AN ORDINANCE OF THE LODRS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT, For the Contribution of the value of one meal in the week, towards the charge of Arming and forming into Regiments the auxiliary Forces, now in raising within the City of London and Lines of Communication.  
And for the better execution of the several Ordinances of the MILITIA within these parts and places, according to the Tenor of the same Ordinances.  
With the Names of the Treasurers of the several Divisions.  

Die Martis, 26 Martii, 1644.  
ORdered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and published.  
John Brown clear. Parliamentorum.   
LONDON, Printed for John Wright in the Old-Bayley, March 28. 1644.   

An Ordinance of Parliament, for the Contribution of the value of one meal in the week, towards the charge of arming and forming into Regiments the Auxiliary forces now in raising within the Lines of Communication; And for the better execution of the several Ordinances of the Militia within these parts and places according to the tenor of the same Ordinances.  
WHereas the Committee for the Militia of London, have for the better discharge of the great trust in them reposed( according to several Ordinances of Parliament enabling them thereunto) authorised several Sub-committees, to put in execution within the Cities of London and Westminster, Hamlets of the Tower, and the Borough of Southwark and other the parts adjacent, within the weekly Bills of mortality, the several Ordinances heretofore made for ordering the Militia of those parts and places; the speedy and due effecting whereof, will not onely much ease and relieve the Trained and Auxiliatie Bands of the places aforesaid, now much over-burdened with duty, but will also by Gods blessing upon the same apparently, tend to the better safeguard of those places, and preservation of this present Parliament, under God the chief bulwark and conserver of our Religion, laws, and Liberties: And whereas, besides other voluntary Contributions, a chief mean of raising and forming of the auxiliary Regiments already raised in the places afore-specified, hath been the voluntary forbearance of one meal in the week, and rendering the value of the same for the purpose aforesaid, which being begun by well-affected persons, is conceived may be of special use, for raising more Forces, buying of arms and Ammunition, and accomplishing the intent of the said Ordinances, if convenient power be added to make that way of Contribution general, and so as the but then may not rest alone upon the willing party.  
The Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, taking the premises into their serious consideration, and being sensible of the good service already performed to the State, by the Forces of the city and places aforesaid, and well approving of the continuance of the good endeavours of the said Committee; and of their Sub-committees, whereto they conceive it requisite to give all fitting assistance and encouragement, and holding it very just and reasonable, that all persons according to their abilities should in a reasonable and proportionable way contribute to the supporting of that charge and burden, which is necessary to be undergone for the common safety; do for the better speeding and perfecting of the said work, think fit to Order and ordain; And be it Ordained, Declared, and established as followeth: That all and every person and persons, and their Families, residing or Inhabing within the said Cities of London& Westminster, the Hamlets of the Tower, Borough of Southwark and other the Parishes and places within the Lines of Communication and weekly Bills of mortality, shall pay and contribute upon each Tuesday weekly, the value of one ordinary meal, to such person and persons as shall be respectively appoynted Collector or Collectors thereof; in such sort as is after mentioned, the same to be employed for the ends and purposes before specified, and hereafter mentioned; And for the better Ordering, Rating, and raising the said moneys, It is further Ordered and Ordained, That the Alderman, Aldermans deputy, and Common-councell-men, of and for each Ward within London, and the Liberties, calling to their assistance two or more of the Sub-committee, usually sitting at Salters-Hall in Bread-street, being Freemen of the city of London, and of the same Ward, if there be any such therein, and some other able and well-affected persons of each Ward, and the greater part of them; And the said other Sub-commitrees, within their several Limits and Divisions, or any seven or more of them respectively, shall have full power and authority, to assess or Tax, or nominate Assessors, to set a Rate and Tax upon each person and family as aforesaid; To wit, what Rate, Proportion, or sum of Money, each person or him or herself, or for themselves and Families respectively; shall pay and contribute for the value of one meal in the week, as aforesaid; And shall appoint convenient places and fit persons within each Parish or Precinct respectively, where, and to whom the said moneys shall be respectively paid, by the persons so assessed and to nominate and appoint Collectors, or Receivers, to call for, and attend the receipt of the said moneys so assessed, who are to pay over the same upon each Thursday weekly, at two of the clock in the afternoon, to the respective Treasurers hereafter mentioned, viz. The Collectors for the said City of London, and the Liberties, to John Langham Alderman, appoynted Treasurer by the common-council of the City of London, who shall and may upon occasion exchange and alter the same Officer, and appoint such other fit Officer as shall to them seem meeete. The Collectors for the Hamlets of the Tower of London and the Liberties thereof, to M. Abraham Corsiellis, one of the Sub-committee there, which usually meets at Savage-house at Tower-hill▪ and who is appointed to be their Treasurer; The Collectors for the said City of Westminster, and Liberties thereof, and other the Liberties, Parishes, and Places within that Division, to M. Edward Carter, one of the Sub-committee for that part, which usually meet and sit at the Savoy in the Strand, and appointed to be their Treasurer; The Collectors for the Borough of southwark, and other the Liberties and Places within the Division, to M. Richard Walker, one of the Sub-committee there, which usually meet at the Vestry-House in Olaves Parish, and who is appointed to be their Treasurer; And in default of such persons appointed Treasurers aforesaid, Then to such other Treasurers as shal be severally for such purpose appointed to wit, by the common-council of London for the said City, and Liberties, and by the other Sub-committees, or any seven of them, for their Divisions respectively: which said respective Treasurers are hereby authorised to issue out the said moneys so gathered and received, as is hereafter mentioned, ( viz) The Treasurer for the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, for recruiting of the Auxiliary Regiments already raised, raising and preparing of more Forces, buying of arms and Ammunition, and for such other uses, as the common-council of the said City of London, or such persons as they from time to time shall appoint for that purpose, being approved of by both Houses of Parliament, Shall think fit to direct and appoint; And the Treasurers for the other parts shall issue their moneys respectively for recruiting their Auxiliary Regiments, raising and preparing of more Forces, and Executing the Ordinances of the Militia, within their respective Precincts according to such Warrants and Directions as shall be given by the said Sub-Committees for the uses aforesaid, by Order to be made at the respective usual places of meeting of the said Sub-Committees respectively, of whom seven at least are then and there to be present, and subscribe the same Order. And if any person or persons Assessed, or to be Assessed for the weekly payment aforesaid, shall after demand thereof made of the person ●o Assessed, or at his or their usual places of Habitation or Abode fail in payment thereof; That then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Collectors, and every of them respectively calling to their Assistance any of the Trained Bands, volunteers, Constables, or others▪ who are hereby enjoined to assist upon all Occasions, being required, to levy double the sum or sums so assessed, together with the necessary Charges which shall be expended in the Collecting thereof, by way of distress, upon his or their goods and Chattels, and shall and may fell the same distress or Distresses for the Services aforesaid, and the over-plus to be returned to the Owner of the distress taken. And if no sufficient Distresses can be found within the said city of London, or the Liberties, whereby the moneys assessed upon the persons there may be levied; Then upon Certificate thereof made by the said Sub-Committees for the city and Liberties, or any seven of them, being Free-men of the said city of London, to the Lord Mayor of the said city, he is forthwith to grant his Warrant for the apprehension of the said person and persons, and for his and their Commitment to safe custody, without bail or Mainptize, wheresoever he or they are or shall be found, within Liberties or without, unless he shall see just cause to the contrary. And in like case, if no sufficient Distresses can be found within the other respective Divisions before-mentioned, whereupon the sums assessed upon the persons there may be levied; Then upon Certificate to be made in that behalf to the respective Sub-Committees of those Divisions, the said Committee, or any seven of them, by Order to be made at their usual place of Meeting, shall and may commit such person or persons to safe custody, without bail or Mainprize, wheresoever he or they shall be found, whether within the said respective Divisions or without; the said persons so to be committed, as aforesaid, to continue in Prison until they have fully satisfied their respective assessments.  
And be it further Ordered and Ordained, That the over or under-rating of any person or persons or their Families, within the said City of London, or any part thereof, shall and may upon complaint thereof be examined and rectified by the common-council of the said City, or any Committee by them for that purpose to be appointed, or the greater part of such Committee; And if any person or Persons, within any the said other Divisions, be over-rated in the said assessments, or under-rated, the same shall upon complaint thereof be rectified by the said Sub-Committees of that Division respectively or any seven of them, according to their discretions; And if any Assessors, Collectors, or Constables, within the said City of London, or the Liberties, shall refuse the said service, or prove negligent or faulty therein▪ upon Certificate thereof made by the said Sub-Committee of Saliers-Hall, or any seven of them, being Free-men of the said City of London, to the Lord mayor of the said City, he is forthwith to grant his Warrant for Commitment of such persons to prison, unless he shall see just cause to the contrary. And like power upon such occasion the said other Sub-Committees may exercise within their Limits respectively, or upon such neglect or default as aforesaid, the common-council, of whom they shall appoint for London and the Liberties, and the Sub-Committees or any seven of them within their several Divisions, may impose a fine upon the offenders▪ not exceeding the sum of Ten Pounds for every offence, the said Fuie to be levied by distress, and sale of the offenders goods, and the moneys to be employed for the service aforesaid; And it is Ordained, That the said Treasurers repectively shall each of them keep a Register-Booke of the sums received, and paid out by them, that so they may give a just and perfect Account thereof, unto the said Sub-Committees, to whom they respectively belong, when they shall be by them required which shal be once Monthly at least; And the said Treasurer for London and the Liberties shall also concerning the premises, be accountable to the common-council for the said City, or such Committee as they shall thereto appoint, when he shall at any time be thereunto required; And for the better encouragement of the said Collectors and Treasurers: It is Ordained, that five pence in the Pound shal be allowed for every sum of money, which shal be Collected and paid to the said Treasurers according to this Ordinance, whereof four pence shall be to the Collectors, and one penny to the Treasurer.  
And be it lastly, by the said Lords and Commons further Ordained, That all and every the respective Committees, Assessors, Treasurers and Collectors of the respective Divisions aforesaid, and all that shall assist them in the premises, shall be by power of Parliament protected and saved harmless, both for what, according to the true meaning of the premises, they have done and shall do therein for time to come.  
Provided, That this Ordinance extend not to such persons as receive alms, nor shall be of longer continuance then for the space of six Moneths to begin from Tuesday next after the date hereof.  
Provided also, That this Ordinance shall not extend to the using of any compulsarie power over any the Members of either House of Parliament, or any Peer, or any Assistant of the House of peers, or any Attendant on either House of Parliament, or any Member of the Assembly of Divines; or to give power to settle any other Rates upon any of them touching the premises, then what they respectively will tax themselves at, or agree unto: Any thing in this present Ordinance contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  
FINIS.