September, 1645
[19 September, 1645.]
Upon several Informations made, of divers Abuses and
Offences committed in the County of Wilts, by favouring of the
Delinquents, and oppressing the well-affected in the said County,
and of Differences betwixt the Committee, Officers, and Soldiers
in the County aforesaid: It is Ordained, by the Lords and
Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee of
Lords and Commons for the Associations of the Counties of
Wilts, Dorsett, Somersett, Devon, and Cornwall, shall have Power,
and be authorized, and are hereby authorized, and Power is given
to them, to inform themselves, by all good Ways and Means, be it
by Oath or otherwise, concerning the Premises; and whether the
Ordinances of Parliament concerning Delinquents are well and
duly put in Execution in the said County; and also of all unjust
and unequal Collections, Levies, Rates, Taxes, and unnecessary
Free Quarter, made in the said County of Wilts; to which End,
the said Committee of Lords and Commons, or any Three of
them, are hereby authorized to administer an Oath to any Person
they shall think fit, and to hear and determine Complaints concerning the Premises, and concerning any Differences that are
or may arise, between the Committees, Officers, and Soldiers, or
any of them; and to take Order for Redress and Remedy, as
they shall see Cause; and to send any of the said Committee, or
any other able and discreet Persons to be named by them, who
shall have the same or like Power in the Premises, limited with
such Instructions as the said Committee of Lords and Commons
shall appoint and direct from Time to Time: Provided, That, in
Case of Punishment to be inflicted on any Person by virtue
hereof, the Proofs to be made on Oath, which the said Committee
of Lords and Commons, and Persons so sent, are hereby
authorized to take and administer: The Powers granted by this
Ordinance to continue for Six Months from the Day of passing
this Ordinance, and no longer.