Importation Act 1680

IV. Seizors, Church. wardens, &c. neglecting;

Penalty; levied by Distress; For Want of Distress, Imprisonment for Three Months.

And bee it further enacted That in case the said Seizor or Seizors or the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poore shall faile in their respective Dutyes in the Execution of this Act they and every of them respectively shall forfeite the summe of forty shillings for every one of the great Cattell and ten shillings for every Sheepe or Swine which should have beene killed and distributed as aforesaid one moyety thereof to the Poore of the said Parish and the other moyetie to the Informer the same to be levyed by distresse and sale of the Goods and Chattells of the person or persons soe offending by Warrant under the Hand and Seale of any Justice of the Peace of the said County or Place where the said Offence shall be committed upon confession of the Party view of the said Justice or Oath thereof made before such Justice by one or more credible Witnesse or Witnesses other then the Informer Which Oath the said Justice hath hereby power to administer rendring the overplus to the Owners thereof necessary Charges of distraining being first deducted, And for want of such Distresse the said Offender or Offenders to be committed to the common Goale of the said County or Place there to remaine for the space of three monthes without Baile or Mainprize.