December 1648: An Ordinance for the chusing of Common Council-men, And other Officers within the City of London, and Liberties thereof for the yeare ensuing.

December, 1648

[18 December, 1648.]

Delinquents, etc., disqualified from holding or electing to offices in London during ensuing year.

The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament doe Declare and Ordaine, and be it hereby Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That no person whatsoever that hath been Imprisoned, or hath had his Estate sequestred for Delinquency, or hath assisted the King against the Parliament in the first or second Warres, or hath been aiding or assisting in bringing in the Scots Army to invade the Kingdome of England, or did subscribe, or abet to the Treasonable Ingagement in 1647. or that did Aide, Assist, or Abet, the late Tumult within the Cities of London and Westminster, or the Counties of Kent, Essex, Middlesex, or Surrey, shall be elected, chosen, or put into the Office and place of Lord Major, Alderman. Alderman's Deputy, CommonCouncell-man, or into any Office, or other place of trust within the City for the space of one whole yeare, or be capable to give his voyce for chusing any person to any the offices aforesaid.

Penalty for acting contrary to this Ord.; Elections null and void.; Lord Mayor to publish this Ord. at all elections.;Penalty for making disturbance at elections.

And it is hereby further ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons comprehended under the foresaid Exceptions, being chosen, shall presume to sit in the Court of Aldermen, Common-Councell, &c. or to execute any of the aforesaid Offices contrary to the true intent of this Ordinance, shall forfeit the sum of two hundred pounds, the one halfe whereof shall be within twenty dayes paid unto him or them that shall make proofe thereof, and the other Moyety to be paid unto the Treasurers appointed by Parliament for the use and relief of the maimed Souldiers; And it is hereby declared, That all such Elections are null and voyd, and the Lord Major for the time being is hereby required from time to time to give order that this Ordinance be published at all Elections, and that the same be strictly and punctually observed as also by affording the liberty of Poll, it being required by any of the Electors present, And for the better execution of this present Ordinance be it further Ordained, That the Lord Major of London, the Sheriffs, and Aldermen, and Justices of Peace within the said City of London, or any two of them shall and are hereby Authorized, and required to commit to Prison all such persons, as after due proofs upon oath to be made unto them, or any two of them, of any person that shall make any disturbance at any Election contrary this Ordinance, and to levie the said Fine of two hundred pounds by Distresse, and sale of the Goods of the person so offending contrary to this Ordinance.