July, 1659: An Act for Householders to Give an Account of Lodgers, Horses, Arms, and Ammunition.

July, 1659

[22 July, 1659.]

All householders in London, Westminister, etc., to give list of persons lodging in their house by 27 July.

Be it Enacted by this present Parliament and the Authority thereof, That all and every person and persons whatsoever, being an House-holder within the Cities of London, of Westminster, or the Liberties thereof, the Borough of Southwark and the Hamblets of the Tower, and all other Places within the late Lines of Communication and Weekly Bills of Mortality, do on or before the Seven and Twentieth day of this instant July, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, deliver or cause to be delivered unto such person or persons, as shall be by this Act appointed to receive the same, a perfect and exact List of the Names and Surnames of all and every person and persons lodging in the House of such Householder, and the Title or Addition of such Lodger, together with the place of his Abode (if he hath any) And shall give in a note of the Name of such person or persons, as shall at any time hereafter come to lodge in the House of such Housholder, within twenty four hours next after he shall come to lodge there.

Also list of all horses, arms, etc., there, with name and abode of owners.; Constables receiving above lists to deliver them to Commissioners of Militia,; Who are to examine the same, and in case of suspicion to secure such person and arms.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every such Housholder, whether it be a Tradesman dealing in Arms, Ammunition, or other wise, and all and every Lodger, and every keeper of Stable or Stables respectively shall on or before the said Seven and twentieth day of this instant July, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, deliver unto such person and persons as shall be by this Act appointed to receive the same, a true and perfect List of all Arms or Ammunition, as also all Horses (other then such as are of necessary use for any persons Trade or Calling) in the possession of or belonging to such Housholder and Lodger, and keeper of Stable, or in the possession of any other to his or their use respectively, together with the name and place of abode of such person in whose possession the same are. All and every which Lists from every Housholder or Lodger, or other person as aforesaid, within the Cities of London and Westminster, and all other the Places aforesaid, shall be so delivered in to the several Constables within their Precincts respectively, who are hereby required, before the said Twenty-seventh of July, to demand the same, and from time to time within four and twenty hours after receipt thereof, to deliver the same unto the Commissioner of the Militia, that are or shall be appointed by Authority of Parliament, within their respective Jurisdictions, or to any one of them, to be presented at the next meeting of the said Commissioners who are hereby Authorized and Required to receive the same, and to consider of the persons so returned, and the numbers of Horses, and quantities of Arms and Ammunition in their respective possessions; And if upon examination thereof they shall finde just cause of suspicion and danger to the Commonwealth, or that the said person or persons have been Sequestered or Sequestrable by Authority of Parliament, or who ought not by Law to use or have such Arms in his or their Custody, That they then secure the same, and do forthwith return an Account thereof to the Councel of State appointed by Authority of Parliament, and observe their directions therein.

Householders not in London to furnish like accounts of lodgers, arms, etc., by 16 Aug.; Constables to deliver lists to Militia Commissioners.; Commissioners to examine them and act accordingly, as above

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every person and persons, being an Inhabitant, or Housholder within any City, Town, Parish or Place within this Commonwealth, do on or before the sixteenth day of August, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, deliver in unto the Petty Constables, Headboroughs, and Tithingmen, or some or one of them within their Precincts respectively, a true and exact List of the names and Surnames of every person and persons Lodging in the House of such Housholder or Inhabitant, and so from time to time, as often as any other person shall come to Lodge there, and of such Arms and Ammunition as are in the possession of such Housholder or Lodger, or in the possession of any other to their use, together with the Name and Place of abode of such person in whose possession the same are. And the said Constables, Headboroughs, and Tithingmen within their several Precincts respectively, are hereby required to demand the same before the said sixteenth of August, and upon receipt thereof, to deliver such Lists to the Commissioners for the Militia of the County and Places respectively, that are or shall be appointed by Authority of Parliament Commissioners for the same, or one of them; And that the said Commissioners for the Militia, do at their next meeting after any such List shall be delivered unto them, or any of them, consider thereof, and if they shall finde just cause of suspicion and danger to the Commonwealth, or that the said person or persons have been Sequestred or Sequestrable by Authority of Parliament, or who ought not by Law to use or have such Arms in his or their Custody, then to secure, or cause the same to be secured, and to give an account of the particulars aforesaid to the Councel of State appointed by Authority of Parliament, and observe their directions concerning the same.

Penalty for default in returning lists by persons sequestered or sequestrable.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That in case any person or persons which have been Sequestred or Sequestrable by Authority of Parliament as aforesaid, and who contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Act, shall knowingly make default of returning such List and Lists as aforesaid, in the maner, and to the persons hereby appointed to receive the same, all the Lands, Goods, and Estate of all and every such person and persons knowingly so making default, shall be Sequestred to the use of this Commonwealth.

Penalty for untrue return by all other persons.

And be it further Enacted, That all and every other Person or Persons, Housholder or Lodger, which have not been Sequestred or Sequestrable by Authority of Parliament, that shall knowingly not give in such true and perfect List of Arms and Ammunition, or not return the true name of such Lodger or Lodgers as aforesaid, shall be committed by the Commissioners for the Militia respectively, to the Common Gaol of the County or Place where such Person doth inhabit, without Bail or Mainprize, until such person so offending shall pay such sum of money to the Commissioners aforesaid, as shall be by them imposed on him or her, not exceeding the sum of Fifty pounds, which said Commissioners are hereby Authorized to Impose the same accordingly.

Reward for discovery of arms or ammunition not returned by time appointed.

Be it also hereby Declared and Enacted, That any person or persons that shall discover to any one or more of the Commissioners of the respective Militias, any Arms or Ammunitions as aforesaid, concealed by, and belonging to, such person or persons as have been Sequestred or Sequestrable by any Act or Ordinance of this Parliament, or in trust for them or any of them, or to any other person of this Commonwealth, a true List of which is not brought in by them, before or at the respective time or times hereby limited, unto the Constable or Constables, as is before directed, shall receive as a reward of his or their faithfulness to the Commonwealth, the value in Money of all such Arms and Ammunition as shall be so discovered and seized by the Commissioners by his or their means, to be valued by the respective Commissioners, or any three of them. And the said Commissioners respectively are hereby Authorized to pay such person or persons all such sum or sums of money as shall be so rated, and is, and are given and granted hereby as aforesaid, out of the money raised by Fines by the Commissioners of the Militia of that place, or those places accordingly.

Continuance of Act

Provided, That this Act continue in force until the first day of December, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, and no longer.