July 1643: Ordinance for Money for the Scotch Army in Ireland, and to the Lord General, &c.

July 1643

[5 July, 1643.]

Whereas a great Sum of Money is due, and in Arrear, to the Scottish Army in Ireland, upon the Public Faith of the Parliament; for the Payment whereof (as most just and necessary) with all expedition, all possible Care hath been taken by the Parliament; but by reason of the pressing Occasions and Distractions of this Kingdom, the same hath been hitherto inevitably retarded and hindered, contrary to the Will and Intent of both Houses; and whereas, for the present Supply of this important Service, divers well-affected Persons of the Company of the Merchant Adventures, namely have, at the earnest Desire of the House of Commons, been well contented and do agree, to advance the Sum of Twenty Thousand Pounds, to be paid in Holland beyond the Sea, upon Bills of Exchange forthwith to be given here for the same, in Cross Dollars, in Specie, at the Rate of Four Shillings Six Pence the Dollar, so as they may be secured of the Payment thereof here in England, in the Coin of this Kingdom, in such Manner as is hereafter expressed: Both Houses do Declare, That the same is a good and acceptable Service to the Commonwealth; and do further Ordain and Promise, That, next and immediately after the Payment of Thirty Thousand Pounds already ordered to be paid upon the Ordinances of Sequestration of Delinquents Estates, the Particulars whereof were as followeth; that is to say, The Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds to the Earl of Essex, Ten Thousand Pounds to the Lord Fairefax, Three Thousand Pounds to the Earl of Mulgrave and the Lord Sheffeild his Son, Five Thousand Pounds more to the Earl of Essex; the full Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds, so advanced by the Merchant Adventurers, shall be paid unto them by the Treasurers at Guildhall, London, for the Sequestration-money, out of the Monies that shall arise out of the said Sequestrations, with Interest for the same, after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. for a whole Year, if they shall stay for their Money above Two Months, after it shall be by them paid in as aforesaid; and that none of the said Sequestration-monies, over and above the said Thirty Thousand Pounds so already charged thereupon by former Orders, shall be any Way stopped or diverted, or otherwise disposed of, by any Order or Ordinances of both or either of the said Houses of Parliament, until the said Merchant Adventurers shall be fully satisfied of the said Money by them advanced, with Interest as aforesaid; and, if it shall happen that there shall not be sufficient out of the said Sequestration-money to satisfy them their said Money and Interest, then the said Lords and Commons do engage the Public Faith of this Kingdom for the Payment thereof: And it is further Ordained, by the Lords and Commons, That whatsoever further or other Sum or Sums of Money the said Merchants shall advance, towards the Service aforesaid, shall be secured and paid unto them, by the Treasurers at Guildhal, out of the Monies arising upon the said Sequestrations, with all Expedition; and, in Default thereof, by other Monies, to be provided by both Houses of Parliament.