A COMMISSION To the Right Honourable RICHARD Lord Viscount RANELAGH AND OTHERS, To be Commissioners FOR THE MANAGING OF His Majesty's TREASURY and REVENUE IN IRELAND.  
In the SAVOY, Printed by Tho. Newcomb, 1673.   


C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT  royal blazon or coat of arms of Charles II  

His Majesty King Charles the II. directs this Commission to Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, and eight other principal Commissioners; and in their respective absence to nine others.  CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To Our Right Trusty, and Right Well-beloved Cousin, Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh; Our Trusty and Well-beloved, Sir Alexander Bence, and Sir James Hayes, Knights; John Bence, George Dashwod, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon, Esquires; and in the absence of the said Lord Viscount Ranelagh, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Robert Sands Esquire, and in the absence of the said Sir Alexander Bence, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Thomas Tailor Esquire; and in the absence of the said Sir James Hayes, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved John Hayes Esquire; and in the absence of the said John Bence, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Thomas Scarth Merchant; and in the absence of the said George Dashwood, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Edward Robert's Esquire; and in the absence of the said Joseph Dean, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Joseph Dean the younger Gentleman; and in the absence of the said Robert Huntingdon, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Griffith Bodurda Esquire; and in the absence of the said John Stepney, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Lancelot Stepney Gentleman; and in the absence of the said Richard Kingdon, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved John Winkworth Esquire; Greeting. 
Recital of a Grant (to Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, and eight others, of all His Majesty's Revenue in Ireland) Dated. August 4. 1673.  WHEREAS, by an Indenture, bearing date the fourth day of August last passed, before the date of these presents, and made between Ourselves of the one part, and you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon of the other part; We were Graciously pleased amongst other things, to Covenant, Grant, and Agree to and with you the said Richard Lord Visc. Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir james Hayes, john Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Rich. Kingdon, and every of you, you and every of your Heirs, Executors and Administrators, that there should be from time to time, during the term in the said Indenture mentioned, such and so many Commissions issued out under Our Great Seal of England, and directed to you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon; the survivors, or survivor of you; or the Executors, or Administrators of the survivor of you, or such other discreet, able, and fit Persons, as you shall humbly desire (which Commissions so to be issued out, should sufficiently authorise and empower the Persons therein to be named, to act as our Officers) as should be found necessary to be done in the managing of, and for the better and more speedy Levying, Collecting, Sueing for, Recovering and Receiving, or otherwise Compounding for, and Discharging of all and every our Rents, Revenues, Profits, Duties, Incomes, certain and casual, ordinary and extraordinary whatsoever, in the Kingdom of Ireland (not remitted or pardoned, or otherwise before the Five and twentieth day of December than last passed, granted away and disposed) as well such, as upon, or before the Five and twentieth day of December than last passed, were in arrear, and were then unpaid, as such as from and after the said time, until the six and twentieth day of December, which should be in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred seventy and five, were, or should be, by any matter of Record or otherwise howsoever, due, owing, or payable to us, or which might, or aught to have been, or may, before the said Six and twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred seventy and five, be Taxed, Levied, Collected, Recovered, Answered for, paid or payable to us, our Heirs or Successors, out of or for any Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments in Ireland, or all or any the Estates Real or Personal, of any Person or Persons, Bodies Politic or Corporate, or otherwise, by reason of any Tax, Assessment, Subsidy, Impositions, Contract, Covenant, Agreement, Account, Debt, Duty, sum or sums of Money, matter or thing imposed or made, or issued, or which did or should arise, or grow due within the said Kingdom of Ireland, before the said six and twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred seventy and five, including the Rents, Duties, and Payments, which should be due for the time incurred before the said six and twentieth day of December, One thousand six hundred seventy and five, though the same may be payable, or Instalments made, or time given for the payment thereof, after that day; and that all and every the sums of Money then due, or which at any time after the date of the said Indenture, and before the six and twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred seventy five, should grow due or payable to us, Our Heirs or Successors, whether for Rent reserved upon the Farm of the great Branches of Our Revenue in Ireland, or for Arrears, or otherwise howsoever, should from time to time during the term in the said Indenture mentioned, answered, and brought into Our Receipt of Exchequer at Dublin, in such manner as the same had been before that time used to be paid, and would and ought to have been paid, if the said Indenture had not been made, to the end, that our Treasure so brought in, and remaining in Our Exchequer there, might from time to time he issued out from thence, and applied to such Uses, Intents and Purposes, as in the said Indenture are mentioned, and thereby are undertaken to be done and performed; and that for the better effecting thereof, and more orderly and legal proceeding therein, We would forthwith in due form of Law, Constitute, Authorise, Commissionate and Appoint, the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, 
His Majesty by the said Grant, did covenant to a●●●at the said Rich. Lord Visc. Ranelagh, Sir Alex. Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood, to Receive and Issue His Majesty's Revenue.  Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood, to be our Officers or Commissioners, and to have the sole care and custody of all Moneys so brought in, and the sole power to receive the said Moneys from time to time, and give Acquittances and Discharges for the same, and to issue out the said Moneys, and pay the same to the ends and uses in the said Indenture mentioned, with such Clauses to be inserted in such Commission as may be sufficient totally to prohibit and restrain any other Person or Persons, from acting, or any way intermeddling therein, upon any other pretence of authority whatsoever, during the continuance of the said Undertaking in the said Indenture mentioned.  
AND We were further Graciously pleased, by the said Indenture, to Covenant and Agree, to and with you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood, that all Orders, Warrants, Directions, and Commands, which at any time after the date of the said Indenture, and before the six and twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred seventy and five, should be made and signed, touching or concerning the issuing out of any moneys for paying any part of Our said Revenue, should be so made and signed by the Lord Lieutenant or other chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being, and be directed to you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood only, to the intent that you the said Richard Lord Visc. Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood, might wholly apply the said Moneys to the uses and intents of the said Indenture, and to the execution and performance of the undertaking in the said Indenture mentioned, as in and by the said Indenture, amongst divers other Covenants, Clauses, and Agreements therein contained, may more plainly appear.  

Lord Viscount Ranelagh and his Partners have humbly besought His Majesty to appoint all the said▪ artners, and in their respective absence, nine other persons to be Commissioners of the Treasury and Revenue.  AND, whereas you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon, have since humbly besought us, that you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, and in your absence the said Robert Sands, Sir Alexander Bence, and in your absence the said Thomas Tailor, Sir James Hayes, and in your absence the said John Hayes, john Bence, and in your absence the said Thomas Scarth, George Dashwood, and in your absence the said Edward Roberts, joseph Dean, and in your absence the said joseph Dean the younger, Robert Huntingdon, and in your absence the said Griffith Bodurda, john Stepney, and in your absence the said Lancelott Stepney, and Richard Kingdon, and in your absence, the said john Winkworth, should have all and every the Powers and Authorities by us Covenanted in and by the said Indenture, to be by us granted unto you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, and George Dashwood.  

The Body of the Commission whereby all the nine Partners, and nine others in their respective absence are appointed Commissioners  NOW therefore Know ye, That We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Abilities, Fidelity, and prudent Circumspection, HAVE Nominated, Constituted and Appointed, and by these Presents do Nominate, Constitute, and Appoint you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, and in your absence, you the said Robert Sands, Sir Alexander Bence; and in your absence, you the said Thomas Tailor, Sir James Hayes; and in your absence, you the said John Hayes, John Bence; and in your absence you the said Thomas Scarth, George Dashwood; and in your absence you the said Edward Roberts, Joseph Dean; and in your absence, you the said Joseph Dean the younger, Robert Huntingdon; and in your absence, you the said Griffith Bodurda, John Stepney; and in your absence, you the said Lancelot Stepney, and Richard Kingdon; and in your absence, you the said John Winkworth, to be Our Commissioners accordingly: 
Power given to the Commissioners, and every of them or these employed by them, to view, search, examine, and take Copies of any Records or Writings concerning the premises, without paying of any Fee for the same.  GIVING, and by these Presents Granting unto you, and every of you, and to all and every other Person and. Persons employed by you, or any of you, full power and authority, at all convenient times, and in orderly manner, to view, inspect, search and examine, all Rolls, Records, Books, Accounts, Papers, and other Memorials whatsoever, remaining in Our Courts of Exchequer, or in any other Our Courts of Record, or in the Clerks of our respective Councils custody, or in any other place, or in the hands of any other Person belonging to us within Our Realm of England, or Our said Kingdom of Ireland, touching or concerning the premises, and which may any ways conduce to the finding out of all such Rents, and other the Premises, as shall be due, owing, and unpaid, as aforesaid, and to take Copies of the same or any of them, the said Copies to be made by the respective Officers or Persons in whose custody the same do or shall remain, or by their Clerks or Servants, without any Fee, or other charge to be paid for the same. 
Power to five or more of the Commissioners to meet and call before them such Persons as they shall judge requisite for the discovery and recovering of the premises, and any Writing or evidence belonging to His Majesty concerning the same, and to examine him or them touching the same.  AND further, We do hereby Give and Grant unto you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, or any five or more of you, such convenient times and places as you shall think fit and appoint, full power and authority to meet together, and to call before you all or any such Person or Persons, as you shall judge requisite or necessary, in relation to, or concerning the discovery and finding out and recovering of the Premises, or any of them, so due and unpaid as aforesaid, and any Writing or Evidence belonging to Us concerning the same, and to examine him, them, or any of them, 
To inquire by the oaths of good and lawful men, or by other lawful means, as well by examining witnesses upon oath, as otherwise, whereby the truth may be best discovered.  touching or concerning the same, and to inquire, and cause to be enquired by the Oaths of good and lawful Men, or by any other lawful ways or means, by which the truth may be best discovered and known, as well by examining Witnesses upon Oath as otherwise. And if after such search and examination made, it shall happen, that any Person or Persons who shall be found in Arrear, 
If after search or examination any person be found in Arrear, and indebted unto His Majesty, and shall desire to defend himself by Law, rather than submit to, or give security for the payment thereof, by instalments, to certify the same into the Exchequer, and to cause them to be effectually proceeded against according to Law.  and Indebted unto Us in any sum or sums of Money, for any the Rents, Revenues, and Profits, or other the Premises before mentioned, shall desire to defend him or themselves by Law against the Debts and Duties so found to be owing, and then and there demanded of him, rather than submit to the payment thereof, or give security for payment of the same by such instalments as shall be offered to him or them; then, and in such case, Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith Transmit and Certify the name or names of such Person or Persons not submitting to such payment, or giving security as aforesaid, into the Court of Our Exchequer at Dublin, and that you cause him or them to be effectually proceeded against according to Law: And to the end Our Will and Pleasure may be the better performed and accomplished, and the Money so due and in Arrear, may the more speedily and effectually be Recovered, Levied, 
The chief Governor of Ireland, and others whom it may concern, are in His Majesty's name, at the request of the Commissioners, to issue Commissions Writs and Processes (without any Fee) for recovery and bringing in of His Majesty's Revenue and Debts, according to the course of the Exchequer, wherein all His Majesty's Officers and Ministers are to be aiding and assisting.  and paid as aforesaid, OUR FURTHER Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby Authorise, Command, and Require Our Lord Lieutenant, Justices, or chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, Our Treasurer, Chancellor, and Barons of Our Court of Exchequer there, for the time being, and all others whom it shall or may concern, that they and every of them during the continuance of this Our Commission in force, at the desire and request of you Our said Commissioners or any of you, do award, make, and deliver unto you or any of you, without charge or Fee, all and every such Commission and Commissions of Enquiry, Writ and Writs, Process and other proceed whatsoever, in the name of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, as shall or may be necessary for the more speedy recovery, bringing in, and Levying of all and every Our said Rents, Revenues, Profits, and other the Premises, and are agreeable to, and may stand and consist with the ancient course and practice of Our said Court of Exchequer, heretofore used for the recovery of Debts due and owing to Us, or any of Our Royal Progenitors or Predecessors, and that they and every of them, as also all Sheriffs, Bailiffs, and other Our inferior Officers and Ministers in their several and respective places, be from time to time aiding and assisting to you Our said Commissioners, and every of you, in obeying such Precepts, as from time to time shall be directed to them, and in the execution of the premises as becometh. AND FURTHER, in pursuance of a Covent in that behalf, in the said Indenture mentioned, and at the aforesaid humble supplication of you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon, and of Our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere motion, in consideration of the assured Trust and Confidence we repose in you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, 
Power to the Commissioners, or any five or more of them, whereof one to be always of each division; the whole eighteen being divided in three divisions, six in a division, to execute and exercise the Offices and Places of the Treasurer, Receiver-General, and Treasurer at Wars, from the date hereof, until the 26 of December 1675.  We have Given and Granted, and by these Presents do Give and Grant to you Our said Commissioners, and to any five or more of you, or which five or more of you We Will that of you the said Richard Lord Viscount Ranelagh, Sir james Hayes, john Bence, Robert Sands, John Hayes, or Thomas Scarth, there shall be always one; and of which said five or more of you, We also Will, that of you the said George Dashwood, Robert Huntingdon, Richard Kingdon, Edward Roberts, Griffith Bodurda, or John Winkeworth, there shall be always one; AND of which five or more of you, We likewise Will, that of you the said Sir Alexander Bence, Joseph Dean, John Stepney, Thomas Tayler, Joseph Dean the younger, or Lancelot Stepney, there shall be always one full Power and Authority to exercise and execute the several Places and Offices of Vice-Treasurer, and General-Receiver of all Our Revenues, Profits and Casualties whatsoever, that be or shall be due to Us, Our Heirs or Successors, from time to time within Our said Kingdom of Ireland; and also to exercise and execute the Office and Place of Treasurer at Wars within Our said Kingdom of Ireland, from the day of the date of these Presents, until the twenty sixth day of December, which shall be in the year of Our Lord One thousand six hundred seventy and five, by yourselves, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or by the sufficient Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or of any such five or more of you as aforesaid, in as full and ample manner, to all intents and purposes as any Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars, have done or might do the same; AND whereas the said Lord Viscount Ranelagh, 
A Clause in pursuance of a Covenant in the Indenture, dated the 4 of August (71) for payment of the Vice-Treasurers Fees) for enabling the Commissioners to receive the Fees due to the Vice-Treasurer, Receiver-general, and Treasurer at Wars, for the said use.  Sir Alexander Bence, Sir James Hayes, John Bence, George Dashwood, Joseph Dean, Robert Huntingdon, John Stepney, and Richard Kingdon, have Covenanted with Us, that you will pay unto the Vice-Treasurer of Ireland for the time being, during the time or this your undertaking, all the Fees and Perquisites, due unto and usually received by the Vice-Treasurer. NOW the better to enable you to pay to Our Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars of Our said Kingdom of Ireland for the time being, all the said Profits and Fees so undertaken by you to be paid, and all other Profits, Casualties and Fees, which Our Vice-Treasurer, Receiver-General, and Treasurer at Wars ought to have had for all or any Moneys which shall by you or any five or more of you, or your Deputy or Deputies be paid during this your undertaking, or afterwards, by virtue of, or in pursuance of this your undertaking, if the same had been paid by Our Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars, of Our said Kingdom of Ireland for the time being, to the intent, and upon Trust and Confidence, that you shall pay the same accordingly. We do further Will and Grant, that during the time aforesaid, and until the said twenty sixth day of December, One thousand six hundred seventy and five, you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the sufficient Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or of such five or more of you as aforesaid, Do and shall Demand, Take, Receive, and Have all and singular the Fees, Rights, Privileges, Profits, Perquisites, Commodities, Advantages, and Casualties whatsoever; unto the said Offices of Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars, every or any of them, by any ways or means, by Right belonging or appertaining, and in as large, ample, and beneficial manner, as any Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, or Treasurer at Wars within Our said Kingdom of Ireland, hath or aught to have, had, held, taken, perceived, received, used, or enjoyed, or unto the said Places or Offices, every or any of them belonging or appertaining; AND We do also hereby, upon the Trust aforesaid, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Grant that it shall and may be lawful to, and for you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or to the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or of any such five or more of you as aforesaid, to demand take and receive of our loving Subjects, to whom you our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, shall deliver and pay any sum or sums of Money, within Our said Kingdom of Ireland, by virtue or reason of the exercising or executing of the said Place or Office of Vice-Treasurer, and General-Receiver and Treasurer at Wars, the Fee or Sum of Sixpence of lawful English Money, for every twenty shillings of like Money of England, that you Our said Commissioners or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, shall pay to any of Our Subjects within Our said Kingdom of Ireland, in as large, free, and ample manner, as any Vice-Treasurer, or General-Receiver of Our said Kingdom of Ireland, hath Demanded, Received, and Taken the same; 
Power to the Commissioners, or any five or more of them as aforesaid, to have the custody of, and to receive and give Acquittances for his Majesty's whole Revenue, (whereof Entries are to be made with one of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer, or Clerk of the Bells) and to issue the same to the uses of the said Indenture.  AND We further Will and Grant, that you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, have the sole Care and Custody of all Moneys to be paid and payable to Us in the said Indenture mentioned, and the sole power to receive the said Moneys from time to time, and to give Acquittances and Discharges for the same, which shall be as sufficient discharges to the Subjects, paying the said Moneys, as any Acquittances heretofore given, and commonly called Exchequer Acquittances, have, and aught to be, to all intents and purposes pleadable in Law and Equity, by all Our loving Subjects, taking and producing the same, so as the same be entered in the usual manner with one of the Chamberlains of Our said Exchequer, and the Clerk of the Bells, and to issue out the said Moneys, and pay the same, 
The Lord Angier, and all others are prohibited to act or intermeddle herein on any pretence whatsoever, during the continuance of the undertaking mentioned in the said Indenture.  to the ends and uses in the said Indenture mentioned; AND We do hereby strictly prohibit and restrain Francis Lord Angier, Our Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars in Our said Kingdom of Ireland, his Deputy or Deputies, and all and every other Person and Persons from acting, or any ways intermeddling therein, upon any pretence of Commission or Commissions, or other Authority whatsoever, during the continuance of the said undertaking in the said Indenture mentioned. 
All Orders, Warrants, and Directions for the payment of any Money, to be directed to the said Commissioners, to the end the same may be wholly applied to the ends and uses of the said Indenture.  AND WE do further Will and Declare Our Royal pleasure to be, That all Orders, Warrants, Directions, and Commands, which at any time after the date of the said Indenture, and before the said six and twentieth day of December in the year of Our Lord One thousand six hundred seventy and five, shall be made and Signed, touching or concerning the issuing out of any Moneys for paying any part of Our said Revenue, shall be so Made and Signed by the Lord Lieutenant, or other chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being, and be directed unto you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, only to the intent that you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, may wholly apply the said Moneys, to the uses and intents of the said recited Indenture, and to the execution and performance of the undertaking therein mentioned. AND OUR FURTHER Will and Pleasure is, 
The Commissioners are directed within forty days after the end of every Quarter, to pay the Fees to the Vice-Treasurer for the time being.  and We do hereby Will and Require you Our said Commissioners hereby appointed, or any such five or more or you as aforesaid, or the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, from time to time, during the continuance of the undertaking in the said recited Indenture mentioned, quarterly, or within forty days after each quarter, well and truly to pay, or cause to be paid unto Our Vice-Treasurer of Ireland for the time being, all and every the usual and accustomed Fees and Profits, for, and in respect of any sum or sums of Money, by you Our said Commissioners, or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, or by the Deputy or Deputies of you Our said Commissioners, 
The Office of the Receipt, and the lower Rooms of the New Custom-house at Dublin, for the executing of this Commission are granted to the Commissioners, and are to be delivered unto them, Fitted and Repaired at His Majesty's charge. The Commission under the Great Seal, bears date at Westminster the _____ day of _____ in the 23 year of His Majesty's Reign.  or any such five or more of you as aforesaid, to be issued and paid out as aforesaid, as Our Vice-Treasurer, General-Receiver, and Treasurer at Wars for the time being, could, or aught to have received, if such Warrants had been directed unto, or such payments had been made by him. AND for the more ease and convenience in the executing of this Our Commission, We do hereby Allow and Grant unto you, not only the use of the Office of the Receipt, but also of the lower Rooms of Our New Custom-house at Dublin, which We hereby Require and Order to be forthwith delivered to you, and be Fitted and Repaired at Our proper Costs and Charges.  
In witness, etc. Witness, etc.  
FINIS.