PRESENT The KINGS Most Excellent MAJESTY in Council.

WHEREAS a PETITION was this Day presented to his MAJESTY in Council from several Thousands of the poor Distressed Sea-Men, Sea-Artificers, Labourers, and other late Inhabitants of WAPPING, and the Parts adjacent; setting forth, That the Poor Petitioners, by the Suddeness and Violence of the late Dreadful FIRE which happened lately in WAPPING, were expell'd and forced out of Their Houses and Dwellings, and scarce had time enough to preserve Themselves and Their Families from perishing in the Flames; By Means whereof most of Them have lost All, or the Gratest part of Their Goods, and are exposed to lie in the Streets, Church-Yards, and Fields; And therefore Praying His MAJESTY, out of His wonted Clemency and Mercy, to Order, That a Collection may be made for Their Relief. His MAJESTY in Council was thereupon Graciously pleased to Di­rect his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London, and the Deans of Westminster and St. Pauls, to Recommend their Sad and Deplo­rable Condition to the several Parishes of London, Westminster, and the Places Adjacent, to make a Charitable Collection for the Poor Petitioners; And that They do give Directions, That the Money so Collected be paid unto Mr. Roger Hudson at the Sign of the Exchange and Grasshopper in Lombard Street, to be Disposed of among the PETITIONERS by the Persons hereafter men­tioned, as They shall think fit, who are hereby Appointed Trustees to that effect; Namely, The Lord Mayor of London, the said Lord Bishop or London, the Sheriffs of London for the Time being, Sir Henry Johnson, Mr. Raynsford Waterhouse, Mr. Robert Hastings, Mr. William Wood, Mr. John Kent, Mr. Edward Alsoppe, Mr. Isaack Woodgreen, Captain Hugh Till, Captain Bendall, and Mr. Philip Gardner, and any Three or more of Them, whereof the Lord Mayor, or the Lord Bishop of London to be One, who are to take the Advice of the Ministers, Church-Wardens, and Overseers of the respective Parishes of the Poor Petitioners so Destroyed, in making the said Distribution. And it is Recom­mended to the Lord MAYOR of London, to give all due Encouragement and Countenance to this Charitable Work.