Charles II, 1662: An Act for Releife of Collectors of Publick Moneys and theire Assistants and Deputies.

Collectors, &c. levying Monies under any Act of Parliament, &c. in Action brought may plead the General Issue.

BE it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majestie by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in Parliament now assembled and by Authority of the same That all Collectors and other persons who have levied or collected or shall levy or collect any su[m]m or su[m]ms of money or other act done or shall doe in order to the same by vertue of any Act of Parliament now in force or of any other Act Order or Ordinance allowed to be put in execution by any such Act of Parliament as aforesaid and who is or shall be sued for or concerning the same by any other then the Kings Majesty His Heires and Successors he and they may plead the General Issue and thereon give the special matter in evidence for his excuse and justification And that all and every person or persons already sued or impleaded for any the Causes aforesaid may notwithstanding any Plea or Demurrer already made by any such Defendant have liberty to change such his Plea and to plead the General Issue if he shall thinke fitt so to do

II. Act not to authorize levying Monies pardoned by 12 Car. II. c. 11.

Provided alwaies That neither this Act nor any thing therein contained shall extend or be construed to extend to authorize the levying or collecting of any su[m]m or su[m]ms of money which are pardoned by the late Act entituled An Act of Free and General Pardon Indempnity and Oblivion.