C. R. A LETTER SENT FROM HIS MAJESTY
To the high Sheriffes of the Counties of Yorke, Lincolne, Stafford, Derby, Chester, Lancaster, Nottingham, Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland and the Bishoprick of Durham, &c.
WHereas by Letters Patents under Our great Seale of England, We have granted unto Sir George Wentworth the Office of Receiver of Our Revenew, arising by the forfeitures of Popish Recusants, in the Northerne Counties, thereby authorizing him to receive, and take up in Our name, and to Our use all the Rents and forfeitures due and payable to Us, for or in respect of Recusancy, or Conviction of any person or persons whatsoever, or by force of any Act or Acts of Parliament made against Recusants notwithstanding; which, as we are informed, you have not onely taken upon you to discharge Recusants within that County, from paying their Rents and forfeitures into Our Receipt at Yorke, to our said Receiver, or his Deputy, but pretend they have no power to receive the same. thereby making Our Grant of no effect: Which having taken into Our Princely consideration, and foreseeing that by this meanes Our Revenew will not onely be impaired; but if timely redresse be not applied, may be in danger to be destroyed and lost; We have thought good, and by these presents require and command you, that from henceforth you forbeare, upon any pretence whatsoever, to receive the said Forfeitures or Compositions for Recusancy, or to hinder the said Sir George or his Deputies in receiving or collecting the same, according to his said Grant, untill Our pleasure therein be further made knowne.
Given at Our Court at Yorke quinto die Maii, 1642.
BY THE KING
A Proclamation for putting the Laws against Popish Recusants in due execution.
THE Kings most excellent Majesty, having been formerly moved by his Parliament, for putting the Laws in execution against Papists, whereto He hath from time to time still given His gracious Answers, expressing his willingnesse therunto: But now finding, that no such proceedings against them have been yet had, as might answer His Majesties expectation: His Majesty therefore, out of His Princely and pious care, as well for maintaining the true Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom, as for suppressing by lawfull wayes, all increase and growth of Popery; Hath thought fit to publish His Royall Pleasure therein: Wherefore His Majesty doth hereby straitly charge and command, all and every His Judges and Justices of Assize, Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, and other His Officers and Ministers whatsoever, whom it doth any way concern, That they, and every of them, according to the duties of the r severall Offices and Places, do forthwith, and without further delay, put in due and effectuall execution the Lawes and Statutes of this Realm, provided and made against Popish Recusants, and that without favour or connivence; As they tender His Maiesties just and Royall Commands, the good of this Church and Kingdome, and will answer for neglect of their duties herein.
Die Martis, 20. Maii, 1642.
IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Magazines of the severall Counties in England and Wales, shall be forthwith put into the power of the Lord Lievtenants of the said Counties, respectively, (being such as the Parliament doth confide in) for the Service, and safety of His Majesty and his Kingdom.
Ordered by the Lords in Parliament, That this Order shall be Printed and Published.