AN ACT For the Settling the MILITIA For the City of LONDON, and Liberties thereof.
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act be forthwith Printed and Publiſhed.
LONDON, Printed by John Streater, and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament. 1659.
THe Parliament taking into Serious Conſideration the preſent State and Condition of this Common-Wealth, and particularly of the City of London, Do Enact and Ordain, And be it Enacted and Ordained by Authority of the ſame, That Thomas Aleyn Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffes of the ſaid City for the time being, Thomas Atkin, Thomas Foot, John Fowke, Thomas Viner, Major General Alderman Richard Browne, William Thompſon, John Robinſon, Anthony Bateman, John Lawrence, Richard King, William Bolton and William Wale Aldermen, Col. Lawrence Bromfield, Richard Ford, Major Thomas Chamberlyn, William Bateman Eſquire, William Vincent, John Jolly Eſquires, Major John Taylor, William Antrobus Eſquire, Thomas Steane, John Winne, Theophilus Biddulph Eſquires, Captain Edward Storey, Deputy Abraham Johnſon, John Saunders, Thomas Bludworth Eſq Maximillian Beard Eſq Major Thomas Cox, Major William Earely, Major John Alſopp, Deputy Thomas Lenthall, Cownel Thomas Gower, Peter Mills, Maſter Nicholas Penninge, Captain Edward Cleggat, Sir Thomas Soame, Jſaac Pennington Eſq4 Samuel V•ſſall Eſq, Major General Philip Skippon, Henry Aſhurſt, Chriſtopher Pack, John Dethick, Richard Chiverton, John Frederick, Tempeſt Milner, William Love, and Edward Backwell, Aldermen of the ſaid City, Lawrence Blomley, James Noell, Deputy Richard Cliffe, William Lluelling, John〈◊〉, Richard Rives, Leiutenant Colonel Ja•kſon, Thomas Morris, John Bathurſt, John Cock, William Allet, Tobell Aylmer, Deputy Thomas Myms, and James Medlicot, or any nine or more of them, and no other Perſon or••rſons whatſoever, be and are hereby E••••••…ted and Appointed Commiſsioners for•he〈◊〉of the City of London, and Liberties〈…〉ſhall have power, and are hereby〈◊〉to Aſſemble and Call together all〈…〉perſon and Perſons, within the〈◊〉Ci•y of London, and Liberties thereof, that〈…〉and Convenient for the Wars, and them to Train, Exerciſe, and put in Readineſs: And them (both Horſe and Foot) after their A•ilties and Faculties, well and ſufficiently from t•me to time to cauſe to be Arrayed and Weapone•and to take the Muſters of them in Places m•ſt fit for that purpoſe; And to Lead, Conduct, and Imploy the Perſons aforeſaid, Arrayed and Weaponed, for the Suppreſsion of all Rebellions, Inſurrections, and Invaſions, that may happen within the ſaid City and Liberties thereof, and to fight with, kill & ſtay ſuch Enemies and Rebels as they ſhall find in Arms againſt this Commonwealth, and to diſarm al known Papiſts, and dangerous and ſeditious perſons, and all ſuch as ſhall raiſe or endeavour to raiſe any Tumults or Inſurrections, & to put the Arms of all ſuch perſons, into the hands of ſuch well-affected perſons as5 they, or any nine or more of them ſhall think fit to ſerve with the ſame, under ſuch Officers to be appointed by the ſaid Commiſſoners as is hereafter mentioned, or otherwiſe to ſecure the ſame for the uſe of the Commonwealth.
And Be it further Enacted, That the ſaid Officers may likewiſe lead, conduct, and emp•oy the perſons aforeſaid, Arrayed and Weaponed, as well within the ſaid City, as within any other parts of this Commonwealth, for the ſuppreſſion of all Rebellions, Inſurrections, and Invaſions that may happen, according as they ſhall from time to time receive Directions from the Parliament, or Council of State by Authority of Parliament.
Provided, That no Citizen of the City of London, or any of the Forces of the ſaid City and Liberties thereof, ſhall be drawn forth, or compelled to go out of the ſaid City or Liberties thereof, for Military ſervice, without his or their free Conſent. And that the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine or more of them as aforeſaid, ſhall have power, and are hereby authorized to Conſtitute, make and Commiſſionate Colonels, Captains, and other Officers both of Horſe and Foot; and ſhall have power to remove and diſplace Colonels, Captains, and other Officers from time to time, as they, or any nine or more of them as aforeſaid, ſee cauſe and think fit. And for furniſhing Drums, Colours, Trophies, Ammunition, and other Emergencies, the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine or more of them, ſhall and have hereby power to lay ſitting and reaſonable Rates upon the ſaid City and Liberties6 thereof, not exceeding in one whole year the proportion of two Moneths Aſſeſsment upon the ſaid City and Liberties, after the rate of 35000 l. per Menſem, upon England, charged for maintenance of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth. Which Moneys are to be Aſſeſſed, Collected and paid as the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine or more of them, ſhall from time to time direct and appoint, under the penalties, and by the wayes and means preſcribed in the Act for the preſent ſix Moneths Aſſeſsment, from the 25th of December laſt.
And Be it further Enacted, That if any Souldier of the Militia-Forces of the ſaid City ſhall at any time hereafter refuſe or neglect to appear to his Colours, upon Summons given by ſound of Trumpet, beat of Drum, or otherwiſe by Order from the ſaid Commiſſioners of the Militia, or ſhall depart from his Colours without leave of his Captain or other Chief Officer; it ſhall be lawful for the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine of them, to Impoſe a penalty upon every defaulter as they ſhall ſee fit, not exceeding xx s. for a Horſeman, and x s. for a Footman for every offence, to be levied by ſuch perſon and perſons as the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine or more of them, ſhall appoint, by diſtreſſe and ſale of the Goods of ſuch perſons making default as aforeſaid: The ſaid penalties to be Imployed for carrying on of the ſaid Service.
And, Be it further Enacted, That the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine, or more of them, ſhall, and may ſummon all and every Treaſurer and Treaſurers of any former Committee,7 or Commiſſioners for the Militia, within the City and Liberties aforeſaid, or any other perſon or perſons, who, by vertue of any Authority of Parliament, or otherwiſe, are poſſeſt of any ſum or ſums of Money, or Arms, in relation to the ſaid Militia; and alſo the late Officers of the Militia-Forces of the ſaid City, who received Drums and Trophyes for that ſervice, and to require them, and every of them, forthwith to pay every ſuch ſum and ſums of Money, and deliver ſuch Arms, Drums, and Trophyes, remaining in their hands as aforeſaid, to ſuch perſon and perſons as the ſaid Commiſſioners, appointed by this Act, or any nine or more of them, ſhall appoint to be imployed for carrying on of the ſaid Service. And in Caſe of non-payment and delivery of ſuch money, Arms, Drums, and Trophyes, to Levy the ſame money, or value of the ſaid Arms, Drums, and Trophyes, by Impriſonment of the perſon, or by diſtreſſe and ſale of his goods, rendring the over-plus to the party diſtrayned.
And alſo it is Enacted, That no perſon or perſons, other then the perſons aforenamed, do or ſhall from henceforth Act, or exerciſe any power or Authority, as Members of the Militia for the City of London, by force, or colour of any former Order, Ordinance, Act, or Authority of Parliament: and that all, and every perſon, and perſons, who ſhall act, or do any act or thing whatſoever, by vertue of this Act, concerning the ſaid Militia, ſhall be ſaved harmleſſe, and Indempnified for and concerning the ſame, by Authority of Parliament.
8And laſtly, It is hereby Declared and Enacted, That this preſent Act, or any thing therein, or thereby Declared or Enacted, ſhall not in any wiſe diminiſh or prejudice the juſt and antient Rights of the City of London, touching the Militia of the ſaid City.
Provided, That no perſon ſhall be charged with Horſe and Arms, unleſſe ſuch perſon have the yearly Revenue of 500 l. per annum, or have an Eſtate of 6000 l. in Goods, or Money, or other Eſtate equivalent thereunto; And ſo proportionably as the Commiſſioners in their Diſcretions ſhall think reaſonable. And the ſaid Commiſſioners are not to charge any perſon with finding a Foot-Souldier in Arms, that hath not a yearly Revenue of 40 l. or a perſonal Eſtate of 500 l. in goods or money, and after the ſaid rate proportionably for a greater or leſſer Eſtate. It ſhall be lawfull for the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine, or more of them, to impoſe the finding of a Horſe and Arms, as aforeſaid, by joyning two or three or more perſons together in the Charge, as in their Iudgments ſhall ſeem moſt conducible to the publick Safety. And the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any nine or more of them, are hereby authoriſed to hear and examine Complaints upon Oath, which they have hereby power to adminiſter and redreſſe as they ſhall ſee cauſe.
9And be it further Enacted, That the ſaid Commiſsioners, or any nine or more of them, ſhall Require and Direct all Perſons ſo charged as aforeſaid with Horſe and Armes, to allow two Shillings per diem to the Troopers that Serve with their Horſe and Armes, for maintenance of the Man and Horſe, and twelve pence a day to the Foot Souldiers, for ſo many days as they ſhall be abſent from their Dwellings or Callings, by occaſion of Muſter or Exerciſe.
And be it further Enacted, That if any Perſon or Perſons ſo to be Aſſeſſed or Charged by the ſaid Commiſsioners, ſhall refuſe or neglect, by the time to be Appointed by the ſaid Commiſsioners, to provide and funiſh ſuch ſufficient Horſe or Horſes, Arms, and other Furniture, or to pay ſuch Sum or Sums of Money towards the Providing and Furniſhing as aforeſaid, That then it ſhall and may be Lawful to and for the ſaid Commiſsioners, or any nine or more of them, to inflict a penalty upon ſuch Perſon or Perſons, not exceeding twenty pounds; and alſo by Warrant under their Hands and Seals, to Commit ſuch perſon or perſons ſo refuſing or neglecting to Priſon, there to remain without Bayle or Main-prize till he or they ſhall Conform thereunto, and pay ſuch penalty ſo inflicted as aforeſaid: Or elſe by like Warrant to Levy ſuch Sum or Sums of Money to the value of ſuch Horſe, Armes and Furniture, and ſuch penalty inflicted, by Diſtreſs and Sale of the Goods of the perſon or perſons ſo neglecting or refuſing, rendring the overplus to the Party ſo Diſtrained; all neceſſary Charges in Levying thereof being firſt deducted.
10Provided alſo, That if any perſon or perſons ſhall be Aſſeſſed to find Horſe and Armes in the County, City or place where his chief Manſion houſe is for his whele Eſtate, That then upon a Certificate or Certificates that ſuch perſon or perſons is & are ſo Aſſeſſed for his whole Eſtate in the ſaid County, City or place, ſuch perſon or perſons ſhall be diſcharged of any Aſſeſſment for the ſame in any other County, City or place where any other part of his Eſtate ſhall lye.
Provided always, That no perſon ſhall be permitted to Ride a Horſe, or Carry Armes in this Service, who hath beén in Armes againſt the Parliament, or voluntarily aiding or aſſiſting therein, and hath not ſince manifeſted his good affection to the Parliament.
Provided alſo, That no perſon ſhall be Imployed in this Service within this Commonwealth as a Commiſsion-Officer of the Militia Raiſed or intended to be Raiſed, but ſuch or the Sons of ſuch who have Aſſiſted and Adhered to the Parliament and their Cauſe, unleſs ſuch Sons have ſhewed their Diſaffection to the Parliaments Cauſe. Provided alſo, That this Act ſhall continue for one year, unleſs the Parliament take other Order.
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act be forthwith Printed and Publiſhed.
LONDON, Printed by John Streater, and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament, 1659.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A82463)
Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 119671)
Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 160:E1074[36])
Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.
This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.