April 1643: An Ordinance giving power and authority to the Major of Plymouth to supply the said Towne and parts adjacent, with Come, Victuall and Ammunition.

April 1643

[12 April, 1643.]

Power to Mayor of Plymouth to supply town with corn, etc.

The Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament having certaine Information that the Cornish and other Forces, Commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton by the severall Invasions of Devon, and the blocking up and beseidging of Plymouth, have occasioned the expence of great part of the grainery, and Magazines of Victualls, and Ammunition, in the said Towne, and consumed, and eaten up the parts adiacent, by meanes whereof, great dearth is like to befall that part of the County of Devon, and the Towne more subiect to be attempted by such as are enemies to Peace, unlesse some speedy remedy should be applyed. And being further informed, that the Major of Plymouth aforesaid, to prevent the said dearth justly feared, hath stayed certaine ships of Corne, who came thither bound for Spaine, and made sale thereof, giving good satisfaction to the Masters of the said ships for the same, they doe not only well approve of his so doeing; But also hereby doe ordaine and give full power and authority to him the said Major to supply the said Towne and the parts adiacent, in like manner, with Corne, and other Victuals, as also with Ammunition, as often as there shall be neede, during the continuance of the Warre, giving like content to the owners, and in so doing hee shall be protected and saved harmles by both Houses of Parliament.