March 1650: An Act for Impresting of Sea-men.

March, 1650

[2 March, 1649/50.]

Whereas the effectual and speedy setting forth of the Fleet or Fleets for the next years service, and the well Manning thereof, is at this time of great necessity, considering not onely the homebred distractions of this Nation and of Ireland, but the great preparations which are making already in Forraign parts, in ayd and assistance of the Malignant, Popish, and ill-affected Party in these Nations; Be it therefore Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by the Authority thereof, That in case the Councel of State, or the Admirals of the Fleet or Fleets for the time being appointed by Parliament shall finde, That notwithstanding the Act for Encouragement of Officers and Mariners, appointed and provided for the inducement of Seamen to engage more willingly in the service of this Commonwealth, yet there shall not be the appointed number of Sea-men voluntarily Engaging in this Service in due time, for the setting forth of the said Fleet or Fleets, but that there be a necessity of Impresting of Mariners for this Service; Then the Councel of State, or the said Admirals or any two of them, shall or may at any time or times, from the First day of April, One thousand six hundred and fifty, until the First day of April, which shall be in the year One thousand six hundred fifty one, by their Commissioner or Commissioners, Officer or Officers authorized thereunto, by warrant under their or any two of their Hands and Seals, or any one authorized by the other two, Raise, Levy and Imprest, such and so many Mariners, Sailors, Watermen, Chyrurgions, Gunners, Ship-Carpenters, Cawkers, Coopers and Whoymen, as also Carmen for carriage of Victuals, &c, as shall be requisite and necessary for the Service aforesaid, or for any such further defence for the good People of England and Ireland; which said Mariners, Sailors, and other such persons, and such other persons so to be Levyed and Imprested as aforesaid, and every of them, shall have paid and delivered unto him or them upon such his or their Impresting, by the person that shall so Imprest him, for Conduct-money for every Mile from the place where he shall be so Imprest, to the Ship or place where he shall be appointed to make his repair, the sum of One peny half peny per Mile to each man; and the like sum of One peny half peny for every Mile from the place of his discharge unto the place of his abode; and shall be allowed for this service, the same wages and entertainments in all respects which hath been allowed by the Parliament this last year, to any such person or persons imployed in the said service: And if in the case aforesaid, any Mariner, Saylor, Waterman, Chyrurgion, Gunner, Ship-Carpenter, Cawker, Whoyman or Carman, shall willfully refuse to be Imprested in and for the said service, or shall voluntarily hide or absent himself at the time of such Press, to avoid the said Service; or receiving his said Conduct-moneys, do not appear at such places and times as by his Ticket he is appointed, That then any such person or persons so offending, shall suffer imprisonment for the space of three Moneths, without Bail or Mainprize, Provided always, and be it Enacted and Ordained, That no money or other reward shall be taken directly or indirectly, nor any corrupt practice used by any the persons authorized by vertue of this Act, in or for the pressing, changing, sparing or discharging of any person or persons, or be Imprest as aforesaid, as they will answer such offence at their utmost perils before the Parliament, or such as shall by Parliament be authorized thereunto: And all Justices of the Peace, Majors, Bayliffs, Constables and all other inferior Officers, are hereby required and enjoyned to be ayding and assisting from time to time to the persons authorized, or to be authorized by vertue of this Act, according to the true intent and meaning thereof. Provided always, That this Act shall not extend to the pressing of any Master, Mastersmate, Gunner, Carpenter or Boatswain of any Ship or Vessel that is or shall be in imployment, And lastly, for the further and better encouragement of Seamen and Waterman to apply themselves the more willingly to this service, it is further Enacted and Ordained, and be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That all Mariners, Saylors, and likewise all Watermen who have served an Apprenticeship by the space of seven years in their said professions, or that are Servants and Apprentices by Indenture to any such Waterman, shall hereby be freed and exempted from being prested to serve as Soldiers in any Land service.