April 1648: An Ordinance for the Indempnifying and saving harmless all such persons that have acted or done...in the County of Kent for the same purpose.

April, 1648

[4 April, 1648.]

The like indemnity shall be given to persons acting by authority or for the service of the Parliament, since the Ordinance the 21 of May, 1647. and hereafter as before.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, having by an Ordinance of Parliament of the One and twentieth of May, 1647. And by an Additional Ordinance of the Seventh day of June last, provided for the saving harmless, and indempnifying all such Souldiers and others as have acted by the Authority of Parliament, or for the service thereof; And taking into their consideration, that in and by the foresaid Ordinances no Provision is made for the indempnifying and saving harmless of such Persons as at any time since the making of the said Ordinances have acted, or done, or who hereafter shall act or do any thing as aforesaid: And also that in and by the aforesaid Ordinances of the One and twentieth of May, One thousand six hundred forty seven, no Provision is made for the levying of such sums of Money as are or shall be awarded unto such Person or Persons as are or shall be unduly prosecuted or molested for any thing so done, other than by the imprisonment of the Plaintiff or Prosecutor, which in many cases, either of the obstinacy of the Plaintiff or Prosecutor, or of his absence, or concealment of himself, gives no relief to the Party grieved: And likewise finding by several complaints made to them, that it is a great charge and trouble to very many poor Souldiers and others, to whom due relief is intended by the said Ordinances, to make their repairs to the City of London, and to attend the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed by the said Ordinance for the execution thereof: The said Lords and Commons in consideration thereof, have thought fit to Order and Ordain, and it is hereby Ordered and Ordained, That such and the like provision and remedy, as in, and by the said Ordinance of the one and twentieth of May, 1647. is made and declared for the indemnifying and saving harmless of such as at any time before the making of the said Ordinance have acted or done any thing by authority, or for the service of the Parliament, such or the like remedy and provision be, and is hereby Ordained to be made and declared, for the indempnifying and saving harmless such persons as at any time have acted, or done, or hereafter shall act, or do any thing as aforesaid.

A Committee for indempnifying in Kent

And for the further ease of all such persons, it is hereby Ordained and Declared, That Sir John Rivers Knight and Baronet, Sir Edward Monyns, Sir Thomas Style, Sir Richard Hardres, Sir Thomas Pyers, Baronets Sir Anthony Welden, Sir John Hony-wood, Sir Nicholas Miller, Knights, Thomas Plummer, John Twistleton, Lambard Godfrey, Richard Porter, George Newman, Thomas Seyliard, William James, Richard Beale, John Brown, William Skinner, William Boothby, William Kennerick George Hall, John Bix Esq; John Boys of Elmington, Robert Scot, Thomas Blount Esq; Robert Hales, Esq; Sir Edward Masters Knight, Thomas Denne, Robert Ladd, John Nut Esq; Sir James Oxenden Knight, Thomas Broadux, John Holland, Thomas Boys of Wilsbrough Esq; George Duke Esq; be a Committee for the County of Kent, for the aforesaid ends and purposes;

Their Powers

And that the said Committee, or any five or more of them shall have, and are hereby authorized to have and execute within the said County of Kent such and the like power as is contained in the said Ordinance of the 21 of May last, with and under such and the like Proviso or Provisoes as is therein mentioned; And in every such case or cases wherein, upon due examination and proof had before the said Committee hereby nominated and appointed, or any five of them, it shall appear that the party to them complaining, ought not to be sued, prosecuted, or molested, within the intent and meaning of this, or any of the aforesaid Ordinances: And that they shall see cause to award any sum or sums of money in recompense unto the said party prosecuted or molested, that then upon default of payment of the same at the time limited in the said award, the said Committee hereby nominated or any five of them, shall and may issue out their Warrant directed unto such Constable or Borsholder, or other indifferent person as by the said party prosecuted or molested shall be nominated and appointed for the levying of the same by distress and sale of the Goods and Chattels for the Plaintiff or Prosecutor. And all Sheriffs, Mayors, Bayliffs, Gaolers, Constables and other Officers, are hereby required to be obedient to this Ordinance, and to the Orders, Warrants, and awards of the said Committee hereby named, or any five of them, in the execution thereof, under penalty of imprisonment by the said Committee, or any five of them, without bail or mainprize, untill such time as they and every of them shall conform themselves thereunto.

Provided, That the damages allowed by the Committee, as aforesaid exceed not the treble value of the damage and cost sustained by the Plaintiff.