July 1648: An Ordinance for removing obstructions in the sale of Bishops Lands.

July, 1648.

[24 July, 1648.]

Moneys raised shall be paid out to the first Lenders, and their Assigns, and so for the rest.

Whereas by several Ordinances of Parliament, the Lands and Possessions of the late Archbishops and Bishops stand engaged for the paiment of 800000 pounds, which Premisses are by an Ordinance of Parliament, dated the Sixteenth of November 1646. intituled An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the appointing the sale of the Bishops Lands for the use of the Commonwealth: And by another Ordinance of Parliament, dated the Thirteenth of May, 1647. intituled, An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the securing all those that shall advance 200000. pounds for the service of this Kingdome, and of the Kingdome of Ireland: Which Premisses by the said Ordinances and others, are appointed to be sold for the paying of the said debts, viz. 400000 pounds secured by the first of the said Ordinances, and 400000. pounds secured by the second of the said Ordinances: The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, being informed before the First of April, 1648. that to the value of 460000 pounds worth of the said Premisses were sold and contracted for, and that notwithstanding the said sale, the Commonwealth pays Interest for a great part of the said first 400000. pounds. and to the intent that the Commonwealth may be with more speed discharged of paying Interest for the said sums, the first Lenders more speedily satisfied, and the second Lenders put in a way of receiving their Moneys, the Lords and Commons do order, ordain, and declare, That such Moneys as shall be paid in to the Treasurers of the said Premisses by any Purchasor or Purchasors, and all such Moneys as shall be raised and levied by reason of any forfeiture for not prosecuting his or their Conveyance or Conveyances, within the time limited by the Ordinances of Parliament in that case made, shall be issued out and paid by the said Treasurers for the satisfying of the first Lenders, or their Assigns, such Moneys as was lent on the Credit of the first Ordinance; the same Rules to be observed in the issuing out of such Moneys as are expressed in other Ordinances in that case made;

Such as have before April, 1648. contracted for Bishops Lands that pay in money, or by Bills on the Ordinance of the 16 of November 1646.

It is ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That where any Person or Persons, Body Politique or Corporate, have before the First of April, 1648. contracted for any of the said Premisses, such Person or Persons, Body Politique or Corporate, shall pay or satisfie his or their engagement for the Purchase of the said Premisses, either in Moneys, or else by such Bills or Receipts as were given to the respective Lenders, his or their Assigns, by vertue of the said Ordinance of the Sixteenth of November, 1646. or by any Assignment of such Bill or Receipt, since the Sixteenth of November, 1646.

The proceed on such contracts shal go to satisfie the Lenders on the credit of the first Ordinance.

It is Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That the proceed of all the said Lands contracted for before tho First of April, 1648. shall be wholly appointed, made use of, and imployed for the paying and satisfying of the residue of all such Persons, who on the credit of the first Ordinance advanced any Moneys, until the said Lender or his Assigns be fully satisfied all such sum or sums of Moneys as shall be due or owing unto him or them on the aforesaid security.

How Lands contracted for since April, 1648. shall be paid for.;After satisfaction to the first Lenders, the second Lenders shall be satisfied.

And it is further ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That all Contracts made since the First of April last, or hereafter to be made for any of the said Premisses, the Purchaser or Purchasers shall and may satisfie, discharge and pay the first moyety of his or their Purchase money for the said Purchase, either in Moneys, or by Bills or Receipts given to any Lender or Lenders, his or their Assigns, by vertue of the Ordinance of Parliament dated the Sixteenth of November, 1646. or by assignment of any of the said Bills, until the first Lenders be fully satisfied; and the second moyety by Moneys, or out of the Bills or Receipts given to any Lender or Lenders, his or their Assigns, by vertue of the Ordinance of Parliament, dated the Thirteenth of May, 1647. or by the assignment of any of the said Bills, or Receipts: And after the satisfying and paying of the first Lenders, the second Lenders shall be satisfied and paid, as is expressed in the Ordinances in that Case made. And that all payments made according to the intent of this Ordinance shall be good and effectual to discharge the person or persons of his or their engagement or contract for the said premisses. And the said Treasurers are hereby authorised and enjoyned to accept of the same as good, and sufficient payment, Any Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.