By the King. A proclamation for the suppression of coffee-houses (1675)
By the King. A proclamation for the suppression of the coffee-houses (1675)
-- Digital version: Janet Clarkson (Australia), Thomas Gloning (Germany), 13.7.2003
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<<p.1>>
By the King.
A PROCLAMATION
FOR THE
Suppression of Coffee-Houses.
CHARLES R.
WHereas it is most apparent, that the Multitude of Coffee-Houses
of late
years set up and kept within this Kingdom, the Dominion of Wales,
and the
Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the great resort
of Jdle and disaffected
persons to them, have produced very evil and dangerous effects;
as well
for that many Tradesmen and others, do therein mis-spend much
of their time,
which might and probably would otherwise be imployed in and about
their
Lawful Callings and Affairs; but also, for that in such Houses,
and by
occasion of the meetings of such persons therein, diverse False,
Malitious
and Scandalous Reports are devised and spread abroad, to the Defamation
of His Majesties Government, and to the Disturbance of the Peace
and Quiet of the
Realm; His Majesty hath thought it fit and necessary, That the
said Coffee-houses be
(for the future) Put down and Suppressed, and doth (with the Advice
of His Privy
Council) by this His Royal Proclamation, Strictly Charge and Command
all manner of
<<p.2>>
persons, That they or any of them do not presume from and after
the Tenth Day of January next
ensuing, to keep any Publick Coffee-house, or to Utter or sell
by retail, in his, her or their house
or houses (to be spent or consumed within the same) any Coffee,
Chocolet, Sherbett or Tea,
as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils.
And for the better accomplishment of this his Majesties Royal
Pleasure, His Majesty doth
hereby will and require the Justices of Peace within their several
Counties, and the Chief
Magistrates in all Cities and Towns Corporate, that they do at
their next respective General
Sessions of the peace (to be holden within their several and respective
Counties, Divisions and
Precincts) recall and make void all Licences at any time heretofore
Granted, for the selling or
Retailing of any Coffee, Chocolet, Sherbett or Tea. And that they
or any of them do not (for the
future) make or grant any such License or Licenses, to any person
or persons whatsoever.
And his Majesty doth further hereby declare, that if any person
or persons shall take upon them,
him or her, after his, her or their License or Licenses recalled,
or otherwise without License, to sell
by retail (as aforesaid) any of the Liquors aforesaid, that then
the person or persons so Offending,
shall not only be proceeded against, upon the Statute made in
the Fifteenth year of his Majesties
Reign (which gives the forfeiture of five pounds for every moneth
wherein he, she or they shall
offend therein) but shall (in case they persevere to Offend) receive
the severest punishments that
may by Law be inflicted.
Given at Our Court at Whitehall, this Nine and twentieth
day of December 1675. in the Seven
and twentieth year of Our Reign.
God save the King.
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LONDON,
Printed by the Assigns of John Bill, and Christopher
Barker,
Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1675.
13.7.2003