THREE ORDINANCES, DECLARATIONS and VOTES of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT, For the present assessing of all such within the Cities of London, Westminster, and the Borough of Southwark, that have not contributed upon the propositions of both Houses of Parliament.  
With the Additionall instructions to the Lord Maior, etc. and the Assessors and Collectors of the said Contributions.  
Die Martis 20 Decemb. 1642.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that these Ordinances, Declarations & Votes be forthwith printed and published.  
I. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.  
LONDON, Printed for john Wright in the Old-baily, Decemb. 22. 1642.   

An Ordinance and Declaration of the Lords and Commons in Parliament.  
WHereas the King seduced by wicked Council hath raised war against the Parliament, and great numbers of Forces are daily raised under the command of Papists and other ill affected persons, by Commissions from his Majesty; and whereas divers Delinquents are protected from public Justice by His Majesty's Army, and sundry outrages and rapines are daily committed by the Soldiers of the said Army, who have no respect to the Laws of God, or the Land: but burn and plunder the houses and seize and destroy the persons and goods of divers His Majesty's good Subjects; And whereas for the maintenance of the said army divers assessments are made upon several Counties and his Majesty's Subjects are compelled by the Soldiers to pay the same, which said army if it should continue would soon ruin and waste the whole Kingdom, and overthrow Religion, Law, and Liberty; For suppressing of which said army and ill affected persons there's no probable way under God but by the army raised by authority of the Parliament; which said army so raised cannot be maintained without great sums of money, yet for raising such sums by reason of his Majesty's withdrawing himself from the advice of the Parliament, there can be no act of Parliament passed with his Majesty's assent, albeit there is great Justice that the said moneys should be raised. The Lords and Commons in Parliament having taken the same into their serious consideration, and knowing that the said army so raised by them hath been hitherto for the most part maintained by the voluntary contributions of divers well affected persons, who have freely contributed according to their abilities.  
But considering there are divers others within the Cities of London, and Westminster, and the Suburbs of the same, and also within the Borough of Southwark, that have not contributed at all towards the maintenance of the said army, or if they have, yet, not answerable to their Estates, who notwithstanding receive benefit and protection by the same army aswell as any others, and therefore 'tis most just that they should aswell as others be charged to contribute to the maintenance thereof.  
Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by authority thereof; That Isaac Pennington Lord Major of the City of London, Sir john Wollaston Knight and Alderman, Alderman Towes, Alderman Warner, Alderman Andrew's, Alderman Chambers, Alderman Fowke, Sir Thomas Soams Knight and Alderman, Samuel Vassell, john Venn, Morris Thompson, and Richard Warring, Citizens; or any four of them shall hereby have power and authority to nominate, and appoint in every Ward within the City of London, fix such persons as they, or any four of them, shall think fit, which said six so nominated, or any four of them, shall hereby have power to inquire of any that shall remain, or be within the said several Wards that have not contributed upon the propositions of both houses of parliament, concerning the raising of money, plate, horse, horsemen, and arms, for defence of the King and both houses of parliament, and also of such as are able men, that have contributed, yet not according to their estates and abilities. And the said six persons so nominated or any four of them within their several and respective Wards and limits, shall have power to assess such person and persons, as are of ability and have not contributed, and also such as have contributed, yet not according to their ability, to pay such sum or sums of money according to their estates, as the said assessors or any four of them shall think fit and reasonable, so as the same exceed not the twentieth part of their estates, and to nominate and appoint fit persons for the collection thereof: and if any person so assessed shall refuse to pay the money assessed upon him, It shall be lawful to and for the said assessors and collectors, or any of them to levy the said sum so assessed by way of distress and sale of the goods of the person so assessed, and refusing; and if any person so distreined shall make resistance, It shall be lawful to and for the respective assessors and collectors or any of them, to call to their assistance any the Trained bands of the said City of London, or any other his Majesty's Subjects, who are hereby required to be aiding and assisting to the said assessors and collectors in the premises; and it is hereby farther ordained, that the respective Burgesses of Westminster and Southwark, together with the several Committees appointed for the subscriptions of money, plate, horse, horsemen, and arms within the said City and Borough, shall respectively have power hereby to nominate Sessors for the same City and Borough, in such manner as the Lord Major, etc. hath for the City of London, and the said assessors or any four of them to name Collectors as aforesaid; Which said assessors and Collectors shall have the same power respectively within their respective limits, as those to be nominated within the said City of London have hereby limited to them. And for the Suburbs of London and Westminster, the respective Knights of the shire where the said suburbs are, shall have hereby the like power to name assessors, and they so named, or any four of them, and the collectors by them to be nominated, or any of them within their respective limits, shall have the like power respectively, as the assessors and collectors for London have by virtue of this Ordinance. And be it ordained that the sums so assessed and levied as aforesaid shall be paid in at Guild-Hall London to the hands of Sir john Wollaston Knight, John Warner, John Towes and Thomas Andrews Aldermen, or any two of them; and the assessors and collectors to be nominated by virtue hereof shall weekly report to the committee of the House of Commons, for the propositions aforesaid what sums of money have been assessed, and what sums have been levied weekly according to the purport hereof, and the said moneys so levied and paid in shall be issued forth in such sort as the other moneys raised upon the propositions aforesaid, and not otherwise.  

Die Martis, 29 Novemb. 1642.  
WHereas a late Ordinance is passed by both houses of Parliament for the reasons therein declared, for the assessing of all such persons within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof, with the Borough of Southwark, as have not contributed upon the propositions of both houses of parliament, for raising of money, plate, horse, horsemen, and arms, for defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom, or have not contributed proportionably to their estates and abilities. And whereas it is though fit that some additions be made for further explanation and better execution of the said Ordinance: Be it further ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons assembled in parliament, that such persons as shall be assessed by the respective assessors in the said Ordinance appointed, and shall within six days next after notice given to them, or left at their several houses within the said Cities, Suburbs, or Borrough, pay in the one moiety of the said sums of money so assessed and within twelve days after the said notice given as aforesaid, the other moiety thereof, unto the Treasurers of money and plate in Guildhall London, or unto the Collectors appointed by the said Ordinance, respectively to receive the same, that then the said treasurers, or collectors, shall give acquitances for the same, as hath been done to such who have lent moneys or plate, upon the propositions of both houses as aforesaid. And the said moneys so paid to the said treasurers, or to the said several Collectors, shall be repaid upon the public Faith, as all other moneys lent upon the said propositions of both houses. And as for those who shall so far discover their disaffection, as not to bring in the several sums of money so assessed upon them to the persons before appointed, within the times limited, that then their goods shall be distrained and sold according to the said Ordinance. And if no sufficient distress be found, that then the said Collectors shall respectively have power to inquire of any sum or sums of money due, or to be due unto them respectively so assessed from any person or persons for any Rents, tithes, Goods, or Debts, or for any other thing or cause whatsoever.  
And the said respective Collectors shall have power by virtue of this Ordinance, to receive all or any part of the said sums due, or to be due unto them, or any of them so assessed, until the full value of the sum or sums so assessed, and the charges in levying and recovering of the same shall be received and satified; And the said respective Collectors shall have further power to compound for any of the said Rents, Tithes, Goods or Debts, due unto the said person so assessed respectively as aforesaid, with any person or persons by whom the said Rents, Tithes, Goods, or Debts, are or shall be owing, as also to give full and ample discharge for the Money by them so received, upon composition or otherwise, which discharges shall be good and effectual to all intents and purposes. And if the sum or sums of Money so assessed cannot be levied by any of these means or ways, than the persons so respectively assessed, shall be imprisoned in such places of this Kingdom, and for so long time as the Committee of the House of Commons for the Examinations, shall appoint and order: and the families of all such persons so imprisoned, shall no longer remain within the Cities of London and Westminster, the Suburbs, and the Counties adjacent.  
And be it further ordained, that all and every the assessors and Collectors, of the said several sums, shall have the protection of both Houses of Parliament, for their indemnity in this service, and receive such reasonable allowances for their pains taken, and charges disbursed or to be disbursed therein as the Committee of Lords and Commons for advance of Money and other necessaries for the army, raised by the Parliament, shall apportion and appoint.   

A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.  
Die Mercurii, 7 Decemb. 1642.  
WHereas in and by a late Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, It is ordained for the cause therein expressed, that all persons of ability within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Suburbs of the same; and also within the Borough of Southwark, who have not at all, or not answerable to their estates, contributed towards th● maintenance of the army raised by authority of this present Parliament, shall be assessed in such manner and proportion as in the said Ordinance is directed; of which the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament do expect a vigorous and speedy execution: but finding some doubt to be raised upon the point of time, whether that clause of not contributing at all, or not in proportion to their estates, be meant of not contributing before the passing of the said Ordinance in both houses of Parliament, or to be extended to any time before the assessing of them, and giving them notice of it, in such manner as in the said Ordinance is appointed. We the said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, do hereby declare, That if any person or persons who have not contributed at all, or not answerable to their estates, shall before any assessment of them be made, and notice thereof left at their Houses, according to the said Ordinance, contribute towards the maintenance of the said Army, by loan or otherwise, according to their several and respective estates, as others well-affected have already done, without evasion or collusion, every such person so contributing, shall be accepted as doing an acceptable service to the Commonwealth, & be freed from the payment of all and every tax and assessment of him to be made by the Assessors, authorized by the said Ordinance for that purpose; as likewise from all distresses, imprisonment, and other Punishments to be inflicted by virtue of the said Ordinance, or any addition to, or explanation made of it, for the not paying of any such assessments: And hereof all such Assessors and Collectors, are hereby required to take notice. And for this end, It is ordered by the said Lords and Commons, that this Declaration be forthwith printed and published.   

VOTES Of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, for the better enabling of the Lord Major to put their said Ordinance in execution.  
Die Mercurii, 7. Decemb. 1642.  
Resolved upon the Question.  
THat the Lord Major and other persons named in the Ordinance, shall have power to nominate and appoint six other persons to be Assessors in the several Wards of Farringdon without and Cripplegate, and as many in other Wards as shall be cause.  
Resolved upon the question.  
THat the Lord Major, and the other persons named in the said Ordinance, shall have power to nominate two persons to be Assessors in the several privileged places within the several Wards.   

Die Mercurii 14. Decemb. 1642. An Ordinance, made by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for the better and more speedy execution of the late Ordinance of Novemb. 29. 1642.  
WHereas according to an Ordinance and Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, of the 29 of November last, the persons whose names are subscribed, are appointed and since approved of by both Houses of Parliament, to be Assessors and Collectors of It is now ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. And the said persons, are hereby required and authorized, upon the Receipt of this order, forthwith to proceed, effectually and diligently, to execute the said Ordinance, according to the tenor thereof, in every behalf, without omission, favour, dread, malice, or any other thing, to be attempted, by them, or any of them, to the contrary thereof: And for that end, It is further ordained and declared: That the said assessors shall hereby have authority to call before them, as well such persons, as they shall think fit to their assistance: as also, all or any such persons, as are to be assessed. And the said assessors shall appoint the said collectors in their several Divisions and Precincts, for gathering the sums that shall be assessed; and give notice of the sum and sums of money, at which every person in their divisions and precincts shall be particularly assessed.  
And whereas it is expressed, in the said Ordinance, (so as the assessment exceed not the twentieth part of the estates of the persons to be assessed) It is hereby declared, for prevention of all inequality in the said assessment: That if the said assessors, or any four of them, proceeding in their assessment according to their judgements, and best information, shall assess any person above the twentieth part of his estate; and that the person so assessed, doth find himself grieved with the same assessing or rating; that then the party so assessed (paying one moiety of the sum he shall be assessed at, within six days next after assessment, and notice thereof given, or left at the dwelling house of the party so assessed) may, (during six days, after his having paid the said moiety, as aforesaid) have liberty, and may address himself for remedy and relief unto the persons nominated by the said Ordinance, to nominate the assessors, or any four of them & may tender his voluntary oath or protestation to such persons that he is overrated, and of the true value of his estate (if he please) and after due examination, and perfect knowledge thereof had and perceived; the said persons authorized to nominate assessors as aforesaid, or any four of them, shall hereby have power to order such abatement of the said assessment, according as shall appear unto them just and equal, upon the same examination. And it is hereby further Ordained and Declared, that the persons so assessed and sworn, shall within three days next after the order of abatement, in that behalf made, paid unto, or be repaid by the Treasurers who received the other moiety of such assessment, such sum or sums of money, as by the said order of abatement shall be appointed: and in case the said person, so sworn and assessed, shall not pay within the said three days next after order of abatement made, the sum thereby ordered to be paid; that then the same sum shall be recovered by distress or otherwise, as is provided in the said Ordinance of the 29. of November last, (in case the sums assessed shall not be paid into the Guildhall London, according to the true meaning of the same) And if it be proved by witnesses, or by the parties own confession, or other lawful ways or means, within six months after any such oath made, that the same person so rated and sworn, was of any better or greater estate, in lands, goods, or other things above specified, at the time of the making the said Ordinance, than the said person so sworn did declare upon his oath; That then every person so offending, shall lose and forfeit so much lawful money of England, as he the same person so sworn was first assessed at or taxed to pay, by virtue of the Ordinance aforesaid: to be recovered by distress or otherwise, as is provided in the said Ordinance of the 29. of November last, (in case the sums of money to be assessed by virtue of the said Ordinance shall not be paid into the Guildhall London, according to the true meaning of the same) And it is hereby further ordained and declared, That the said assessors and collectors shall incur no damage by reason of their over-valuing the estate of any person assessed, or to be assessed, or recovering, or receiving the same by virtue of the Ordinance aforesaid, unless some corruption or indirect carriage therein, shall be proved in Parliament against them.   

Die Martis, 20. Decemb. 1642.  
WHereas several Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament of the 29 of November last, and of the 7. and 14. of this instant December, were passed concerning the assessing such persons as are of ability, as in the said Ordinances do and may appear, It is now further Ordained and Declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the several and respective Assessors shall not assess any of the Members of either of the Houses of Parliament, or the Assistants of the House of Peers, any thing in the preceding forementioned Ordinances, or any of them, to the contrary notwithstanding. But that the members of either House shall be assessed by that House whereof they are members, and the Assistants of the Peers by the House of Peers.  
FINIS.