April 1643: An Ordinance that the Committee for the Militia of London, shall have full power and authority to raise new Regiments of Voluntiers, as well within the said City and Liberties, as without.

April 1643

[12 April, 1643]

Powers of Committee for Militia.;Indemnity to Committee and others.

Whereas for better defence and safeguard of the City of London, whereon the safety and welbeing of this present Parliament, and therein of our Religion, Lawes, and Liberties, doe so much depend; divers well affected persons by approbation of the Committee for the Militia there, have with great care and industry, as well within the City and Liberties, as without in the neighbour Parishes, obtained divers Subscriptions for considerable numbers of honest and trusty persons, not imployed in the Militia, or Trained bands, as also for Horse and Armes, to the intent the same might, as necessary materials be in readinesse to help forward the preparations for a publike defence, in these times of imminent danger; And these Voluntiers being Listed, Armed, Exercised, and formed into Regiments, might be in the nature of Auxiliaries to the Trained bands of the said City, for the good ends and purposes before mentioned. All which is conceived may be the better effected if the same new Forces may according to their desires be within the ordering and disposall of the Committee for the Militia of the said City: For the better securing therefore of the Parliament, and City, and speeding of the said intended good worke, being of so great concernment for prospering the common cause, and the publique safety; It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, that the said Committee for the Militia of London shall by themselves, and such entrusted persons as they shall appoint for their Sub-Committee, have full Power and Authority, within the said City and Liberties thereof, as also within the Parishes and places adiacent, mentioned in the weekly Bill of mortality, to take the voluntary subscriptions for Men, Arms, Horse and Monies, of such well-affected persons as please to contribute, and come into this imployment, and convert such contributions or Moneys and Armes to the use of the same; And to List, Train, Exercise, and put into readinesse as well within Liberties, as without, in the parts and places aforesaid, such trusty persons, being none of the Trained bands, as are or shall be so subscribed for, or listed, And them after their abilities and faculties well and sufficiently from time to time to cause to be Arrayed and Weaponed, and to take the Musters of them in places most fit for that purpose; And to appoint over them Collonels, and Captaines, and other Officers; and to remove out of their places, and make others from time to time, as they shall think fit for that purpose; And shall have power by their Commanders and Officers, to lead, conduct, and imploy the persons aforesaid, Arrayed, and weaponed for the suppression of all Rebellions, Insurrections and Invasions, that may happen within the severall &; respective places aforesaid, And for safe guarding the said City, Parliament, and parts adiacent, according as they shall from time to time receive directions from the said Committee; And the persons trusted to be their Sub-committee, or as shall be in such behalfe directed by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, any former Order, Ordinance, or Declaration, or other matter to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding. And it is further Ordered, Declared and Ordained, That as the good endeavours of the said Committee for the Militia, the persons trusted by them, and those whom they have imployed in procuring the said subcriptions, as also of the subscribers, and others, who have contributed, or shall concur with them in forwarding and profiting of the said worke, are and shall be taken as acceptable testimonies of their publique spirits, and reall good intentions for the common good and safety, and the execution of the same, a good service to the Common-wealth, So the said parties shall be by power of Parliament saved harmlesse both for what according to the true meaning of the premises they have done, and shall do herein for time to come.