June 1643: An Ordinance for raising men for the defence of the Isle of Wight.

June 1643

[24 June, 1643.]

Whereas it appeares to the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, to be very convenient for the Security, and defence of the Isle of Wight, and for the preservation and protection of the Estates, and persons of the Inhabitants therein, That some Forces should there be speedily raised, to be imployed in continuall Watching, Warding, suppressing Insurrections, fortifying the said Island, and doing all such other Acts and things, as they shall be thereunto directed, and commanded by Authority of both Houses of Parliament.

Power to Earl of Pembroke to raise 2 Companies of Foot in Isle of Wight.

It is therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That of the Inhabitants of the said Isle, there shall be speedily raised by two such persons, as the Right Honourable Philip Earle of Pembrooke, and Mountgomery, Governour of the said Isle, shall hereafter nominate, and for that purpose appoint two Companies of Foot, consisting of the number of three hundred men to be imployed for the said purposes. And the said Earle is hereby Authorized, and required to nominate, and appoint accordingly two persons for the raising of the said Companies of Foot to be employed, as aforesaid.

These Forces to be always kept up to number of 300.

And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That in case any of the men so to be raised, as aforesaid, shall happen to die or desert the said Service, That then the said two persons so to be nominated, shall have also power from time to time, for the raising of such other new Forces of th' Inhabitants of the said Island, as may alwayes make up the said Forces so to be raised, to the said number of three hundred men to be likewise employed for the purposes aforesaid.

Powers of persons appointed by Lord Pembroke for raising above Forces.

And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the said two persons so to be named by the said Earle, shall have hereby full power and authority, to name and appoint from time to time, Officers necessary and usefull, for the leading, conducting, and imploying the said three hundred men, or any of them, for the purposes aforesaid, according to the Commands of the said Earle, or in his absence, as the Deputy-Lievtenants of the said Isle, or any two of them shall order and appoint.

Payment of Forces. Money raised in Island by assessment to go towards it.

And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That towards the payment of the said Officers, and of the said three hundred men so to be raised, as abovesaid, so much moneys not exceeding eight hundred pounds by the yeare, as shall be raised in the said Island, upon the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, made for the Sequestring of the goods & lands of Papists, and other Delinquents in the said Ordinance mentioned, And so much Moneys (not exceeding seven hundred pounds more) as shall be raised in the said Island, by vertue of the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament lately passed, for the speedier raising and levying of Money, for the maintenance of the Army raised by Parliament, by Taxing such as have not Contributed, or lent at all, towards the maintenance of the said Army, or if they have, yet not in any reasonable measure answerable to their Estates, shall be issued forth, and paid upon any Warrant, or Warrants in writing under the hands of the said Deputy-Lievtenants or any two of them.

Receivers of Assessments to pay money out under Warrants from Deputy Lieutenants.

And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That all and every Receiver and Receivers, of any summe or summes of Money, payable in the said Isle, upon the Ordinances aforesaid; upon a Warrant or Warrants, to them or any of them directed, for the issuing forth, and payment of any summe or summes of Money, for the uses aforesaid; Testified under the hands of the said Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two of them, shall immediately issue forth, and pay to such person and persons, such summe and summes of Money, not exceeding the summes aforesaid, as by the said Warrant or Warrants, they, or any of them shall be thereby directed and required; which said Warrants and payment accordingly made, shall be a good discharge for them, which shall make payment thereof accordingly.

Duplicates of Warrants to be made.; One for Receivers; the other for Speaker of House of Commons.

And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That a Duplicate shall be made of all Warrants directed to any of the said Receiver or Receivers in the said Isle, for the Issuing forth, or payment of any the said summes of Money, for the uses aforesaid upon which payment hath been made accordingly, one part whereof shall bee kept by the said receiver or receivers, as his or their discharge, and the other part to bee delivered within one moneth after the Issuing forth of each severall Warrant to the Speaker of the House of Commons, where the Deputy-Lievtenants, and the said Receiver or Receivers, are only to be accomptable for the same.

Earl of Pembroke and others to be protected and saved harmless.

And be it lastly Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the said Earle of Pembrooke and Mountgomery, The said Deputy-Lievtenants, and the said two persons so to be nominated, and the said Officers so to be appointed, as aforesaid, and all other person and persons pursuing their directions and command, according to the authority hereby to them committed, shall be protected, defended, and saved harmlesse by the power, and authority of both Howses of Parliament.