execution of His Maiesties pleasure herein declared, Hee doth further Charge and Command all Iustices of Peace, Maiors, Bailiffes, Constables, and other Officers and Mi­nisters of the said Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbes and Liberties thereof, to bee ayding and assisting in their seuerall places, whereby such as shall wilfully offend in the Premisses, may bee brought and presented to His Maiesties Priuie Councell, and thereupon may bee proceeded against, according to the demerits of the Offendors.

Giuen at His Maiesties Palace of VVestminster, the nineteenth day of Ianuary in the eleuenth yeere of His Reigne of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland.