June 1652: An Act for transferring the Powers of the Committee for Indempnity.

June, 1652

[23 June 1652.]

Powers of the Committees for Indempnity setled in Commissioners.; Their Names.

Be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by the Authority thereof, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained, That all and every the Powers and Authorities which any Com mittee or Committees of Parliament had to give Indempnity to, or to save harmless and indempnified any person or persons whatsoever, who have acted by Authority, or for the Service of the Parliament, be and are hereby transferred from the said Committee or Committees, and are hereby vested and setled in and upon Samuel Moyer, James Russel, Edward Winslow, Josias Berners, William Molins, Arthur Squib and Richard Moor, Esquires; who by this Act, and by the Authority thereof, or any four or more of them, are hereby authorized to do and execute all and every the Acts, Ordinances and Orders of Parliament for Indempnity; and all and every the Powers and Authorities in or by them, or any of them, given, granted, limited or appointed, Any Law, Statute or Custom to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

Their power to determine all Cases and Complaints.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the persons abovenamed, or any four or more of them, be impowered and authorized, by proof upon Oath, which they or any four or more of them have hereby power to administer, or by such other ways or means as shall be requisite and approved of by any four or more of them, to examine, adjudge and finally determine all and every the Cases and Complaints, matters and things whatsoever, which at or upon the Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred fifty and two, were complained of, undetermined, and depending before the said Committee or Committees of Parliament; or hereafter shall be exhibited and complained of to the persons abovenamed, or any four or more of them, in pursuance of any Act, Ordinance or Order of Parliament, giving Indempnity for any matter or thing whatsoever done by Authority, or for the service or benefit of the Parliament; and to stay Proceedings in any Court of Justice or Equity in the mean time.

To allow Costs.

And be it further Enacted and Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners, or any five or more of them, be, and are hereby impowered and authorized to give and allow such Costs and Charges upon the dismission of any Petition or Complaint exhibited before them, as to them or any five or more of them shall seem just and reasonable.

Judgement of former Committees to stand good.;The Commissioners to take this

Provided always, That all and every Judgement and Determination already had, made and given by the Committee or Committees of Parliament aforesaid, or any of them, shall by authority of this present Parliament stand good and confirmed, according to the tenor and purport thereof: And that all Petitions, References and Examinations made and taken upon Oath, by or before the said Committee or Committees of Parliament, or any of them, in pursuance of the Powers to them granted, shall be allowed and admitted by the persons abovenamed, or any four or more of them, as if the same had been taken, had and done by or before them, or any four or more of them; And the persons abovenamed, and every of them, are hereby enjoyned and required, at or before the First day of July, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred fifty and two, to take the Oath hereafter expressed, before the Council of State appointed by authority of Parliament, who are hereby authorized to administer the same in these words following; That is to say,

Oath.

I A. B. do swear, That I will, according to my best skill and knowledge, faithfully discharge the Trust committed unto me, in relation to an Act, Entituled, An Act for transferring the Powers of the Committees for Indempnity: And that I will not for favor or affection, rewards or gifts, or hopes of reward or gift break the same.

To continue in force till 1 July, 1653.

Provided, That this Act shall continue and be in force until the First day of July, which shall be in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and three.