July 1653: An Act Touching the several Receipts of the Revenue and Treasuries of the Commonwealth, and bringing the same into one Treasury.

July, 1653

[28 July, 1653.]

Be it Enacted by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That Sir William Roberts. Kt. William Sidenham, Arthur Squib, Edward Cresset, Esqs; Colonel William Gough, and Major Hezekiah Hains, or any three of them, whereof one of the Members of Parliament before named to be one, be authorized and required, with all convenient speed, to inform themselves of the several Revenues and Treasuries belonging to this Commonwealth, and to make diligent search, and enquire into the true state of the same, by whom and how the same are managed, and what Salary or Salaries are allowed for the Collecting, Receiving, and Issuing out of the same: As also what is by Authority of Parliament charged as Debt or otherwise, upon any the Revenues or Treasuries of this Commonwealth, together with the nature and ground of any such Charge or Debt; and particularly what Interest is paid or payable for any money borrowed, or Debts contracted for the use of the Commonwealth: And likewise how the several Receipts and Issues of the Revenue and Treasuries of this Commonwealth, may be brought, with all convenient speed, into one Chanel, and managed with least charge and best advantage to the Commonwealth, and particularly, how unnecessary Officers and Salaries may be taken off and discharged: And to consider of all ways and means for the better improvement of the Revenue of the Commonwealth; and particularly, to consider how all debts charged by way of Security or otherwise, upon the Excize, Compositions, Sequestrations, or any other Receipts of the Commonwealth may be discharged, to the end the same may be applyed to the Publique use only. And that as soon as the persons abovenamed shall have informed themselves of all or any the premises, or shall have considered of any other particulars that may conduce to the better execution of the directions aforesaid, That they do give an accompt thereof to the Parliament, or such as shall be appointed to receive the same:

And all Officers and persons whatsoever, that are or shall be any ways imployed or concerned in the receiving, issuing or managing of any the Revenue or Treasure of the Commonwealth, are hereby enjoyned and required to observe the Orders of the said persons beforenamed, and to give their best ayd and assistance for the due execution of the premises.

And be it further enacted by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That the persons before named, or any three of them as aforesaid, be authorized and required from aud after the Eight and twentieth day of July, One thousand six hundred fifty and three, upon such Certificates as shall be made unto them from time to time, by the Commissioners for ordering and managing the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy, what sums of money shall be requisite, to be paid or assigned for the carrying on the Service of the Navy, to issue their Warrants from time to time unto the Treasurers of the several publique Receipts, out of which any moneys already are, or shall be appointed by Parliament for the use of the Navy, to pay unto the Treasurer of the Navy the sums so certified: And that all and every person and persons therein concerned, do yield obedience thereunto, Any Former Act, Order or Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary notwithstanding.

Provided, That this Act shall be in force until the First day of January, One thousand six hundred fifty and three, and no longer.