February 1642/3
[3 February, 1642/3.]
Whereas it hath beene thought fit by both Houses of
Parliament to appoint great Fleets this yeare, to be prepared for
service with all possible expedition for the guarding the narrow
Seas, and preservation of Trade, and for the necessary defence of
this Kingdome, and other His Majesties Dominions, which at
this time is of more necessity than ever, considering not only the
home-bred distractions of this Kingdome and of Ireland, but the
great preparations which are marching already in forraigne parts
in aide and incouragement of the Papists, and ill-affected party
amongst ourselves, now up in Armes against the Parliament:
And whereas the said Fleets now in preparation to be set forth
cannot timely enough be expedited unlesse the same be furnished
with fit, and sufficient men for that service.
Committees of the Admiralty empowered to press Sailors, Watermen and others.; Conduct Money.; Wages and Board.; Additional Wages to those that have served at Sea.; All refusing or avoiding this Service to be imprisoned.; Corrupt Practices forbidden.; Masters, Gunners, etc., of Ships in employment not to be pressed.
Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons in this
present Parliament Assembled, that the Committees of the
Admiralty appointed by both Houses, or any three of them shall,
and may, at any time or times, between the first of February
1642 to the last of December next comming by themselves,
their Commissioner, or Commissioners, or their Officer, or
Officers, or any of them shall rayse, leavy and impresse such, and
so many Mariners, Saylors, Watermen, Chirurgions, Gunners,
Cawkers, Ship-Carpinters and Whoymen, as also Carmen for the
said carriage of Victualls as shall be requisite, and necessary for
this present expedition, or for any such further defence of this
Realme, or any other of His Majesties Dominions, which said
Mariners, Saylors, and other such persons so to be levied, and
impressed as aforesaid, and every of them shall have payed and
delivered unto him upon such his impressing by the person that
shall so impresse him, for conduct-money for every mile from
the place where he shall be so impressed, to the Ship or place
where he shall be appointed to make his repaire, the sum of one
penny, and the like sum of one penny for every mile from the
place of his discharge unto the place of his aboade, and shall be
allowed for this service, the best wages and intertainment which
have, or hath beene allowed by his Majesty to any such person
or persons respectively at any time within three yeares last past;
And to the end that the common sea-men may be the better
encouraged with alacrity and cheerfullnesse to undertake this
service; Be it further ordained that an addition of wages be
allowed, from 15s. per Mensem unto 19s. per mensem to every
common Seaman, as also unto such Water-men as have beene
already at Sea, in His Majesties Ships or others, and can doe
their labors as Sea-men, and not otherwise; And if any
Marinor, Saylor, Water-man, Chirurgeon, Gunner, Ship-carpenter,
Cauker, Wheyman, or Carman, shall wilfully refuse to be
impressed in or for the said service or shall voluntarily, hide and
absent himselfe at the time of such presse to avoid the said
service, or receaving his said conduct-monies doe not appeare at
such places and times as by his Ticket he is appointed, That
then any such person so offending shall suffer imprisonment by
the space of three moneths without bayle or main-prise;
Provided alleayes, and be it Ordained that no Money, or other
reward shall be taken, or any corrupt practice used by any the
persons authorized by this Ordinance, in or for the pressing,
changing, spairing or discharging of any person or persons to be
impressed as aforesaid, as they will answer such offence in
Parliament; And all deputy Lieutenants, Maiors, Bayliffs,
Constables and all other inferior Officers, are hereby required and
injoyned to be Aiding and Assisting, from time to time, the
persons Authorized by this Ordinance, according to the true
intent and meaning thereof. Provided, allwayes that this
Ordinance shall not extend, to the pressing of any Master or
Master's-mate, Gunner, Carpenter, or Boateswaine of any Ship or
Vessell that is or shall be in imployment.