60 Assembly Proceedings, Sept. 5-Oct. 3, 1704.

Original
Journal.

phaneness in all psons from the highest to the lowest degree
within this Province and particularly those who are in Au-
thority or offices of Trust and do Expect that all such Persons
and others of Creditt and good Repute will to their utmost
Contribute to the discountenancing men of dissolute and de-
bauched Lives that they being reduced to shame and Con-
tempt may be enforced the sooner to reform their ill Habits
and practices so that the displeasure of good Men towards
them may supply what the Law cannot wholly Prevent
And for the more effectual reforming such men who are a
discredit to the Province I do hereby strictly Charge and
Command all Justices Sheriffs Constables and other officers
both Ecclesiastical and Civil and other her Majesty's good
Subjects whom it may Concern to be very diligent and Strict
in the discovery and Effectual Prosecution and punishment of
all Persons who shall be guilty of Excessive drinking Blas-
phemy prophane swearing and Cursing Lewdness prophana-
tion of the Lords Day or other dissolute immoral and dis-
orderly Practices as they will answer it to Almighty God and
incur my utmost resentments
And for the more Effectual Discovery of the said Enormitys I
do hereby direct and require all her Majest^ies Justices of the
Peace to give Strict Charges at their respective Courts for
the due prosecution and punishment of all Persons that shall
presume to offend in any of the kinds af^d and also of all Persons
that Contrary to their duty shall be remiss or negligent in
putting the said Laws in Execution and that they do at their
grand Jury Courts Cause this my Proclamation to be pub-
lickly read in open Court immediately before the Charge is
given
And I do hereby further Charge and Command all and
every the ministers in his or their respective Parish Churches
or Chappels to read or Cause to be read this my Proclamation
at least six times in every year immediately after divine Ser-
vice and to make and Stir up their respective Auditories to
the practice of Piety and Virtue and the avoiding of all Im-
moralities and Prophaneness
Given at the Town and Part of Annapolis this Sixteenth
day of Sep^r in the third year of the reign of our Sovereign
Lady Anne by the Grace of God of England Scotland France
and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging Queen
Defender of the Faith &c. Annoq Domini 1704.
God Save the Queen

And sent to the House of Delegates for their Perusal by
Col Addison and five other members of her Majest^ies hon:ble
Council