January 1644
[22 January, 1643/4.]
Any Persons that deliver to Judges of King's Court at Westminster any Writ, etc., signed with any Great Seal other than of the Parlt., to be proceeded against as Spies.; None to carry any writings from West-minster, etc., to Oxford, or other places where King's forces are.
The Lords and Commons taking into serious consideration
the great inconvenience that has come to His Majesties Subjects
by the late frequent adjournment of the Courts of Justice, and
by Spies resorting to the Cities of London and Westminster,
under pretence thereof; for the prevention of the same for the
future, doe hereby order and ordaine, That in case any person
or persons shall at any time hereafter deliver, or cause to be
delivered to any of the Judges of any of his Majesties Courts to
be held in Westminster, or to any of their Clerkes or Servants,
or to any officers of any the said respective Courts, or any
others, to be delivered to any of the said Judges, any Writ,
Proclamation, or other thing whatsoever, sealed with any great
Seale, other than the great Seale of England now attending the
Parliament by Ordinance of both houses, all and every such
person and persons shall be proceeded against by the LawMarshall, as Spies; and the Lord Generall is hereby desired
forthwith to proceed against every such person accordingly.
And it is further ordered and ordained, That none of the said
Judges, nor their Clerkes, Servants, or any Officer or Officers of
the respective Courts aforesaid, shall presume to receive, view,
or any wayes meddle with any Writ or Proclamation sealed with
any great Seale, without first acquainting the Speakers of the
two Houses therewith, and receiving and pursuing the directions
to be given thereupon from both Houses of Parliament, upon
Paine of Imprisonment of their Persons, Sequestration of their
Estates, and such further punishment as shall be thought meet
by both Houses of Parliament. And that no Judge, Officer, or
other person whatsoever, presume to carry, or cause to be
carried, any Records, Writings, or other Memorialls from any of
the Courts at Westminster, or other places in or about the
Cities of London or Westminster unto the City of Oxford, or
other place where the Kings forces are, under paine of incurring
such, or the like penalties as aforesaid.