Peace upon Dyers Blockwood Complaint That a Dyer doth use Blockwood or is suspected of it may call for the Dyer and his Servants before him and examine them on oath And if he see cause bind him and the Witnesses over to the next Sessions And if he refuse to be bound send him to Goal till he do it But there must be two Justices when it is found to give power to burn the stuff 39 Eliz. 11. See more Ord. 12. Novemb. 1653 and 17 Septemb. 1656. SECT 11. About Constables AS to these Officers these things are to be known in this place 1. It is said That any one Justice Election of Him of Peace in case of necessity in a Hundred or Parish where there is no Constable for the Hundred or Parish for the present the Officer being dead or otherwise gone and the Sessions is far off no Leet in the place or it is far off in the time of keeping of it much to do for an Officer and the like in such Cases that one Justice alone may make and swear a Constable for the Hundred or Parish And we would have this to be Law if we knew how to make it good for the necessity thereof in many places where otherwise this Officer will fail except it may be supplyed by the Country Leet there being no Leet in the place But truly we look upon this as a thing somewhat dangerous to be done by a Justice of Peace out of Sessions especially where the Election of the Officer is for a place that hath a Leet for haply the Election may he void and the Lord of the Franchise may have his Action of the Case against Caution to Justices the Justice So also if an unfit Constable be chosen that he may after this way as hath been held and used be removed by the Justices in or out of Remove of him Sessions and another more fit put in his place So if there be need of more Constables in any Hundred or Parish that the Justices out of the Sessions may make and swear them This we agree to be generally practised and so seems now to have the Countenance of Custome to warrant it And yet we much doubt of this And therefore would advise rather to have what is done herein to be done in the Sessions onely See Steel's Rep. 362. and Chap. 7. Sect. 6. 2. These Officers are the most proper Officers under the Justices of the Peace as to the matters of the Peace and to them are their Warrants to be directed except it be in special Cases where by Acts of Parliament they are to be directed to some others 3. If any of these Constables shew Neglect and Contempt by them themselves any way to neglect or contemn the Authority or Commands of these Justices or any of them in the execution of their Warrants or otherwise such Justice may cause him to be Indicted and sined for it in the Sessions 4. If a Justice be to swear this Officer he may do it to this effect You shall swear you shall well and truly execute the office of High-Constable His Oath of and within the Hundred of H. or if it be a Parish of petit constable for and within the Parish of S. and liberties thereof to the best of your power and skill untill another be chosen in your room or you be otherwise discharged by order of Law The Warrants for this see in Clark's Cabinet Chap. 20. 5. How Constables may offend by not doing their duties in the Execution of Warrants sent to them upon penall Lawes and otherwise against the Statutes and what the Justices of Peace may do hereupon See in other Titles as Inne-Keepers Rogues Lords-day Trespasses c. 6. See more of this in Officers Numb 4. Oath Numb 10. and in Oath Sect. 37. Numb 11. SECT 12. Of the correction-House or Bâ—ide-well THis House is appointed for the punishment of Rogues Vagahonds wandring idle and disorderly persons that by the expresse words of 7 Iac. 4. are to be sent thither by the Justices But they cannot by this send thither who they please nor such persons for every cause How the Blasphemous Heretick is by them to be sent thither see Blasphemy Sect. 6. of this Chapter And what Rogues and Idle persons may be sent thither by the Justices of the Peace out of their Sessions See Rogues Vagabonds and Idle persons Sect. 48. of this Chapter And what Lewd persons may be sent thither for Incontinency see Incontinency Sect. 27 of this Chapter And what Servants or Apprentices may be sent thither see in Masters and Servants Sect. 33. of this Chapter And what other persons may be sent thither see in other Titles SECT 13. About crows AS to him that refuseth to pay to another that doth take old Crows Choughs or Rooks upon his Land having Land in his occupation worth 5 l. a year after the Rate of 2. d. a dozen It is said Any one Justice of Peace may cause it to be levied by distresse upon the Goods and Chattels of the Refusers But how this may be Caution to Justices warranted out of Sessions I understand not because there is no way of Conviction of him for his Refusal set down Upon 24 H. 8. 10. The words whereof are doubtfull in this point See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Quest 19. SECT 14. About the Excise AS to the Vintner Inne-kepper Victualler Ale-house-keeper or one that Retailes Ale or Beer and that shall brew his own Beer or Ale before he give security to the Sub-Commssioners of Excise for the due payment of the Excise That upon due proof thereof made by Oath of two or more Witnesses or other sufficient Evidence before any Justice of Peace within any County where the offender doth reside and dwell the offender shall forfeit for every such offence 40 s. for the first and 3 l. for the second time to be levied by distresse and sale of goods rendring c. And if he offend after a second Conviction the Justices are to declare him disabled to keep any such Common-house any longer and to commit him to Goal till he give security never so to offend again And after this he is to be punished as an unlicensed Ale-house-keeper And after the Act is penned in these words All Justices of Peace are required and authorized to put this Clause and Article in execution and the said penalty is to cause to be paid to the laid Comnissioners of Excise Act. 14 August 1649. We here conceivem that by these general words thus penned they may do execution that by this any one Justice may take the Conviction and haply one may send the Warrant to do the Execution But it will be more warily Caution to Justices done by two Justices And we suppose he or they may give the Oath for Conviction albeit there be no clause to enable it And that they may make their Warrant to whom they will that will undertake
to do the Execution But we conceive it most proper to be done by the Constable of the place and therefore more convenient to make the Warrant to him then to others See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. â—â— If any Fine be imposed Imprisonment ponality or Forfeiture inflicted or seicure of goods be made for or about the Non-payment of the Excise by the Sub-Commissioners or Farmers thereof out of London and the district therens or by their Agents Deputies or Officers In this case there must be two such Justices as are not interessed or concerned in the thing in Question or Landlord or Tenant or of him or relation to the parties that must upon complaint made to them send their Warrant under their hands and Seal for the execution thereof And these two Justices if Complaint be made of either side may examine the matter upon Oath and end it And if they find any errour and that it is by Mistake onely they may mitigate the Fine so it be not lesse then the one half of what is to be paid and they may also give reasonable Costs to the Officer imployed in the businesse for his trouble therein Act. 17. Septemb. 1657. SECT 15. About Fasting and Feast-dayes AS to this matter of Fast-dayes and Feast Festival or Holy-dayes these things are to be known in this place 1. That for out Religious dayes of Dayes of Humiliation and Thanksgiving Humiliation and Thanksgiving the serving of piocess the going with Coaches Horses Boats and Sedans Tipling and Idling and the Entertainment of such as Tipple or are idle in houses and grinding at a Mill on such a day is penal Upon the 10th of April 165â— But there being no way of Conviction for this upon that Act out of Sessions there is nothing that the Justice of Peace can do out of Sessions against any man for the same or for his doing of his ordinary â—uâ—inesse now on aâ—day of Humiliation or Thanksgiving And as to the Ordinances of August 24. 1642 and of Decemb. 2d 1646 we take them to be of no use at this day 2. For the Ancient Festival or Holy-dayes Holy-daâ—es called Christmas Easter Whitsontide Midsummer and the like we â—ake these to be all abolished and done away at this day by the Ordinance for the Directâ—ry and by the Directâ—ry it self and by the Ordinance of 3d. of June 1647. 3. That the second Tuesday of every Second Tuesday a Play-day moneth is to be a play-day for recreation of Schollers Appsentices and Servants by Ordâ— 3. June 1647. And that if any difference be between the Mastery Apprentice or Scholler about this any one Justice of Peace may end it 4. That the Law for the Observation Lent of Lent and Fish-dayes remains as it was 5. Eliz. 5. 1â— Eliz. 7. And therefore if any Justice of Peace shall Fish-dayes as he may if he will in the Lent-time search any Victualling-house for Flesh and if he find any dressed or killed â—ill three dayes before Easter he may upon his own sight of it seize it and give it to the poor or to the prisoners Upon 1 Iac. 29. 3 Car. 4. 5 Eliz. 5. 35 7. But there is some doubt made upon the Continuance of some of these Statutes SECT 16. About Felons and Felonies 1. VVHere any Trâ—aâ—â—◠〈◊〉 any Felony greaten or lester is committed by killing stealing burning of â—â—elling houses or otherwise upon the Common-Law or upon any Statute Law in all such cases those things are to be done by the Justices of the Peace out of their Sessions 1. Any one Justice of Peace upon Notice or Report 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 max 〈◊〉 forth his Warrant under 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cry and Search 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cry Search 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Felon and if they 〈◊〉 him or one they have good cause to suspect that he may be the man That they do him apprehend and bring before 〈◊〉 Justice of Peace to be examined theseof And this he may direct to the Sheriffs and to all Constables of 〈◊〉 Town and place within the Coun◠〈◊〉 For which see the President in the Clarks Cabinet Chap. 5. Numb 6. 2. If the Felony be by the taking away of goods he may send his Warrant to send to search in suspitious places Warrant to search for the goods stollen and if he find the goods to secure them to the end that the owner may have them and if the Officer suspect the party in whose hands the goods are to bring him to a Justice to be examined But this Warrant must be warily and tenderly made Caution to the Justices and used And for this see in the Clarks Cabinet Chap. 5. Numb 1. What Warrant may safely be made in this case and Chap. 7. Sect. 6. 3. When any man is suspected of Felony by another that is willing to inform against the Felon the Justice may take his Information upon oath if he will so give it Or he may if he please take it as we conceive without Oath And if the party will not give it upon oath yet the Justice shall do well to take it so Nor will we advise a Justice to force any thing in this case but to take such Information as the Informer will give and bind him over 4. If a Felony hath been done and there are some that can discover the Felon and will not voluntarily come in and inform the Justice of Peace may send his Warrant to require them to come in to him and give such Evidence as they can against the person suspect and if they be obstinate and refuse he may perhaps bind them to the good Behaviour and to appear at the Sessions to answer their contempt therein 5. The Justice of Peace when the Suspect-person is brought before him is to examine him which he is not to do upon Oath But he may examine others against him and this he may do upon Oath if they will be so examined 6. He must put the Examination Examination or the Effect thereof in writing and let the person examined if he will put his hand to it 7. If the Justice see any cause of suspition in the Case he is to send the person Suspect by a Mittimus to the Goal and bind Mittimus over the Informer if there be any in the Case or if not some other person interested Bind over in it or one that doth appear to prosecute it or one of the Witnesses to prosecute the suspected person at the next General Goal-delivery or Sessions as the case is And also bind over such of the Witnesses as can give the best evidence to be then there to give Evidence 8. All these Examinations and Informations or the Copies thereof together with the Recognizances for the appearance of the Prosecutors and the Witnesses he is to certifie and send Certificate in to the next Goal-delivery or Quarter-Sessions where the oftender is to be tryed 9. One Justice alone may
by one of the Judges of the Court whence it comes Upon 1 and 2 Ph. and M. 13. And yet if this be omitted the Justice of Peace must notwithstanding obey it 3. Writs of Supersedeas out of the Higher Courts are to be void that are not granted upon Motion in the open Court and upon good cause also shewed by Oath and the same set down on the back of the Writ And if this be not done it seems the Justices of the Peace may refuse to obey it Upon 21 Iuc 8. 4. No Remove shall be of an Indictment grounded upon the Ordinance of June 1654 about Challenges Nor Challenges upon the Act of the 6th of October 1650. where the proceeding is upon any penall Law for the buying selling searching viewing ordering or disposing of any Corn Wint Beer Ale Fish Flesh Sale-Butter Cheese or any other dead Victuals whatsoever Nor upon any Indictment grounded upon the last Act made the 17th of September 1656 about the Sabbath Nor to remove any Presentment or Conviction for a Popish Recusancy Nor shall any Writ Recusants of Errour be granted to reverse any such Conviction Upon the Act of 17th of September 1656. 5. The Justices of the Peace may refuse to send away an Indictment upon any such Wâ—it if it be for a Riâ—t Forcible Entry Assault and Battery except the Writ he delivered in â—â— the Justices of Peace in their Quarter-Sessions sitting the Court and except the party indicted will be bound with good Sureties to pay the Prosecutor his Costs But in case of Indictments for a Foreible Detainer and for any other offence then that before named it is otherwise Upon 21 Iac. 8. 6. The Justices of the Peace when any such Writ is duly â—ssued â—orth and sent to them must obey it for it is penal to them if they do not so And if the Writ for bid the Justice to do that which he hath sent out his Warrant to command to be done he must recall and countermand his Warrant 7. If the Writ do not require the sending away of the Recognizance that the Justice hath taken he â—â— to send the Writ and Recognizance to the next Sessions to be siled there 8. The Judges of the Higher Courts that do send for any such Record or prisoner may if they please send it down again to be determined by the Justices of the Peace Upon 6 H. 8. 6. See Steel's Rep. 475. 322. 399. SECT 22. About High-wayes and Bridges AS to High-wayes and Bridges these things are to be known 1. Any one Justice of Peace may upon his own View make a Presentment to the Sessions in the nature of an indictment against any place or Parish for that their wayes are not sufficiently amended And also against any man for any offence by him done against the Statutes of 2 3 Ph. and M. 8. and 5. Eliz. 13. That is to say The Constables and Church-wardens of the place for not choosing the Surveyors or not setting down the time for the six dayes work or for not giving publike notice thereof in the Church Or the Surveyors for refusing the Office or for their neglect in their office and in particular for not making Presentment to a Justice of Peace of such defaults as they find upon these Statutes Or the Parishioners that do not observe and attend to do the dayes-works appointed them Or such as suffer any Nusances in their Grounds hedges or ditches near to the High-wayes Or the Baylifts or High Constables for their neglect in the levy of the Amercements sent to them by the Clerk of the Peace against oftenders about the High-wayes or for the not making of their Account and the like And this presentment of the Justice if he have cause to have it drawn up he may put the Clerk of the Peace to do it And being put in it is of the same sorce as if it were found by Grand-Jury 2. Any one Justice may and must receive from the Surveyors of the High-wayes any Presentment that they shall make and tender to him of any default upon these two before named Statutes about the High-wayes And this Presentment he is to certifie and send in to Certificate the next Sessions under pain of 5 l. upon 5 Eliz. 13. 3. There must be two Justices one of them of the Quorum to enforce and take the Account of any Officer that hath in his hands any of the Forfeitures upon the Statute of 2 3 Ph. M. 8. about High-wayes And to imprison them who do account and are sound to have money in their hands till they pay it But if in this case the Officer be Caution to the Justices obstinate they cannot tell what to do to order him But it must be in the Sessions or no where See Steel's Rep. 399. Chap. 7. Sect. 6. 4. Any one Justice might have caused High-wayes to be enlarged and cleered of Trees and Bushes upon the Statute of Winchester 1 Ed. 3. But now they do nothing out of Sessions but according to the two afore-named Statutes 5. There must be four Justices of the Peace one of them of the Quorum Bridges And where so many Justices are not met together it cannot be done who with the Constables and two of the Inhabitants of every Parish and without their consent also it cannot be done to tax the Inhabitants of any place or places for the repairing of a Bridge or High-way within 300 foot of the Bridg when it is unknown who ought to repair it And they may appoint two Collectors to gather the money and two Surveyors to look to the work and to give an Account thereof and of the Account money And they may call these Officers their Executors or Administrators to an Account Upon 5 Eliz. 13. and 18 Eliz. 9. 6. For the Repair of Chepslow Bridge see 3. Iac. 23. 7. For the Repair of the High-wayâ—s in the Wild of Kent see 14. 15. H. 8. 6. Of Huntington Lane near to Chester see 37 H. 8. 3. In Sussex see 39 Eliz 19. 26 H. 8. 7. 15 H. 8. 6. Of the Cauce-way between Dorchester and Sherborn see 1 Mar. Parl. 2. Chap. 5. Of the King's Ferry in Kent see 18 Eliz. 10. SECT 23. About Horses AS to this there is this onely as belonging to the Office of the Justice of Peace out of Sessions to be known That if any horse be stolne and sold in an open Market the true owner thereof or his Executors may within six moneths after the stealing thereof make his claym for him before any one Justice of Peace near to the place where the horse is found And this Claym the Justice of Peace to whom it is made must take and hear And if within fourty dayes after the claym he can make proof his property by two Witnesses upon oath before the Justice and will pay down to the buyer so much as he before the Justice will depose that he bond side
gave for the horse he shall have his horse again This Claym of the property by the true owner and Oath of buyer for the price the Justice of Peace when called upon herein he must take Upon 31 Eliz. 12. 2 3 Pâ— and M. 3. SECT 24. About Hue-and Cry AS to this any Justice of Peace may may do these things 1. He may bâ—nd or at the Sessions Good Behaviour cause to be bound to the good Behaviour such as shall raise false Hue-and Cry without any cause 2. If any Felony be done any Justice of Peace may command Hue-and-Cry to be made after the Felon and if he perceive Neglect in any Officer of his duty herein he may bind him or cause him to be bound at the Sessions to the good Behaviour And so upon any Hue-and-Cry raised by others if the Justice have Information upon Oath of any Neglect in the following of it by any Officer this is cause enough for a Justice to have the Officer bound to his good Behaviour and to appear at the next Sessions to answer his Neglect See 27 Eliz. 13. SECT 25. Of Hunters Hawkers Fowlers and Hunting Hawking Fowling AS to these things the Justice of Peace his power out of Sessions is thus 1. If any man Hunt or Hawk with Hawking in Corn. Spanniels in the Corn of another mans before it be shocked without his consent In this case any one Justice of Peace may examine the matter if it hath not been before heard and determined in the Sessions and if he â—â—â— cause bind over the party offending Bind over with good Sureties to appear at the next Sessions to answer the offence and to pay the penalty or receive the punishment appointed by the Act of 23 Eliz. 10. 2. If any man Hawk at or kill any Pheasant or Partridge with any Hawk or Dogg between the first day of July and the last day of August In this case any two Justices of the Peace of the County wherein the offender dwells or is apprehended may within six moneths of the offence done upon proof thereof by the Oath of two witnesses before him be committed to the Common-Goal of the place where he is so Convicted for a moneth without bayl unlesse he forthwith pay to the Church-Wardens or Overseers of the place 40 s. for every time he so hawketh and 20 s. for every Pheasant and Partridg so killed But he may not punish it after the six moneths 7 Iac. 11. 3. As to him that humeth Deer or Conies in any Parks Forrests or Warrens in the night disguised In this case any one Justice of Peace upon complaint to him made thereof may send his Warrant to the Sherift or any Bayliff or other Officer within the County to arrest and bring the offender before him to be examined and may examine him If he deny it it is Felony and then the Justice is to prosecute it as a Felony But if he consesse it he is onely to bind him over to appear at the Sessions where he is to be sined for it 3 H. 7. 7. And if any man purposely destroy or take Partridges or Pheasants in the night Any one Justice of Peace upon the bare Examination of the party offending may if he see cause to suspect him bind him with good Sureties in a Recognizance to appear at the next Sessions to answer the offence and to pay the penalty of the Statute Upon 23 Eliz. 20. But there being no way given to the Justice to convict the oftender he cannot levy the penality 4. If any one not qualified by having 10 l. a year of his own Inheritance or 30 l. of his own Free-hold or 200 l. in goods or is eldest son to a Knight or to a greater man c. shall keep any Gray-hound Dogg or Nett to take Partridges or Pheasants Any two Justices in this case upon suspition hereof may send their Warrant to search in places they suspect for them and give the Searchers power if they find any to kill the doggs and tear the Netts And may also upon the confession of the party or proof of the thing by two Witnesses send him to Goal for three moneths unlesse he will forthwith pay to the Church-Wardens of the place where c. the forfeiture of 40 s. Upon 1 Iac. 27. And if any such unqualified person kill or destroy any Pheasants or Partridges by night or day by Nets or otherwise any two Justices upon his confession thereof or oath of one witnesse may send him to the Goal for a moneth unlesse he forthwith pay to the Church-Wardens or Overseers of the Poor where c. 20 s. for every Pheasant and Partridge upon 7. Iac. 11. 5. If any kill hunt or take away any red or fallow Deer in any Porrest Chase Park or other inclosed ground without consent of the owner or shall be ayding or assisting therein any one or more Justices of the Peace upon the confession of the party or oath of one witnesse which the Justice may give shall forfeit 15 l. half to the Informer and half to the Poor of the place which the Justice may by Warrant under his hand levy by way of distresse and sale of goods And for want of distresse the offender to be committed for 12 moneths without Bayl. The offender must be punished within three moneths of the offence done And he that is punished on this Law may not be punished upon any other Law Act. 24. July 1651. 6. If any man buy or sell any wilde Partridge Pheasant Deer or Hare Any two Justices of the place where c. or where c. upon the Confession of the party or Oath of two Witnesses may Commit him to Goal for three moneths without bayl unless he forthwith pay to the the Church-Wardens of the place where c. 40 s. for every Deer 10 s. a Hare or Paritridge and 20 s. a Pheasant or untill he enter into a Recognizance of 20 l. with two Sureties never to do so again 7. If any shoot at with Gun or Bow or doth kill by Nets or other engines Guns a Hare Paritridge Pheasant Pigeon Hearn Mallard Duck Teal or any such Foâ—l or taken the Eggs of a Eggs of Pheasants Paritridges â—c Pheasant Partridge or Swan or doth trace a Hare in the Snow Any two Justices of the Peace where c. or where c. may commit him to Goal as in the last case till he pay 20 s. for every Pheasant Partridge Pigeon or other Fowl 20 s. for every egge so taken and 20 s. for every Hare so traced Upon 1 Iac. 27. 3 Iac. 13. SECT 26. About Imprisonment Arrest and Commitment AS to this these things are to be known 1. That the Justice of Peace must Caveat to Justices take very great care that he do not give Warrant to arrest or imprison or to send to the Goal or Bride-well any man in any cause but where he hath a clear authority so
of the place where c. to levy of the offenders goods the double value of what is brewed c. to the use of the poor of the place where c. and of the Informer by way of distress and sale thereof rendring c. And for lack of distresse and non-payment thereof to send him to Bride-well for three moneths and untill he pay it See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Ord. Excise 17th Septemb. 1656. 10. As to Books written against the Books against the Day Morality of this day and to countenance the profanation thereof In this case any one Justice of Peace may burn them himself or cause them to be burnt by others Upon Ord. 6th of April 1644. 11. All persons must on this day apply How the Day is to be kept themselves to the Sanctification of it by exercising themselves thereon in the duties of Piety and Religion publikely and privately Upon Ord. 6th of April 1644. And this is added thereunto by the new Act That if he be not allowed by some one Justice of Peace to absent himself he is every Lords-day to resort to some Church Chappel or other convenient meeting-place of Christians not distering in matters of Faith from the publike profession of the Nation being the true Protestant Christian Religion contained in the Holy Scriptures of the New and Old Testament under pain of 2 s. 6 d. The which any one Justice of Peace upon his own Sight the confession of the party or the Oath of one witnesse may by his Warrant cause to be levied of the offenders goods by way of distresse and sale thereof rendring c. But nothing can be done upon this new Act of 17. Septemb. 1656 but what is done within a moneth after the offence is done 12. Any one Justice may license a License man to be absent from Church to travail or do worldly businesse to be in an Inne or such like house to go earlier out of his Inne Manday morning or come later into his Inne Saturday night or to have a Coach Horse-Litter Boat to travail and pasle in it on this day Upon the Lawes before-named 13. By the new Act of 17th of September 1656 most of all the offences before named are called a profanation of this day and some others as playing on Instruments vain Singing Dancing the going of Fulling-Mills the working in the washing whiting or drying of Cloaths threed or yarn the setting up or burning of Turf or Beere the gathering of Rates except it be for the poor the melting of Tallow and Wax by Chandlers the baking by Bakers the fitting and carrying home of Cloaths by Taylors the Trimming of men by Barbers the keeping of Fairs and Markets and vain and idle walking about in any place And by this new Law my one Justice of Peace in case of any of these offences done may upon his own sight thereof the Confession of the party or oath of one witnesse send his Warrant to the Constable of the place where c. to levy of the offenders goods 10 s. by way of distresse sale c. to the use of the poor of the place where c. But no Conviction can be of any man for any offence within this Law but what is made within a moneth after the offence done And by this new Law any one Justice of Peace may within this moneths time after the offence send his Warrant to search for discover apprehend and bring before him such persons as he is informed have profaned or do profane the day in any of the particulars before named But here we Caution cannot but tell you That the offences formerly named of Travelling carrying burdens and doing worldly labours or work of their ordinary Calling the keeping using or being present at Wakes Revells wrestlings shootings leapings ringing of Bells for pleasure Bowlings Feasts Church-ales May-poles Gaming Bear-bayting Bull-baiting Butchers and others using of their Trades which were offences against other lawes before the making of this Law seem all tobe comprehended within this time now by the words of this Law as to this purpose are provided That no person shall be impeached or molested for any offence within this Act unlesse he be thereof convicted within one moneth after the offence committed And then it will follow That as to all these offences newly named by this Act they cannot be punished by any of the former Lawes but it must be done within the moneth And the Justice of Peace must therefore be wary what he doth herein and take heed how he useth the Warrants we have advised and drawn in the Clarks Cabinet as touching the Lords-Day that do not agree with the Advice now herein laid down without very good Advice SECT 32. About Mault 1. ANy one Justice of Peace may direct the Constable to sell such deceitfull Mault as he upon Search shall find at the price the Justice shall set down Upon 2 Ed. 6. 10 27 Eliz. 14. 1 Iac. 25. 3 Car. 4. 21 Iac. 28. 2. There must be two Justices of the Recognisance Peace to convict an offender by his own Confession or the Testimony of two witnesses of his breach of a Sessions-Order made for the Restraint of Maulsters and to commit him to Goal three dayes and after till he become bound in a Recognisance of 40 l. to obey the Order Upon 39 Eliz. 16. 3. Any one Justice of Peace alone may take the Recognisance of 40 l. mentioned in the last head Upon 39 Eliz. 16. SECT 33. About Masters Servants and Apprentices 1. ANy two Justices of the Peace Speciall Sessions one of them being of the Quorum may twice a year between Michaâ—mas and Christmas and Lady Day and Iohn the Baptist for three dayes at a time keep a speciall Sessions onely to enquire of the matters and severely to punish the offences against the Stat. of 5. Eliz. 4. about the Hiring Keeping Departing working wages and order of Servants Workmen Artificers Apprentices and Labourers And the Justices are to have each of them 5 s. a day out of the Forfeitures for the time the Sessions doth last for their pains herein 2. It is said that any one Justice of Peace may out of Sessions upon this Law do any one of these things following 1. By the Agreement of the Master and his Apprentice and by writing under the Masters hand discharge the Apprentice of his Apprentiship 2. Allow of the cause of putting away of a Servant but not of an Apprentice within his time 3. Hear and end any difference that shall arise between the Master and his Servant or Apprentice about his not Serving being hired his parting before his tinie be ended or his misbehaviour in the time of his service and make an order herein between them And if the Master will not obey it bind him to appear at the Sessions and if the Servant or Apprentice refuse to obey it bind him to the good behaviour and to appear there also
4. Put in the Stocks for two dayes and one night such a one as he in his discretion shall think fit and shall command to woâ—k in the Harvest time for the saving of Corn or Hay 5. Send to the Goal or house of Correction common Labourers that will not work for the wages set down by the Justices and others that have nothing but their work to live by and will not work for reasonable wages 6. Hear and end any difference between the Clothiers and their Workmen Upon 4. Ed. 4. 1. 7. Send for and commit to ward him that refuseth to serve as an Apprentice according to 5 Eliz. 4. 3. There must be two Justices to do any of these following things 1. To bind to the good behaviour and to appear at the Sessions or to send to the Bridewell such as having no ability to live by but their work and live out of Service and have been by the Justices limited to a time to put themselves into Service and have not done it within the time 2. To punish the Servant by Imprisonment that is retained according to and in the Trades named by the Statute and doth refuse to serve till he give bond to serve or to punish him so for any miscarriage in his Service or to punish him for his going away before his time be expired or to punish him for his going away without giving warning when his time is ended 3. To imprison such Women above 12 years old and under 40 years old unmarried as are compellable to serve by the Statute and refuse to go to service till they give bond to do it 4. To lay the 40 s. Fine upon the Masterâ— for putting away his Servant within his time or at the end of his time without giving of him a quarters warning 5. To punish the Master by the 5 l. Fine and Imprisonment ten dayes for giving of more wages then is set down by the Justice upon the Statute And to imprison the Servant 21 dayes for the taking of that wages 6. To put in Prison for one year or for lesse time the Servant that upon his own Consession or the oath of two witnesses before them is proved to have made an Assray or assault on his Master Mistresse or Governour 7. To inflict the Fine of Five pound upon the Master that retaineth the Servant without a Testimoniall according to the Statute 8. To commit him to Prison that doth hire a Servant for lesse time then a year 9. To imprison a Labourer and Fine him 5 l. for departing from the Work he hath undertaken against the will of the Master before he hath ended it 4. But our Advise to the Justices of Peace herein is That they be very Caveat to the Justices cautious what they do out of Sessions these things upon this Statute and that they use not some of my Warrants as to this I have given in the Clarks Cabinet See chap. 7. Sect. 6. For there is a Clause in it That every Retainer and giving of wages contrary to the true meaning of the Statute shall be void And there are few Retainers according to the Statute Besides there is some doubt either in the power and way of Conviction of the Offender or levying of the Forseiture for the Offence upon most of the branches of the Statute And yet this perhaps a Justice may adventure to do If a Labourer be in his presence and idle and disengaged and he refuse to work in a time of need in the Harvest to commit him according to the Statute And such as have had time set them by the Justices wherein to set themselves into a Service and they do it not and the parties be before them and consesse it and are willfull there the Justices may Proceed against them according to the Stitute And in case of purloyning by Servants from their Masters and where the Contumacy and miscarriage of Servants towards their Masters is very fowl there they may adventure and so may one Justice perhaps by the very Common-Law and of his own discretion to bind him to the good behaviour and to appear at the Sessions And for differences that arise between Masters and Servants and Apprentices any Justice may of his discretion labour to set them agreed and by consent of both parties order any thing between them And in some Cases where he seeth a stubbornnesse bind over the party to appear at Sessions But other wise the safe way is to refer these matters to and to have all these offenders punished at the Quarter-Sessions For we do not perceive that it can well be done any where else 5. Every Justice not hindered by Sicknesse or other good cause is to be present at the Taxing of wages under pain of 10 l. by 5 Eliz. 4. 1. Iac. 6. 6. As to a Clothier or other that Clothiers for wages refuseth to pay to his Workmen the wages set down by the Justices at the Sessions In this case two Justices of the Peace one of them of the Quorum may upon the Consession of the offender himself or the proof thereof but doth not say upon oath of two lawfull and sufficient witnesses before them send their Warrant to the Constables of the place where c. to levy the 10 s. Forfeiture upon the offender by distresse and sale of his goods Upon 1 Iac. 6. 7. If any Servant or Apprentice shall imbesill or steal away the goods of his Master any one Justice of Peace if by circumstances the case comes to a plain Felony may deal with him as he doth with other men in cases of Felony according to the nature of the case But for this see 21 H. 8 7. 33 H. 6. 1. and Dalton's Iustice of Peace page 95. and 320. See the Cabinet for the Presidents to some of these things in Chap. 13. 8. Poor people that have many children Binding poor children Apprentices The Overseers of the poor with the consent of two Justices may bind them Apprentices And if their Parents hinder their binding or being bound entice them away the Parents may be sent to Bride-well by the Resolution of the Judges 1633. But this we conceive must be by the Justices in and not out of their Sessions 9. If any such person as by the Servants to service Bridewell 5 Eliz. 4. are appointed to be in service as one brought up in husbandry under 30 years old or a Maid-Servant brought up in any of the Trades named in the Statute live out of Service not having visible means to maintain themselves without their labour and refuse to serve as an hired servant by the year and he or she hath been warned by two Justices to put her self into service by such a time and doth not such person may be sent to the house of Correction Resol of Iudges 1633. But this we conceive also must be done by the Justices within and may not be done by any of the Justices out of
Robbery Sect. 47. of this Chapter 6. For the Rates of Poor see Poor Of Churches see Churches 7. For the Rate to carry a Prisoner to Goal and what the Justices may do therein out of Sessions see it in Goal Sect. 20. of this Chapter 8. For the Plague see Plague Sect. 41. of this Chapter SECT 40. About the Posse-Comitatus ANy one Justice of Peace if he have cause as to keep the Peace suppresse a Riot take a Felon or the like may raise command and use all the power of the County and every man required by him is to obey him herein or may be punished by the Sessions for his neglect or contempt of his authority herein SECT 44. About Recognisances 1. ANy one Justice of Peace may take a Recognisance for the Peace or good Behaviour or for a mans appearing at the Assizes or at the Sessions to prosecute or give evidence to bayl a prisoner where he is baylable or the like And this by the Common-Law 2. Any one Justice may take a Recognisance upon divers Statutes as of such as keep or use houses of unlawfull games that they shall do so no more Of such as are suspect to use Logwood and of their witnesses of such as take Partridges and Hawkers in corn to appear at Sessions of such as are convict for taking or killing of Pheasants and Partridges to do so no more of the Master that shall abuse his Apprentice that he appear at Sessions of him that is robbed that intends to be relieved against the Hundred Upon 27 Eliz. and some others 3. There must be 2 Justices of the Peace one of them of the Quorum to take Recognisances of Ale house-keepers to baile a Prisoner baylable for Felony And so in other cases where the Statute doth say there must be 2. Justices 4. Every Justice is to see to it that the Recognisances taken by himself or by himself another or other Justices that they be especially if they be for the bayling of Felons returned into the next Assizes or Sessions as the case is before the Judges or Justices there to be proceeded upon there SECT 45. About Recusants AS to this sort of people these things are to be known 1. If any Jesuit or Priest be made Jesuit Priest known to him he must acquaint one of the Privy-Council with it within 28 dayes under pain of 200 Marks Upon 27 Eliz. 2. 2. If any Agnus Dei be discovered to Agnus Dei. him he must acquaint one of the Privy-Council with it within 14 dayes Upon 13 Eliz. 2. 3. One Justice may require a Popish Recusant within three moneths after his Conviction to submit and declare his conformity to the Lawes of Recusants And in case he do not so he may if it he not a Feme Cevert require him to abjure the Realm But the Abjuration must be in the Quarter-Sessions Abjuration 35 Eliz. 1. 21 Iac. 28. So one Justice may within 3. dayes after Masse said take Information of it Upon Masse 3 Iac. 5. So he may require a Popish Recusant above 16 years old who shall travaâ—l above five miles from his dwelling Travail without License if he have lesse then 20 Marks a year or 40 l. in goods to conform Upon 35 Eliz. 2. So to send to Goal without Bail a suspected Jesuit or Priest that being brought before him upon a suspition refuseth to answer directly whether he be a Popish Priest or Jesuit Upon 35 Eliz. 2. 4. There must be two Justices of Peace to give an Oath to a Recusant Oath licensed by them two and two other Justices to travailâ— Upon 3 Iac. 5. and 35 Eliz. 2. So to search the houses of such men who or whose Wives are suspect Papists for Popish Books and Books Popish Reliques and to burn them or if they be of value to deface and restore them Upon 3 Iac. 4. So to take the submission of one that hath been Reconciled to the Church who within six dayes after his Return shall tender it to them Upon 3 Iac. 4. So to take the Abjuration of a Popish Recusant By 35 Eliz. 2. So to require a Popish Recusant above 16 years old which shall travail above five Miles from his dwelling without license if he have lesse then twenty Marks Free-hold by the year or fourty pound in goods to conform in three moneths or else abjure and to certifie it to the Assizes Upon 35 Eliz. 2. So if being 16 years and have not 20 marks a year c. and to travail and required by one Justice of Peace to conform within three moneths then to require him to abjure and to certifie the Abjuration Abjure to the next Assizes Upon 35 Eliz 2. And there must be two and one of them of the Quorum to send to prison a woman Covert Recusant not conforming in three moneths unlesse her husband will pay ten pound a moneth or the thirds of his Lands On 7 Iac. 6. 5. Any two Justices of the Peace may send for any person above 16 years old that they suspect to be a Papist and cause him to be bound by Recognizance to appear at the next Sessions to take the Oath of Abjuration And upon his refusall commit him to safe custody without bayl till the next Quarter-Sessions And if he come not upon this to the Sessions they are to present him to the Sessions as suspitious or they sorfeit 20 l. Act. 17 Septemb. 1656. 6. Two or more of them of every Division must send their Warrant four times in the year once a Quarter and 28 dayes at least before the Quarter-Sessions to the Constables and Church-Wardens of the Parishes within their limits to require them at some time and place 14 dayes before the Quarter-Sessions to present upon their Oaths to them the Names Sirnames Additions and places of abode of all such of 16 years old or upwards as are suspect to be Papists or Popishly affected And then taking their Oath to the Presentment shall by their Warrant to the Constable require him to summon such persons presented either by delivering a Note in writing or leaving it at his house or usuall place of abode to appear in person at the next Quarter-Sessions when and where they shall deliver in the same Presentment openly in the Court to be Recorded Act. 17. Septemb 1656. SECT 46. About a Riot Rout and unlawfull Assembly AS to Ryots Routs and unlawfull Assemblies In these Cases any one Justice of Peace upon complaint to him made or notice to him given thereof if it continue he must if he be able go to the place and view it And there he must first of all quiet it and remove the Force For the doing whereof he may if he see cause raise the power of the County to assist him And if he find the Ryotors at the place he is to disarm them send them to Prison and Good Behaviour bind them to the good behaviour And if the
4. 4. of Tile 32 H. 8. 13. of Horses Horses 4. Another thus That the Justices Mault of the Peace shall enquire hear and determine as well by the Presentment of 12 men as by Accusation or Information of two honest witnesses of for and upon the same offences So 2 and 3 Ed. 6. 10. of Mault 5. Another thus That the Justices Transportation of the Peace shall enquire as well by the Oath of 12 men as also to hear and examine the Masters and Mariners of the Ship and to hear and determine the same offences as they may and ought to hear and determine other offences So 1 2 Ph. M. 5. of Transportation 6. Another is to this purpose That â—orestalling the Justices of the Peace shall enquire hear and determine at their Quarter-Sessions all offences c. by Inquisition Bill Presentment or Information before them and by examination of two lawfull witnesses or by any of these wayes or means according to their discretion So 5 and 6 Ed. 6. of Forestalling c. 7. Another thus That the Justices Weights of the Peace shall by examination or enquiry hear and determine the desaults c. and set Fine according to their discretion So 11 H. 7. 4. of Weights 8. Another thus That all the Justices Pheasants of the Peace in their general Quarter-Sessions and any two of them together out of any Sessions shall examinâ—â— hear punish and determine the offences c. and to administer Oaths and to perform every thing requisite for the due execution of that Law So in 1 Iac. 27. of Pheasants 9. Another to this purpose That all the Forsâ—itures that shall grow by the Conviction of any person within the Statute shall be levied by Warranâ— under the hands and seals of two Justices by distresse and sale of the offenders goods And that if any of the said offences shall be confessed by the offender or that the same shall be proved Rogues by two sufficient witnesses not saying upon Oath before two Justices of the Peace that then such person shall forthwith stand convicted in Law thereof And that any two Justices of the Peace c. shall have power to hear and determine all causes that shall come and grow in question upon this Act. So 39 Eliz. 4. of Such as â—ve at high Rates Vagabonds 10. Another to this purpose That the Justices shall send for the offender and require Sureties of him for the good Behaviour and to appear at the Sessions or if he refuse to give it send him to Goal And that at the Sessions be shall be indicted upon which Indictment if he be legally convict of the offence that he shall be sent to the House of Correction So 17 Septemb. 1656. Of them that live at High Rates Clothes 11. Another is to this purpose That every Justice of Peace of the County shall have power to hear and determine the Complaints of them that are wronged c. by due examination of the parties c. And to commit the said offenders to the next Goal there to remain till damages be paid c. And that every of the said Justices upon complaint of any other may cause the party complained of to come before him and to examine him upon it And if thereby or by other due proof he be found defective that then he shall forfeit c. So 4 Ed. 4. 1. Of clothes 12. Another to this purpose That Yarn the Justices of the Peace shall have power to enquire of the said defaults as well at the Suit of the King as of the party And that they shall examine the Trespassoâ—s and enquire and do execution upon them that be sound faulty by Inquest or Examination to be made by the Judges c. So 8 H. 6. 5. Of Yarn 13. Another to this purpose That if the said offence shall be confessed by Clothiers the offender or proved by two lawfull witnesses before the Justices of the Peace in their Sessions Or before any two Justices of the Peace That then such person of such offence shall be convict and the Forfeiture shall be levied by distresse and sale of goods by Warrant from the two Justices of the Peace before whom the Conviction shall be So 1 Iac. 6. Of clothiers 14. Another to this purpose That Tokens the offender being convict by examination of witnesses or confession taken before the Justices of the Peace in their general Sessions shall suffer any corporal punishment but death they shall appoint And that two Justices of the Peace one of them being of the Quorum may to the Sessions call by process or otherwise the persons susspect or commit him to Ward or let him to bayl till the next Assizes or General Sessions there to be examined and further ordered as aforesaid So 33 H. 8. 1. Of Tokens 15. Another is to this purpose That the Justices of the Peace upon complaint Sheriffs to them shall examine the suspect offender and his Servants And if upon examination they shall find him faulty That then he shall be convict and attaint of the same offence without further Inquisition or examination And he shall forfeit c. And that the Justices shall certifie this Forfeiture into the Exchequer So in 11. H. 7. 15. Of sheriffs 16. Another to this purpose That the Justices of the Peace dividing themselves Servants into several limits shall by all such wayes and means â—â— to their wisdomes shall be thought must meet make a speciall and diligent enquiry of the Articles of that Statute and the execution thereof and where they shall find defaults severely punish it So in â— Eliz. 4. of Servants Wherein there is also a general â—ower of Oyer and Terminer to the Justices of the Peace 17. That the Justices and every of them may examine hear and determine all Complaints and offences that shall be done against that Law and according to their discretion punish such as shall offend c. So 2. and 3 Ph. and M. 16. 18. Another to this purpose That Captains and Souldiers the offender upon due proof of the offence by the Justices of the Peace shall suffer c. So in 2 3 Ed. 6. Of Captains and Souldiers SECT 4. THere are another sort of them and they seem to give to the Justices of Peace a power to do something onely or especially out of the Sessions of the Peace As for Examples 1. One of them is pâ—nned to this purpose 1. If any Justice of Peace of c. upon Lords-Day his or their view or confession of the party or proof of any one or more witnesses by Oath which the said Justice may administer shall find any person offending in the premisses the said Justice shall give Warrant under â—â—â— hand and seal to the Constables or Church-wardens of the place where c. to levy the said Forfeiture by way of distresse c. rendring
of the Exercise 6 April 1644 and 17 Sept. 1656. of the Exercise 1 Car. 1. 6 April 1644 of the Lords Day and 17 Septemb. 1656 of them that live at high Rates Whether in these cases the Justice of Peace may safely send his Warrant to commit the offender Or what may be done by him upon such a Law Answ This Case may be a little doubtfull But we conceive that it will be intended as that which is necessarily understood that the Justice of Peace may make such a warrant and Justify it And this is the opinion of some Learned men But otherwise we conceive that the Justices of the Peace in their Quarter-Sessions cannot supply it but in cases where they have a generall power of Oâ—er and Terminer of the offence by the same Law And there it must be also in the ordinary way way of proceeding by Inditement c. Quest 25. Where a Statute c. is that for lack of distresse the offender by warrant from a Justice of Peace shall be whipt c. without more words as it is in 28 June 1650. about Swearing Whether the Justice may in this case make his Warrant to do this Answ It seems Yea. And so Iso where the Act is penned thus Upon pain of c. To be levied by warrant from a Justice of Peace c. as it is in the Act of Excise Septemb. 1656. Quest 26. Where a Statute c. is penned thus That upon proof or Oath or confession of the offence before a Justice of Peace without more words such a punishment shall be inflicted or such a thing shall be done As it is in Act 14 August 1649. of the Excise Titles of Honour Stage-Playes Swearing Lords day Excise 4 Febr. 1651. of Titles of Honour Act 1656. of Excise 12 Febr. 1647. of Stage-playeâ— Act 1650. of Swearing 3 Car. 1. of the Lords-Day Whether these words do give power to the Justice to take the Conviction Answ We conceive Yea. And so also where the Statute c. is penned to this purpose that unlesse such a thing be done before a Justice of Peace that such a punishment shall not be inflicted That by this the Justice hath power in the thing as it is in 27 Eliz. 13. about the Oath to be taken by him that is robbed And it seems in all cases regalarly where a thing is directed to be done before a Justice of Peace in case of Conviction of an offender That by this there is implicitely given to the Justice a power to do that thing See Ca. 2. Just 689. Quest 27. Where a Statute c. is thus penned That after an offender is convicted before a Justice of Peace the power is given to some others to levy the penalty and the Justice of Peace hath no power given to him therein As it is in 43 Eliz. 2. of Poor and 3 of Souldiers and Maâ—iners Poor Souldiers and Mariners and 1 Iac. 9 of Ale-house-keepers Whether in this case the Justice of Peace may safely send any Warrant to do it Answ In this case we conceive it not safe for the Justice of Peace to give any Warrant in it And that he hath no more to do but to give notice of the Conviction onely to the person that is to do the Eâ—â—cution and mind him of his duty therein And yet some also are of another opinion in this point Quest 28. Where the words of a Statute c. are That the Justice of the Peace shall cause an ossender to be imprisoned or the like thing to be done As it is in 14 August 1649. of Excise 24 H. 8. 10. of Ctows What the Justice of Peace may do herein Answ We conceive that by this word Cause is given a command and Authority also to do the thing And that the Justice may thereupon send his Warrant to the officer oâ— some other that will undertake it to authorize him to do it Quest 29. Where a Statute c. besides a generall power of Oyer and Terminer of an offence doth give to the Justices a speciall power to give such Correction to the offender as they shall think meet As it is in 5 Eliz. 4. about Masters and Servants What the Masters Servants the Justices may do upon this Answ We cannot conceive what power is given hereby except it be that two Justices of the Peace may out of Sessions where they see cause bind the Master to the good behaviour and send the Servant to Bridewell which is not but with good advice to be done Quest 30. Where a Statute c. besides a generall power of Oyer and Terminer of an offence given to the Justices doth add this Clanse That they may dâ—vâ—de themselves and by all means according to their discretion make enquiry upon the Statute and the execution thereoâ— and punish the defaults As it is in 5 Eliz. 4 of Masters and Servants What the Justices Masters Servants may do by these Additional words Answ We conceive nothing at all except it be to keep a speciall Sessions which upon the matter is all one with the generall Sessions for the Conviction and punishment of the offender Quest 31. Where the Statute c. as to the Conviction of an offender is penned thus That every person offending therein and confessing the same or being thereof Convicted by Verdict upon Indictment or Presentment As it is in Act 10 May. 1650 of Fornication Fornication How this Confession shall be taken Answ By this Confession in this Act we do conceive is clearly intended a Confession upon an Indictment or Presentment onely And not a Confession also before any Justice oâ— Justices of the Peace in or out of a Sessions without an Indictment or Presentment Quest 32. Where a Statute c. is thus penned That they that shall so offend shall sorselt such further pains and penalties as by the Justices of the Peace or the more part of them shall be thought sit not exceeding 40 s. a piece for every offence As it is in 7 Iac. 4. of Bridewell without any further addition of Words of power to convict or punish How this shall be taken And what the Justices may do upon it Answ This Statute is herein very doubtfull and yet haply some use thereof in order to the punishment of the offender may be made by the Justices of the Peace Quest 33. Where a Statute c. giveth to a Justice of Peace power in case of an oftence to examine the matter And it he suspect the party to bind him and the Witnesses over to the Sessions or if he refuse to be bound to send him to the Goal as in 39 Eliz. 11. of Log-wood and 23 Eliz. 10. of High-wayes Logwood Highâ—ayes How this shall be taken and what the Justice of Peace may do upon it Answ We conceive in this case he may safely pursue the words of the Statute See for this 33 H. 8. 6. and Coo. 5. 72. Quest
in the last we do by this intend that the proceeding against the offender is in that offence as it is directed to be done for that offence which went last before it 15. Where we set down times of the Kings and Queens as 1 Iac. 27. 43 Eliz. 2. and times of the year of the Lord as 6 April 1654. and the like By this we mean the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament set forth in those dayes and times which by search may by this light be found out 16. Where the Justice doth intend to act any thing upon any one Head our advice is that he read it through before he do it CHAP. II. Of the Power of Iustices of the Peace in the general AS to this Point Of the Power of the Justices of the Peace in general these things are to be known 1. That the Power that the Justices How derived to them of the Peace have is given to them partly by and from the Commission of the Peace and therein by the Common Law And partly by certain Acts and Ordinances of Parliament And some of it is conversant about Criminal matters for the restraint and punishment of divers offences Some of it is about other things necessary to be done in the Common-wealth and for the better ordering of the County as for the making of Officers settling of Rates and the like By their Commission of the Peace they are authorized to look to the Peace of the County to punish according to the Law those that break it require and take Surety of the Peace of all such as threaten hurt to others in their bodies or to burn their houses and send to Gaol such as refuse to give Surety And to punish many offences tending to the breach of the Peace Some offences that are offences by the Common-Law and some by the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament Some of which Acts and Ordinances have made new offences and have given the Justices power to punish them And some of these also give them power to punish offences that were offences by the Common-Law in a higher degree or in a greater measure than they were punished before by the Common-Law 2. This power is over all persons Over whom it is within the County Except their Fellow-Justices and the persons that live in such places within the County that are exempt having Justices within themselves 3. This power the Justice of Peace may exercise and execute part of it as What they may do out of their county to take Informations against offenders to prove offences done in the County where they are committed or to take the Oath of a man robbed whether he know the parties that robbed him or not or to take a Recognâ—sance by Supplicavit or the like in any place out of his County where also he may take a Recognizance to prosecute if any man will voluntarily give it But he cannot exercise any coercive power as to commit a Feloâ— make an order about a Bastard commâ—t to prison for any offence or the like in any place out of his own County wheâ—ein he is Justice of Peace Hellier's Case 7. Car. B. R. Sir George Croke Report 153. 4. Some of these things wherein they Where it is to be Acted have Conusâ—nce may be done out of and some of them must be done in the Sessions of the Peace for the County and cannot be done elsewhere 5. That which is to be done in the What they may do together and asunder Sessions of the Peace may generally be done by two Justices of the Peace one of them being of the Quorum But there are some few things by certain Acts of Parliament that cannot be done there but by more then two Justices 6. The things to be done out of the Sessions may some of them be done by one some by two and some by more Justices of the Peace and cannot be done by sewer 7. Where sewer Justices of Peace in or out of the Sessions have power to do a thing there regularly more Justices of the Peace may do the same thing in the same way and in the same place Yet see Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Numb 30. 8. That which one two or three Justices of the Peace may do out of the Sessions of the Peace regularly the same thing in the same but not in another way may by the same number of Justices of the Peace be done within the Sessions of the Peace 9. Where a thing is â—â— be done by the Justices with the assent of others neither of them alone without the other may do this thing 10. What a private man or Inferiour Officer of the Peace may do in order to the keeping of the peace that doubtlesse a Justice of Peace may do 11. Any one Justice of Peace in the execution of his Office as to apprehend Posse Comitatus Felons keep the peace or the like may require the Assistance of what able men he pleaseth And those required must assist him or they may be punished for Refusal 12. For any thing the Justices do out of the Sessions they are liable to a suit for the same as another man is But for such Acts as are done in a Sessions way as Acts of the Court they are not liable to a Suit But any man that is grieved thereby may upon his Appeal to the Upper-Bench have Relief there and avoid such Acts. But we shall open this Power now by the particulars thereof And first in what they may do out of and then in what they may do in their Sessions of the Peace And first of the first CHAP. III. Of the Power of one or more Iustices of the Peace out of the Sessions SECT 1. About Armour and Armed Men. AS to Armour and Armed-men these things are to be known 1. That any one Justice of Peace if he see men go or ride armed in an unusual way with secret Coats of Maile Daggs Pistols or the like by day or by night to the terrour of the people he may if he think fit and ought if he judge it necessary to be done to cause them to be disarmed imprisoned and bound to the Peace But Sheriff's Souldiers Souldiers and Officers in the doing of Justice may go armed and are not to be interrupted Upon Stat. of Northhampton 2. Ed. 3. 2. Any Justice may if he see cause cause to be disarmed any man that is brought before him upon any Suspition of Crime 3. If any man keep in his house carry in his Journey or do shoot in any Guns Gun Crosse-bow Stone-â—ow or Pistol contrary to 33 H. 8. 6. And another man shall according to that Act bring him before a Justice of Peace The Justice of Peace may by that Law upon examination of the offender himself and proof of Witnesse commit the offender to Goal till he pay the penalty of 10 l. Escheat And this fine the Justice is to extreat and send into the Exchequer
not safely in any case baile such a person Baile accused of Felony But if he see cause or desire to Bail him because the offence is small as perhaps but a Petit Larceny or if it be greater and the evidence against him is very little or none at all he must call to his assistance another Justice of Peace For there must be two Justices of the Peace and one of them of the Quorum and they must be together to do this work See Baile and 1 2 Ph. and M. 13. 10 Any one Justice may send his Warrant to arrest any one that stands indicted of a Felonie See the Presidents in the Cabinet for all these things Chap. 5. throughout Chap. 25. 1 c. 2. Any two Justices before whom Reward for the taking of Felons any one shall be convict of a Robbery or Buâ—glary may give order to the Sheriff to pay to the party that did apprehend and prosecute him 10 l. for his reward therein Act. 17th of Septemb 1656. 3. How Felonies done beyond Sea may be prosecuted here by the Prosecutor thereof and what the Justice of Peace is to do in it see Act. 20th of September 1649. 4. How and at whose charge Felons shall he carried to Goal see Sect. 20th of this Chapter SECT 17. About Fish and Fishers AS to this we are to know 1. That no Fisherman is to be forced to be a Marriner under the Lord Proâ—ector's Commission unlesse he be chosen by the two next Justices to the place where he dwells 5 Eliz. 5. 2. Justices of the Peace are to be Conservators of the Rivers and shall have power to â—arch Weâ—res lest by their straitnesse the Fly of Fish be destroyed Upon weâ—â— 2. â—â— and 13 â— â—â—9 And they may appoint under-Officers to look to the Rivers and to inform against offenders therein West 2. 47. 13 R. 2. 19. SECT 18. About a Forcible Entry AS to such as make Forcible Entries into Lands in this case any one Justice of Peace upon Complaint hereof made to him and that the Force doth continue may go to the place to view it And if he find it upon his own view to be so he may remove it Record the Force and as some would have it Fine the offenders according to his discretion bind them to the good Behaviour send them to Goal till they have paid or secured the Fine And then make a Record of all this and certifie it into the Upper-Bench or Quarter-Sessions which he will And when the Fine is paid or secured he may deliver the offender But if the Force be done and past Then hath he nothing to do but to summon a Jury to enquire of it which he must do by his Warrant to the Sheriff and do it within a moneth of the Complaint or it will be very panal to him And by this Jury upon a Traverse he must enquire And if the Jury find any Forcible Entry or detainer in the Case then is the Justice to send his Warrant to the Sheriff to restore the party put out of into possession again and may Fine c. 15 R. 2. 2. 8 H. 6. 9. 31 Eliz. 11. 21 Iac. 15. See for this the Books at large and in my Iustice of Peace Book Chap. 15. and in the Clarks Cabinet See all the Presidents of Warrants for it in Chap. 7. of that Book And because there is some difficulty in Caution to Justices this work it will be the Justices wisedome to call in for the help of some or at least of one of his Fellow-Justices of Peace herein SECT 19. About Free-Quarter AS to Souldiers that take Free-Quarter in mens houses against the owners consent In this case any two Justices of the Peace may examine the offence upon Oath And when they have done this they are to send this Examination under their hands and seals up to the Committee of Examination Certificate the Army And so satisfaction will be made to him that is wronged Upon Act. 19. December 1651. 24 April 1648. and 24 December 1647. SECT 20. About Goals or Prisons and Prisoners AS to this take these things 1. Justices of the Peace regularly are to send such prisoners as they do commit to prison to none other but the Common-Goal of the County Upon 5. H. 4. 10. And yet where any Statute directs them to send to another prison as to the Bride-well Stocks or the like there they must pursue the same direction 2. The Goaler is to receive such a prisoner so sent to him by a Justice of Peace and that without Fee And if â—he Goaler do not so he may be punished by the Justices of the Peace by Fine for his Contempt c. But not upon the Statute of 4 Ed. 3. 10. For the Justices of the Peace have not the power of Execution of that Statute 3. An offender to be conveyed to Charges of Convey of a Prisoner to Goal Goal is to bear all the charge of himself and of those that guard him thither if he be able And in case he refuse so to do Any one Justice of Peace may send his Warrant to the Constable of any Township in the County where he hath goods and take them and prize them by four of the Neighbours and sell so much thereof as the Justice shall think fit to satisfie the charge And if the offender have no goods a Rate for Rate the raising of the money may be made by the Constables and Church-wardens and two or three others or for lack of such Officers by four of the more sufficient men of the place where he was taken And any one Justice of Peace may by putting his hand to it confirm it And after give his Warrant under his hand to levy it by distresse of the goods of them that refuse and after apprisal by four of the Inhabitants by sale thereof to give back the over-plus And so to pay over the money to them that did bear the charge of his Convey to prison Upon 3. Iac. 10. See the President for this in the Clark's Cabinet Chap. 17. SECT 21. About Habeas-Corpus Certiorario Supersedeas Writ of Errour AS to these four things which are Writs that serve to prevent stop or undo the power of the Justices of the Peace these things are to be known 1. The Habeas-Corpus is to remove Remove of Records and Prisoners the prisoner and his cause from the Justices into a higher Court upon supposall that they are doing or have done illegally The Certiorani to remove the Cause and Record from before the Justices before a higher power upon this pretence The Supersedeas is from a Higher Court to forbid any further or other proceeding before the Justices The Writ of Errour to undo what hath been done before the Justices where upon on Indictment or Information a Judgment is given against Law 2. Every Habeas-Corpus and Certiorari to remove a Record or Prisoner ought to be signed
As to the Inne-keeper Ale-house-keeper Tipling suffered by the Inne-keeper Taverner or Victualler that doth suffer any one of the same or of another Parish to sit Tipling in his house In this case any one Justice of Peace may upon his own fight hereof or the confession of the offender or the proof thereof by the oath of one witnesse which he may administer convict him of it And after this Conviction he is to give notice of it to the Constables or Church-wardens of the place where the offence is done and call upon them to do their office therein which is to levy of the offender's goods 10 s. forfeiture for the offence to the use of the poor of the place where c. by way of distresse of goods and after six dayes by sale thereof rendring c. And if it be not paid or there be no distresse to be had the Constables or Church-Wardens that had the notice they are to certifie the same to any one of the Justices of the Peace And thereupon the same Justice of Peace may send his Warrant to commit the offender to Goal till he pay the same forfeiture And also to give him notice That he is disabled for three years to keep any Ale-house again And if these Officers do not levy the money Officers nor certifie the lack of distresse or non-payment within 20 dayes to the Justice of Peace The Statute saith That the Justice of Peace by Warrant under his hand and seal shall levy 40 s. penalty â—pon them by way of distâ—essâ— of goods And this distresse to be detained six dayes then prized and sold rendring c. And for lack of such distresse the same Officers to be sent by the same Justice to the Goal till they pay their forfeiture But doth not say how the Constable or Church-Wardens shall be convicted of this offence And therefore the Justice may Caveat to Justices not send such a Warrant to levy it but this punishment may be inflicted by the Justices of the Peace in their Quarter-Sessions against the Officers for their neglect by the general power of Oyer and Terminer given to them by the Act. Also the Justices in this case must take heed of sending their Warrant against the Inne-keeper c. for the 10 s. For the Constable and Church-Wardens are by their Office to do it without Warrant 1 Iac. 9. 21 Iac. 7. 1 Car. 4. 3 Car. 3. See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Quest 19. 4. As to the Inne-keeper Ale-house-keeper Assife Vintner c. that shall sell lesse then one quart of the best and two quarts of the small Ale or Beer for a penny In this case any one Justice of the Peace may upon his own sight of it the confession of it by the party or proof thereof by the oath of one Witnesse which he may administer convict him of it and after his conviction proceed against him as he is to do in the last case before against the Ale-house-keeper for suffering tipling in his house And so also against the Officers throughout 1 Iac. 9. 21 Iac. Caveat to Justices 7. 1 Car. 4. with the same Caveat as in the last See for the Warrant in the Cabinet Chap. 12. Sect. 6. 5. As to him that is drunk In this Drunkennesse case any one Justice of Peace may upon his own view or the offenders confession thereof or proof by the oath of one witnesse convict him And for the first offence he may within a week after the conviction send his Warrant to the Constable of the place where c. to levy of the offenders goods to the use of the poor c. 5 s. if it he not paid in within a week after the Conviction by way of distresse and sale of goods c. And for lack of distresse the offender is to be put in the Stocks six hours And Caveat to Justices albeit there is no expresse power by the Act given to the Justice nor to any others to do this Yet it is conceived that the Justice may safely do it And therefore that he may safely follow my Presidents in the clark's Cabinet herein to make his Warrant forth in this case to do it For the words of 4. Iac. 5. are That if the offender lack a distresse he shall be commited to the Stocks six hours But it doth not say the Justice shall commit him to the Stocks Or that he shall send his Warrant to do it But this must as it is conceived be necessarily understood For the Act of 21 Iac. 7. hath these words That one Justice may convict him and the offender shall be punished as in the Statute is appointed And if it be the. Ale-house-keeper that is drunk the Justice is to give him notice that he is disabled for three years to keep an Ale-house again And for the second offence in any Drunkard the Justice of Peace is to put him to give two Sureties for his good Behaviour in a Recognizance of 10 l. And in this Statute there is the like Clause to punish the Officers neglect as is in the two last before the third and fourth Number But no way of Conviction except it may be by the parties own confession upon the general words of 21 Iac. 7. in the beginning thereof But Caveat to Justices this being doubtfull it is not safe for the Justice of Peace to grant his Warrant against the Officers for this But to leave it to the Sessions 4 Iac. 5. See the Warrant on this part in the Cabinet Chap. 12. Sect. 3. But no Justice of Peace can punish any man for this offence of Drunkennesse after six moneths is past after the offence is committed See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Numb 24. 6. As to the Townesman or Stranger that shall be tipling in an Inne Tipling Ale-house or Victualling-house and not invited by a Traveller and during the Traveller's stay there onely and labourers that are there for the conveniency of their work or one that is there for cause to be allowed by two Justices of the Peace In this case any one Justice of Peace may upon his own view thereof the confession of the party or proof thereof by the oath of one witnesse send his Warrant to the Constables of the place where c. to levy of the offenders goods to the use of the poor c. 3 s. 4 d. by way of distress and sale rendring c. And for want of distresse to set him in the Stocks for four hours And to give the Inne-keeper notice that he is disabled c. 4 Iac. 5. 21 Iac. 7. See the Warrants for these things in the Cabinet Chap. 12. Sect. 4. 7. No man is to be punished twice for the same offence in any case upon these Statutes 3 Car. 3. 8. There must be two Justices and License one of them of the Quorum to give license to any man out of Sessions to sell Ale Beer Cyder or
with a third part of the Forseiture See in the Cabinet a Warrant for it chap. 4. Sect. 3. 3. As to Carriers with Houses Carriers Drovers of Cattle Wains or Carts and Drovers of Cattle that Travell on this day In this Case any one Justice of Peace may upon his own fight of it the Consession of the party or proof of it by the Oath of two Witnesses send his Warrant to the Constables or Church-Wardens of the place where c. to levy of the goods of the Offender 20 s. to the use of the poor of the place where c. by way of distresse and sale thereof rendring c. upon 3. Car. 1. But no man is to be punished upon this Law unlesse he be questioned for his offence within six Moneths after it is done And here the Justice may also if he please reward the Informer with a third part of the Forseiture See the President for it in the Clarks Cabbinet Chap. 4. Sect. 4. 4. As to Butchers that by themselves Butchers or others kill or sell their meat on this Day In this case any one Justice of Peace may upon his own sight thereof the Consession of the patry or Oath of two Witnesses send his Warrant to the Constables and Churchwardens of the place where c. to levy to the use of the poor of the place of the Offenders goods 6 s. 8 d. by way of distresse and sale thereof c. upon 3. Car. 1. But no man is to be punished upon this Law for his offence after the six months And here also the Justice may if he please reward the Informer with a third part of the Penalty See the Warrant in the Cabinet Chap. 4. Sect. 5. 5. As to such as Cry shew sorth Crying and shewing of Wares offer or put to sale any Goods Wares or Commodities except it he provision in an Inne or Ale-house or milk in London upon this day the things are to forfeited and any Church-wardens Constables or Overseers of the poor may without warrant from a Justice of Peace seize and secure them Also any one Justice of Peace may give a Warrant to any such Officers so to do Upon the Act of 6th of Aprill 1644 and 19th of April 1650. And now it is added That any one Justice of Peace upon proof of the offence by his own view the confession of the party or oath of witnesse may give order to sell the goods and give the money to the poor of the place where the goods were first seized Or the Justice if he please may give the thirds thereof to the Informer the rest to the poor But this new thing must be done within a moneth after the offence is done or it cannot now be done Upon the new Act. 17th September 1646. See in the Cabinet a President for it in the same place 6. As to such as Travail abroad on horseback or on foot without License Travailers of a Justice of Peace on this day Any one Justice of Peace may upon his own sight of it the confession of the offender or proof thereof by oath of one witnesse send his Warrant under his hand and seal to the Constables or Church-Wardens of the place where c. to levy of the goods of the offender 10 s. to the use of the poor of the place where c. by way of distresse and sale thereof rendring c. And then the Ordinance is further That for lack of distresse the offender shall be put in the Stocks three hours But the words being doubtfully penned as we shewed before and that it may be safe to put this clause and to follow my President for this in my Cabinet Upon Ordinance of 6th of April 1644. And here also the Justice may if he please give a third part of the forfeiture to the Informer 7. As to such as carry any Burdens Carrying of Burdens or do any worldly work on this day In this case any one Justice of Peace upon sight hereof the Consession of the offender or proof thereof by the Oath of one witnesse may send his Warrant under his hand and Seal to the Constables or Church-Wardens of the place where c. to levy of the oftenders goods â— s. to the use of the poor of the place where c. by way of distresse and sale thereof rendring c. And this is by the same Ordinance of 6th of April 1644. where the case is the same as in the last offence And therefore the Justice we conceive may here also use the Clause of putting in the Stocks three hours And here also the Justice may if he please give a third part of the Forfeiture to the Informer 8. As to the Travellers Wagoners Time of coming in and going out of the Inne Saturday nights Butchers Higlers Drovers and their Servants that shall come into their Inne Saturday night after 12 of the Clock and go out Munday morning before one of the clock without leave of a Justice of Peace And as for such as Dance prosanely sing drink or tipple in an Inne Tavern Ale-house or Tobacco-house or is there or doth grind at a Corn-Mill on this day without leave of a Justice of Peace the travailer and Inne-keeper and all the rest forfeit 10 s. a piece And as to them that execute any Writs Orders or Warrants but in case of Treason Felony Breach of the Peace or profanation of Serving process the Lords-day upon this day they forfeit 5 l. And as to them that use Coaches Boats Lighters Horses or Going wiâ—â— Coaches c. Sedans but in case of Gods Service and for cause allowed by one Justice of Peace on this day they forfeit 10 s. for every offence And all these Forfeitures in these four cases lastly named are by Warrant of one Justice of Peace under his hand and seal to be levied of the goods of the offenders by distresse and sale of their goods c. And for lack of distresse the offender is to be put six hours in the Stocks But there is no Caution to the Justices way of Conviction of either of these offenders set down by the Act. of 19th of April 1650. And therefore we conceive that no Justice may grant his Warrant in either of these cases to levy the Forfeitures But that it must be done by the Justices of the Peace in their Quarter-Sessions if they have any Sessions power given to them therein by the Law If not it cannot be done at all 9. As to the common Brewers of Beer or Ale the Soape-boyler or distiller Brewers of Aqua-vita or hot-Waters that shall brew or Tunne any Beer or Ale boyl or make any Soape or distill or make any Aqua-vita or hot-waters on this day In this case any one Justice of Peace may within three moneths after the offence committed upon the confession of the party or oath of one witnesse send his Warrant to the Constable
Fine of 40 s or under upon any of the same Constables for not appearing before them or for not making a Return or for not making an Execution of their Warrant or for not Executing the Justices warrant at any time in the Convey of Rogues to the Bridewell upon 7 Iac. 4. 21 Iâ—c 28. But herein is no way of Conviction of Offenders or of Levy of the penalty set down and Caution to the Justices therefore we cannot see any way to punish these Officers herein with safety out of the Sessions 6. As to the poor man or Woman A poor man that doth threaten to run away from his Family that is able to work and that shall threaten to run away and leave his Family upon the charge of the Parish in this case any two Justices of the Peace upon proof hereof by the Oath of two witnesses may send the Offender to the House of Correction unlesse he or shee can put in sufficient Security House of Correction for the discharge of the Parish upon 7 Iac. 4. 7. As for such poor as have able bodies Poor that will not work and nothing but their work to live by and do not work in any ordinary and daily Trade to get their livings by their work And the Overseers of the poor do provide them work and appoint them to do it and they will not work It is said in this case that the Justices or any of them may commit such persons to the Goal or to the Bride-well And so are the words of the Statute of 43 Eliz. 20. But we cannot see how this can be done out of the Sessions For there is no way of Conviction of the offence And this therefore must be necessarily implyed by the Act that if they shall punish they must first Convict the offender 8. It hath been said that such poor persons as begg beyond their license Idle poor to be sent to Bride-well Such poor as are able to work and are idle or will not work by the appointment of the Overseers of the poor such common-Labourers poor men as refuse to work for the wages appointed and some others may be sent to Bride-well by the Justices of the Peace But we cannot see by what Authority onely this in the 7 Iac. 4. That if Constables shall neglect to convey safely all such Rogues with all other idle and disorderly persons c. as by the Justices of Peace his Warrant shall be sent to the houses of Correction c. That then they shall forfeit c. By which is implyed that the Justices might and do send such persons thither But this must refer to the cases in which they are by other Lawes empowred to send them thither And howsoever it be it is sure it cannot be safely done by any Justices of the Peace out of the publick Sessions See 39 Eliz. 4. 7 Iac. 4. 9. As to the Warrants then in the Clerks Cabines in Chap. 18. and some Caution of the Mittimus in Chap. 25. which are contrary to the Cautions we have herein given we do now upon better Consideration utterly dislike them and advise the Justices of the Peace not to use them SECT 49. About Sewers SIx Justices of the Peace two of them of the Quorum have some power with the Commissioners of Sewers for a year For which see 13 Eliz. 9. SECT 50. About Sheriffs AS to this head these things are to be known 1. Any one Justice may punish the defaults of Sheriffs in not returning good Jurors to enquire of a Forcible Entry Upon 8 H. 6. 9. 2. He may punish his defaults in the County Court by entring a plaint in the name of a man not present himself or his Atturney or by not taking care that the Plaintiff in every Suit do put in his pledges Or by entring more Plaints then one or more then the Plaintiff doth desire for one and the same cause Or where a proceeding is against a Defendant in a Suit and he hath no warning to appear In these cases any one Justice may examine the Sheriff or any of his Officers And if he find the thing by their confession or otherwise he is to certifie it into the Exchequer the Sheriff doth forfeit 40 s. Upon 11 H. 7. 15. So one Justice may examine the Collectors of the Sheriff's Amercements of the County-Court if they have collected more then is due upon their Estreats And if he find it so he may certifie the offence against them into the Exchequer 11 H. 7. 15. 3. There must be two Justices and one of them of the Quorum to overlook the Sheriff's Books and Amercements and to seal the Indentures of his Estreats and to swear the Bayliff that he shall levy no more then is contained in those Estreats Upon 12 H. 7. 15. 4. Any two Justices one of them being of the Quorum may give the Under-Sherift his Bayliffs of Franchiles Deputies and Clerks their Oaths which they are to take before they meddle with their Office Upon 27 Eliz. 12. SECT 51. About a Supplicavit 1. THis Writ the Justice to whom it is sent and given must see that he do execute it 2. He is thereupon to send his Warrant to the Constable to bring the party to be bound before him to put in Sureties according to the Writ or if he refuse to carry him to Goal And if the sum be left to his discretion it is fit for him to set down a good Sum. 3. After Sureties given he is to grant a Supersedeas to stop all other proceedings upon Warrants granted by himself or other Justices to the sanie end 4. He need not certify the Recognisance till a Cerciorari come to require it SECT 52. About Superstitious Reliques ANy one Justice of Peace where any Altars Tables of Stone Crucifixes Crosses Images Pictures of any Person of the Trinity or Saint or like superstitious Reliques are yet remaining may upon Information to him given thereof cause the same to be taken down Upon Ord. May 1644. SECT 53. About Swearing and Cursing AS to him that doth prosanely Swear or Curse Any one Justice of Peace upon his own hearing thereof the Confession of the patry or Oath of one Witnesse may send his Warrant to the Constable to levy distresse and sale of goods to the use of the poor c. the Forfeitures appointed by the Act. Which is if the offender be above 14 years old and in degree a Lord or higher 30 s. If a Baronet or Knight 20 s. If an Esquire 10 s. If a Gentleman 6 s. 8 d. If a common person 3 s 4 d. And this for the first offence And after one Conviction for every offence afterwards twice as much And in case no distresse can be had nor Surety given to pay the money Then to put the offender for the first offence in the Stocks three hours And for every offence after the first Conviction six hours And if the offender
or any other Earth or Clay which may be used in the Art of Fulling beyond Sea and the owner of the ground where it is digged do by a note under his hand ofter to discover it to any one Justice of Peace This Justice must receive it and within three moneths aâ—ter the discovery Certificate thereof make it known by his Certificate under his hand and seal to the Batons of the Exchequer 9. Jan. 1647. SECT 58. About a Trespasse in Orchards Woods c. AS to him that shall cut or carry away standing corn rob Orchards or Gardens of Fruit c. break hedges or do any such like thing that is not Felony In this case any one Justice of Peace upon the confession of the offence by the party or proof thereof by the Oath of one witnesse may order the offender to give the party wronged such satisfaction as the Justice shall think fit Or if he judge him unable to make any satisfaction by money or however in case of a second offence the Justice may send his Warrant to the Constable to whip him And if the Constable neglect to do his duty upon this Warrant the Justice may send him to Goal till he procure the party to be whipt according to the Justice of Peace his Warrant 43 Eliz. 7. But there is no way nor power given to the Justice to convict the Constable of this neglect And therefore this punishment may not be inflicted but in a Sessions-way If the Justices have power of it there Wherefore otherwise they may fine him or bind him to the good Behaviour for his contempt as an offence at the Common-Law Some say also that for a common-hedg-breaker woodstealer or robber of Orchards That he may be sent to the House of Correction Bridewell which is more then we dare affirm But this is certain That if it be done it must be done by order of the Justices of the Peace in and not out of the Sessions SECT 59. About warrants made by the Justices AS to the Warrants the Justices of Peace are to make these things are to he heeded 1. It is safe for the Justice to make all his Warrants in writing 2. To see they be perfectly done when the Justice doth Subscribe them And not to leave them with blanks to be filled up afterwards by others 3. In all cases his hand must be subscribed and in some cases his Seal is necessary And therefore it is best in all cases to put his hand and affix his seal to it 4. For the manner of penning it He may if he will put the style of it in the Lord Protector 's Name thus Glouc. ff Oliver Lord c. Or he may send it in his own Name A. B. Esquire one of the Justices c. Or without any style at all thus Complaint being made to me c. These are to require you c. And it may be with or without a Tesle But it is Teste not amisse to say Witnesse my hand and seal c. And a certain Date of the Date day moneth and year may not be omitted See in the Clerks Cabinet and in the 30th Chapter of my first Book of the Justice of Peace his Office more of this 5. The Justice is to take care hi Warrant be penned plainly and clear ly that the Officer that is to execute it may understand and to declare ambiguous words in it Such as this That you cause to come before me for by this he may not understand whether he may fummon him to come or bring him prisoner And therefore to say rather That you warn or summon bin to come or be before me c. 6. If the Warrant be to be grounded on a Statute-Law the more care must be had in it exactly to puâ—sue the directions of the Statute therein And where the Statute saith It shall be under the hand and seal of the Justice or to the Constables and Church-Wardens accordingly to pen it 7. If a Warrant be made by a Justice to apprehend a man and bring him before this or some other Justice of the Peace it is safe to set down in the Warrant the cause of it as that it is to put in Sureties of the Peace or for the good Behaviour or because he is charged with a Felony or the like And to be sure the cause will bear such a Warrant And therefore we cannot approve at any hand the usual Warrant to attach or apprehend men and bring them before a Justice of Peace and say no more but for misdemeanor onely or to answer to such matters as shall be objected against him See for this Coo. 2. Part of Inst 59â— 8. Where by a Statute-Law power is given to a Justice or Justices of the Caution Peace to commit to prison Bride-weil or the like in case of lack of distresse or insufficiency or the like whereby to levy the forfeiture There the best way for the Justices is to do it by one Warrant thus and therein pursue the words of the Warrant thus That you levy of the goods c. And in case you can find no distresse or for lack of distresse or that the party be insufficient c. That then you carry him to Goal for three dayes Or that you whip him c. as the case is according to the Statute in that case provided Rather then to take upon him to know his insufficiency or lack of distresse And thereupon to send a second Warrant absolutely to do it 9. Where any of the Presidents in the Clarks Cabinet do differ from the things we have laid down in this Work our advice is that you do not follow them SECT 60. About Watch and Ward ANy one Justice of Peace may cause Watches to be set from Sun to Sun between Aseension and Michaelmas-day But it is handsome to do this by two or more Justices of the Peace at a Meeting of Justices And if neglect be found in them that Watch or look to the Watch one Justice alone may punish it perhaps by binding to the good Behaviour or Good Behaviour which is more safe he may cause him to be Indicted at the Sessions for it SECT 61. About Weights and Measures AS to him that shall buy or sell by or keep any other Weight or Measure whereby any thing is bought or sold then according to the Standard of the Exchequer In this case any one Justice of Peace may upon the proof hereof by the oath of one witnesse convict him and then may send his Warrant to the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the place where c. or one of them to give them notice hereof who by their Offices are to levy of him 5 s. to the use of the Poor of the place where c. by distresse and sale of goods rendring c. And if there be no distresse the Act is to send the offender to Goal till he pay the Forseiture But it
the overplus And for lack of distresse That the party offending shall be set in the stocks three hours See 6th of April 1644. and 1 Car. 1. Of the Lords Day 19th April 1650. Of the Lords Day 2. Another to this purpose That if Swearing any shall offend c. in the presence or hearing of any Justice of Peace where the same offence shall be committed or shall be thereof convicted by the Confession of the party or by the Oath of one Witnesse before any Justice of Peace which Oath he shall administer that he shall forfeit c. And that all and every the said Forfeitures shall be levied of the Goods and Cattle of every person so offending by Warrant from such Justice of Peace by distresse and sale thereof restoring c. and in default of payment thereof or security given for it if no distresse be found the offender if above 12 years shall by Warrant from such Justices of Peace be set in the stocks for three hours If above 12 years old then that the Justice of Peace shall give his Warrant to the Constable to whip him So Act. 1650. Of Swearing 3. Another to this purpose That the offender shall forfeit c. being Stage-Players convicted thereof by his own Confession or proof of any one witnesse upon oath before any one Justice of Peace which he shall administer to be levied by the Constables or Church-wardens of the Parish where c. by Warrant of the Justice of the Peace by distresse and sale c. See Old 11th Febr. 1647. Of Stage-Players 4. Another branch of the same Law Stage-Playes is to this purpose That all such offenders as upon view of two Justices of the Peace or any of them Or by the Oath of two witnesses which they may administer shall be proved before any two of them to have offended c. that they by their Warrant under their hands and seals shall cause them to be apprehended and openly whipt in a Market-Town 11th Febr. 1647. Of Stage-Playes 5. Another branch of the same Law is to this purpose That he that offends Lords-Day shall forfeit c. The said offence being done in view of any Justice of Peace c. or being proved upon Oath by two or more witnesses or by the Confession of the party offending before any such Justice of Peace which they may administer All which penalties shall be levied by any Constable or Church warden by Warrant from any such Justice of Peace by distresse and sale c. So 3 Car. 1. Of the Lords Day 6. Another to this purpose That Excise the offender upon due proof thereof made by the Oath of two or more witnesses before any Justice of the Peace of c. shall forfeit c. To be levied by distresse c. And that all Justices of the Peace of the c. are hereby required and authorized to put this Clause in Execution and the said penalties and forfeitures to cause to be paid to the Sub-Commissioners of Excise Act. 14. August 1649. Of the Excise Another after the same manner the offence being proved by the confession of the party and proof by the oath Titles of Honour of one or more witnesses before one or more Justices of the Peace Which said Justice and Justices are hereby authorized and required to cause the same to be paid accordingly and in case of Refusal to levy by distresse c. And for want of distresse to cause the said offender to be set in the publike stocks for three hours So 4th of April 1651. Of Titles of Honour 7. Another to this purpose That the offender shall forfeit 10 5. the same Ale-houses offence being seen and viewed by a Justice of Peace c. or proved by the Oath of two witnesses before any such Justice of Peace which he may administer And that all the said penalties be levied by the Constables or Church-wardens of the place by Warrant from one Justice of the Peace of the County c. by way of distresse to be taken and detained for the Forfeiture And for default of satisfaction within six dayes after the distresse taken the same to be presently apprised and sold and the surplusage to be delivered c. And for want of such sufficient distresse the party offending to be by the said Justice committed to the Common Goal there to abide till the penalty be paid So 1 Iac. 9. 21 Iac. 7. Of Ale-houses 8. Another to this purpose That Drunkennesse the offender shall forfeit c. to be levied by way of distresse by any person or persons having Warrant from any Justice of Peace or Court where any such Conviction shall be So 4 Iac. 4. Of Drunkennesse And after by 21 Iac. it is added thus That proof of one witnesse shall be enough-And that any one Justice of Peace shall have power upon his own view Confession of the party or proof of one witnesse upon Oath which he shall have power to administer to convict any offender 9. Another to this purpose That any two Justices of the Peace may Cloth grant their Warrant to call before them Witnesses and to examine them upon Oath And if it be found by the oath of two witnesses or Confession of the party offending that he hath done it that he shall remain convict of it And the Justices may certifie it under their hands and seals unto the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of the place where c. And that then immediately after the said Certificate shall be so delivered to such Church-wardens c. and Warrant by them made to the said Overseers and Church-Wardens for the levying of the said Forfeiture it shall be lawfull for them to levy the same by distresse c. And for lack of such distresse it shall be lawfull for the said two Justices of Peace to commit the offender to the Common Goal without bayl till payment be made of the Forfeiture to the Church-Wardens c. 21 Iac. 18. Of cloath 10. Another is to this purpose After Ale-houses a good power given to convict of one offence and to levy the Forfeiture for the same That for another offence it being duly proved in manner as is before limited To be levied in such manner as is before appointed by this Statute So 1 Jac. 9. 4. Jac. 4 5. Of Ale-houses 11. Another thus That any Justice Logwood or Justices of the Peace c. may cause the Servants or Workmen of the offender to come before him oâ— them and them to examine by oath or otherwise And if upon Examination they find the thing to be so That then they may bind them and the Witnesses over and certifie the Examinations to the next Sessions or if they refuse to be bound send them to Goal So 39 Eliz. 11. Of Log-wood 12. Another to this purpose That they that shall offend and the offence be proved by the Consession of
34 Whether the Clause in the now Law touching the Lords Day Lords-Day 17 Septemb. 1656. that forbids any man to be questioned for any offence within that Law do not as to this reach to all the former Lawes for so many of the offences therein mentioned that are again named by this Act Answ We conceive that it doth so For the words are these That no person shall be impeached or molested for any oftence within this Act unlesse he be thereof convicted within one Moneth after the offence committed Quest 35. That where in part of Wines the Statute of 7 Ed. 6 5. of Wines It is said That men may sell Wine by Retail in a Market-Town by License of the Justices of the Peace And in another part thereof it is said That no person shall by retail sell any Wine in his house to be drunk or spent in his own house or other place in his occupation c. How these words shall be understood Answ We take the meaning hereof to be That none may sell Wine by Retail in his own house by the License of the Justices of the Peace Nor at all may he sell or utter to others of other houses in such a Town but he must be first Licensed by the Justices of the Peace Quest 36. Where the Act of 17 Septemb. 1656. of the Lords Day doth give power to the Justices of the Peace to make a Warrant under their hands and Seals to Constables Church Wardens and Overseers of the Poor to search for discover secure apprehend and bring before some Justice of the Peace all such as they shall find prophaning the Day or shall know or be informed Lords-Day to have prophaned the day in any of the particulars in the Act mentioned Or shall have just cause to suspect for the same How this Warrant may be Warrant made Answ We do conceive in this Case That the Justice of Peace may make such a Warrant and strictly pursue the words of the Statute and justify the same And yet we conceive an unhappy use may he made thereof by the Officer And the rather for that the Officer may forth with carry the supposed offender to the Justice unlesse he will pay the penalty of the Statute And if so then must he be punished before he is convicted Therefore it is good to be well advised in it Quest 37. Where a power is by an Act c. given to the Justices of Peace and it is not said in any Sessions to examine a matter and so to make an order in it As it is in 18 Eliz. 3. about provision for a Bastard child And Bastard Oath it is not said it shall be by Oath Whether this Examination may be by Oath Answ The common practise is so to do And we conceive in this case it may be done with or without an Oath and the order will be well grounded by the one or by the other way But it is good to be well advised herein Quest 38. Where the Justice of Peace hath power to convict an offender out of the Sessions upon View Confession or Oath of Witnesse and he doth so and the offender be to go to Goal upon this Conviction Whether in this Case it be needfull for the Justice to make a Record of this in Writing Answ We conceive it is the safest way for the Justice of Peace so to do And yet perhaps it may not be necessary but in cases where the Laws do especially enjoyn it As in the Acts of Swearing a Ryot and some Others Quest 39. Whether it be of necessity in case where an oftender is to be convicted by Oath of Witnesses that he be present and to hear his Defence Answ We conceive it the safest and best way so to do Quest 40. Whether a Justice of Peace may bind to the Good-Behaviour Bastard Good-Behaviour the Putative Father of a Bastard-Child to th end he may be forth-comming when he shall be brought in question by the Parish to secure it Answ We conceive Yea. But it must be by the ordinary way of binding to the Good Behaviour for Incontinency and cannot be otherwise And yet somewhat may be said against this Quest 41. What power the Justices of the Peace have in or out of the Constables Sessions of the Peace to make or to remove High Constables of Hundreds or Constables of Parishes Answ Custome seemeth now to Warrant this course And there is a necessity of it where Lects are gone or not duly kept or where insufficient men are chosen therein And how this may be otherwise supplyed except it may be in the Sheriffs Turn we understand not And yet we conceive that where the Leets do continue and they do continue to elect the Justices of the Peace are not to meddle with it at all But what they do in the making or removall of these Offices it is safe for them to do it in the Quarter-Sessions Quest 42. Whether the Swearer be not to pay for many Oaths sworn Swearing at one time so many times the penalty of the Statute as he sweareth Oaths Answ We conceive not And yet perhaps if the Oaths be sworn in the hearing of a Justice of Peace Hunting â—here he must pay for every Oath the penalty of the Statute Otherwise he is first to be convicted of his Oath once sworn before he pay the increase of the penalty Quest 43. Whether hunting in 2 Coniger that is not a Free Warren be within the Statute of 3 H. 7. 7. Answ We conceive Not. For the Statute speaketh onely of Hunting in a Park Forrest or Warren FINIS The Table A. ABjuration See Recusants Account See Officers Highwayes Church-wardens Poor Agnus Dâ—i See Recusants Ale-house and Ale-house-keepers See Inne-keepers Amercements See Bayliffs Apprentice See Master and Servant Archery See Sports Armed men and Armed Chap. 3. Sect 1. Arrest See Imprisonment Artisicers and Arts. See Trades Assessment See Rates Assise of Bread and Beer See Brewer Baker B. BAdger Drover Lader Kidder Carrier or Transportr of Corn or Cattel Chap. 4. Numb 1. Bayliff See Sheriff and in Chap. 4. Numb 3. Baile or Bailement Chap. 3. Sect. 2. 16. Numb 9. Hakers Chap. 4. Numb 2. Bargain and Sale Chap. 3. Sect. 3. Bark Chap. 4. Numb 4. Barretors See Behaviour Bastardy see Incontinency Bawd See Incontinency Beer See Ale-house Beggar See Rogue Behaviour and Surety of the Good Behaviour Chap. 3. Sect. 4. 6. 8. 9. 27. 41. 42. Numb 4. Sect. 53. 46. Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Numb 40. Bind over Chap. 3. Sect. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 16. Numb 1. 7. 25. Blasphemy Chap. 3. Numb 6. Chap. 4. Numb 5. Chap. 7. Sect. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sect. 6. Numb 24. Books Popish See Recusant Bowes See Sports Brewer Chap. 4. Numb 2. Bride-well See Correction-house Bridewell-Master See Officers Bridges See High-wayes Butchers Chap. 4. Numb 6. Butter and Cheese Chap. 4. Numb 7 62. Butts See Playes C. CAlves Chap.
viz. 1. To levy by distress and sale of goods upon every man all the Church-Rates and the Arrears thereof 2. To levy by distress and sale of goods all the Forfeitures committed for any offence within the Act. 3. To levy all the money that shall be remaining in the hands of any Church-Warden upon his Accompt 4. To levy the 2 s. 6 d. Forfeiture given to the Church-Wardens that are put to distrain for their Rate on him that will not pay it without a diâ—stess 5. To send to the Goal the party that doth not pay his Rate 6. To send to the Goale the Church-warden that doth refuse to account till he do account and pay over Account to the succeeding Church-Wardens the money remaining in his hands 7. And to joyn with the subsequent Church-Wardens in the taking of the Account Caution to the Justices of the precedent Church-wardens But it seems not safe here for a Justice of Peace to send his Warrant to levy any Forfeiture upon this Law or to follow the Presidents we have for this purpose given in our clarks cabinet because there is no way for the Conviction of the offender set down and therefore that then it must be in the Sessions or no where And there the offender may be punished by way of Indictment or presentment upon the general power of Oyer and Terminer given by the Act to the Justices of the Peace 5. There must be two Justices and Lands given to the Church any two Justices may examine by proof of Witnesses the case of Lands or Rents to be had or paid towards the repair of any Churches within any Parish And to send their Warrant to the Church-Wardens of the place to cause the parties who ought to pay the same to be bound over to the next Sessions where Bind over the parties are to be ordered And in this case it seems to me that the clearest way for the Justice of Peace is to send his Warrant fiâ—st of all to the Church-Wardens to warn the party to be bound if he live within the County to come before him to be bound over And if he refuse upon proof by Oath thereof by way of Information to send for him by his Warrant and bind him to the Good Behaviour good Behaviour and to appear at Sessions See for all this Act. 9. February 1647. And sor Presidents of Warrants in the case The clarks cabinet Chap. 8. 6. There must be three Justices of the Peace who out of Sessions may call Ministers and School-masters before them that have Houses Chancels and Church-yards belonging to them that are in decay and to order them to repair them And if they do neglect it to cause to be levied of their goods by way of distress and sale thereof so much as to do it Upon Ord. 29 August 1654. 7. Any two Justices of the Peace may Sexton order the payment of the due Fees to the Sexton or Parish-Clerk that is duly chosen to the place And where his Fees are denyed they may order the payment thereof and in case it be not paid they may send their Warrant to the Constable to levy it as they do for the levying of a Church-Rate what he shall have for his service Upon the same Act. 9. February 1647. See a President for this in the cabinet Châ—p 8. Numb 9. And that seems to be all that a Justice of Peace may safely do herein that is call the party refusing before him and examine the matter and if he find it ve y clear order the party to pay him And if he shew himself obstinate herein the party grieved he must apply himself to the Justices of the Peace in their Quarter-Sessions where they may by the general power of Oyer and Teâ—miner given to them by the Act find a way to bring him to it Or if the case be so clear that the party shall consesse before the Justice what is due there perhaps the Justice might cause a distress to be made of his goods as in case of a distresse for a Church-Rate But it Caution to the Justices is good to be well advised for the Law is very obscure herein And it is dangerous for a Justice of Peace so to do where he hath not a clear authority for it SECT 10. About Cloath and Clothiers AS to Cloath and Clothiers and to the things that relate to their Trade this is to be known 1. Any one Justice of Peace may enter Tenters Winches into any house to search for Tenters Winches and such kind of Engines used to make deceitfull Cloath and finding them he may deface them And in case of second offence he may sell them And he with another Justice of Peace may joyn together and distribute the money made thereby to the poor 39 Eliz. 20. 43 Eliz. 18. 2. There must be two Justices to Speciall Sessions hear and determine the offences about faulty Cloath And this for much of it must be done in and by a Speciall Sessions kept for the purpose 39 Eliz 20. 21 Iac. 18. 3. There must be two Justices to sell divide and distribute the money made of faulty Broad-Cloth 39 Eliz. 20. 21 Iac. 18. 4 5 Ph. and M. 2. 4 Iac. 2. And so to sell and divide the money made of Kersies Frizes or Cottons 5 and 6 Ed. 6. 4. There must be two Justices to Searches and Over-seers of Cloth make and appoint Searchers and Over-seers of Cloth in Towns not Incorporate and to bind them by Oath and Bond to look to and punish the defaults in Cloath-making Upon 4 â—d 4. 1. 39 Eliz 20. 43 Eliz. 10. 2 Ed. 6. 2. 4 Iac. 2. 21 Iac. 28. 5 Ed. 6. 6. 7. Iac. 16. 3. 1. 5. So there must be two Justices to punish Carders Weavers Sorters Spinners that imbesil or detain any Wooll or Imbesiling of Wooll or Yarn Yarn and to punish them that receive it and upon proof made thereof before them by the oath of one witnesse to order them to give satisfaction or to be whipped 7 Iac. 7. 6. There must be two Justices that upon an Officer's Complaint of bad Cloth made by the mixing of Flocks Nails Thrums Hairs c. may call before them the parties accused and their Witnesses and if they find it true punish it according to 21 Iac. 18. 7. There must be two Justices and Clothier one of them of the Quorum that upon proof of two Witnesses or confession of the Clothier himself that doth refuse to pay his Workman the wages set down Wages may send their Warrant to levy of him the 10 s. forfeiture by distress and sale of his goods 1 Iac. 6. 8. There must be two such Justices also that may take Information of deceitfull Linnen Cloath Linnen Cloath made and that may bind the offender over to the Sessions to give Evidence that seized it 1 Eliz. 12. 9. Any one Justice of
Perry and to take his Recognisance for the keeping of good order and this they must certifie it into the Sessions or forfeit five marks Upon 5 and 6 Ed. 6. 25. 9. There must be two Justices to License License Labourers and others to be in an Ale-house tipling Upon 1 Iac. 9. 10. There must be two Justices and one of them of the Quorum to discharge or put down an Ale-house-keeper at their own discretion Upon 5 6 Ed. 6. 25. 11. The oath of the party confessing he hath been tipling or drunk in an Ale-house shall be sufficient to convince the Ale-house-keeper of his offence by suffering tipling c. 21 Iac. 7. For Inne-keepers and Victuallers dressing of meat in the Lent see Lent SECT 29. About a Libeller or Slanderer and Libell c. AS to this kind of offender and his offence which we take now to be clearly within the words of the Act against Challenges forbidding all provoking Words and Gestures and so punishable thereupon by way of Indictment in the Sessions But there is this more in it As to one that hath his hand in the Contrivance procuring or publishing of a Libell especially if it be against a Magistrate Or one that doth use commonly libelling against others or is a common Slanderer or Tale-bearer and his Tales and Slanders are of dangerous consequence and do much mischief In such a case as this any Justice may doubtlesse out of the Sessions take Informations hereof by good witnesses against him and if he find it so bind him to the good Behaviour and to appear Good Behaviour at the Sessions and if he refuse to be bound send him to Goal till he so do See Chap. 3. Sect. 4 SECT 30. About Licenses 1. ANy one Justice of Peace dwelling near the place where any poor Mariner or other person Mariner having suffered Shipwrack shall land may give a Testimonial under his hand Testimoniall of his case and thereby license him to passe the next way to his place of birth or last dwelling and to ask relief as he goeth and limit him a convenient time for it upon 39 Eliz. 4. 17. 1 Iac 25. 2. One Justice may under his hand and Seal license Labourers to go out of Labourers one into another Country to work at Harvest-work in the Harvest-time Upon 5 Eliz 4. 3. One Justice may license a man upon good cause to travail or to do Lords-day a work of mercy or necessity on the Lords-day Or to come in later on the Saturday night or go out earlier on the Munday morning than the Lawes do prescribe for this or to grind at a Mill or be in go or send to a common Ale-house Wine-Tavern Tobacco-house or to have or use a Coach Sedan Horse-Litter Boat or Horse on this day Upon the Act of 6th of April 1654. 4. There must be two Tustices of the Church-Wardens and Over-seers to set up a Trade for the Poor Peace and one of them of the Quorum to give allowance and license to Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of a Parish to set up a Trade there for the better Relief of the Poor there Upon 43 Eliz. 5. So to set up an Ale-house See To sell Ale Ale-houses 6. Any two Justices of Peace may license poor people to travail to Bath or To travail to Bath Buxton for cure of their diseases at their own charge Upon 5 Eiz 4. But no Justices can license poor people to begg but in the Case before of a Marriner To begg 7. There must be two Justices of the Servants Peace to license Servants to depart out of their Masters Service Upon 5 Eliz. 4. 8. There must be sour Justices to Recusant joyn with the Lievtenant to license a confined Recusant to go about any speciall businesse upon 3. Iac. 5. and 35 Eliz. 2. See for Presidents of Licenses in most of these Cases in the Cabinet Chip 2. 8. SECT 31. About the Lords Day AS to this thing and the Justices power herein out of the Sessions these things are to be known 1. That as to such as use or meet Sports for Bear-bayting Bull-bayting Enterludes Common-Playes or other unlawfull pastimes whatsoever in or out of their own Parishes on the Lords Day In this Case any one Justice of the Peace may upon his own sight hereof the Confession of the party or the Oath of one witnesse which he may administer send his warrant under his hand and Seal to the Constable or Church-Wardens of the place where c. to levy of the goods of the Offender by way of distresse and Sale thereof rendring c. the 3 s. 4 d. Forfeiture The Act goeth further and saith That in default of Distresse the Party Offending be set publiquely in the Stocks three hours And these words albeit they are so penned that they are ambiguous whether they shall be understood to be a part of the warrant to be made under the hand and Seal of the Justice or of a new power in case of lack of distresse And it is given to no body in certain yet that the Justice of Peace hath power to do it and we conceive the Justice may safely make out his Warrant so to do And therefore in this as to this branch that he may safely follow our President in the Clarks Cabinet chap. 4. Warrant 1. But no man may be punished upon this Law of 1 Car. 1. unlesse he be questioned for his offence within a Moneth after it is done And the Justice in this case may if he please reward the Informer with a third part of the Forfeiture See chap. 7. Sect. 6. Numb 24. 2. As to such as use or be at Wrestlings Ringing of Bells for pleasure Masques Wakes Church-Ales Dancing in their own or in other Parishes on this day In this Case any one Justice of peace may upon his own view thereof the confession of the party or proof thereof by the oath of one Witnesse send his Warrant under his hand and Seal to the Constables and Church-wardens of the place where c. If he be above 14 years old which the Justice in the taking of his information must inform himself of to levy of his goods by distresse c. to the use of the poor of the place c. 5 s. And if he be under 14 years of age then so to levy of the Governour of the Offender 12 d. And then the Act is penned further in such like words that the Offender shall be put in the stocks three hours as the last Act was penned and is likewise doubtfull And therefore we here leave the same advise with the Justice as we did in the former Case that he may give warrant to put in the Stocks for three hours Act. 6th of April 1644. And to follow our President in the Cabinet herein See chap. 7. Sect. 6. Here the Justice may also if he please reward the Informer
their Sessions And that if the Justices will do any thing against such persons out of the Sessions it is more safe to do it by binding of them to the Good Behaviour good Behaviour SECT 34. About Ministers or Preachers 1. AS to him that shall wilfully disturb a Minister in his open Sermon Disturb him in his Sermon or rescue him that hath so done In this case any one Justice of Peace upon Complaint hereof onely may commit him to safe keeping for six dayes But then there must be two Justices one of them being the same Justice that did commit him who within the six dayes must examine the matter And if they find either by his own Consession or the proof of two Witnesses that he is guilty of the offence then may they commit him to prison for three moneths Upon 1 Mar. 3. But this Statute doth Caveat to Justices not say Whether the proof shall be by oath nor give power to the Justices to administer the Oath And therefore it is best to let such an offender be punished by the Sessions 2. But now by the New Act of 17th of September 1656 If any do of purpose molest a Minister in his Preaching or other publike duty upon any day or in his going to or coming from it Or do make any publick disturbance upon any part of the Lords-day And he be thereupon brought as he may be Lords-day to a Justice of Peace The Justice of Peace may either upon sight of it the parties own consession or the proof thereof by the oath of one Witnesse commit the offender to Prison without Bayl till the next Quarter-Sessions But this may not be done neither by this Act except it be done within the moneth after the offence is committed 3. As to a Scandalous Minister duly Eeected Ministers disturbed by them that were cast out put out of any Living by authority of Parliament that doth enter upon and out the Minister put in his Room and by himself or others binder him to receive the profits thereof In this case any two Justices of Peace may upon proof hereof by two witnesses but doth not say upon Oath give such damages to the party wronged as they think fit and settle him that is so put out in his quiet possession and in this raise the Trained-Bands to assist him And if he shall by himself or other make any disturbance upon the Minister so put in in the execution of his Office the same Justices upon proof thereof by the Oath of two witnesses may commit the offender to prison for one moneth Upon Ord. 23 of August 1647. and 8th of November 1644. and 4th of April 1648. and August 1654. and 17th of Septemb. 1656. SECT 35. About a Mittimus AS to this Mittimus which is the Justice of Peace his Warrant by which he sends a Prisoner to the Goal or to Bride-well take these things 1. It must be in Writing under the Name Hand and Seal of the Justice 2. It must expresse his Office Place and Authority as W. S. Esquire one of the Justices c. 3. It must be directed to the Gaoler or keeper of the Prison 4. It must expresse both the Names the Christian and Sirname of the party committed 5. It must expresse the cause somewhat certainly of his Commitment as that it is for Treason Burglary or Robbery or for Felony or the Suspition thereof and where it is for Felony to say for Felony by stealing a horse and the like 6. It must have an apt Conclusion The prisoner safely to keep untill he be delivered by due order of Law and the like 7. And lastly it must expresse the time of the making of it Coo. 2. Part of Instit 591. And a Mittimus with this cause To answer to such matters as shall be objected against him Or To keep the prisoner till he that made it shall give order for his deliverances is not good And so if it be a Commitment to Bride-well it is good to set down the cause as to say because he is an idle or inordinate person c. See Presidents for it in the Clark's Cabinet Chap. 25. and in Chap. 6. SECT 36. About Night-walkers AS to Night-walkers that are idle Fellowes who use to sleep by day and walk abroad by night and are suspected to live by some dishonest courses In this Case any one Justice of Peace either of his own head if he know them to besuch or by the Information of others upon Oath thereof by his Warrant may cause them to be arrested and to be brought before some Justice of Peace to put in Surety for their good Behaviour or else to be sent to Gaol till they so do And if any Watchmen of their own heads do arrest such as they may and bring them to the Justice of Peace to be so dealt with the Justice may so proceed against them See Good Behaviour SECT 37. About Oaths AS to this these things are to be known 2. The Oaths of Allegiance Obedience and Supremacy named in 1. Eliz. Oath of Allegiance c. 3. 4 Iac. and other Statutes they are all of them taken away by the Act. 9. Ianuary 1648. 2. Any one Justice of the four that do License a confined Recusant to Travel To a Recusant may give him the Oath appointed by the Statute of 3 Iac. 5. 3. Any one Justice of the County where a Robbery is done and dwelling To him that is robbed in or near to the Hundred wherein it is done may within 40 dayes of the doing thereof take his Oath that is robbed whether he knew any of the Thieves upon 27 Eliz. 13. 4. Any one Justice of Peace may To him that desires surety of the Peace give the Oath to him that desires surety of the Peace against another See Peace 5. Any one Justice of Peace may give the Oath to these Offices following when they come into their Officers By common usage they give the Oath to the High-Constable and the Petty-Constable To Constables and some other Officers And they may give the Oath to the under Conservators of Rivers But to swear Over-seers of Cloath there must be two Justices 6. There must be two Justices of the Peace one of them of the Quorum without Commission to give the Oaths of the under Sheriffs their Bayliffs Deputies and Clarks at their first entrance To the Undersheriff and his Officers into their Offices Upon 27. Eliz. 12. 7. There must be two such Justices to give the Oath to the Collectors of the Sheriffs Amercements for the County Court that they shall Collect no more then is due Upon 11. H. 7. 15. 8. Any two Justices of the Peace may give to the Overseers of Cloath their To Over-seers of Cloath Oath upon 3. Ed. 6. 2. 39. Eliz. 20. 43. Eliz. 12. 9. Any two Justices may give them To Over-seers of them that are sick of the Plague their
to do either by the Common-Law as in the Cases of Felony the Peace and Good Behaviour or the like oâ— by the expresse words of some Statute-Law and therein also with good advice He must be sure there is a power of Commitment to prison in the Case well given to him 2. He must be sure also that this power to commit to Prison c. is given to the Justices For if there be a power of Commitment as there is by some Statutes that do say an offender shall be committed but it doth not say by whom we conceive it dangerous in this case for any Justice or Justices but in a Sessions-way and by an Act of the Court to give Warrant to commit him 3. He must be sure if it be one Justice that doth it that the power is given to one Justice alone to do it For if power be given to two or more Justices to commit a man to prison and one Justice alone doth it this is an unlawfull Imprisonment or which an Action may lye against the Justice 4. He must take care in his Commitment that he do pursue the order and direction that the Law gives therein Viz Where he is to commit to prison he may not commit to the the Stocks or to Bride-well And so on the other side for if he so do the Commitment to that place is unlawful And so for the time where the Law gives him power to commit for three dayes and he commit of three weeks this is an unlawâ—â—ll Imprisonment yeâ— perhap unlaâ—full for the three dayes also But where a Statute gives power to a Justice or Justices to commit indefinitely and doth not say for what time Sessions there they may commit accordingly And in such cases the Justices use at the Sessions to discharge such prisoner according to their discretion 5. Any Justice of Peace may commit a man that stands indicted for a Felony or a man he doth suspect of Felony But for this see Felony Sect. 16. of this Chapter 6. For Commitments to Prison by the Justice for particular offences see in the Title it self SECT 27. About Incontinency AS to this these things are to be known of the Justices power out of the Sessions 1. As to such as keep or haunt Bawdy-houses Good Behaviour or are suspected to be lewd and Incontinent that in this case a Justice of Peace may upon good Information hereof upon the oaths of credible Bawdry persons by his Warrant send for such persons and bind them to the good Behaviour or if they refuse to give Sureties he may send them to Goâ—l till they do 2. Any one Justice of Peace may also bind to the good Behaviour the Putative Putative Father of a Bastard-Child father of such a Bastard-Child as is like to be chargeable to any Parish And this before or after the Birth of the Child But this is best to be done upon Information upon Oath of some other besides the woman with child that the man is suspect for Incontinency for there is no Statute to enable the Justice so to do nor may he as we concerve do it and justifie it upon any other account See Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Numb 39. 3. It is also conceived as clear That any one Justice of Peace may before or Good Behaviour after the Birth of a Bastard-child bind to the good Behaviour any one that shall have any hand in the shifting away of the putative Father or Mother of a Bastard-child whereby it may be left to the chaâ—ge of a Parish But the binding in both these cases must be dâ—scretional Acts in the Justices by the Common-Law and not grounded upon the Statutes 4. There must be two Justices of the Bastard-Child Peace and one of them of the Quoâ—um to take course and make orders for the relief of the Bastard ease and safety of the Parish corporal punishment of the Mother and reputed father and to commit them to prison â—ill they obey the same Order or appeal to the Sessions Or if they do appeal to the Sessions as they may then there must be two such Justices to bind them to appear there and to stand to the Order of the Sessions if it make any otherwise to the Order that the two Justices of Peace hath made For one Justice alone may not do either of these things But that the Justices be not mistaken in the making of this Order and the exercise of their power upon this Statute they are to know these things 1. This Order must be made by two Justices and one of them must be of the Quorum and it cannot be done by one or by two and neither of them of the Quorum Also some make question if it may be done by more then two Justices See Steel's Report 114. 2. It is necessary they be the nearest or next Justices to the place where the Parish to be relieved is but it may be made by any two such Justices of the County See Steel's Rep. 154. 245. 246. 3. This Order must be made at a private meeting And therefore such an Order made at the Quarte-Sessions is not good but illegally made aâ—d all the pâ—oceeding thereupon will be also illegall Stile 's Rep. 475. 4. It must be made about a Bastard-Child And therefore an Order made against a man in these words That he shall keep his reputed child not expressing Whether it be a bastard-child or not is held to be naught Stiles Rep. 154. 5. It must be made against the person that is suspect to have the bastard-child and not another person And for this An Order made by the two Justices of Peace that another man should contribute to the half charge of the keeping of the child because he had suffered a Souldier to get it upon his Maid was held to be void Steeles Rep. 267. 6. The Order must be pursuing the Act of Parliament to this effect to save the Parish harmlesse or to secure it from the charge of the child Or to keep the child And therefore it hath been ruled That an Order to pay money weekly towards the keeping of the bastard-child is not good Steel's Rep. 14. 386. 7. This Security must be given to the Parish where the bastard-child is born and it must a Parish within the County where the two Justices of Peace have power Steel's Rep. 14. 368. 8. The Order must expresse how long and a certain time that the reputed Father is to keep the child or to secure the Parish Steel's Rep 154. And the Order is plainly to expresse all these things Or else it will no be good but being removed into the Upper-Bench will be quasht for insufficiency 9. This Order being made we do not conceive what the Justices of Peace can do more upon this Act out of their Quarter-Sessions but what is exprest in the Act of 18. Eliz. 3. 10. It is made a question Whether the Justices upon this Law may