And whereas diver Societies of Clubs have been instituted, in the Metropolis and in various parts of this Kingdom, of a dangerous nature and tendency, inconsistent with the public tranquillity, and the existence of the established Government Laws and Constitution of the Kingdom; and the Members of many such Societies or Clubs have taken unlawful Oaths and engagements of Fidelity and Secrecy, and have taken, or subscribed, or assented to, illegal Tests or declarations; And many of the said Societies or Clubs elect, appoint, or employ Committees, Delegates, Representatives or Missionaries of such Societies or Clubs, to meet confer, communicate or correspond with other Societies or Clubs, and to induce and persuade other Persons to become Members thereof, and by such means maintain an influence over large bodies of Men, and delude many ignorant and unwary Persons into the commission of Acts highly criminal: And whereas certain clubs calling themselves “Spenceans or Spencean Philanthropists” hold and profess for their object the confiscation and division of the Land, and the extinction of the Funded Property of the Kingdom: and whereas it is expedient and necessary that all such Societies or Clubs as aforesaid should be utterly suppressed and prohibited, as unlawful Combinations and Confederacies, highly dangerous to the Peace and Tranquility of these Kingdoms, and to the Constitution of the Government thereof, as by Law established; BE it Enacted, THAT from and after the passing of this Act, all Societies or Clubs calling themselves Spenceans or Spencean Philanthropists, and all other societies or Clubs by whatever name or description the same are called or known, as above described, shall be and the same are hereby utterly suppressed and prohibited, as being unlawful Combinations and Confederacies against the Government of our Sovereign Lord The King, and against the Peace and Security of His Majesty's liege Subjects.