[The following proclamation on this subject is of interest at the
present moment.]
By the King.
A Proclamation to restrain the Abuses of Hackney Coaches in the Cities of
London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof.
Charles R.
Whereas the excessive number of Hackney Coaches, and Coach Horses, in and
about the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof, are
found to be a common nuisance to the Publique Damage of Our People by
reason of their rude and disorderly standing and passing to and fro, in and
about our said Cities and Suburbs, the Streets and Highways being thereby
pestred and made impassable, the Pavements broken up, and the Common
Passages obstructed and become dangerous, Our Peace violated, and sundry
other mischiefs and evils occasioned:
We, taking into Our Princely consideration these apparent Inconveniences,
and resolving that a speedy remedy be applied to meet with, and redress
them for the future, do, by and with the advice of our Privy Council,
publish Our Royal Will and Pleasure to be, and we do by this Our
Proclamation expressly charge and command, That no Person or Persons, of
what Estate, Degree, or Quality whatsoever, keeping or using any Hackney
Coaches, or Coach Horses, do, from and after the Sixth day of November
next, permit or suffer the said Coaches and Horses, or any of them, to
stand or remain in any the Streets or Passages in or about Our said Cities
either of London or Westminster, or the Suburbs belonging to either of
them, to be there hired; but that they and every of them keep their said
Coaches and Horses within their respective Coach-houses, Stables, and Yards
(whither such Persons as desire to hire the same may resort for that
purpose), upon pain of Our high displeasure, and such Forfeitures, Pains,
and Penalties as may be inflicted for the Contempt of Our Royal Commands in
the Premises, whereof we shall expect a strict Accompt.
And for the due execution of Our Pleasure herein, We do further charge and
command the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of Our City of London, That they in
their several Wards, and Our Justices of Peace within Our said Cities of
London and Westminster, and the Liberties and Suburbs thereof, and all
other Our Officers and Ministers of Justice, to whom it appertaineth, do
take especial care in their respective Limits that this Our Command be duly
observed, and that they from time to time return the names of all those who
shall wilfully offend in the Premises, to Our Privy Council, and to the end
they may be proceeded against by Indictments and Presentments for the
Nuisance, and otherwise according to the severity of the Law and Demerits
of the Offenders.
Given at Our Court at Whitehall the 18th day of October in the 12th year of
Our Reign.