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[illustration] architectural decoration featuring the combined roses of the British royal familyC R
¶ By the Commissioners from the PARLIAMENT of ENGLAND.
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WHEREAS Wee have received Information, that not onely divers Souldiers of the Army but severall disordered and loose Persons, exact Contribution or free quar∣ter at their pleasure, from those that inhabite and reside within the English Quarters, to the great discouragement of the husbandman and tradesmen, to continue in their vocations, when they haue no assurance to enjoy what they have gotten by their painful Labours, And whereas oppressions increase by some peoples taking the liberty to buy of the Souldiers and other Persons, forementioned such Cattell or other Commo∣dities, as by indirect means come to their hands. And whereas information hath been given unto us that many protected Persons paying contribution in the English quar∣ters, upon the change of Government here, have apprehensions of danger to their Per∣sons and Estates, unlesse they shall by some publike Act be assured they may continue there with safety.
For Remedy in all these particulars we thinke fit to publish and declare, that no manner of person, of what degree or quality soever, upon any pretence whatsoever, shall or may for the future take free quarter, or Contribution without spetiall Warrant: nor shall presume to buy of the Souldiers or others of the Army any Cattel or other Commodities without certificate first had from the Superior Officer then Commanding the Troope or Company, in which any Souldier or other of the Army exposing such Cattel or Commo∣dities to sale is inlisted; The said Certificate to be produced to the Commander in Chiefe of that Garrison, or place where the sale is made (to Justify his or their honest comming by the same) whom we shall call to a strict account for any Transgression of the Souldier in this kind, and inflict severe punishment upon all offenders against this Proclamation. And we do further publish and declare, that all such as have come under Contribution and do now live in the English quarters and shall continue payment of Contribution shall be protected in their persons and Estates, as well from the violence of the Souldiers under the Parliament as of the Enemy, And this to be extended to all without any distinction of Offence or Religion, and that they shall receive safeguard by the countenance of the forces under the Parliament. And we do further declare, that this Proclamation as to that part of it concerning protected persons, is to continue and be of force for and untill the end of one whole yeere next ensuing the date hereof. And wee thinke fit also to publish and declare (to take away all apprehensions from the people of this Kingdome that the Parliament as hath been spetiously insinuated by desperate persons intends the extirpation of the Irish Nation) that all other persons whatsoever of this Kingdome who reside out of the said quarters, that shall within eight and twenty dayes after the publication hereof agred with us (or Colonell Michael Iones Commander in Chiefe of all the forces in the province of Leinster and the rest of the Garrisons late in the power of the Lord of Ormonde) to pay Contribution to and for the maintenance of the English. Army or any of the Garrisons within the power of the Parliament, shall not bee pillaged nor any way wronged in their persons or Estates, but shall bee taken to bee within the benefit of this Proclamation, to all intents and pur∣poses equaly, and for as long time as is hereby given to those who are already protected, and doe pay Contribution within the said English quarters, And for the better observance hereof, We doe will and require, all and every the Go∣vernours, Officers Commanders and Souldiers, under the Parliaments Command, that they nor any of them doe presume upon paine of death to offer any violence injury or wrong unto any of the persons aforesaid or their Estates, And that they to the uttermost of their power protect and defend them from all violence or injurie which shall bee offered unto them or their Estates, to the end they may be incourraged to go on in their Tillage and other workes of Hus∣bandry, whereby they may bee the better enabled to contribute towards the maintenance of the Army. And hereof all Governours, Commanders, Officers and Souldiers, under the Parliaments command and all others concerned are to take notice at their extreame perils.
Given at Dublin, the three and twentieth day of Iune, 1647.