September 1645: An Ordinance appointing a Comptrol on the Office of Excise London, and the extents thereof.

September, 1645

[11 September, 1645.]

Thomas Fawconberge to be Controller of London Excise.; Powers.;Salary.; Aurther Fllowances for Clerks & Deputies.; To give account quarterly to Wm. Bond, sole Auditor of Excise.; Powers of said Wm. Bond.; Salary.; Further Allowance for Clerks.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled taking notice of the integrity, paines and care of the Commissioners of Excise in execution of that Trust committed unto them; Yet finding it just and requisite that a Comptrol should be placed upon the Accounts of Excise, to give satisfaction to themselves, and this Kingdome; Do ordaine that Thomas Fawconberge Esquire, to be Comptroller of the Office of Excise, of the Excise of the City of London, within the Limits and Extents thereof; And doe give him full power and authority by himselfe or his sufficient Deputies, to keep account of all Entries, Receipts, Payments, Rebates, Tares, Trets, Discompts, Forfeitures, or any Bills of sufference whatsoever, within the Office and Limits aforesaid: And that no person or persons shall be discharged of any duty belonging to the Office of Excise before the same be signed by the said Thomas Fawconberge, or his Deputies; who are hereby enjoyned to enter the same from time to time in a book for that purpose; and to sign according to the Instructions as the said Comptrollers shall from time to time receive from both Houses of Parliament, or the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Excise. And it is further Ordained, That the said Thomas Fawconberge shall have for his Sallary the yearly sum of Five hundred pounds, to be paid to him Quarterly by the Commissioners of Excise, who are hereby authorized and appointed to pay the same; For which this present Ordinance, with his Receipt, shall be their sufficient discharge. And the said Thomas Fawconberge shall have such further Allowances for his Deputies and Clerks as shall be thought convenient by the said Committee of Excise, who are hereby authorized to proportion their number and respective Salaries, and to give Warrant to the said Commissioners of Excise to pay the same accordingly, which Warrant shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Commissioners for such payments. And the said Thomas Fawconberge shall Quarterly deliver a perfect Account of all Entries, Payments, Receipts, and Debts unto William Bond, who is hereby Ordained sole Auditor of all Excise and New-Impost, within the Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, and Towne of Berwick, and is to have and execute the same power and Authority granted to the Auditors in any former Ordinances of Excise whatsoever; excepting the making and keeping a Duplicate, or counter part of all Accompts and Entries in the said Office. And it is likewise Ordained, That the said William Bond shall have for his Salary, the yearly sum of five hundred pounds to be paid to him Quarterly by the Commissioners of Excise, who are hereby authorized and appointed to pay the same, for which this present Ordinance, with his Receipt, shall be their sufficient discharge. And the said William Bond shall have such further allowances for his Clerks, as shall be thought convenient by the said Committee of Excise, who are hereby authorized to proportion their number, and respective Salaries and to give warrant to the said Commissioners of Excise to pay the same accordingly, which warrant shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Commissioners for such Payment. And it is further Ordained, that the said Comptroller, and his respective Deputies shall take an Oath in these words.

Oath for Controlle and Deputies.

"You shall swear to be faithful and true in the Office of Comptroll of Excise or New-Impost, and to your best skill and knowledge shall execute the same diligently and faithfully, according to the direction of the Ordinance of Parliament, and such Instructions as are or shall be given you by both Houses of Parliament' or the Committee of Lords and Commons for Excise in that behalfe: And shall doe all things belonging to your Place, according to your ability, without any private Reward, or private end to yourselfe, directly or indirectly. And you will not discover the course of any Persons Trade unto any other person whatsoever, and in all things you shall well and truly behave yourselfe.

So help you God, and the Contents of this Book.

Ord. to come into force on 11 Sept.

And that any Five of the Committee for Excise shall have power to administer this Oath to the Comptroller or his Deputies, And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the said Thomas Fawconberge, and his Deputies, shall execute the said Place and Office of Comptroller, according to this Ordinance, and the Instructions hereafter mentioned, and such other Instructions as the said Comptroller shall from time to time receive from both Houses of Parliament, or the said Committee of Lords and Commons for the Excise; who are hereby Authorized to give further Instructions for that purpose, as they shall see cause. And it is lastly Ordained, That this Ordinance shall be of force, and put in execution immediately from and after the eleventh day of September next ensuing, and not before.