June 1645: An Ordinance constituting a Committee for the raising of Moneys for the safety and defence of the County of Rutland.

June, 1645.

[21 June, 1645.]

Committee for raising moneys for defence of Rutland, for six months, from 9 Sept. 1644.; Not to exceed £250 weekly.;Distress of goods on refusal to pay.; Where no distress offenders may be imprisoned.; Penalty for non-execution of Committee's Warrants.

It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Thomas Lord Gray of Grooby, Sir Edward Harrington Knight and Baronet, Sir James Harrington Knight, Evers Armine, Robert Horsman Senior, Colonel Thomas Wait, Christopher Brown, John Osborn, Robert Horsman Junior, John Hatcher, Thomas Levet, Samuel Barker Esquires, Iohn Green, William Busby and Abel Barker Gentlemen, or any three or more of them, for the furnishing of Arms and Ammunition, making of Fortifications and paying of Officers and Soldiers, and other publique necessary charges, for the defence and preservation of the County of Rutland, from the plunder and ruine, shall or may from time to time during the space of six Moneths, to commence from the ninth of September, 1644. raise in the said County such sums of Money as shall be by them or any three or more of them thought necessary for the use aforesaid, the same to be rated and Assessed in like sort as was the Four hundred thousand pounds, granted by Act of this present Parliament, not exceeding the sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds a Week. And for the better leavying of the said sum of Money, the said Committee or any three or more of them, shall and may nominate and appoint Treasurers, Collectors and Assessors in the said County, for Assessing, Receiving and Collecting the said sums of Money, and shall or may grant Warrants under their hands, to any Constable or any other person or persons, as well Soldiers when need shall require as others, to raise and Leavy the said sums so Assessed and Taxed as aforesaid, upon all such persons upon whom any such sums shall be so Assessed and set, that do refuse or neglect to pay the same, by way of distress and sale of the Goods of the persons so Assessed and refusing, and two pence for every shilling that shall not be paid upon demand, to bear the charge of those that distrain. And in case any opposition be made, and no distress can be found, the said Committee or any three or more of them, shall or may commit such person or persons refusing to pay, or not having a sufficient distress to be found as aforesaid, to some Goal or prison within the said County, there to remain until payment be made of such sum or sums of Money as aforesaid, for which sums so to be raised, the said Committee shall be Accomptable to both Houses of Parliament, or such as they have appointed, and to none else; And if any shall refuse or neglect the execution of such Warrant as shall be directed to them by vertue of this Ordinance; It shall be lawful for the said Committee or any three of them to punish such person refusing or neglecting, by fine not exceeding Five pounds, to be leavyed as aforesaid.

Abatemen for persons over-rated by former Ord.

Provided, That where it shall appear to the said Committee or any two of them, that any person have been over-rated to the Tax upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand pounds, an abatement may be made in the Tax of such person by the said Committee or any two of them, according to their directions.

Saving of other taxes.

Provided also, That this present Ordinance shall be no hindrance to Taxes made by any former Ordinance, nor to any taxes formerly paid towards the maintenance of the Garison of Rockingham.