February 1652: An Act of General Pardon and Oblivion.

February, 1652

[24 February, 1651/2.]

Parliament sensible of the sad Effects of the late War.; resolve to setle Peace.; An Treasons Felonies, &c. committed before 3 Sept. 1651, and not hereafter excepted, pardoned.

The Parliament of England having had good Experience of the Affections of the People to this present Government, by their ready Assistance in the Defence thereof against Charls Stuart Son of the late Tyrant, and the Forces lately Invading this Nation under his Command; and being much afflicted with the sense of the miserable and sad Effects which the late unnatural War hath produced; and resolving next to the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, to make no other use of the many Victories the Lord in mercy hath vouchsafed unto them, then a just Setling of the Peace and Freedom of this Commonwealth; and being most desirous that the Mindes, Persons and Estates of all the People of this Nation, might be Composed, Setled and Secured, and that all Rancour and Evil Will occasioned by the late Differences may be buried in perpetual Oblivion, that so the Government now established in the way of a Free State might be complied with, and all the Members of it enjoy their Just and Ancient Rights and Liberties, and the former Commotions and Troubles end in a quiet calm and comfortable Peace, Have resolved to do what in them lies for the obtaining and effecting thereof, leaving the Success and their Endeavors unto the Blessing of God, and his working upon the spirits of those that are concerned herein: Be it therefore Enacted by this present Parliament, and by the Authority of the same, That all and every person and persons of or within the Commonwealth of England, the Isles of Jersey and Garnsey, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the Heirs, Executors and Administrators of them and every of them, and all and singular Bodies in any maner Incorporated, Cities, Burroughs, Shires, Ridings, Hundreds, Lathes, Rapes, Wapentakes, Towns, Villages, Hamlets and Tythings, and every of them, shall be and are by the Authority of this present Parliament, Acquitted, Pardoned, Released and Discharged (as against the Parliament, the Keepers of the Liberty of England by Authority of Parliament, or any or either of them) of all maner of Treasons, Felonies, Offences, Contempts, Trespasses, Entries, Wrongs, Deceits, Misdemeanors, Forfeitures, Sequestrations, Penalties and Sums of Money, Pains of Death, Pains Corporal and Pecuniary, and generally of all other things, Causes, Quarrels, Suits, Judgements and Executions, had, made, committed, suffered or done before the third day of September, in the year One thousand six hundred fifty one, in this present Act hereafter not excepted nor foreprized.

This free pardon as effectual as if all Offences had been particularly named.

And also be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That this Free Pardon shall be as good and effectual in the Law to every of the persons, Bodies Corporate and others before rehearsed, in, for and against all things which be not hereafter in this present Act excepted and foreprized, as the same Pardon should have been, if all Offences, Contempts, Forfeitures, Causes, Matters, Suits, Quarrels, Judgements, Executions, Penalties, and all other things not hereafter in this present Act excepted and foreprized, had been particularly, especially and plainly named, rehearsed and specified, and also Acquitted, Pardoned, Released or Discharged by proper and express Words and Names, in their kindes, natures and qualities, by Words and Terms thereunto requisite to have been put in and expressed in this present Act of Free Pardon: and that the persons, Bodies Corporate, and others before rehearsed, nor any of them, nor the Heirs, Successors, Executors or Administrators of any of them, be or shall be sued, vexed or inquieted in their Bodies, Goods, Chattels, Lands or Tenements, for any maner of Matter, Cause, Contempt, Misdemeanor, Forfeiture, Trespass, Offence, or any other thing, suffered, done or committed against the late King, or the said Keepers of the Libertie of England, or any Ordinance of Parliament, or the Laws or Statutes of the Commonwealth; but onely for such Matters, Causes and Offences as be rehearsed, mentioned or intended in the Exceptions of this present Act to be foreprized and excepted, and for none other, Any Statute or Statutes, Laws, Customs or Usages heretofore had, made or used to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

Goods, Debts Fines, Forfeitures, &c., released.

And the said Keepers of the Liberty of England by the Authority of this present Parliament, Granteth and freely giveth, Acquitteth, Pardoneth, Releaseth and Dischargeth to every of the persons, and to every of the said Bodies Corporate and others before rehearsed, and every of them, all Goods, Debts, Chattels, Fines, Issues, Profits, Amerciaments, Forfeitures, which to the said Keepers of the Liberty of England do or shall belong or appertain by reason of any Offence, Contempt, Trespass, Entry, Misdemeanor, Matter, Cause, Sequestration or Quarrel, had, suffered, done or committed by them or any of them before the said third day of September, and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted. And be it Enacted nevertheless, That all Grants thereof, or of any part thereof, made by any such as have so forfeited the same, and are hereby restored as aforesaid; and all Executions thereof, or of any part thereof, had against any such, after such Forfeiture thereof committed or made, shall be of such force and effect, as if no such Forfeiture had been had or made, and of no other; the same Forfeiture, or any thing before in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding

This Act to be taken in all Courts most beneficial to all persons.

And furthermore it is Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That this said Pardon by the general Words, Clauses and Sentences before rehearsed, shall be reputed, deemed, adjudged, expounded, allowed and taken, in all maner of Courts of Justice and elswhere, most beneficial and available to all and singular the Persons, Bodies Corporate, and others before rehearsed, and to every of them, in all things not in this present Act excepted or foreprized, without any ambiguity, question or other delay, whatsoever it shall be, to be made, pleaded, objected or alledged by the said Keepers of the Liberty of England, or by the AttorneyGeneral for the Commonwealth, or by any person or persons for or on the behalf of the said Keepers of the Libertie of England.

Any Officer or Clerk making out any Writ or Proces for any thing hereby pardoned, shall pay treble damages, and 10. l.

And furthermore it is Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That if any Officer or Clerk in any of the Courts commonly called the Chancery, Upper-Bench and Common-Pleas, or of the Publique Exchequer, or any other Officer or Clerk in any other Court within this Commonwealth, at any time after the twentieth day of February, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, shall make out or write out any maner of Writs, Proces, Summons or other Precepts, whereby any of the said persons, or any of the said Bodies Corporated, or others before rehearsed, or any of them, shall be in any wise Arrested, Attached, Distrained, Summoned, or otherwise vexed, inquieted or grieved, in his or their Bodies, Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Goods or Chattels, or in any of them, for or because of any maner of thing Acquitted, Pardoned, Released or Discharged, by vertue of this Act of Free Pardon; or if any Sheriff or Escheator, or any of their Deputy or Deputies, or any Bayliff, or other Officer whatsoever, by colour of his or their Office or otherwise, after the twentieth day of February, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, do levy, receive, take or withhold, of or from any person or persons, any thing Acquitted, Pardoned, Released or Discharged by this Act, That then every such person so offending, and thereof lawfully Convicted or Condemned by sufficient Testimony, Witness or Proof, shall yield and pay for Recompence thereof to the party so grieved or offended thereby, his or their treble Damages, besides all Costs of the Suit; and shall also forfeit and lose to the said Keepers of the Liberty of England for every such default Ten pounds. And nevertheless, all and singular such Writs, Proces and Precepts so to be made, for or upon any maner of thing Pardoned or Discharged by this present Act of Free Pardon, shall be utterly void and of none effect.

High Treason, Rebellions, &c. excepted.

Excepted and always foreprized out of this General and Free Pardon, all and all maner of High Treasons (other then for words onely) and all levying of War, Rebellions, Insurrections, and all Conspiracies and Confederacies, Traiterously had, committed or done against the Parliament or the Keepers of the Liberty of England, either within or without the Limits of this Commonwealth, sithence the thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred forty and eight; and all Misprisions and Concealments of the said Offences or any of them, or the Abetting Aiding or procuring of them or any of them.

Voluntary Murthers, Petty Treasons and wilful Poisonings.

And also excepted, all maner of voluntary Murthers, Petty Treasons and wilful Poisonings done or committed by any person or persons; and all and every the Accessaries to the same Offences or any of them, before the said Offences committed.

Piracy and Robbery at Sea.

And also excepted and always foreprized out of this General and Free Pardon, all and every Offences of Piracy and Robbery done upon the Seas; and every Procuring or Abetting of any such Offenders, and the Comforting and Receiving of them or any of them, or any Goods taken by way of Piracy or Robbery upon the Seas as aforesaid.

Buggery.

And also excepted, the Destestable and Abominable Vice of Buggery committed with Mankinde or Beast.

Rapes.

And also excepted, all Rapes and carnal Ravishments of Women.

And also excepted, all Ravishments and wilful taking away or Marrying of any Maid, Widow or Damsel against her will, or without the assent or agreement of her Parents, or of such as then had her in custody: And also all Offences of Aiding, Comforting, Procuring or Abetting of any such Ravishment, wilful taking or Marrying, had, committed or done.

Felony by second Marriage excepted. Attainder of petty Treason, &c.

And also excepted, all Offences made Felony by a certain Act made and Ordained, Entituled, An Act to restrain all persons from Marriage until their former Wives and former Husbands be dead.

Attainder of petty Treason, &c.

And also excepted out of this Pardon, all persons now Attainted or Outlawed, of or for any Petty-Treason, Murther, or wilful Poisoning, and all Executions of and for the same.

Conjurations and Witchcrafts.

And also excepted, all Offences of Invocations, Conjurations, Witchcrafts, Sorceries, Inchantments and Charms; and all Offences of procuring, abetting or comforting of the same; and all persons now Attainted or Convicted of any the said Offences.

Wrongful detainment of Customs.

And also excepted out of this Pardon, all and every wrongful Detainments of any the Customs or Subsidies of Tonnage and Poundage due to the Keepers of the Libertie of England, since the thirtieth day of January, which was in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred forty eight, for which any Bond or other Security is given, or any Suit depending, or any Fine set or imposed for the same; As also all duties for Excise or New Impost, for which any Bond or Security is given, or promise made for payment of the same, since the said thirtieth day of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight; As also all duties of Excise and New Impost for Goods which are not yet sold, and upon sale of which, Excise is due to be paid; And also except all duties upon Exciseable Commodities grown due or payable since the third of November, One thousand six hundred and fifty.

Actual Sequestrations and money due upon any Composition for delinquency.

And also except all Sequestrations, upon which any Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Goods or Debts did the first day of December, One thousand six hundred fifty one, stand actually sequestred; and all sums of Money due upon any Composition for Delinquency; And all Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, Bonds, Goods or Debts for which there is granted any Saving or Respite upon such Composition.

Accompts of Treasurers, Receivers and Collector.

And also excepted, all and singular the Accompts of all and every Treasurer, Receiver or Collector of any Subsidy, Custom, Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, Assessement, Sequestration, New Impost or Excise; or of any the Rents or Revenues of or belonging unto the late King, Queen or Prince; or belonging unto the late Archbishopricks or Bishopricks, Deans, or Deans and Chapters, Canons, Prebends and other Officers abolished by Parliament, belonging to any Cathedral or Collegiate Church: And of all Moneys and other Duties, grown due or contracted upon the Sale or Disposition of them or any of them, since the third of November One thousand six hundred and forty; and all accompts of every person whatsoever that ought to be accomptant to, for or in respect of any such Receipt, Moneys or Duties; and the Heirs, Executors and Administrators of every such person that ought to accompt for all things touching onely the same Accompts, and all and singular Arrearages of Accompts, and all untrue Accompts made and rendred touching the same; and all Charges, Seizures, Suits, Demands and Executions which may or can be had of or for any such Accompt or Accompts, or any Arrearages of the same.

Conditions and Covenants.

And also excepted, all Conditions and Covenants, and all Penalties, Titles and Forfeitures of Condition or Conditions, Covenant or Covenants accrewed or grown due to the Parliament, the late King, or to the said Keepers of the Libertie of England, since the thirtieth day of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight, by reason of the breach and not performing of any Covenant or Condition whatsoever.

Subsidy or Assessment.

And also excepted, all sums of Money granted by Parliament since the thirtieth of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight, by way or name of Subsidy, Aid or Assessment, other then the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, and Excise or New Impost, which are onely to be excepted as in this Act is limited.

Some Debts due to the late King, Queen or Prince, since 3 Nov. 1640; Others discharged.

And also excepted out of this Pardon, all Debts which first grew due to the late King, Queen, or Prince, or to the said Keepers of the Libertie of England, or to any person or persons for or to any of their uses by any Judgement, Recognizance, Obligation, or otherwise, since the third of November, One thousand six hundred and forty; or by any Judgement, Recognizance or Obligation grown due since the Five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred twenty five, whereupon any Estalment or just and lawful Seizure hath been at any time before the First of December. One thousand six hundred fiftie one, made, upon which Estalment or Seizure any thing is, or at any time since the Five and twentieth day of March, One thousand six hundred twentie five, hath been answered or paid, (other then such Debts as are due upon Obligation or Recognizance for Non-appearance in any Court or other place whatsoever; or for the payment of any sum of Money, or Rent reserved or payable upon any Patent or Lease made of any Monopoly, unlawful Tax, or unjust Imposition set or laid by the late King Charls; or for not keeping the Peace, or for not being of good Behavior, or for carrying of Goods from one Port to another, or for performance of any Order in the late Court of StarChamber or High-Commission, or for any Fines set or imposed in either of the said late Courts; or for mean Rates, or any Arrears thereof in the late Court of Wards; which Debts grown due and accrewed upon these Causes by this free pardon, be clearly pardoned and discharged.)

First-fruits and Tenths excepted.

And also Excepted, all First-fruits and Tenths, which by an Act of this present Parliament, Entituled, An Act for providing Main tenance for Preaching Ministers, and other Pious Uses, are setled for the purpose therein mentioned.

Offences whereof any Judgement has been given in Par-liament since 30 Jan. 1648.

And also Excepted, all Offences and Misdemeanors, whereof any Sentence or Judgement hath been given in the Parliament since the thirtieth of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight: And also the Sentences and Judgements so given, and Execution of the same; and all Fines, Imprisonments, Penalties, Forfeitures, and Punishments of or for the same.

Bribery, Perjury, counterfeiting deeds, &c.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all Offences of Bribery, Perjuries, and the Subornation of Perjury or Witnesses, and Offences of Forging or Counterfeiting any Deeds, Debentures, Bills of Publique Faith, Escripts or other Writings whatsoever; or of any Examinations or Testimonies of any Witness or Witnesses, tending to bring any person or persons in danger of his Life, Liberty or Estate, and the giving the same in Evidence, and the counselling or procuring of any such Counterfeiting or Forging to be had or made, and all false and malicious Conspiracies, to bring any person or persons in danger of his Life, Liberty or Estate.

Transporting of Gold, Silver, &c.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all and every Offence and Offences, touching or concerning the Carrying, Sending or Conveying over the Seas or out of this Nation, of any Gold, Silver, Jewels, or any Coyn of Gold or Silver, contrary to the Laws or Statutes of this Commonwealth, unless it were by the License of the Parliament.

Offences in unlawful buying or melting down Gold, &c.

And also Excepted, all other Offences in the unlawful Buying, Selling, Exchanging or Melting down of any currant Gold or Silver Coyns of England; or of any Gold or Silver Bullion, for which any Information was depending in the Court of Exchequer, the First of December, One thousand six hundred fifty and one.

Transporting Guns, Ordnance, &c.

And also Excepted, all Offences whatsoever in Shipping, or willingly assenting, or causing to be shipped to be transported into any the parts beyond the Seas, out of the Obedience of this Commonwealth, any Guns, Ordnance, Shot, or Gun-metal, contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Land, without License of the Parliament in that behalf first had and obtained.

Embezeling the goods or Jewels of the late King.

And also Excepted, all Offences in Detaining, Imbezelling or Purloining any the Goods, Money, Chattels, or Jewels of the late King, Queen or Prince, or any of the Children of the late King and Queen.

Issues, Fines and Amerciaments.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all Issues, Fines, and Amerciaments, lost, imposed or assessed, being levied or received by any Sheriff, Under-Sheriff, Bayliff, Minister or other Officer, to or for the use of the late King, the Parliament, or the said Keepers of the Liberty of England.

Offences done by any Jesuit or Romish Priest.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all and every Offence and Offences committed or done by any Jesuit, Seminary or Romish Priest whatsoever, contrary to the Tenor or Effect of the Statute made in the seven and twentieth year of the Reign of the late Queen Elizabeth, Entituled, An Act against Jesuits, Seminaries, Priests, and other disobedient persons, or of any part thereof; and all Outlawries, Proceedings, Judgements, and Executions for the same Offences or any of them.

Also all Offences contrary to 23 Eliz.

And also Excepted, all and every Offence and Offences committed or done by any Jesuit, Seminary or Romish Priest whatsoever, contrary to the Statute made in the three and twentieth year of the Reign of the late Queen Elizabeth, Entituled, An Act to retain the Queens Subjects in their due Obedience, or any part thereof: And all Outlawries, Judgements and Executions for the same Offences or any of them, for such or so long time as they shall continue disobedient, or wilfully obstinate in any of the same Offences; and yet nevertheless, whensoever the same persons or any of them shall willingly submit themselves, by taking the Oath of Abjuration appointed by Authority of Parliament, and willingly refuse the said wilful Obstinacy, and conform themselves, and continue in such their Conformity and due Obedience to the State, according as by the Laws and Statutes of this Commonwealth they ought to do, That then and from thenceforth all and every such person and persons so submitting and yielding themselves in their due Obedience towards the State, and so continuing in the same, shall forthwith be received and enabled by force of this Act, to have and enjoy the full benefit of this General Pardon, as largely and fully in all respects, as any other person of this Nation ought to have and enjoy the same by vertue of this Act of General Pardon.

Writs of Capias Ulta gatum. may be awarded.

Provided always, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for all and every Clerk and other Officer of the Courts at Westminster, to award and make Writs of Capias Utlagatum, at the Suit of the party plaintiff against such persons outlawed, as be pardoned by this Act, to the intent to compel the Defendant or Defendants to make answer to the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs, at whose Suit he or they were outlawed; And that every person so outlawed, shall sue a Writ of Scire facias against the party or parties at whose Suit he or they were so outlawed, before this Pardon in that behalf shall be allowed to him or them so outlawed.

This Act not to extend to any Outlawries upon Capias ad satisfaciendum.

Provided, and be it Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That this Act of General Pardon shall not in any wise extend to pardon any Outlawries upon any Writ of Capias ad satisfaciendum, until such time as the party so outlawed shall satisfie, or otherwise agree with the party at whose Suit the same person was so outlawed or condemned.

Persons in prison 28 Jan. 1651 excepted.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all such person or persons as were upon the twenty eighth day of January, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, in prison or otherwise restrained of Liberty, by immediate commandment, warrant or direction of the Parliament or Council of State, or as prisoners of War, as to the respective offences for which they were and stand so committed or restrained.

Informations concerning High ways or Bridges, &c.

And also Excepted out of this Pardon, all Informations and other Proceedings depending, concerning any common High-ways or Bridges, and all Issues returned upon any Proces concerning the same, since the thirtieth of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight.

Forfeitures of Goods or Merchandize.

And also except all Forfeitures of any Goods or Merchandize prohibited to be imported into, or exported out of this Commonwealth; and all penalties for importing or exporting of the same, for which any informations or other proceedings are depending or had, for or concerning the same, since the thirtieth of January, One thousand six hundred forty eight.

Rents and Arrears due since 24 June, 1647.

And also excepted out of this Pardon, all Fee-farm Rents, Rentsservice, Rents-charge, and Rents-seck, and all Arrearages of the said Rents grown due since the Four and twentieth of June, One thousand six hundred forty seven, and not yet paid, answered or accompted for; and all Moneys imprested since the third of November, One thousand six hundred thirty eight, for which no accompt hath as yet been made, and the Accomptant thereupon discharged; as also all Moneys imprested since the five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred twenty five, whereupon there hath been any Estalment or just and lawful Seizure before the First day of December, One thousand six hundred fifty one, upon which Estalment or Seizure any thing is, or at any time since the said Five and twentieth day of March, One thousand six hundred twenty five, hath been answered or paid.

Recognizances and other Securities since 25 March, 1625.

Except also, all Recognizances, Obligations and other Securities given or entred into since the Five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred twenty five, by any Receiver, Reeve, Bayliff, Collector or other Accomptant in the Court of the Publique Exchequer, and their Sureties and their Accompts respectively.

Judges to see this Act observed.

And be it further Enacted, That the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, the Justices of either Bench, and the Barons of the Publique Exchequer do take notice hereof, and give order to the Officers and Ministers of the said Courts respectively, That this free and general Pardon be in all points observed, and that the several particulars hereby pardoned, any way depending in any of the said several Courts, or which hereafter may happen to be estreated or certified into any of them, be forthwith discharged, and that no Proces or other proceedings be hereafter had or made concerning the same.

Recognizance or Bond not yet forfeited

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend or be construed to pardon or discharge any Recognizance, Obligation or Bond which is not yet forfeited.

Acts of Hospitality and other Injuries not to be called in question.

And be it further Enacted by this present Parliament, and by the Authority of the same, That all Acts of Hostility and Injuries, whether between the late King and the Lords and Commons then in Parliament assembled, or between any of the people of this Nation, which did arise upon any Action, Attempt, Assistance, Counsel or Advice, having relation unto, or falling out by reason of the late Troubles, or in the late Wars, or publique Differences between the late King and Parliament, and which are not in this Act Excepted, That the same and whatsoever hath ensued thereupon, whether trenching upon the Laws and Liberties of this Nation, or upon the Honor and Authority of the Parliament, or to the prejudice of any particular or private person, shall in no time from and after the Eighteenth day of January, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, be called in question, whatsoever be the quality of the person, or of whatsoever kinde or degree, Civil or Criminal the injury is supposed to be, and that no mention be made thereof in time to come in Judgement or Judicial proceedings.

Contrivers and Aiders of the Irish Rebellion excepted.

Provided always, That this Act or any thing therein contained shall not extend or give any benefit unto any person or persons who have had any hand in the Plotting, Contriving or Designing the Rebellion of Ireland, or in Aiding, Assisting or Abetting of the same, Except such persons, who having onely assisted in the said Rebellion, having rendred themselves, or come in unto the Parliament of England; and have since such their rendring and coming in, continued constantly true and faithful to the Parliament; nor to any person or persons whose Estate for or in respect of his or their Treason against the Parliament is sold, or is or shall be appointed to be sold, or disposed of for the use of the Publique, by any Act, Order or Ordinance of Parliament; nor to any person or persons, who is or are by their particular names, titles, or otherwise, excepted from Pardon by any Act, Order or Ordinance of Parliament.

Suits commenced before 3 Sept. 1651, not to be discharged.

Provided also, That this Act nor any thing therein contained, shall not extend to discharge or take away any Action or Suit whatsoever, which was commenced or depending before the third day of September, in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and one, for any thing done in relation to the late Wars.

Persons, disabled before 28 Jan. 1651 not to be restored to places of trust.

And it is lastly Provided and Declared, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to the admitting or restoring of any person or persons to the exercise, having or enjoying of any Profession, Office or place of Trust, Power, Authority or Government within this Commonwealth, who on the Eight and twentieth day of January, One thousand six hundred fifty one, did stand, or are disabled or made uncapable, or restrained under a Penalty, of or for the execution, exercise, having or enjoying of such Profession, Office or place of Trust, Power, Authority or Government, by any Act, Ordinance or Order of Parliament, until by experience of their Conformity and Submission to the present Established Government, and of their readiness and endeavor to further the Peace and Setlement of this Commonwealth, the Parliament shall receive such satisfaction, whereby to be induced to extend further favor unto them.

Murtherers of Dr. Dorislaus and Mr. Ascham.

And also excepted out of this Act, all and every person and persons, who had any hand, or was any time privy, or at any time consenting unto the acting, plotting, contriving or assisting the Horrid, Detestable and Barbarous Murthers and Assassination of Dr. Dorislaus and Mr. Anthony Ascham, or either of them, being Ministers of State, sent from the Parliament of England unto the States of the united Provinces, and the King of Spain.

No persons to have benefit by this Act, but such as take the Engagement.

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That no person whatsoever above the Age of sixteen years, have any benefit or advantage by this Act, or any thing therein contained, but such onely who have taken or shall take the Engagement appointed by Act of this present Parliament, before the First day of February, One thousand six hundred fifty and two.

Concealment of Archbishop Laud's Estate.

Provided always, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to pardon or remit any Concealment of the Estate real or personal, Goods, Plate or Money belonging to William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury, Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Offences committed at Santoft

Provided always, That this Act, or any Clause, Sentence or thing therein contained, shall not extend to the pardoning of any Offence whatsoever which hath been committed in the late Ryots and Tumults, in defacing the Church, depopulating and pulling down the Town and Mill of Santoft, and other Habitations thereabouts, destroying Corn, Rapeseed, and other Crops growing upon the Lands thereto belonging; killing or wounding of persons, pulling up the Sasses, throwing down the Banks, stopping and filling up the Drains within the Level of Hatfield-Chase, Isle of Axholm and Crowl, in the Counties of York Lincoln and Notingham; and concerning which a Petition is now depending in Parliament.

Arrears of Assessments in Essex.

Provided, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to discharge the Arrears of Assessments for the Army, due from January the thirtieth, One thousand six hundred forty four, to March the Five and twentieth, One thousand six hundred forty nine, from the County of Essex, and Appointed by Authority of Parliament for satisfaction of the said County, for Provisions and Free-quarter taken by the said Army at the Siege of Colchester, One thousand six hundred forty eight.

John Webster.

Provided always, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend or be advantage unto John Webster of Amsterdam, Merchant, who hath been formerly Declared to be an Incendiary between the United Provinces and the Parliament of England.

Wastes in any Forest excepted.

Provided, That this Act or any thing therein contained, do not extend to pardon any Wastes or Spoils committed or done since the One and thirtieth of December, One thousand six hundred thirty one, in any of the Forests, Chases or Lands belonging to the late King, Queen or Prince, or in any other Lands that have been disposed of by Parliament since One thousand six hundred forty and one, or are now belonging to the Commonwealth of England.

Dame Mary Powel.

Provided also, That this Act or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to the Pardoning of any Misdemeanor or Offence which shall or may be made appear in the undue obtaining of any Deed or Writing, or the Acknowledgement of any Fine or Fines from Dame Mary Powel, late wife of Sir Edward Powel, in the moneth of September, One thousand six hundred fifty and one; nor to the Pardoning of any legal proceeding commenced and depending for any Riot or unlawful Assembly, committed in order to the gaining and obtaining of such Deeds, Writings or Acknowledgement.

Warrants from the Committee to the Army.

Provided, That nothing in this Act contained, shall extend to the Pardoning or Acquitting of any of the Counties, Cities or places of this Commonwealth, from the payment and satisfying of any Order or Warrant charged by the Committee for the Army, and directed to be paid out of any the Assessments appointed for the use of the Army since the first day of April, One thousand six hundred forty and five; but that the said Warrants and Orders and every of them, shall be fully satisfied and paid out of the said Assessments due from the Counties, Cities and places out of which they are by the said Committee directed and assigned to be paid; any all and every the Sums assessed, or to be assessed and collected as part of the said Assessments, shall be fully assessed, collected and paid for the satisfaction of the said Warrants and Orders, And thing in this Act contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

Delinquents debts.

Provided always, That all those who have had an Allowance at any time upon their Compositions for Delinquency of any Debts they owed unto the late King, Queen or Prince, or this Commonwealth, shall be excepted out of this Act from Pardon for the said Debts, Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Tenants of delinquent Landlords.

Provided always, That nothing in this Act contained, shall be interpreted to the disadvantage or prejudice of the Tenants of any Delinquent Land-lord, whereby they may not receive redress of their Grievances, as the Parliament shall think fit to Declare and Ordain.

Lord Mansfield, Lord Goring, and others.

Provided, That this Act or any thing therein contained, extend not to pardon the Delinquency of Charls Cavendish, commonly called Charls Viscount Mansfield, eldest son to William Earl of Newcastle; nor to pardon the delinquency of George Lord Goring, or of George Goring or Charls Goring his sons.

Provision for Collectors and Treasurers of Assessments.

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That no Collector, Subcollector or Treasurer appointed by vertue of one Act of Parliament for the raising of Four hundred thousand pounds, Entituled, An Act for the raising and levying of Moneys for the necessary Defence and great Affairs of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and for the Payment of Debts undertaken by the Parliament; or by vertue of one other Act of Parliament, for raising of four intire Subsidies, Entituled, An Act for the Relief of his Majesties Army and the Northern parts of the Kingdom; or by vertue of one other Act for the raising of two intire Subsidies, Entituled, An Act for the further Relief of his Majesties Army and the Northern parts of the Kingdom; or by vertue of one other Act of Parliament, commonly called the Bill for the Poll-money, Entituled, An Act for the speedy provision of Money for disbanding the Armies, and setling the Peace of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, shall be charged with any more Moneys then such as came to his hands; and upon Oath made by him before any one of the Barons of the publique Exchequer, or of the Judges of Assize, That he hath truly accompted for and paid into any Treasury of the Parliament whatsoever Moneys came to his hands, he shall be discharged thereof, and all Proces against him or his Sureties shall be discharged, and no further Proces shall issue for the same: And upon the like Oath shall be also allowed and discharged upon his Accompt, all such Moneys as have been paid by him unto any Committee or Commissioners of Parliament, or any Officer imployed by the Parliament, or have been by Force taken from him, or by Compulsion paid in to the Kings party.

Rents or Debts sequestred.

Provided always and be it Enacted, That where any Rent, Debt or Sum of Money, Sequestrable by any Act or Ordinance of Parliament stands Sequestred by Force or Colour of any such Act or Ordinance upon the first day of March in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred fifty one, and no Appeal or other Prosecution had or commenced within Four years from such Sequestration had, upon which the Sequestration hath been avoided, That then the person and persons to whom such Rent, Debt or Sum of Money was due and payable, their and every of their Executors and Administrators respectively, shall be and are hereby barred for ever to sue or prosecute for the said Rent, Debt or Sum of Money, and every part thereof; as also barred to sue or prosecute upon any Bond, Covenant or other Security had or given for the payment thereof or any part thereof.