WHereas the general amazement and distraction occasioned by the late dreadful Fire was so great , that many persons were surprised and overtaken by the Flames before they could get time or opportunity to remove any part of their Goods , and others who made a shift to remove some of their Goods , did yet do it in that haste and confusion , that they were fain to leave very much behind them , By reason whereof great quantities of Plate , Money , Iewels , Houshold-stuffe , Goods and Merchandize , besides many valueable Materials for Building are daily found out and discovered amongst the Ruins of those several Houses which have been destroyed , to which nevertheless the true Owners are still legally and rightfully entituled , and have in no sort lost their propriety ; Nor will the finding of any Goods thus exposed excuse any Person who shall wilfully or feloniously take and carry them away from inturring the penalties of Law , which may in some cases extend even to the loss of life , and in all cases will extend to Fine and Imprisonment , besides the Damages which the injured party may recover by Action . And whereas also divers persons have notwithstanding adventured , and do still dayly presume to take , seize , and carry away whatsoever they can find or lay hands upon , which may be of any value or consideration , of whom some few may possibly intend to restore the same to the Rightful Owners as soon as they shall be known ; And others may possibly have offended in this kind meerly through ignorance , not well understanding the nature of their Crimes in Law , nor knowing the dangerous consequences of their offences , nor the severities to which they are become lyable . His Majesty therefore to the end that all his Subjects may know the danger of the Law , and that they may be left without any kind of excuse or pitty if they bring the extremities of Law upon themselves , hath thought fit by this his Royal Proclamation to publish and declare , and doth hereby require and command all persons whatsoever who have seized or possessed any Plate , Iewels , Money , Houshold-stuffe , Goods or Merchandize , or any Materials for building not truly and of right belonging to them , that they do within the space of eight daies after this his Proclamation cause the same to be brought into the Armory in Finsbury-fields , and there delivered unto such Persons as by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen shall be appointed to receive the same , To the end the same may be Inventoryed and preserved there for the true and rightful Owners , and restored to them after the Charges of keeping the same , and a competent Reward to the Parties who found them and brought them in shall be first deducted , which Reward shall be assessed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen , or such other of the Court of Aldermen as by them shall be appointed , and the Names of the Parties who ought to receive the said Reward shall be duely Registred and Entred : And his Majesty doth hereby declare , That all Persons in whose possession any Goods or Merchandizes shall be found after the said Eight days expired , whereof they cannot prove themselves to be the true and Lawful Proprietors , shall be proceeded against in his Name and at his Suit , as persons that have broken the Peace , and possest themselves by Rapines and spoyle of other mens Goods , his Majesty being resolved to punish these Crimes and offences with the utmost severities of Law , and then with the paines of Felony where the Case will bear it . And hereof all Iudges , Iustices of Peace , Mayors , Iurors , Constables , and all others his Majesties Officers and Ministers in all his Courts of Iustice and Publick Sessions are required to take notice , and to see that strict and effectual prosecution be had accordingly .