April 1651: An Act for the Impresting of Soldiers for the Service of the Commonwealth in Ireland.

April, 1651

[18 April, 1651.]

Power to Militia Commissioners in England and Wales to press; soldiers for Irish servie.; Not exceeding 10,000.; And to imprison those refusing.; Assistance.; Penalty for changing or discharging persons pressed.; Disposal of fines.; Persons exempted from the press

Forasmuch as the speedy Raising of Considerable Forces to be Transported into Ireland for the Service of this Commonwealth there, is at this time of great Necessity, considering the great preparations now making by the malignant Popish and ill-affected Party, to this Commonwealth: Be it therefore Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by Authority thereof, That the Commissioners for the Militia for the several Counties and Cities of England and Wales, or any two or more of them within their several and respective Counties, Limits and Jurisdictions, shall, and are hereby Authorized, Required and Enjoyned at any time or times from the One and twentieth day of April, One thousand six hundred fifty one, unto the One and twentieth day of April, One thousand six hundred and fifty two, To Raise, Levy and Imprest such number of Soldiers, not exceeding the number of Ten thousand, to be Levyed and Impressed through all England and Wales for the Service of this Commonwealth in Ireland, as by the Councel of State shall be directed and appointed; who are also hereby authorized and Required to appoint such persons as they shall think fit, to Conduct the Soldiers so Levyed as aforesaid, to such place or places as they shall judge most convenient for their Transportation. And if any person or persons shall wilfully refuse to be Imprest for the said Service, That then it shall and may be lawful to and for the Commissioners aforesaid, or any two of them, to commit to Prison the person or persons so offending, for the space of Three Moneths, without Bail or Main-prize. And all Justices of Peace, Mayors, Bayliffs and Constables are hereby Required and Enjoyned to be ayding and assisting from time to time to the persons authorized, or to be authorized, by vertue of this Act, according to the true intent and meaning thereof. And in case any person or persons imployed by Authority of this Act in the Impresting or Conducting of any Soldier directly or indirectly, for Favor or Reward shall change or discharge any person or persons so Imprest, or to be Imprested as aforesaid, All and every such persons so offending against this Act, shall forfeit and pay the Sum of Ten pounds for every such Offence; the one moyety thereof to the use of the Commonwealth, and the other moyety to the use of such person or persons who shall sue for the same in any Court of Record. Provided always, That this Act shall not extend to the Pressing of any Minister of the Word of God; Nor of any Schollar or Student in any of the Universities, Inns of Court or Chancery; or of any person Rated either for Lands or Goods, by vertue of an Act of Parliament of the Twenty sixth day of November last past, Entituled, An Act for an Assessment for Four Moneths, from the Twenty-fifth of December, One thousand six hundred fifty, for the maintenance of the Forces Raised by Authority of Parliament for the Service of England, Ireland and Scotland; or of any Person of the Rank or Degree of an Esquire or upwards, or the son of any such person; or to the Pressing of any person under the age of Eighteen, or above the age of Fifty; or any of the Officers of Parliament, or of any of the menial Servants of any Members or Officers of Parliament; or of any Marriner, Seaman or Waterman.