September 1643: An Ordinance and Declaration Touching the Sallery and Allowance to be made to the Commissioners and Auditors for the Excise. Together with the severall Oaths to be taken by them. As also, directing the manner and time of the Entries to be made by all such persons who have bought or sold any Goods or Commodities chargeable with the Excise, since the eleventh of this instant September; or shall buy or sell any such Goods before the execution of this Ordinance.

September 1643

[18 September, 1643.]

Whereas an Ordinance was lately made by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for setting of a charge by way of Excize or new Impost upon the severall Commodities in a Schedule thereunto annexed, contained. In which Ordinance no certaine sallary is expressed for the Commissioners thereby appointed to execute the same.

Allowance to Commissioners of Excise.

Be it now Declared and Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that the chiefe Commissioners appointed by the said Ordinance to put the same in execution, or as many of them as shall execute the same, shall have for their paines and Service therein, six pence in every twenty shillings that shall be raised and paid in to the Treasurer or Treasurers of Excize, appointed by the said Ordinance, the same to be allowed them quarterly upon their Accounts By the said Treasurer or Treasurers, without any further Warrant.

William Bond and Thomas Fawconbridge Auditors.; Their Allowance.

And be it farther hereby Ordained, That William Bond of London, Merchant, be appointed an Auditor for the said service, over and besides Master Thomas Fawconebridge, who was appointed an Auditor by the said former Ordinance and to have the like power with him: And that every of the said Audtors shall have for their severall pains and service in that behalfe the summe of per Annum, to bee allowed them quarterly by the said Treasurer or Treasurers out of their Receipts, without any further Warrant.

And it is hereby Ordained, that the said Commissioners, upon passing of their accounts before the Auditor or Auditors for the time being, and Allowance thereof by the said Houses, shall bee Discharged of the Said Accounts, from time to time, by both the said Houses.

Commissioners and Auditors to take Oaths.

And bee it further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that the severall Commissioners and Auditors appointed, and to bee appointed for the said service, shall take the severall Oaths herein prescribed, in such manner as by the said Ordinance is exprest.

The form of the Oath for the Commissioners.

Commissioners' Oath

You shall sweare to be faithfull and true in your place of Commissioner for the Excise, during the time you shall bee a Commissioner, according to the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament in that behalfe made. You shall according to your knowledge execute the same diligently and faithfully, having no private respect to your selfe in prejudice of the Common-wealth; You shall make and deliver a true account of all your Receipts and disbursments, to such Auditor or Auditors as is, are, or shall be, from time to time, appointed by both Houses of Parliament, according to the said Ordinance. So help you God, and the contents of this Booke.

The forme of the Oath for the Auditors.

Auditors' Oath.

You shall sweare to be faithfull and true in your Office of Auditor for the Excize, during your continuance in the said Office, according to the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament in that behalfe made. You shall take the accounts which shall be made unto you quarterly by the Commissioners for Excize, and make true entries and duplicates or counterparts thereof, and shall truely present the same to both Houses of Parliament, as by the said Ordinance is appointed; and in all things diligently and truely execute your said Office to the best of your skill and knowledge. So help you God, and the contents of this Booke.

All that have bought or sold exciseable goods since 11 Sept. or shall do so before execution of Ord. to declare the same and pay duty thereon.; To forfeit double value of goods for non-entry.

And bee it declared and Ordained, that all manner of persons who have bought or sold any Goods or Commodities chargeable with the Excize since the eleventh of this instant September 1643, or shall buy or sell any such Goods before the execution of this Ordinance, shall within Tenne dayes next after the Twentieth day of this moneth (if the said Goods were or shall bee bought or sold within the Cities or Suburbs of London or Westminster, or Tenne miles compasse thereof) or if in any other place or places, then within ten dayes next after the erection of the said Office of Excize in or neere such place or places, cause entry thereof to bee made in the Severall and respective Offices to which the same shall belong, that so the duty of Excize may bee discovered and payd for the same, under paine of forfeiture of double the value of the said Goods or Merchandizes, to be leavied in such manner and forme, and to such uses as by the said Ordinance is appointed for not entry of Goods liable to the Excise.