THE TRVE COPPY OF A LETTER SENT BY M r SPEAKER To the Sheriffes of severall Counties.
NAMELY:
- Worcester,
- Cambridge,
- Huntington,
- Lecester,
- North-hampton,
- Warwick, AND
- Rutland.
Which have not as yet paid in the Poll-Money.
With the Copy of an Order sent from the LORDS and COMMONS now assembled in PARLIAMENT to these severall Counties before-named, for the speedy transportation of that Money to York for disbanding of his Majesties Army.
And they that are found faulty, shall incurre both the ill-opinion and severe punishment of both Houses of Parliament.
August 24. 1641.
Printed for Iohn Thomas, MDCXLI.
A LETTER SENT FROM Msr SPEAKER TO THE SHERIFFES OF SEVERALL COUNTIES, By the Command of the HOUSE of COMMONS.
THe House of Commons did hope that in so great a time, and so visible a Necessity of present money, no private person, much lesse any publique Officers, would have bin so slow, in contributing their assistance to the Poll-money, but by the not comming in of this, from the slow and slender comming of it, from others; together with more particular Informations; Wee are forced to [Page 2] beleeve, that both Payers, Assesso [...], Collectors, and Returners, are in fault concerning it.
I am therefore comm [...]nded, to let you know from the House, that as you tender your own, or the publique good, you make all possible haste in returning such moneyes as you have ready, and that you make knowne to the Commissioners, that (if wee be not by them prevented) the House intends to make a Revenue of the Assesments, to the end, that wherein the Assessors either through partiality; should be found either to have left any uncharged, whom the Act chargeth, or to have charged any lower then they are charged by the Act: those that should be found faulty, may incurre both the ill opinion, and severe punishment of Parliament, as Contemners of the greatest Authority, in a time of greatest necessity; and by that Contempt, being causes of the Armyes lesse speedy disbanding, to the danger as well as the unsupportable, and unnecessary Expence of this Kingdome.
AUGUST the 24. 1641.
August the 24. 164 [...]. AN ORDER OF The Lords and Commons in Parliament, concerning the more speedy Transportation of the Poll-money to Yorke, for disbanding of His Majesties Army.
WHEREAS it is enacted, that the Sheriffes of the Counties, and Cities hereafter named, shall amongst others, pay such summes of Money, as they shall receive for Poll-money, to the Treasurer, in the Act named in the Chamberlaines Office, within the City of London.
Now forasmuch, as their long delay, and slow payment is very burthensome and dangerous to the Kingdome; because the Kings Army in the North, [Page 4] by this meanes remaines undisbanded, to the insupportable charge of the Common-wealth.
For the more speedy reliefe of the Kingdome, the LORDS and COMMONS in this Parliament assembled, doe hereby order and ordaine, that the severall Sheriffes of VVorcester, Cambridge, Huntington, Liecester, North-hampton, Rutland, VVarwicke, and of the Cities that are Counties within those Countries, and every of them respectively: shall forthwith upon notice of this Order, send such Moneyes now in their hands, or shall come to his hand, or any of their hands respectively, or to the hands of his under Sheriffe or Deputy, or to the hands of any of their under Sheriffes, or Deputies, respectively under a sufficient Guard and Convoy to the City of Yorke, to pay the same to Sir VVilliam Vindall, Knight, Treasurer of his Majesties Army, now thee residing, taking his Acquittance for the same: which Acquittance the said severall Sheriffes respectively shall send to the Chamber of London; and that the said Treasurer in the Act named, shall accept of the same, as if so much Money were paid in the specie, and shall deliver an Acquittance or Acquittances for the same, which shall be as sufficient a discharge to the said severall Sheriffes, as if the Money had bin paid there.
And the said Treasurer of the Army, is hereby required, that he shall as speedily as he may, after the receit of any such summes from any of the Sheriffes afore-mentioned, send up to the said Treasurer of the Chamberlain of London, present and distinct Certificates of the same.
[...] is further ordered, that the severall Sheriffes of the Counties through which these Moneyes doe [Page 5] passe, shall provide a sufficient Convoy to guard the same through the severall Counties: and that the Sheriffes under whose charge the money is, shal have allowan [...]e for Transportat [...]on the [...]eof in their severall Accounts.
Lastly, it is ordered, that a strict Account be taken of the proceedings of the severall Sheriffes; As also, the Treasurer of his Majesties Army, and of the Treasurer appointed by the Act, and of their obedience, and conformity to this Order: and if any shall faile therein, it shall be interpreted as a great neglect of the safety of the Kingdome, and contempt of both Houses of Parliament; for which they shall be called to answer, and make satisfaction aswell for their offence, as for such dammage as the Commonwealth hath under-gone by their default.