April 1647: Ordinance to settle the Militia of London, &c.

April, 1647

[16 April, 1647.]

Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, are hereby authorized to nominate, and to present to both Houses of Parliament, such One and Thirty Persons as they shall think fit, to be a Committee for the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof, and all other Places within the Line of Communication and Weekly Bills of Mortality; and that the said Persons, so nominated and approved, or any Nine of them, be hereby constituted a Committee for the Militia of the City of London and the Liberties thereof, and all other Places within the Line of Communication and the Weekly Bills of Mortality, to be employed and directed, from Time to Time, in such Manner as shall be agreed and appointed by both Houses of Parliament; and that the said Committee, or any Nine of them, shall have the sole Power of ordering and disposing of the said Militia, in the same Manner and Form as the present Committee hath at the passing of this Ordinance; and that the aforesaid Power and Authority hereby granted to the said Committee shall continue for the Space of One whole Year, and no longer; and that all and every Person or Persons who have heretofore acted or done, or hereafter shall act or do, any Act or Thing whatsoever, by virtue of this or any former Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament concerning the said Militia, shall be saved harmless and indemnified concerning the same, by authority of Parliament: Lastly, it is hereby Ordained, That no Citizen of the City of London, nor any of the Forces of the said City or Liberties thereof, shall be drawn forth, or compelled to go out of the said City, or Liberty thereof, for the Military Services without their Free Consent.