December, 1649
[14 December, 1649.]
The Parliament of England do Enact and Ordain, and be it
hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same, That no person
or persons whatsoever, that hath been Imprisoned, or hath had
his Estate Sequestred for Delinquency, or hath assisted the late
King against the Parliament, in the first or second Wars; or hath
been ayding or assisting in bringing in the Scots Army to Invade
the Commonwealth of England, in the year One thousand six
hundred forty eight; or did subscribe or abet the treasonable
Ingagement in the year One thousand six hundred forty seven;
or that did assist or abet the Tumults within the Cities of London
and Westminster, or in the Counties of Kent, Essex, Middlesex
or Surrey, in the year One thousand six hundred forty eight,
shall be elected or chosen, or put into the Office or Place of Lord
Major, Alderman, Alderman-Deputy, or Common-Councel man,
or into any other Office, or other Place of Trust within the City
of London, for the space of one whole year now next ensuing, or
be capable to give his Voyce for the Chusing of any person to
any the Offices aforesaid. And it is hereby further Enacted,
That no person whatsoever, that subscribed, promoted or
abetted any Ingagement in the year One thousand six hundred
forty eight, relating to a Personal Treaty with the late King at
London; or that shall not Subscribe the Ingagement of this
present Parliament, viz.
I do Declare and Promise, That I will be true and faithful to
the Commonwealth of England, as the same is now Established,
without a King or House of Lords,
shall be elected or chosen, or put into any the aforesaid Offices
and Places, for the space of one whole year. And it is hereby
further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person
or persons, comprehended under the aforesaid Exceptions, being
chosen, shall presume to Sit in the Court of Aldermen, CommonCouncel, or execute any the aforesaid Offices, contrary to the
true intent of this Act, shall forfeit the sum of two hundred
pounds; the one half whereof shall be within twenty days paid
to him or them that shall make proof thereof; and the other
moyety to be paid unto the Corporation for the Poor: and it is
hereby Declared, That all such Elections are Null and void: And
the Lord Mayor for the time being, is hereby required from time
to time to give Order, that this Act be published at all Elections,
and that the same be strictly and punctually observed; and for
the better execution of this Act, Be it therefore Enacted, That
the Lord Mayor of London, the Sheriffs and Aldermen, and
Justices of the Peace within the said City of London, or any two
of them, shall and are hereby authorized and required to commit
to Prison all such persons, as after due proof upon Oath to be
made unto them, or any two of them, of any person that shall
make any Disturbance at any Election, contrary to this Act, and
to levy the said Fine of two hundred pounds, by Distress and
sale of the Goods of the person or persons so offending contrary
to this Act.