Die
Mercurii
,
11
Octobr.
1643.
AN
ORDINANCE
OF
THE
LORDS
and
COMMONS
IN
PARLIAMENT
ASSEMBLED
,
For
the
upholding
the
Government
of
the
Fellowship
of
Merchants
Adventurers
of
England
,
to
the
better
maintainance
of
the
Trade
of
Cloathing
,
and
Woollen
Manufacture
of
the
KINGDOME
.
FOR
the
better
incouragement
and
supportation
of
the
Fellowship
of
Merchant
Adventurers
of
England
,
which
hath
beene
found
very
serviceable
and
profitable
unto
this
State
;
And
for
the
better
Government
and
regulation
of
Trade
,
especially
,
that
ancient
and
great
Trade
of
Cloathing
,
whereby
the
same
will
be
much
advanced
to
the
common
good
,
and
benefit
of
the
people
:
The
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
,
doe
ordaine
that
the
said
Fellowship
shall
continue
and
be
a
Corporation
,
and
shall
have
power
to
levy
Monies
on
the
Members
of
their
Corporation
,
and
their
goods
,
for
their
necessary
charge
and
maintenance
of
their
Government
:
And
that
no
person
shall
Trade
into
those
Parts
,
limited
by
their
Incorporation
,
but
such
as
are
Free
of
that
Corporation
,
upon
forfeiture
of
their
Goods
.
Provided
,
that
the
said
Fellowship
shall
not
exclude
any
person
from
his
Freedome
and
admission
into
the
said
Fellowship
,
which
shall
desire
it
by
way
of
redemption
,
if
such
person
by
their
custome
be
capable
thereof
,
and
hath
beene
bred
a
Merchant
,
and
shall
pay
one
hundred
pounds
for
the
same
,
if
he
be
Free
,
and
an
Inhabitant
of
the
City
of
London
,
and
Trade
from
that
Port
,
or
fifty
pounds
,
if
he
be
not
Free
,
and
no
Inhabitant
of
the
said
City
,
and
Trade
not
from
thence
;
and
that
the
said
Fellowship
shall
have
power
to
imprison
Members
of
their
Company
in
matters
of
government
,
and
to
give
such
an
oath
,
or
oathes
to
them
,
as
shall
bee
approved
of
by
both
Houses
of
Parliament
.
Provided
,
that
all
Rights
confirmed
by
Act
of
Parliament
,
or
ancient
Charters
,
shall
be
hereby
saved
.
And
the
said
Lords
and
Commons
doe
further
ordaine
,
That
with
all
convenient
expedition
,
a
Bill
shall
be
prepared
in
order
to
an
Act
of
Parliament
to
be
passed
in
this
present
Parliament
for
the
further
setling
and
full
confirming
of
the
Priviledges
to
the
said
Fellowship
,
with
such
other
clauses
and
provisions
as
shall
be
found
expedient
by
both
Houses
of
Parliament
:
This
Ordinance
to
remaine
in
full
force
,
untill
a
Bill
or
Act
shall
be
prepared
and
passed
,
according
to
the
intent
and
true
meaning
of
this
Ordinance
.
And
it
is
ordered
,
that
this
Ordinance
be
forthwith
Printed
and
published
,
that
all
persons
concerned
therein
may
take
notice
thereof
,
as
appertaineth
.
-
John
Browne
,
Cler.
Parliamentorum
.
-
H.
Elsyng
Cler.
Parl.
Dom.
Com.