[1644/1/3]¹

Procedure: commission for the horse and foot

Commission for putting out the horse and foot

The convention of estates being this day met and taking into their consideration the prejudice likely to ensue to this kingdom through the slowness of some shires in putting out and bringing together the forces of horse and foot laid upon them to the general rendezvous in respect of the charges this kingdom will be put to in maintaining these regiments and troops of horse who are already gone out according to the order of the committee of estates; and finding it absolutely necessary for the advancement of the cause in hand, in pursuance of the ends contained in the covenant, that some strict course be taken for bringing out of the regiments and troops of horse, they have therefore given and granted and by this act give and grant full power and commission to [...]² presently to go about the bringing out of the foot and horse laid upon that shire, and for this end, in name of the convention of estates, to require the committees for the valuation and committees of war to divide and assign to every heritor the number of horse that will fall upon them, and to bring out the full number of foot and horses well-mounted and armed to the public rendezvous; and in case any of the said committees shall be negligent in performance of their several duties in dividing and laying on of the horse upon the heritors, or bringing out the horse and foot laid upon them, or in case any of the heritors shall refuse to give obedience to the said committees, they doing their duties in manner aforesaid, with full power and warrant to the commissioners aforesaid to quarter any soldiers, horse or foot, upon the persons so failing to be maintained by them until they and every one of them shall do their duties respectively in manner aforesaid. And generally with power and command to the said commissioners to put to real execution all the orders of the committee of estates anent the bringing out of the men, horse and foot laid upon that shire within 48 hours next after the receipt hereof, and to exact the penalties contained in the said instructions. Commanding also the commissioners above-written to go about the speedy and real performance of this commission as they desire not to be esteemed enemies to religion, his majesty's honour and peace of the kingdom.