August, 1651
[12 August, 1651.]
Powers of Committees for Militia.; Rendezvous.; Persons charged with horse and foot to provide them at once, and be repaid.; Diligence and faithfulness enjoined.; All former Commissions revived till 1 Dec., 1651
Be it Enacted and Declared by this present Parliament, and by
the Authority thereof, That all and every the persons nominated
and appointed, or to be nominated and appointed by the Councel
of State, for the Forming, Listing, Raising, Settling and Disposing
of the Militia in the several and respective Counties of this Commonwealth, Shall be, and are hereby Authorized and Impowered to do,
execute and perform, All and every the Powers and Authorities
granted by any Act, Order or Ordinance of Parliament, for Raising
of any Forces of Horse or Foot for the Service and Safety of the
Commonwealth of England; And that the said Commissioners
already nominated, or hereafter to be nominated by the Councel
of State, be Authorized and Required forthwith to Summon before
them, all and every the Militia Forces lately Listed or Raised in
their several and respective Counties, whether they be Horse or
Foot, with all their Officers and Soldiers, to be drawn into one or
more Bodies, unto some one or more Rendezvouzes in each County
respectively, as the Commissioners shall think fit; And to take
care and provide, That all and every person and persons, who do,
or shall finde and provide, and are or shall be charged with Horse-men
or Foot-men shall immediately furnish the said Horse-men or
Foot-men so charged upon them respectively, with one full moneths
Pay, the same to be paid or Re-imbursed by Appointment of Parliament out of, or by way of Assessments or otherwise; And all
Commissioners, Commanders, Officers and Soldiers, are to follow
such Orders and Directions, as they shall from time to time receive
from the Parliament or Councel of State appointed by Authority
of Parliament; And the said Commissioners, Commanders, Officers,
and Soldiers, are hereby Required to do their respective Duties
herein with all diligence and faithfulness, upon pain of being
Censured and Adjudged Enemies to their Countrey, and to undergo
such penalties as in that behalf shall be by the Parliament thought
fit to be inflicted upon them. And be it further Enacted by the
Authority aforesaid, That all Commissions formerly granted by
the Councel of State, unto any Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels,
Majors, Captains and other Officers, upon the last Act for the
Militias of the Commonwealth, be Revived, Continued, and shall
stand in full force until the First day of December, One thousand
six hundred fifty one, unless the Parliament or Councel of State
shall give other order.