June 1659: An Act of Assessment.

June, 1659

[18 June, 1659.]

Directions for more speedy assessment of taxes imposed by former Acts, from 24 June inst.

The Parliament having taken into Consideration the State of the Affairs of this Commonwealth, in reference to the great debts contracted, during the time of their interruption, and the great sums of money which are daily required for the defraying of the present and Growing Charge of the Forces thereof by Land and Sea; do find it necessary, that there be not only a speedy Payment of the Twelve Moneths Assessment, from the Four and Twentieth of this instant June, already imposed by pretence of Parliamentary Authority, but also a further Supply, which the Parliament is considering, how to raise by such ways and means, as may best answer the occasions of the Commonwealth, and be least burthensome to the People, And do therefore Enact, and be it Enacted by the Parliament, and by the Authority thereof, That the several Sums of Thirty five thousand pounds by the Moneth upon England, Six thousand pounds by the Moneth upon Scotland, and Nine thousand pounds by the Moneth upon Ireland, imposed as aforesaid to be paid for twelve Moneths, commencing the 24th day of June, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, shall by vertue hereof be Assessed, Taxed, Levied, Collected and paid in the several Counties, Cities, Towns and Places in England and Wales, and Town of Berwick: And in Ireland, and Scotland, by the several Sums, and according to the several Rates and Proportions, and in such manner as the former two years Assessment at the same Rate, have been and were directed to be Assessed, Taxed, Levied, Collected and paid, and as by the Orders and Powers whereby the same is imposed, is directed and appointed, save only in such Case as concerns the time of payment of the said twelve Moneths Assessment, and such other matters as are herein after particularly provided for, which are to be observed and performed according to the directions of this Act.

Commissioners' powers.; Their meetings.; Commissioners to see that half the assessment be paid in by 1 Aug.; The latter half by 10 Oct.; Further meetings.; Instructions to assessors.

And be it further Enacted, and it is hereby Enacted, That the several Commissioners and other Persons by the said Orders, Instructions or Powers, nominated and appointed, shall have, use, exercise, and put in execution the same orders, Instructions and Powers, for the Assessing, Collecting, Levying and Paying the said twelve Moneths Assessment, and also observe and pursue the several Rules, Directions, Clauses and Provisoes, prescribing the way and manner of Rating, Levying, Collecting, and Paying thereof, which by the said former Orders and Powers are limited and appointed, as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes, as if the same had been Provided and Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament. For the better effecting whereof, the several and respective Commissioners in the said Orders and Powers, named for the said three years Assessment for the respective Counties, Cities, Towns and Places in England and Wales and Town of Berwick, shall meet together at the most Common and usuall places of meeting in each of the said Counties, Cities and Towns respectively, on or before the first day of July, One thousand six hundred fifty nine. And the said Commissioners, or as many of them as shall be then and there present, shall cause this present Act to be put in execution, for the Ordering, Directing, Managing, Levying and bringing in the said Assessment formerly appointed for twelve Moneths, so as the full half part thereof to be Charged upon each Division, Hundred, Parish and Place, may be fully Assessed, Levied, Collected and Paid in to the respective Receivers, and by them to the Receivers General of the whole Assessment, on or before the first of August, One thousand six hundred fifty nine: And the other half part of the said Assessment on or before the Tenth day of October, One thousand six hundred fifty nine: And the said Commissioners, or any three or more of them, shall and may appoint such other meetings, at such times and places, as they shall think fit; where the Major part of them then present, shall do and perform such things, and give such further Orders and directions for the due execution of this present Act, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, as they shall find requisite. And all and every the Assessors, Collectors, Receivers, and other Officers and Persons, that shall be concerned in such Orders and Directions as shall be given by the said Commissioners, are hereby enjoyned and required, to observe and execute the same accordingly. And as for and Concerning the Assessing, Collecting, Levying, Receiving and Paying the said monthly sum of Six thousand Pounds on Scotland, and Nine thousand pounds upon Ireland; The Commissioners that are or shall be appointed for the Government and Management of the affairs of those Nations respectively, shall be and are hereby Impowered and Authorized, to give such Orders and directions, for the effectual Assessing, Levying, Collecting, Paying and Receiving of the said Assessments, by the time appointed for payment of the Assessments on England, according to the true intent and meaning of this Act, as they shall think fit, which all persons concerned are hereby required to obey and observe accordingly.

Persons to put former powers in execution.

And be it further Enacted; And it is hereby Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the several Powers, Orders, and Instructions formerly given or mentioned to be given, by pretence of Parliamentary or other Authority as aforesaid, for the Ordering. Managing, Disposing, Receiving and Issuing forth of the Assess ments and other Moneys heretofore Raised and Appointed for the use of the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the contingent Charges thereof, shall by vertue hereof, be Observed, Made, and put in Execution by the Persons therein Named as a Committee for the Army, Receivers General of Assessments, and Treasurers at War respectively, as well for the Managing, Ordering, Receiving, Disposing, and Issuing forth of the Assessments herein before mentioned, as of all other Moneys, that have been, or before the Five and twentieth of December, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, shall be appointed for the uses aforesaid, and for all other Matters and Things mentioned in such Orders, Powers, and Instructions, as if they had been made and given by the Authority of this present Parliament.

Proviso concerning orders and warrants.

Provided nevertheless, That all Orders and Warrants to be Issued for the payment of any of the said Forces, Raised, or to be Raised for the Service of the Commonwealth, and the contingent Charges thereof, shall be according to such Allowances of Pay, as have been formerly made in that behalf, or according to such Directions as shall be hereafter given by the Parliament, or the Authority thereof, and not otherwise.