Charles II, 1661: An Act for the declaring vesting and setling of all such Moneys Goods and other things in His Majesty which were received levied or collected in these late times...

Recital of Doubts whether the Monies excepted to be accounted for, by 12 Car. II. c. II. are in the King.

Goods and Monies levied since the 30th Jan. 1642, and not pardoned, are vested in His Majesty.

Whereas divers Doubts have been made whether or no the Moneys Goods Chattels and other things excepted to be accounted for in the Act of Free and General Pardon Indempnity and Oblivion made and passed in the Parliament begun at Westm[inster] the five and twentieth day of Aprill in the twelfth yeare of Your Majesties Reign do belong unto and of right are in Your Majesty for that the same were not levied received collected or taken by your Majesties Authority or to your Majesties use For remedy and clearing whereof We the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament humbly beseech your Majesty that it may be Enacted And be it declared enacted and ordained by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament and by the Authority [of (fn. 1) ] thereof That all and every sum and su[m]ms of Money Goods Plate Jewels Horses Armes Ammunition and other things whatsoever levied received or taken sithence the thirtieth of January One thousand six hundred forty two by any of the late p[re]tended Authorities or by pretence or colour of any Power or Authority derived or p[re]tended to be derived from them or any of them for any publique use which are not pardoned by the said Act which are not otherwise [invested (fn. 2) ] and setled in the Kings Majesty and all Bonds Obligac[i]ons and other Securities entred into for the same or any part thereof be and are hereby vested and setled in the Kings Majestie His Heires and Successors and that His Sacred Majestie His Heires and Successors may from time to time and att all times hereafter have demaund sue for and recover the same of all and every person and persons theire Heires Executors and Administrators whoe are accountable for the same or in whose hands or possessions soever the same were or are as if the same had beene leavyed received collected or taken in His Majesties Name by Authority from His Majesty or to His Majesties use Any Lawe or Statute Usage or Custome to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding

II. Persons having received any of such Monies to account for the same;

and particularly those who have received the Revenues of Churches in Wales.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every person or persons which have received any the aforesaid su[m]m or su[m]ms of money from any Treasurer or Receiver for any publique use by way of Imprest to bee accounted for which are not pardoned or discharged by the aforesaid Act shall be liable to account and called to account in such manner and forme as if they had received the same out of his Majesties Exchequer or any other publique Treasury and particularly those persons that have received or collected the Revenues of any Churches or Vicarages in Wales or in the County of Monmouth since the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred forty eight Provided they have all due allowances in theire accounts as all such persons whose accounts are excepted in the Act of Oblivion have or ought to have

III. Commissions for Discovery of the same.

And to the end His Majestie may be the better enabled to discover and sue for all such Moneys Goods and other things invested in His Majesty by this Act it is further ordained and enacted by the Authority aforesaid That His Majesty His Heires and Successors shall and may from time to time issue forth such and so many Co[m]missions to such and soe many persons as his Majesty shall thinke fit either under the Great Seale of England or the Seale of his Majesties Exchequer for the better discovering levying receiving and discharging the same

IV. Persons accountable enabled to sue for and levy all Arrears.

None questioned but upon Prosecution begun before 24th June 1662.; To be prosecuted with Effect.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all persons accountable to His Majesty by this Act shall have full power and authority and are hereby enabled to sue for levy and recover from the parties from whom the same was and is due and for which they are hereby accountable all su[m]ms of Money and Arreares in such manner and forme as they might have recovered and levied the same when they first grew due Provided this Act or any thing therein contained shall not extend to call any person to account or to question any person for Goods or other things remaining in his hands which shall not be called to account or some Informac[i]on against him either in the Exchequer or Commissioners to be appointed as aforesaid before the foure and twentieth of June which shall be in the yeare of our Lord One thousand [One thousand (fn. 3) ] six hundred sixty two and that the said Informac[i]on be prosecuted with effect within twelve moneths after the Exhibition thereof.