July, 1659: An Act for Reviving an Act impowering Judges for Probate of Wills, and Granting Administrations.

July, 1659

[13 July, 1659.]

All Popish priests, Jesuits, and delinquents that have not compounded or been pardoned to depart from London, etc.

Be it Enacted and Declared, and it is hereby Enacted and Declared by this Parliament, That all Popish Priests and Jesuits and all Persons who so ever, that have been in Arms against the Parliament or Commonwealth, since the year One thousand six hundred forty one, that ought to have made their Compositions, and have not finished the same, or have not been pardoned by this Parliament, and all Delinquents excepted from Composition, do forthwith depart out of the Cities of London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication.

Any such found there after 15 July to be proceeded against as traitors.

And be it further Enacted, That if any such Person or Persons, as aforesaid, shall after the fifteenth day of July, One thousand six hundred fifty nine, be found or taken within the said Cities of London and Westminster, or Lines of Communication, or within twenty miles of the said Cities, That then every such Person or Persons shall be proceeded against as Traytors and Enemies to the Commonwealth, and Judgment and Execution shall be thereupon had accordingly.

Or if found in England after 1 Aug., 1659, to be dealt with in like manner.

And be it further Enacted, That if any the aforesaid person or persons shall be found within England after the First day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred fifty nine, That then all and every such person or persons, being apprehended or taken, shall be proceeded against as Traytors to the Commonwealth, and so shall be Judged, Condemned, and executed accordingly.

Exception for delinquents giving security.

Provided always, That liberty is hereby granted to all or any one of the aforesaid Delinquents, to render themselves to the Council of State, within the afore said dayes and times limited respectively, and giving sufficient security to the Council of State, for their Submission to the Government of a Commonwealth, and for their peaceable and quiet living and demeanor under such Government as afore-said, the said Council of State hereby have power to allow them such Liberty and Protection, as to them shall seem fit; And what shall be granted to them, or any of them by the said Council of State, shall be sufficient to Free and Preserve any such person or persons from the penalty of this Act, any thing therein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

Persons suspected of treason may be seized after day named.

And it is, and shall be lawful, to, and for all Officers, Civil and Military, and all private Souldiers, and others, after the daies limited in this Act respectively, to Attach, Seize, and Apprehend any person or persons suspected to be guilty of the Treasons aforesaid, and them to carry before a Justice of the Peace, or other Officer authorized, who are hereby required forthwith to examine and Imprison every such person, if they see cause, to the end that such person or persons may be proceeded against according to law.

Reward for apprehension of such persons.

And it is also hereby Declared, That if any Person or Persons shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be apprehended any such person offending as aforesaid, he or they for so doing, shall have and receive the sum of ten pounds, and such further reward as the Council of State shall judge meet, in reference to the Service done to the Commonwealth thereby, and who are hereby authorized to direct such payments out of the Contingencies of the said Council.