WHereas the remisnesse of former Gouernors in executing the ordinances established for the well gouernment of the Corporation , and their forbearance to leauy the fines imposed for breach of orders , according to his Maiesties charge , and the ordinances thereupon made , makes many persons , especially of the better sort , insolent in their cariage and remisse in their duties : and notwithstanding that we who are now Gouernors , with a ioynt consent are in hand to redresse those grieuances which themselues complained of , and that many of them are eyewitnesses what good entrance we haue already made , in reforming of many disorders , and particularly for reliefe of the poore , and restraining the abuse of keeping exorbitant numbers of seruants , yet many do still persist in their obstinacie , supposing and reporting that our paines and present industrie is but a blaze which will soone vanish .

But we thinke it fit to let all men know , that forsomuch as a course is now setled by order of law for discharge and paiment of the Companies debts , which did heretofore hinder and distract all good proceedings , we do intend by Gods assistance ( according to our dutie and oath ) to go on in the effectuall setling of his Maiesties charge and ordinances within the riuer of Thames and Medway , and in reforming of all abuses and disorders contrary thereunto . And because the common workmen are wholy freed from paiment of the Companies debts , and are neuer henceforth to be charged or burthened with any more taxes or other impositions besides the ordinary duties of quarterage , admittance , presentments , and fines for breach of orders ( according as is vsuall among all other Companies : ) we are to let them know , that from henceforth a more stricter account shall be taken of their irregular courses then hath been heretofore , and that we will proceed in managing the trust committed to vs without partialitie or sparing of any person whatsoeuer ; and therefore we do hereby signifie vnto them and all others whom it concernes , that whosoeuer from the first day of May next comming , shall offend in the wilfull breach of any ordinance of the Companie , shall be sure to be censured and his fine leuied , without any fauour or conniuence ; and hereof it is that we would haue euery one to take notice , for which purpose this order is printed and appointed to be set vp in euery mans Yard , that no man may pretend ignorance , especially in these six points following .

1. That whosoeuer hath formerly bound or enrolled his Apprentice at London or elsewhere , and brings not his Indenture to the Clerke of the Companie to be registred according to his Maiesties charge betwixt this and the first day of May next comming , shal be sure to pay his fine .

2. That whosoeuer from the sixt of Ianuary last ( at which time it was ordered and publike notice giuen ) hath retained or shall hereafter keep or retain aboue the number of two Apprentices , limited in the ordinance for that purpose , shall pay his fine of 5 l. without any further fauour .

3. That whosoeuer comes not to the Hall or place of meeting , vpon the first or second warning or summons by the Beadle or Officer of the Company , shall be sent for by a messenger , and pay his fine and the messengers fees before he be discharged of his arrest .

4. That whosoeuer bindes his Apprentise any where else then at the Hall , shall pay his fine of 40 s without fauour .

5. That whosoeuer goes to Sea , and comes not first to the Hall to haue his sufficiencie approued and to register his name according to the ordinance in that behalfe , shall be fined accordingly .

6. That whatsoeuer Yard keeper or other shall set any stranger to worke , contrary to the ordinance in that behalfe , or shall imploy or continue in worke any person whatsoeuer or his seruant that is refractory to the Company , after warning giuen , shall pay the fine limited for that offence .

For the better keeping of good order , it is thought fit , that whosoeuer shall be from henceforth made free of the Companie , shall take out a copie of his freedome vnder seale , without shewing whereof no man to set him aworke .

Also , that whosoeuer from henceforth shall take any seruant , shall haue a warrant vnder seale , limiting how many apprentises he shall keepe , and his apprentises names to be endorsed vpon the warrant , to the end we may be sure to keepe all men within compasse .

We desire the second Assistants , and euery man else that heares of any stranger set to worke , or any one that keepes aboue the number he ought to keepe , or of any man that works for himselfe and hath not serued his time , or marries before his time be expired , or of any other abuse or disorder fit to be redressed , to giue notice to the Beadle or Officer of the Companie , who for that purpose is appointed once euery fortnight to go through all the Yards in the Riuer .

Lastly , if any persons of the Company do find themselues agrieued in any thing , let them come in an orderly fashion and present their grieuances in writing , and they shall expect we will be ready to do them all the right and iustice that can be reasonably required .