December 1646: An Ordinance touching the alteration and explanation of the Oath formerly appointed to be taken by the Surveyors of Bishops Lands.

December, 1646

[24 December, 1646.]

Be it hereby Ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that instead of the Oath formerly appointed to be taken by Surveyors of the Bishops Lands, this Oath following shall be taken by them respectively, In Hæc verba:

The Surveyors Oath.

I A. B. do swear, that I will faithfully and truely according to my best skill and knowledge, execute the place of Surveyors according to the purport of two several Ordinances, The one entituled, An Ordinance of Parliament for the abolishing of Archbishops and Bishops within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, and for setling of their Lands and possessions upon Trustees, for the use of the Commonwealth. The other intituled, An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for appointing the sale of the Bishops Lands for the use of the Common wealth; and according to the Instructions thereunto added, I shall use my best endeavour and skill to discover the estate therein mentioned, and every part thereof, which shall be given me in charge, and to finde out the true values and improvements thereof, and thereof shall make true Surveys, according to my best skill and cunning; and the same from time to time deliver in writing close sealed up, unto Henry Elsyng Esquire Register in that behalf appointed, together with a true Copy or Duplicate thereof likewise close sealed up, unto the said Trustees or any two of them, according to the true intent and meaning of the said recited Ordinances; and this I shall justly and faithfully execute, without any gift or reward, directly or indirectly, from any person or persons whatsoever, except such allowances as the said Trustees, or the major part of them shall think fit to make unto me for my pains and charges in the executing of the said Place or Office.

The Trustees to call Surveyors to accompt and remove those that are defective or unfaithfull.; The Duplicates of the Surveys to be delivered to the Register when all the Lands are sold.; The Trustees or any imployed by them not to make any copies.

And be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Trustees, or the major part of them shall have power, and are hereby authorized from time to time, to call to accompt any Surveyor or Surveyors, or other Officers by them named and appointed. And if they shall finde them, or any of them defective or unfaithfull in performance of the Duties or Trust in them reposed then to remove them, or any of them which they shall so find defective or unfaithfull, and to nominate and appoint others in their steads. Nevertheless, it is hereby Ordained and Declared That the Copies or Duplicates of all Surveys to be returned to the said Trustees as aforesaid, so soon as Assurances shall be made to the Purchasers of the Lands, or other things therein contained, shall forthwith be delivered over by the said Trustees, or the major part of them, unto the Register aforesaid, to be bundled up and safely kept by him in like manner as the other part of the said Surveys returned to him by the said Surveyors is appointed to be kept. And that the said Trustees, or any imployed by them, do not make entry of, or at any time make or deliver out any Copies of the said Duplicates for the use and benefit of any private or particular person, or otherwise, to the prejudice of the said Register.

And be it lastly ordained, That this present Ordinance shall be Printed, and published in all Counties, and other Cities, Towns Corporate, Parishes, Towns, Hamblets, and other places where the said Trustees, or the major part of them shall think fit. And that the care of the true Printing thereof is hereby referred to the said Trustees, or the major part of them