April 1651: An Act for continuing the Assessment of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Six Moneths, from the Five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred fifty one, for Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland.

April, 1651

[15 April, 1651.]

Act of 26 Nov., 1650.; Rate of £120,000 per mensem for 6 months for maintenance of armies in England, Scotland, and Ireland.; To be raised in like manner as appointed by former Act.; Commissioners named in former Act to have like powers by this.; And to follow like rules.; To meet on or before 20 April, 1651.; And put this Act in execution.; To appoint second general meeting if they see fit

Whereas the Parliament towards the Maintenance of the Armies raised for the Service of this Commonwealth, and enabling them the more effectually and speedily to prosecute the perfect Reducing the Enemies thereof in Arms against them, were enforced by their Act in that behalf, and for the Reasons therein expressed, to appoint an Assessment of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Four Moneths: And whereas since that time the Number of the Forces in England, Ireland and Scotland, have been necessarily enlarged, and their Charge thereby encreased: And whereas also besides the Armies Established and in constant Pay, the Commonwealth is at a very great charge in keeping up the Militia Forces thereof: The Parliament being desirous to give what ease may be in that particular, have Resolved, That in lieu of keeping up the said Militia forces, a competent number of Horse and Dragoons be forthwith formed and raised out of the several Militia Forces of this Commonwealth; And that for the time of their continuance (being six Moneths) they be provided for with pay equally with the rest of the Army, for the prevention of Free-quarter; And that the residue of the said Militia Forces immediately upon the compleating of the Number of the said Horse and Dragoons, be discharged. For the performance whereof, One Moneths Assessment after the Rate of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds by the Moneth, from the Twenty fifth of March, One thousand six hundred fifty one, and the continuance of the Assessments at the same Rate for some time longer, is of necessity required; The Parliament do therefore Enact, and be it Enacted and Ordained by the Authority of the same. That towards the Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland, Raised by the Authority of Parliament for the Service of this Commonwealth, and of the Horse and Dragoons now to be Raised and imployed in lieu of the Militia Forces as aforesaid for the time of their continuance, the sum of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Six Moneths; viz. From the Five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred fifty one, to the Nine and twentieth of September next ensuing, shall be assessed, taxed, levyed, collected and paid in the several Counties, Cities, Towns and places in England and Wales, by the several Sums, and according to the several Rates and Proportions, and in such maner as by the fore-mentioned Act of this present Parliament (Entituled, An Act for Raising of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Four Moneths, to commence the Five and twentieth of December, One thousand six hundred fifty, for Maintenance of the Forces in England, Ireland, and Scotland, Raised by Authority of Parliament for the Service of this Commonwealth) the said Four Moneths Assessments of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem is Ordained and Appointed to be rated, levyed, collected and paid. And be it further Enacted, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained, That the several Commissioners and other persons in the said recited Act named, or who have by any Act or Order of Parliament been thereunto since added, shall have, use, exercise and put in execution the same Powers and Authorities for the Assessing, collecting and paying the said Six Moneths Assessment hereby appointed to be assessed and paid, and that they had and were appointed to use and exercise by the Act herein before recited, for the assessing, collecting, and payment of the said Four Moneths Assessments thereby appointed: And that the several Rules, Directions, Clauses, and Provisos in the afore recited Act mentioned and contained, prescribing the way and maner of the rating, levying, collecting and paying the Four Moneths Assessment therein mentioned, shall continue in force, and be observed and followed in the Six Moneths Assessments hereby appointed, to all intents and purposes, as if the said recited Act had continued for Ten Moneths from the said Five and twentieth day of December, One thousand six hundred fifty. For the better effecting whereof, It is hereby Enacted, That the several and respective Commissioners hereby appointed and continued for the said several and respective Counties, Cities and Towns, shall meet together at the most common and usual place of meeting in each of the said Counties, Cities and Towns respectively, on or before the Twentieth day of April, One thousand six hundred fifty one: And the said Commissioners, or as many of them as shall then and there attend and be present, shall cause this present Act to be put in Execution; and shall then if they see cause to appoint a second general Meeting, appoint the same on or before the Thirtieth day of the said Moneth of April, One thousand six hundred fifty one, to the end that the Rules and Directions in this Act given and prescribed, may be, as is before declared, timely and effectually prosecuted and observed.