April 1643
[12 April, 1643.]
Power to Mayor of Plymouth to supply town with corn, etc.
The Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament having
certaine Information that the Cornish and other Forces, Commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton by the severall Invasions of
Devon, and the blocking up and beseidging of Plymouth, have
occasioned the expence of great part of the grainery, and
Magazines of Victualls, and Ammunition, in the said Towne, and
consumed, and eaten up the parts adiacent, by meanes whereof,
great dearth is like to befall that part of the County of Devon,
and the Towne more subiect to be attempted by such as are
enemies to Peace, unlesse some speedy remedy should be
applyed. And being further informed, that the Major of
Plymouth aforesaid, to prevent the said dearth justly feared, hath
stayed certaine ships of Corne, who came thither bound for
Spaine, and made sale thereof, giving good satisfaction to the
Masters of the said ships for the same, they doe not only well
approve of his so doeing; But also hereby doe ordaine and give
full power and authority to him the said Major to supply the
said Towne and the parts adiacent, in like manner, with
Corne, and other Victuals, as also with Ammunition, as often as
there shall be neede, during the continuance of the Warre,
giving like content to the owners, and in so doing hee shall be
protected and saved harmles by both Houses of Parliament.