October 1648: Declaration to prevent Officers from disturbing the Houses on account of their Arrears.

October, 1648

[13 October, 1648.]

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, taking into Consideration the manifold Hazards and Services great Numbers of Officers employed in the several Armies have, for the Safety and Defence of the Parliament and Kingdom, in these late Wars, undergone and performed; and being very sensible of their said Services, and of the great Arrear of Pay due to them for the same; have taken into their most serious Debate many Ways and Means for future Provision for them, according to what their other weighty Affairs will give Leave: And being informed that many of the said Officers (invited thereto by Persons ill-affected to the Parliament and the Public Affairs thereof), upon Hopes of an immediate receiving of some considerable Part (at least) of their Arrears, are repairing to the Parliament, and Cities of London and Westminster: The said Lords and Commons do therefore order and declare, and it is hereby Ordered and Declared, That all and every such Officers, who have heretofore served the Parliament as aforesaid, and expect Payment of their said Arrears, shall and do, upon Publication hereof, peaceably continue in the several Counties and Places of their Abode; and that they, and every of them, do upon no Pretence whatsoever, under Penalty of losing their said Arrears, repair unto the Parliament or Cities aforesaid, to the Disturbance of both or either of the Houses, during the weighty Considerations they are upon, as well for a certain and speedy Provision for the said Officers, as for the settling of the Public Peace of the Kingdom; the said Lords and Commons intending, by the Blessing of God, with all convenient Speed to establish a Provision and Satisfaction for all the aforesaid Officers, as will witness to the World, their Affections to, and Services for, the Parliament in this great Cause are not only well accepted of, but shall also in due Time be recompenced with suitable Satisfaction to their very many and great Deservings respectively.

Ordered, That this Declaration be forthwith printed, and sent to the Sheriffs, to be published in the several Counties.