WHEREAS We are given to Understand , That His Majesties Forces , especially the Foot , are in a miserable Condition for want of their due weekly subsistence ; and that His Majesties End , the Preservation of the Peace of this His Kingdom , for which He is at the Charge of maintaining an Army , is in danger to be Defeated , by the many Disorders and Abuses thence like to arise : We have thought fit , for prevention of these and such like Mischiefs , to look into very narrowly , and examine with all possible exactness , the present condition of the Army ; and having sent for several Clothiers and Tradesmen , and brought down , as low as might be , the Prices and Rates of every thing , using Our utmost Care and Endeavors for the Souldiers subsistence , and to make them pleased with the Service ; and having computed their present Debts for Old Clothes , to the Disbanded Men , and the deductions for New Clothes , their Swords and Belts ; We find their circumstances will not permit a greater allowance for the subsistence of a Private Centinel in the Regiment of Guards in Dublin , whose Pay is eight pence a day , than two shillings six pence a week ; Nor for the subsistence of a Private Centinel in the other Regiments , whose Pay is six pence a day , than one shilling and eleven pence half-penny a week , from the last of March to the last of December next . We do therefore Declare and Command , that every private Centinel in the Regiment of Guards , shall weekly receive in and for that time , two shillings six pence for subsistence . Every private Centinel in the other Regiments , one shilling and eleven pence half-penny . Every Sergeant six shillings ; and every Corporal four shillings , which We will take care shall be lodg'd in their respective Officers hands , that the men may be duly and punctually paid . And that from and after the said last day of December next , by which time all their Debts will be fully paid , every private Souldier in the Regiment of Guards , shall receive weekly after the Rate of six pence a day , three shillings six pence ; and in the other Regiments , after the Rate of four pence a day , two shillings four pence . Every Sergeant seven shillings ; and every Corporal four shillings eight pence clear of all deductions whatever . And We do likewise declare , that the Army shall be Clothed once in 18 Months ; and for that time every Man is to receive a Coat and Breeches lin'd , and after ten Months to be turn'd without any Charge ; an Hat , four pair of Shooes , three pair of Stockins , three Shirts , three Cravats , and a Sash , all very good in their kind , according to the patterns of the several particulars shewn and lodg'd with us .

And to the end we may understand the true state of the Army , and see how every man has been paid for the time he has serv'd , We do hereby straightly Charge and Require all Collonels , or , in their absence , the Commandants of every Regiment of Horse , Foot , and Dragoons in the Army , forthwith to call together the Respective Captains and Officers , and take an account of every individual mans Pay , Clothing delivered , subsistence paid , and all manner of deductions , from the last of March 1686 , to the first of April 1687 ; and transmit to Us that account , Sign'd by the several Captains and Officers , and Countersign'd by the Collonels or Commandants .

And We do also Publish and Declare , that as We have resolv'd , no labour and care , on Our part , shall be wanting to make this Army useful , and to give the Officers all due Encouragement and Countenance ; so , on the other hand , We have determined not to suffer any hardships to be put upon the private Souldiers ; of whom , as We have been credibly inform'd , many lately in-listed , have been frequently turn'd off , without being accounted with , or paid , for the time of their service . We do therefore hereby strictly Require and Command , that for the future no man be dismiss'd , except by Our particular Order , but at the Musters , the Cause express'd and approv'd by the Collonel , or Officer Commanding in Chief , in the Respective Garrisons , and a new man at the same time produc'd and in-listed ; and that every man Discharg'd , be first accounted with , and fully paid off to a farthing .

And We do likewise Will and Require , that the Collonels , Captains , and Subalterns of the Respective Regiments , do take special Care , that their men keep and wear their Clothes and Linnen neat and clean .