December, 1647
[24 December, 1647.]
Army Committee to audit accounts of Sir T. Fairfax's forces.; To settle accounts and issue debentures.; Payment of debentures.; Defalcation for freequarter.
Be it Ordained, and it is Ordained by the Lords and Commons
now Assembled in Parliament, That the Committee of Lords and
Commons for the Army, or any three of them shall have power
and Authority, and are hereby authorised and enabled by themselves, and such as they shall appoint, and by such wayes and
meanes as they or any three of them shall think fit, to cause the
Accounts of all the Officers and Souldiers of the Army, now or
late under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, as well due to
them upon Publique Faith, as for their present Pay, to be Stated,
Audited, and cast up during their service in this Army, or in any
other Service of the Parliament; And to allow and determine of
such Accounts, and to give out Debenters accordingly unto the
said Officers and Souldiers, and to cause a Register to be kept of
such Debenters by such Person or Persons as they shall appoint.
And it is further Ordained, That for such Debenters as shall be
thereupon given out, and signed by the said Committee, or any
three of them, and shall be Registered as aforesaid, the State
shall be liable to the payment thereof, and shall be paid, and
satisfied respectively by Warrant from the said Committee, or
any five of them, out of such moneys, and other securities as the
Parliament hath or shall Ordaine for those uses. And it is
further Ordained and Declared, that the said Committee shall
deduct, and defalke for free quarter out of the Arreares due to
the Officers and Souldiers for their service in this Army according
to the Proportions following, viz:—
|
| From every Horseman, and non-Commissioned Officer of Horse | 12d. | per diem. |
| From every Dragooner and non-Commissioned Officer | 9d. |
| From every Footsouldier, and non-Commissioned Officer of Foot | 4d. |
From the Officers of the Traine of Artillery and Artificers, and
Attendants thereunto, as followeth, viz.:—
|
| At 2s. per diem, Gunners | 9d. | per diem. |
| Matresses | 4d. |
| Firelocks | 4d. |
| At 18d. per diem, Carters | 6d. | |
| Quartermaster | 12d. | per diem to be deducted. |
| At 3s. per diem, Gent. of Ordnance | 12d. |
| At 2s. 6d. per diem, All Officers and Artificers with Horse | 12d. |
| At 2s. 6d. per diem, Artificers of Foot | 9d. |
From all Officers in Commission, according to the Proportions
following, viz.:—
|
| Officers in Commission of Foot and Traine | ¼ part. |
| Officers in Commission of Horse and Dragoones for themselves, and horse | ⅓ of the pay due to them. |
| From the Gent. of the Life Guard, and other
Persons as Deputies, Clerkes, Assistants,
Chirurgions Mates | ¼ part |
Proviso.
Provided alwaies, That if any Officer, or Souldier can prove
that he hath paid Quarter for more time than the space he hath
been paid for, he shall have proportionate full pay for so much
time over.
General powers of Committee.; Assistance.
And it is further Ordained and Declared that the said Committee may imploy such persons under them in this Service, and
may reward and pay them for their paines and travell herein,
out of the Receipts appointed for the Army as they shall thinke
fit. And it is further Ordained, That the said Committee may
if they shall thinke fit, administer an Oath to such Persons as
they shall imploy under them in this Service, for their due and
faithfull execution of the businesse they shall be imployed in
according to their best skill and judgement; And in cases of
doubt, to examine upon oath if they see cause. And it is lastly
Ordained, That the Treasurers at Warres, and Commissioners of
Musters, their Deputies and Clarkes shall be ayding, assisting,
and obedient to the said Committee in the execution of the
Premises.
Accounts may be surcharged within two years.
Provided alwaies, that if any surcharge can be brought upon
any particular Account within two yeares after the Debenters
are given, that defalcation shall be made for so much accordingly.