The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

Ans. I answer first to the Assessment per Sa∣cramentum, no reason why it should be here, for it is not done in the Commissions to levy Subsi∣dies, much less should it be done here for a mat∣ter of great hast; and besides the Sheriff is trust∣ed with more, for he hath the trust of the whole County, and takes an Oath to execute his Office justly, whereof this is one part.

As to that they say there is no Precedent for it; First, I say, That there is no Precedent that it hath been done by Jury, but always by the She∣riff, or such whom the King was pleased to trust; and since one must be trusted, none more fit than he.

Secondly, By example we see he speeds all, and is most ready for it.

Thirdly, I say, the Writ leads not the Assess∣ment, it commands the Ship to be provided; so if that be done there is no necessity of Assess∣ment: And if the Towns and Counties say they

will provide a Ship and do it, the•• no Assessment requisite; but if they do it not, then the Sheriff is to levie it: That the Defence may be season∣able, so as the Clause of the Assessment shews the manner of it; when a Multitude is to joyn, none more sit than he to do it, and no way better than to write to him to do it according to mens Abi∣lities.

Fourthly, The Clause of the Assessment is not only to the Sheriff, but to the Hen•••• Officer of the Town and Borrough: And though the discreti∣on of the Clause be to the Sheriff, yet it appears not that it is limited to him solely.