Royal Letter - Informing the Lord Mayor of London of a Collection for the Poor [1761-03-09]

George R.

Right Trusty and Welbeloved, We Greet you well! Being informed that the poorer Sort of Our Subjects in, and about Our City of London, do suffer great Hardships at this Time, and being graciously disposed to do all that lyes in Us for their Relief and Support, We have thought fit to signify Our Pleasure to the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Lord Bishop of London, that he takes Care for publication to be made in all the Parish Churches within Our said City and Liberties thereof, the Lord’s Day next following the Date of these presents, for the Church Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of each Parish to collect the Benevolence of Charitable and well disposed People at their respective Dwellings within each Parish, for, and towards the Support and Relief of Our said poor Subjects, & to cause the Money so collected to be paid immediately into the Chamber of London, to be distributed to the several Parishes, as you and the said Lord Bishop shall think fit and direct, and to the end Our Intention may be the more effectual, We have thought fit, to recommend the same to you, that, by your Encouragement and Endeavour Our good Subjects inhabiting in Our said City and Liberties may be induced to a more than ordinary Demonstration of their Compassion and Liberality on this Occasion. And so We bid you farewell. Given at Our Court at S^t James’s the Ninth Day of March 1761. In the First Year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty’s Command

Holdernesse

Superscribed.
To Our Right Trusty &
Welbeloved Sir Matthew
Blackiston, Knight,
Lord Mayor of Our
City of London.