Navy Act 1666

III. Commissioners, &c. may search for Ammunition, &c. imbezzled.

Punishment of Offenders.

And whereas diverse of His Majestyes Stores and Ammunition pertaining to His Navy and Shipping or Service thereof are imbezelled or filched away It is by like Authoritie enacted that the said Principall Officers and Coo[m]missers or any one or more of them by Warrant under their hands and seales have power in like manner to inquire and search for the same in all places as Justices of Peace may doe in case of Felony, and punish the Offenders by such Fine and Imprisonment as aforesaid and cause the Goods to be brought in againe, And if the offence be of such nature as doth require an higher and seveerer punishment then that they any one or more of them may committ such Offender to the next Goale or to the custodie of their Messenger or Messengers aforesaid till he or they offending enter into Recognizance with Suretie or Sureties according to the nature of the Offence to appeare and answere to the same in His Majestyes Court of Exchequer or other Court where his Majestie shall question him or them for the same within one yeare following on Processe duely served for that purpose on such Offender or Offenders