December 1649: An Act Disabling the Election of Divers persons to any Office or Place of Trust, within the City of London, And the Votes of such persons in full Elections.

December, 1649

[14 December, 1649.]

The Parliament of England do Enact and Ordain, and be it hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same, That no person or persons whatsoever, that hath been Imprisoned, or hath had his Estate Sequestred for Delinquency, or hath assisted the late King against the Parliament, in the first or second Wars; or hath been ayding or assisting in bringing in the Scots Army to Invade the Commonwealth of England, in the year One thousand six hundred forty eight; or did subscribe or abet the treasonable Ingagement in the year One thousand six hundred forty seven; or that did assist or abet the Tumults within the Cities of London and Westminster, or in the Counties of Kent, Essex, Middlesex or Surrey, in the year One thousand six hundred forty eight, shall be elected or chosen, or put into the Office or Place of Lord Major, Alderman, Alderman-Deputy, or Common-Councel man, or into any other Office, or other Place of Trust within the City of London, for the space of one whole year now next ensuing, or be capable to give his Voyce for the Chusing of any person to any the Offices aforesaid. And it is hereby further Enacted, That no person whatsoever, that subscribed, promoted or abetted any Ingagement in the year One thousand six hundred forty eight, relating to a Personal Treaty with the late King at London; or that shall not Subscribe the Ingagement of this present Parliament, viz.

I do Declare and Promise, That I will be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England, as the same is now Established, without a King or House of Lords, shall be elected or chosen, or put into any the aforesaid Offices and Places, for the space of one whole year. And it is hereby further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons, comprehended under the aforesaid Exceptions, being chosen, shall presume to Sit in the Court of Aldermen, CommonCouncel, or execute any the aforesaid Offices, contrary to the true intent of this Act, shall forfeit the sum of two hundred pounds; the one half whereof shall be within twenty days paid to him or them that shall make proof thereof; and the other moyety to be paid unto the Corporation for the Poor: and it is hereby Declared, That all such Elections are Null and void: And the Lord Mayor for the time being, is hereby required from time to time to give Order, that this Act be published at all Elections, and that the same be strictly and punctually observed; and for the better execution of this Act, Be it therefore Enacted, That the Lord Mayor of London, the Sheriffs and Aldermen, and Justices of the 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 proof upon Oath to be made unto them, or any two of them, of any person that shall make any Disturbance at any Election, contrary to this Act, and to levy the said Fine of two hundred pounds, by Distress and sale of the Goods of the person or persons so offending contrary to this Act.