December, 1646
[8 December, 1646.]
Whereas it is conceived, by the Masters, Readers,
Professors, Scholars, and Officers, of the University of
Oxon (in regard of the unhappy Condition the said
University was lately in), that Seizures and Sale will
be made of the Libraries, and Books, Mathematical
Instruments, and other Things necessary for their Studies, to
the great Discouragement of Learning, and the undoing of that
ancient and famous University: It is Ordered and Ordained, by
the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That no
Seizures, Sale, or Alienation, shall be made, by any Committee
within the said County, nor by any other Person whatsoever,
of any Libraries, Books, Mathematical Instruments, Globes, and
other Necessaries belonging to the Chambers of any Master,
Reader, Professor, Scholar, or Officer, within the said University,
or any of them, until the Pleasure of both Houses shall be
further signified therein: Provided always, and be it Ordained,
That the Committee for Sequestrations in the said County of
Oxon do and shall take Inventories of the Libraries, Books,
Mathematical Instruments, Globes, and other Necessaries,
belonging to the Chambers of any the Masters, Readers,
Professors, Scholars, and Officers, in the said University, which
are liable to Sequestration; and leave the same, so inventoried,
in the several Hands of the Persons with whom they do now
remain, to be made Use of by them; they respectively giving
Security to the said Committee, that the said Libraries, Books,
Mathematical Instruments, Globes, and other the Necessaries as
aforesaid, shall not be embezzled; but shall be forthcoming, to
be disposed of, at the Pleasure of both Houses of Parliament.