September 1643: An Ordinance to prevent the coming over of the Irish Rebells.

September 1643

[8 September, 1643.]

Ships forbidden to bring over persons from Ireland.; Exceptions.; Penalty for disobedience.; Indemnity.

Whereas very many of the Irish Rebells have lately come over into this Kingdome, and joyned themselves with the Army against the Parliament, where they have exercised their accustomed cruelties upon the Kings Protestant Subjects here; and still endeavour to destroy all those that are well affected to the Religion and Libertie of this Nation: And whereas the miserable condition of that Kingdome of Ireland is such, that if many Souldiers of the English-Army there should at this time come over hither, and desert that service it would in all probability be the utter losing of that Kingdome, and the delivering up of all the Protestants there, into the hands of those inhumane cruell Rebells, for the preventing of which mischiefs and Inconveniencies, it is Ordered and ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that from henceforth no Ship, Bark, or other Vessell do bring, convey, or transport any person or persons whatsoever out of the Kingdome of Ireland into this Kingdome of England, or Dominion of Wales, (except Merchants and such as shall come upon speciall businesse to the Parliament, either from the Lords Justices of Ireland, or from some chief Commander in the English or Scottish Armies there, or that shall have License to be Transported from thence hither by both Houses of Parliament) upon the penalty of forfeiture of such Ship, Bark, or other Vessell with her Tackle and furniture, in which any such person or persons shall be so brought over or transported. And it is hereby ordained and declared that whosoever shall first seize and take any such Ship, Barke, or Vessell, in which there shall be any person or persons passing from Ireland, into this Kingdome (other then such as are above excepted) such persons so seizing shall have the Moyety of such Ship, Bark, or other Vessell with her Tackle and furniture: And are to be accomptable to the State for the other moyety, whereof they are to give speedy notice unto the Committee of the House of Commons for the Navy; And whatsoever any person shall do in pursuance of this Ordinance, they shall be saved harmlesse by the power of both Houses of Parliament.