December 1642: Assessment of London and Westminster.

December 1642

[7 December, 1642.]

Whereas, in and by a late Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, it is Ordained, for the Cause therein expressed, That all Persons of Ability, within the Cities of London and Westm. and the Suburbs of the same, and also within the Borough of Southwarke, who have not at all, or not answerable to their Estates, contributed towards the Maintenance of the Army raised by Authority of this present Parliament, shall be assessed in such Manner and Proportion as in the said Ordinance is directed, of which the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament do expect a vigorous and speedy Execution; but, finding some Doubt to be raised upon the Point of Time, whether that Clause of not contributing at all, or not in Proportion to their Estates, be meant of not contributing before the passing of the said Ordinance in both Houses of Parliament, or to be extended to any Time, before the assessing of them, and giving them Notice of it in such Manner as in the said Ordinance is appointed: We, the said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, do hereby Declare, That, if any Person or Persons, who have not contributed at all, or not answerable to their Estates, shall, before any Assessment of them be made, and Notice thereof left at their Houses, according to the said Ordinance, contribute towards the Maintenance of the said Army, by Loan or otherwise, according to their several and respective Estates, as others well-affected have already done, without Evasion or Collusion, every such Person so contributing shall be accepted as doing an acceptable Service to the Commonwealth, and be freed from the Payment of all and every Tax and Assessment of him to be made, by the Assessors authorized by the said Ordinance for that Purpose, as likewise from all Distresses, Imprisonment, and other Punishments, be inflicted by virtue of the said Ordinance, or any Addition to or Explanation made of it, for the not paying of any such Assessments; and hereof all such Assessors and Collectors are hereby required to take Notice; and for this End it is Ordered, by the said Lords and Commons, That this Declaration be printed and published.