April 1643
[12 April 1643.]
Power to Bailiffs and Aldermen of Yarmouth to rate Inhabitants.; Persons summoned to defence of city and not appearing to forfeit 5s.; On non payment to be imprisoned.
Whereas the Bayliffs and Corporation of Yarmouth, have bin
at great charges in making Forts and Bulwarks, in and about
the said Towne, which tend much to the safety of that Towne,
and part of that County adiacent, and sundry Persons do
refuse to contribute to the same, and others that are Inhabitants
there, do refuse and neglect to watch, to Guard the Gates, and
other the Forts and Passages in the said Towne, when they are
thereunto required; It is this day Ordered by the Lords and
Commons now in Parliament assembled, That it shall be lawfull
for the Bayliffs, Aldermen, and communalty of the said Towne,
to make a rate or rates upon all Inhabitants of the said Towne,
and upon other persons that have any Houses, Lands, Tenements, Goods, or Chattles in the said Towne, in an equall
and indifferent proportion according to the usuall manner of
other Rates in the said Towne; And in case the summe assessed,
or any part thereof be unpaid by any person so assessed that it
shall and may be lawfull to the said Bayliffs, or others by them
nominated and appointed to levy all such summes so unpaid by
way of distresse, and sale of the Goods of Persons so refusing or
neglecting to pay such summe or summes of mony so assessed
upon them; And if it shall happen, that any person or persons
having had due summons or notice by beat of Drum, or otherwise, to appeare at Musters, to be exercised in the use of their
Armes; or to Watch by day or by night, at the Gates, Forts,
Bridges, or other Places in the said Towne, for the safety and
preservation of the said Towne, in this time of imminent danger,
do refuse or neglect to appeare in person, or some other in his
or their behalfe, to be allowed of by the Bayliffs, Justices of
Peace, and Captaines in the said Towne, or any one of them, that
for every such default the person so refusing or neglecting, shall
forfeite the summe of five shillings, to be imployed in fortifying
of the said Towne: And if the said parties so refusing shall
neglect or refuse to pay the said sum of five shillings, that it
shall and may be lawfull for the said Bayliffs, Justices of Peace,
and Captains of the said Towne or any three of them, to commit
every such person and persons to the Goale; There toremaine by
the space of two daies without Bayle or Mainprize.