December, 1647.
[24 December, 1647.]
43. Eliz.; 28 May 1647; Officers having received any of the said moneys to be called to accompt.; Moneys to be issued to maimed Souldiers, Widdows, &c.; The next Sessions to continue or determine it.
Whereas by the Statute of 43. Eliz. Provision is made for
relief of maimed Souldiers, by a Tax laid on every Parish
within the Kingdom of England, &c. For relief of maimed
Souldiers, which money hath been for the most part paid by
the several Parishes. And the Pensioners then appointed to
receive the same, are many of them dead, so that much of
that money remains in the hands of several private persons,
that have been Treasurers, or Justices of Peace, who have
taken accompt of the Treasurers. And whereas by a late
Ordinance of Parliament bearing date the eight and twentieth
day of May, 1647. It is Ordained, that the Justices of Peace
of each County do call all such persons to an Accompt, as
have received any of the said Moneys, That the necessities of
maimed Souldiers, and of Widdows and Orphans, that have
lost their Parents or Husbands in the service of the Parliament,
may be relieved: And also by another Ordinance bearing date
the 10th. day of August, 1647. a further Power is given to the
Justices of Peace for enlarging the said Taxes for the purposes
aforesaid, in case there shall be need. Of all which said Ordinances, notwithstanding the especial care taken therein by
the Parliament for the timely relief of the necessitous persons
aforesaid, there hath not been an answerable effect through the
neglect and default (as is complained) of the Justices of Peace
in their several Counties, not putting their power by the said
Statute and Ordinances into speedy execution: It is therefore
ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons assembled
in Parliament, That all Justices of Peace do forthwith cause
all Officers within their several Counties and Divisions, that
have had any hand in receiving any of the said moneys, to
appear before any two or more Justices, whereof one to be of
the Quorum, they not being accomptable themselves; and that
they take accompt what money is in their hands, or that any
of them may make to appear to be in the hand of any Justice
of Peace, High-Treasurer, Under-Treasurer, or other Officer
whatsoever; And that at the next General Quarter Sessions
for the Peace, and so at every Session, they take an accompt
thereof. And that the Treasurers do issue out at present, by
Warrant under the hands of two Justices of the Peace, what
sums of money they shall think fit to any maimed Souldier,
Widdow, or Orphans of Souldiers slain or dead in the service
of the Parliament, that are in present want. And at the next
Quarter Sessions following, the said Justices shall make known
the same to the Sessions, that so the same may be continued
or determined as they shall judge necessary.
Clerk of the peace to keep an entry to whom the moneys are paid.
And the said Lords and Commons do further order and
ordain, That the Clerk of the Peace for each County respectively
do keep a Book for the entring and issuing out of all such
moneys as aforesaid, to whom such moneys are paid: And
that all Justices of Peace take especial care, that no part of
the said moneys be converted to any other use.