April 1645: An Ordinance for the discharging of the Members of both Houses from all Offices both Military and Civil.

April, 1645

[3 April, 1645.]

Members of both Houses discharged from all offices.

Be it Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That all and every of the Members of either House of Parliament shall be, and by Authority of this Ordinance are discharged at the end of forty days after the passing of this Ordinance, of and from all and every Office or Command Military or Civil, granted or conferred by both or either of the said Houses of this present Parliament, or by any Authority derived from both or either of them, since the Twentieth day of November, 1640.

Military and Naval Officers not members of either House to continue in their offices.

And be it further Ordained, That all other Governors and Commanders of any Islands, Town, Castle or Fort and all other Colonels, and Officers inferior to Colonels in the several armies not being Members of either of the said Houses of Parliament, shall according to their respective Commissions continue in their severall Places and Commands wherein they were imployed and entrusted the Twentieth day of March, 1644, as if this Ordinance had not been made. And that the Vice-Admiral, Rere-Admiral, and all other Captains, and other inferior Officers in the Fleetshall according to their several and respective Commissions continue in their several Places and Commands wherein they were imployed and entrusted the said twentieth day of March, 1644, as if this Ordinance had not been made.

Benefit of all offices not military or judicial hereafter granted to be for public uses.; Grantees to have salary only.

Provided always, and it is further Ordained and Declared, That during this War, the benefit of all Offices, being neither Military nor Judicial, hereafter to be granted, or any way to be appointed to any person or persons by both or either House of Parliament, or by Authority derived from thence, shall go, and inure to such publique uses as both Houses of Parliament shall appoint; And the Grantees and persons executing all such Offices shall be accomptable to the Parliament for all the profits and perquesities thereof, and shall have no profit out of such Office, other then a competent sallary for the execution of the same, in such manner as both Houses of Parliament shall Order and Ordain.

Proviso; Certain Members of both Houses excepted..

Provided, That this Ordinance shall not extend to take away the Power and Authority of any Lieutenancy, or Deputy Lieutenancy, in the several Counties, Cities or Places; or of any Custos Rotulorum, or of any Commission for Justice of Peace, or Sewers or any Commission of Oyer and Terminer, or Gaol delivery

Provided always, and it is hereby Declared, That those Members of either House, who had Offices by grant from His Majesty before this Parliament, and were by His Majesty displaced sitting this Parliament, and have since by Authority of both Houses been restored, shall not by this Ordinance be discharged from their said Offices or Profits thereof, but shall enjoy the same. Any thing in this Ordinance to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.