WHEREAS several persons disaffected to his Majesties most serene and auspicious Government , have of late in a riotous and warlike manner assembled together in several parts of this his Kingdom , and have contrived and entred into several Associations , which they have most industriously endeavoured to spread and divulge amongst his Majesties liege people in divers parts of the Kingdom , which We must conclude to have been made and procured by persons who desire to disturb the peaceable and establish'd Government thereof ; and which contain , as We conceive , no less offence than that of High Treason , to which We are the more induced to give credit , in regard they have proceeded so far in their insolencies , as that by fresh informations which We the Lord Deputy have received , they have taken upon them to fortifie themselves , by possessing of places of strength , and dividing themselves into Troops and Companies , providing themselves of Arms and Ammunition in manifest breach of the Laws , and to the great Terror of his Majesties liege people . And because We are assured that several well-meaning persons amongst them have been seduced upon pretence of groundless fears and jealousies by fiery spirits that are Ringleaders of those Factions , who being broken in their Fortunes as well as their Reputations , may occasion the ruine of many harmless and well-meaning men , by involving them in their own treasonable designs , and making them partakers of the Crimes that they themselves are guilty of . And We being very sensible of the misfortune that these men are like to bring themselves further into , which can be no less than the forfeiture of their lives and estates for Rebellion and Treason , which We are willing to prevent as much as in vs lieth . And in order thereunto , and to settle the Peace of this Kingdom , and to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood , which We the Lord Deputy of this Kingdom have hitherto endeavoured to prevent with all the care and industry imaginable , notwithstanding the many Affronts of late offered to His Majesties Government .

And to quiet the mindes of the People , We the Lord Deputy and Council have thought fit and do hereby in his Majesties name strictly Charge and Command all the said persons so Assembled within this Kingdom forthwith to disperse and withdraw themselves from those Rebellious meetings by repairing to their respective Habitations , and to betake themselves to their several Occupations and Callings as formerly , upon the doing whereof We do in his Majesties behalf hereby assure them and every of them of his Majesties Protection and Pardon for their Persons and Estates for any the Offences aforesaid , and while they continue within the bounds of their Allegiance and duty to his Majesty ; but in case they shall still persevere in their said crimes and fail to give due obedience to these our Commands , We do hereby Declare that we will give direction to his Majesties Atturney General to proceed against them and every of them according to Law as in cases of High Treason hath been always used , And whereas from these irregular and unwarranted proceedings of the Associators aforesaid , manifold and great inconveniences already have and more are da ly like to ensue by several Thieves and Robbers who in confidence of impunity do frequently despoyle and Robb his Majesties Subjects by stealing their Cattle in greater numbers then for many years last past hath been known . We do hereby publish and declare that we will use our utmost endeavors by all Legal wayes and meanes to bring the said Theives and Robbers to condigne punishment , And We do hereby require all Iustices of the Peace , Magistrates , Sheriffs , High and Petty Constables and all other his Majesties Loving Subjects to use their utmost endeavors to discover and bring to Iustice the said Malefactors hereby charging and commanding all his Majesties military Officers and Soldiers of this Kingdom to be Aiding and Assisting to them in so doing : And we do further recommend to all his Majesties Subjects of this Realm to lay aside all fears and apprehensions of any violence to be used to them ; We firmly assureing all his Majesties Subjects of what perswasion soever that to the utmost of our power they and every of them demeaning themselves peaceably and quietly shall be Protected by his Majesties Government here both in their Persons and Estates against all violences and attempts whatsoever .