Charles II, 1667 & 1668: An Act for the better Payment of Moneys received for the Use of the Crown

Reasons for passing this Act.

Monies received for the King's Use and not paid into the Exchequer 1st July 1668; Interest at £12. per Cent. per Ann. till Principal paid.

For some remedy of the great abuses by Receivers Reeves Bailiffs Collectors and other Officers and persons not making due payment of Moneys and Duties received for his Majesties use and in detaining the same in theire owne hands for theire private lucre and advantage Be it enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same That all the said Officers and Ministers aforesaid doe use all diligence to receive and gather the moneys due to his Majesty within theire several and respective. Receipts and Collections and after the receipt thereof to answer and pay the same according to theire respective Duties And that all and every the person and persons aforesaid whoe having received the said moneys have not duely accompted and thereupon paid so much as by such accompt rested due to his Majesty into the Receipt of the Exchequer or to such person or persons and in such manner as the same ought to be paid and shall not pay the same as aforesaid before the first day of July which shall be in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred sixty eight shall from henceforth answer and pay to his Majesty Damages after the rate of Twelve pounds per Cent[um] by the yeare untill the principal moneys be fully accompted for and paid in togeather with such Damages as aforesaid which shall be charged upon them in theire accompt whereof they shall not be discharged until payment made as well of the said Damages as principal moneys according to the true meaning of this Act

II. Bodies Politic and Corporate not accounting for and paying Monies due, according to the Course of the Exchequer, to pay Interest at £12 per Cent. per Ann. till Principal paid.

Process to be awarded.

And further That all and every person and persons Bodies Politique and Corporate who having received any Moneys or Duties due to the Kings Majesty shall not duly accompt for and pay the same according to the course of the Exchequer into the Receipt there or to such person or persons to whom the same ought to be paid according to Law within two moneths next after the same shall have been so received shall from thenceforth answer and pay to the Kings Majestie his Heires and Successors Damages for all such Moneys and Duties after the rate of Twelve pounds per Cent[um] by the yeare for soe long time as the same shall be detained or not paid by the judgement and direction of the Court of Exchequer without any power of abatement or installment to be made or allowed for the same or any part thereof And that the processe of the said Court shall be forthwith awarded against all the said persons Bodies Politique and Corporate theire Heires Executors and Administrators chargeable with any of the said moneys for the speedy and effectuall levying thereof with Damages for the same as aforesaid according to the true meaning of this Act Any other Law Statute Usage Priviledge or Pretence whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding

III. Proviso for Sheriffs Accounts of the ancient Revenue.

Provided alwaies That no thing herein contained shall extend to alter the time or way of accompting of any Sheriffe within this Kingdome for any part of his Majesties ancient Revenue or other Profits anciently collected or accompted for by the Sheriffs or to make them lyable to any new Penalty for the same.