Sr
The Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council having by their Letter of the 8th instant required the Mayors & cheif Magistrates of the. several Sea Port Towns, to cause the proper 0; :cers to give all possible Assistance to those belonging to His Majesty's Ships, and the Constables to take up (by virtue of su.ch Press Warrants as shou'd be sent to them by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty), such Seafaring Men as shou'd be found lurking about their respective Towns, Ports & Liberties, and directed as an Encouragement to the Constables who shou'd take up such Seamen, and deliver them to the regulating Captains, or other Officers of His Majesty's Ships appointed to procure Men, that they shou'd be paid Twenty Shillings for each Seaman fit for His Majesty's Service, by the Naval Officer of such Offices — shou'd reside near the said Town, or otherwise by the Collector or proper Officer of the Customs, and of Money to be furnished them for that purpose by the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury as heretofore, upon Certificates from the Captain or Commander of the Ship or Vessel where into they shall be put, or from a Regulating Captains or other Officer of His Majesty's Ships appointed to procure Men of his having received them: The said Allowance to be reimbursed to the Officers of the Customs by the Navy Board upon their transmitting to them authentick Accounts of what Money's they shou'd so expend: And press Warrants having been sent accordingly; My Lords command me to acquaint you therewith and to desire you will move the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury that they will be pleased to give the necessary Orders to the Collectors of the several Out Ports thereon, letting them know that the Money they pay in consequence of such Orders will be reimbursed by the Navy Board as aforementioned.
And the said Constables being directed by the Press Warrants, to give unto each Man impressed by them One Shilling for Prest Money; Their Lordships desire the Collectors (at the Ports where there are no Naval Officers) may be also directed to repay the same, which will be reimbursed in the manner beforementioned. I am &c:
