By the KING,
A PROCLAMATION.
GEORGE R.
WHEREAS a great Number of disorderly Persons have for several Days past assembled themselves together, in a Riotous and Tumultuous Manner, and have been guilty of many Acts of Treason, Rebellion, and Felony, having formed Designs to break open and destroy the Gaols and Prisons, and to set loose the Prisoners confined therein, and having actually broke into and set on Fire the Gaol of Newgate, the King’s Bench Prison, and the Prison of the Fleet, and released the Prisoners, and made Attempts on other Gaols and Prisons in and about this Metropolis; and having set Fire to and pulled down the Dwelling-houses of divers of Our peaceable Subjects, and also set Fire to, burnt and destroyed the Materials thereof, and the Furniture and other Effects found therein; and also taken Money from divers of Our Subjects: We therefore, taking the same into Our most serious Consideration, have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to publish and declare Our Resolution, That the Authors, Abettors, and Perpetrators of the said Offences be prosecuted as expeditiously as may be, according to the due Course of Law; and we do hereby enjoin and require all Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, and all other Our loving Subjects, to be aiding and assisting to the utmost of their Power, in detecting, apprehending and bringing to Justice the said Offenders. And We are graciously pleased to promise, that if any Person shall discover any other Person or Persons who are guilty of any of the said Offences, so as that the Person Or Persons discovered may be prosecuted for the same, such Discoverer shall have, and receive, as a Reward, upon Conviction of such Offender or Offenders, the Sum of FIFTY POUNDS, and also Our Gracious Pardon for the said Offence, in Case the Person making such Discovery shall himself be liable to be prosecuted for the same; and the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Treasurer of Our Exchequer are hereby required to make Payment accordingly of the said Rewards.
Given at Our Court at St. James’s, the Ninth Day of June, One thousand seven hundred and eighty, in the Twentieth Year of Our Reign.
GOD Save the KING.
Source: London Gazette, 12097, 1- 4 July.
Lindsey: Handlist of Proclamations.