August, 1659: An Act for the speedy bringing in of Second Moyeties upon the Sale of Lands Forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason.

August, 1659

[13 August, 1659.]

Several Acts for sale of forfeited lands recited.

Whereas divers sums of money remain due and unpaid to the Commonwealth, from several Purchasers of Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments therein forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason, appointed to be sold by three several Acts of Parliament; one published the Sixteenth of July, One thousand six hundred fifty one, Entituled, An Act for the Sale of several Lands and Estates Forfeited to the Commonwealth, for Treason. Another the Fourth of August, One thousand six hundred fifty two, Entituled, An Act for the Sale of several Lands and Estates Forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason, appointed to be sold for the use of the Navy, And a third the Eighteenth of November, One thousand six hundred fifty two, Entituled, An Additional Act for sale of several Lands and Estates Forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason.

Purchasers to pay in balance of purchase-moneys by 13 Sept. next, or else conveyances to be void

And to the end a speedy course may be taken for the Payment thereof, and for removing all Obstructions which have hindered or may hinder the same, Be it therefore Enacted, and it is Enacted Ordained and Declared by this present Parliament and the Autho rity thereof, That all and every such Purchaser and Purchasers, their Heirs and Assigns, who have not as yet paid in the full of their Purchase-Money Contracted and Agreed to be paid for the said Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments and Estates therein respectively, shall, and are hereby required, at or before the Thirteenth day of September, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, to pay in the same to the Surviving Treasurer appointed by this and former Acts for receiving thereof, together with the Interest-money due for the same since the time limited by the said former Acts respectively, for the paying in thereof. And in case default of payment shall be made at the time aforesaid, That then, and from thenceforth, all Contracts, Deeds and Conveyances respectively made of the said Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments and Estates therein not paid for as aforesaid, shall be, and are hereby declared to be null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever, Any Law, Statute, Usage or Custom to the Contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

Estates not paid for to vest in former Trustees.

And be it further Enacted, That the said Lands, Tenements. Hereditaments and Estates so purchased, and which shall not be paid for at or before the said Thirteenth day of September, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, shall be Vested, Setled, Adjudged and Deemed to be in the Real and Act 1 Possession and Seizing of William Skinner, William Robinson, Samuel Gookin, Henry Sealey and Arthur Samuel, the Surviving Trustees Nominated and Appointed by the several Acts of Parliament as aforesaid, their Heirs and Assigns, Freed and Discharged from all Acts and Things, had, made or suffered, or to be had, made, or suffered by the said Purchasers respectively, who shall or may any way charge or incumber the same: and the said Trustees, or any three or more of them, shall and may Sell and Convey the same to any other Person or Persons, according to such Rules, Directions, and Instructions, as in and by the said former Acts of Parliament are Limited, Directed and Appointed in that behalf, as if no former Contract or Conveyance was ever had or made thereof: Which Sale or Sales so made shall be good and valid in the Law to such Person or Persons, his or their Heirs and Assigns, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, Any Law, Statute, Usage or Custom to the Contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

Payment of future purchase money

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Purchase-Money Contracted for, and Agreed to be paid upon any Purchase hereafter to be made of any the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments by the said several Acts of Parliament appointed to be Sold, shall be and are hereby required to be paid in to the Treasurer or Treasurers appointed to Receive the same within the times limited respectively in and by the said Acts of Parliament for payment thereof; and in default thereof all Contracts, Deeds and Conveyances which shall be had and made of the said Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, or any part thereof, shall be and are hereby Declared to be absolutely null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and that then and from thenceforth all the said Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments shall be vested and Setled in the said Trustees, their Heirs and Assigns. And the said Trustees or any three or more of them, shall and may Sell and Convey the same in such maner and form as is by the aforesaid Acts of Parliament, or any of them directed, and as before in this Act is mentioned and Declared, Any Law, Statute, Custom or Usage to the Contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

New Register-Accomptants.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That Philip Tandy, appointed one of the Register-Accomptants in and by the aforesaid Act of Parliament, published the Eighteenth of November, One thousand six hundred fifty two, be and is hereby discharged of and from the said Office and imployment: and that William Benson, Edward Green, and Henry Robinson be and are hereby Constituted and Appointed Register-Accomptant, and shall have and execute the Office of Register-Accomptant in the Sale of the Lands of the late Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, and Deans and Chapters Gleab-Lands, Fee-Farm-Rents, and of the several Lands and Estates Forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason by any of the aforesaid Acts of Parliament; as also Register-Accomptant for the sum of Two hundred forty two thousand pounds doubled at Weavers-Hall; and that a Certificate under the hands of the said William Benson, Edward Green, and Henry Robinson, or any two of them, shall be a sufficient Voucher to the Treasurer or Treasurers of the respective Offices relating to the aforesaid Lands, to proceed thereupon, to the receiving of Moneys or Bills, doubled upon any of the Securities by the aforesaid Land, according to the former Acts and Ordinances of Parliament, in that behalf made and provided.

Alderman John Dethick continued as Treasurer.

And be it further Enacted and Declared by the Authority aforesaid, That John Dethick Alderman of London, former Treasurer appointed (together with one other since deceased) by the said former Acts for Sale of Lands and Estates Forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason, shall be, and is hereby Continued Treasurer, and shall be, and is hereby Impowered and Authorized to Receive all Moneys which from time to time shall be paid in to the Treasury by vertue of the said former Acts, or any of them, or of this present Act, and that he shall do, observe and pursue all such Instructions, Rules, Directions and things as are mentioned and appointed in and by the said former Acts of Parliament or any of them, and such further Rules and Instruments as from time to time they or one of them, shall receive from the Parliament.