An ordinance and declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament : that the Lord major & citizens of the city of London for the better securing and safety thereof, shall have full power and authority according to their discretion, to trench, stop, and fortifie all high-wayes leading into the said city as well within the liberties as without as they shall see cause, and for the better effecting thereof, shall impose upon all the inhabitants within the same upon every house worth 5 lis a yeere six pence, and every house of greater ... after the rate of two pence in the pound.