A DECLARATION OR ORDINANCE Of The LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT. Concerning the taking of Horses for the service of the Parliament in the several Counties of England, in such a manner that neither the Countries may take distaste or be discouraged, nor the Parliament injured by the corruptness of the Officers assigned for that purpose. With two other Ordinances for the amendment of divers abuses which have formerly been committed by those that were entrusted with Commissions of that nature: Die Mercurii, 10. Maii, 1643. ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that these Ordinances shall be forthwith Printed and published. John brown clear. Parliamento. May 11. Printed for John Wright, in the Old-Bailey. 1643. A DECLARATION OR ORDINANCE Of the Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT. Die Mercurii, 10. Maii, 1643. THe Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, being informed of the great abuses in the several Counties of this kingdom, by the taking of Horses for the service of the Parliament, by reason the Officers assigned for that purpose, can neither judge of the affections, nor abilities of the people, not knowing what they have contributed, nor in what proportion to the Propositions, and that other Officers do suffer the Horses so taken, to be sold again, and other likewise take composition, and spare the Horses that are fit for service; by all which ways and means, the Countries are distasted& discouraged, the Parliament injured contrary to their intentions,& the service much hindered, and prejudiced. It is therefore Declared and Ordained, That every captain, or other Officer, or soldier, that hath, or shall have any Commission or Order, to take any Horses within any County, that he or they respectively, repair to two of the Deputy Lieutenants, or two of the Committees for the Propositions, for raising, or bringing in of Horses, Plate, and Money, being and residing in those parts or limits, where he or they intend to take such Horses, or if no such Deputy Lieutenants, be in that part of the County, nor any of the Committees, then to the next two Deputy Lieutenants, or Committees dwelling nearest to the place within the said County, and that neither he or they do take any Horses, without the direction or privity of the said Deputy Lieutenants, or Committees as aforesaid; And that every Horse so taken as aforesaid, be marked by the Deputy Lieutenants, or Committees, or two of them, and the captain, or other Officer, or soldier, and a Duplicate to bee made, and signed respectively under the hands of the hands of the Deputy Lieutenants, or commits as aforesaid, and the said Officer, and soldier so employed, and therein to be entred the parties name, from whom the Horse is so taken, the colour of every Horse, the number taken within that part of the County, and the mark set upon them, one part of the Duplicate to bee sent to the Commissary general for the Horse, belonging to the Army, wherein the Lord general may receive upon all occasions an account, the other to remain with the said Deputy Lieutenants, or Committees; And if any Officer, or soldier, shall do any Act in any County, otherwise then is here expressed, the Deputy Lieutenants, or any of them, shall then have power to stay the said Horses otherwise taken, and also apprehended the Officer, or soldier, and bring them to the Parliament or the Lord general, that he or they may be proceeded against as Contemners of the Orders of Parliament, and abusers of the country, and disturbers of the Peace thereof. printer's or publisher's device Die jovis 23. Martii. 1643. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that no person or persons whatsoever, do at any time from henceforth buy, sell, or take to pawn or exchange any Horse, Horses, Muskets, Carabines, Pistols, Pikes, corselets or any other arms, marked with the marks above specified, that no Smith, Gun-smith or other person do upon any pretences whatsoever, either alter or deface the mark above specified, being either on Horse or arms. It is further Ordered, that in Case any Horse or Horses marked with this mark, shall fall sick, Lame, or otherwise for the present prove vnserviceable, That the Constable of the town at the charge of that town take care to preserve such Horses until they can be sent unto such as shall be appointed to receive them: And that such as shall receive them shall defray the charges of them, And if any person or persons offend in the premises, It is Ordered that he or they shall suffer Imprisonment during the pleasure of the House, and to forfeit the goods so bought. John brown clear. parliament Die jovis 26. januarii, 1642. IT is this day ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, dated the 15. day of November last past, granted to Maximilian Bard, and Thomas brown, and others, for the taking and seizing of Horses, Mares,& Geldings, is hereby revoked and made void, and of none effect, and that if the said Maximilian Bard, and Thomas brown, or any others, shall seize or take any Horses, Mares, or Geldings hereafter, by colour of the said Ordinance, shall be proceeded against as Felons, according to the laws of this Land. John brown clear. Parliamentorum. FINIS.