< 4 Geo. III. ments used therein; or shall wilfully or maliciously cut in pieces or de- No.XLVIII. stroy any such goods, either when exposed to bleach or dry; every such offender, being thereof lawfully convicted, shall be judged guilty of felony, and shall suffer as in cases of felony, without benefit of clergy. [No. XLIX.] 6 George III. c. 36.—An Act for encouraging the Cultivation, and for the better Preservation, of Trees, Roots, Plants and Shrubs. [Inserted Part VI. Cl. XL. No. 10.] [No. L.] 6 George III. c. 48.-An Act for the better Pre- * [No. LI.] 9 George III. c. 29.-An Act for the more effectual Punishment of such Persons as shall demolish or pull down, burn or otherwise destroy or spoil, any Mill or Mills; and for preventing the destroying or damaging of Engines for draining Collieries and Mines; or Bridges, Waggon Ways, or other things used in conveying Coals, Lead, Tin, or other Minerals, from Mines; or Fences for inclosing Lands in pursuance of Acts of Parliament. WHEREAS by an Act passed in the first year of the reign of his late c. 37. No. LI. 9 Geo. III. c. 29. Majesty King George the First, intituled, An Act for preventing Tumults and riotous Assemblies, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the Rioters, it is, among other things, enacted, That if any persons unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled together, to the disturbance of the 'public peace, shall unlawfully and with force demolish or pull down, or 1 Geo. 1 st. 2. begin to demolish, or pull down any church or chapel, or any building for c. 5. religious worship, certified and registered according to the statute made in the first year of the reign of the late King William and Queen Mary, inti- 1 William and tuled, An Act for exempting their Majesties' Protestant Subjects dissenting Mary, c. 18. from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws, or any dwell ing-house, barn, stable, or other out-house; that then every such demolish ing or pulling down, or beginning to demolish or pull down, shall be adjudged felony without benefit of clergy; and the offenders therein shall 'be adjudged felons, and shall suffer death as in the cases of felony without benefit of clergy: And whereas some doubts have arisen whether the ⚫ said Act extends to the pulling down and demolishing of mills: Therefore, for remedying the mischiefs which may ensue therefrom, and for the 'more effectual punishment of such offenders,' Be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any person or persons unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled together, to the disturbance of the publick peace, shall, at any time after the first day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, unlawfully, and with force, demolish or pull down, or begin to demolish or pull down any wind saw mill, or other wind mill, or any water mill, or other mill which shall have been or shall be erected, or any of the works thereto respectively belonging; that then every such demolishing or pulling down, or beginning to Felony, withdemolish or pull down, shall be adjudged felony without benefit of clergy, out benefit of and the offenders therein shall be adjudged felons, and shall suffer death, clergy. as in case of felony, without benefit of clergy. * For the remedy against the hundred in case of damage to mills, see 41 Geo. III. c. 24. Pt. IV. Cl. XXII. No. 9. No. LI. 9 Geo. III. c. 29. The wilfully Transportation for seven years. Limitation of prosecutions for the said offences. II. And whereas no effectual provision hath heretofore been made for preventing the burning of mills;' be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall, from and after the first day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, wilfully or maliciously burn or set fire to, any wind saw mill, or other wind mill, or any water mill, or other mill; such person so offending, being lawfully convicted thereof, shall be adjudged guilty of felony without benefit of clergy, and shall suffer death as in case of felony without benefit of clergy. III. And for more effectually preventing the destroying of engines for draining collieries, coal mines, and other mines, and bridges and waggon ways used in conveying coals, lead, and other minerals from thence; and also fences made or to be made for inclosing lands by virtue of Acts of Parliament; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall at any time after the first day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, wilfully or maliciously set fire to, burn, demolish, pull down, or otherwise destroy or damage, any fire engine or other engine erected, or to be erected, for draining water from collieries or coal mines; or for drawing coals out of the same; or for draining water from any mine of lead, tin, copper, or other mineral; or any bridge, waggon way, or trunk erected, or to be erected, for conveying coals from any colliery or coal mine, or staith for depositing the same; or any bridge, or waggon way erected, or to be erected for conveying lead, tin, copper, or other mineral, from any such mine; or any fence or fences that are or shall be erected, set up, provided, or made, for dividing or inclosing any common waste or other lands or grounds, in pursuance of any Act or Acts of Parliament; every such person being lawfully convicted of any or either of the said several offences, or of causing or procuring the same to be done, shall be adjudged guilty of felony, and shall be subject to the like pains and penalties as in cases of felony; and the Court by or before whom such person shall be tried, shall have power and authority to transport such felon for the term of seven years, in like manner as other felons are directed to be transported by the laws and statutes of this realm. IV. Provided always, That no person or persons shall be prosecuted by virtue of this Act for any offence or offences committed contrary to the same, unless such prosecution be commenced within eighteen months after the offence committed. [No. LII.] 10 George III. c. 30.-An Act for rectifying a Mistake in an Act made in the last Session of Parliament, * * * * * * * * * * for_the_better Preservation of Hollies, Thorns, and Quicksets, in Forests, Chases, and Private Grounds, and of Trees and Underwoods in Forests and Chases; and for other Purposes. [Inserted Pt. VI. Cl. XL. No. 2.] [No. LIII.] 12 George III. c. 24.-An Act for the better securing and preserving his Majesty's Dock Yards, Magazines, Ships, Ammunition, and Stores. [Inserted ante, Cl. II. No. 49.] [No. LIV.] 13 George III. c. 33.-An Act to extend the Provisions of an Act, made in the Sixth Year of his present Majesty's Reign (intituled, An Act for the better Preservation of Timber Trees, and of Woods and Underwoods ; and for the further Preservation of Roots, Shrubs, and Plants) to Poplar, Alder, Maple, Larch, and Hornbeam. [Inserted Pt. VI. Cl. XL. No. 13.] No. LV. c. 40. [No. LV.] 22 George III. c. 40.-An Act for punishing Persons wilfully and maliciously destroying any Woollen, 22 Geo. III. Silk, Linen, or Cotton Goods, or any Implements prepared for or used in the Manufacture thereof; and for repealing so much of two Acts, made in the Twelfth Year of King George the First, and in the Sixth Year of his present Majesty, as relates to the Punishment of Persons destroying any Woollen or Silk Manufactures, or any Implements prepared for, or used therein. 6 Preamble. WHEREAS many violences and outrages have been frequently committed by wicked and ill-disposed persons, in destroying the manu'factures of wool, silk, linen, and cotton, and the materials, tools, tackle, and other utensils prepared for or used therein: And whereas for the prevention of such violences and outrages for the future, it is necessary exemplary punishment should be inflicted upon such offenders:' May it therefore please your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any person or Persons enterpersons shall, by day or by night, break into any house or shop, or enter ing by force by force into any house or shop, with intent to cut or destroy any serge or other woollen goods in the loom, or any tools employed in making thereof; or shall wilfully or maliciously cut or destroy any such serges or woollen goods in the loom, or on the rack; or shall burn, cut, or destroy, any rack on which any such serges or other woollen goods are hanged in order to dry; or shall wilfully and maliciously break or destroy any tools used in the making any such serges or other woollen goods, not having the consent of the owner so to do; every such offender being thereof lawfully convicted, shall be guilty of felony, without benefit of clergy. into any house with intent to cut or destroy any woollen goods, or tools used in manu facturing thereof, or any silk goods, or tools used in manufacturing thereof, shall be deemed guilty of fe II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall, by day or by night, break into any house or shop, or enter by force into any house or shop, with intent to cut or destroy any velvet, wrought silk, or silk mixed with any other materials, or other silk manufacture, in the loom, or any warp or shute, tools, tackle, or utensils; or shall wilfully and maliciously cut or destroy any velvet, wrought silk, or silk mixed with any other materials, or other silk manufacture, in lony. the loom, or any warp or shute, tools, tackle, or utensils, prepared or employed in or for the making thereof; or shall wilfully and maliciously break or destroy any tools, tackle, or utensils, used in or for the weaving or making of any such velvet, wrought silks, or silks mixed with any other materials, or other silk goods or silk manufacture, not having the consent of the owner so to do; every such offender, being thereof lawfully convicted, shall be guilty of felony, without benefit of clergy. linen or cotton III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any Persons enterperson or persons shall, by day or by night, break into any house or shop, ing any house or enter by force into any house or shop, with intent to cut and destroy by force, with any linen or cotton, or linen and cotton mixed with any other materials, intent to cut or other linen or cotton manufactures, in the loom, or any warp or shute, or destroy any tools, tackle, and utensils; or shall wilfully and maliciously cut or destroy manufactures, any linen or cotton, or linen or cotton mixed with any other materials, or &c. shall be other linen and cotton manufacture, in the loom, or any warp or shute, deemed guilty tools, tackle, and utensils, prepared for or employed in the making thereof; of felony. or shall wilfully and maliciously break and destroy any tools, tackle, or utensils, used in or for the carding, spinning, weaving, preparing, or making, in any way whatever, any such linen or cotton, or linen or cotton mixed with any other materials, or other linen and cotton goods, or linen and cotton manufactures whatsoever, not having the consent of the owner so to do; every such offender, being thereof lawfully convicted, shall be guilty of felony without benefit of clergy. IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That so much Part of 19 No. LV. c. 40. Geo. 1. cap. 34, repealed. of an Act, made in the twelfth year of the reign of King George the First, 22 Geo. III. intituled, An Act to prevent unlawful Combinations of Workmen employed in the Woollen Manufactures, and for better Payment of their Wages, as relates to the punishment of persons who shall, by day or by night, break into any house or shop, or enter by force into any house or shop, with intent to cut or destroy any serge or other woollen goods in the loom, or any tools employed in the making thereof; or shall wilfully and maliciously cut or destroy any such serges or woollen goods in the loom or on the rack; or shall burn, cut, or destroy, any rack on which any such serges or other woollen goods are hanged in order to dry; or shall wilfully and maliciously break or destroy any tools used in the making any such serges or other woollen goods, not having the consent of the owner so to do; shall be, and is hereby repealed. Part of 6 Geo. 3. cap. 28, repealed. No. LVI. 28 Geo. III. c. 55. Preamble. V. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That so much of an Act, made in the sixth year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act to prohibit the Importation of Foreign wrought Silks and Velvets, for a limited time; and for preventing unlawful Combinations of Workmen employed in the Silk Manufacture, as relates to the punishment of persons who shall, by day or by night, break into any house or shop, or enter by force into any house or shop, with intent to cut or destroy any velvet, wrought silk, or silk mixed with any other materials, or other silk manufacture, in the loom, or any warp or shute, tools, tackle or utensils; or shall wilfully and maliciously cut or destroy any velvet, wrought silk, or silk mixed with any other materials, or other silk manufacture, in the loom, or any warp or shute, tools, tackle, or utensils, prepared or employed in or for the making thereof; or shall wilfully and maliciously break or destroy any tools, tackle, or utensils, used in or for the weaving or making any such velvet, wrought silks, or silks mixed with any other materials, or other silk goods or silk manufacture, not having the consent of the owner so to do, shall be, and is hereby repealed. [No. LVI.] 28 George III. c. 55.-An Act for the better and more effectual Protection of Stocking Frames, and the Machines or Engines annexed thereto, or used therewith; and for the Punishment of Persons destroying or injuring of such Stocking Frames, Machines, or Engines, and the Framework-knitted Pieces, Stockings, and other Articles and Goods used and made in the Hosiery or Framework-knitted Manufactory; or breaking or destroying any Machinery contained in any Mill or Mills used or any way employed in preparing or spinning of Wool or Cotton for the use of the Stocking Frame. WHEREAS the frames for making of framework-knitted pieces, stockings, and other articles and goods in the hosiery or framework' knitted manufactory, are very valuable and expensive machines, and ge'nerally the property of the hosier or manufacturer, who lets the same to hire to his workmen or framework-knitters; and it hath frequently happened that the hosier or manufacturer, being the owner or employer of such frame or frames, and having so put and let the same out to hire, and wanting, for the accommodation of his trade and business, to take and remove such frame or frames from the use and possession of one workman into the hands and custody of another, and having for such purpose given the customary and usual notice to the workman in whose hands or custody such frame was, so to deliver up the same, such workman hath wilfully detained and withheld the same, and sometimes absolutely and ' unlawfully sold and disposed thereof, to the great grievance, inconvenience, and loss of such hosier or manufacturer: And whereas it hath frequently happened, when discontents have arisen amongst the framework-knitters, that they and other disorderly persons have assembled in a riotous and tumultuous manner, and have destroyed or materially da No. LVI. 28 Geo. III. c. 55. maged great numbers of stocking frames, and the machines or engines 'thereto annexed or used therewith, and committed great violences and outrages upon many of his Majesty's good subjects; wherefore it is necessary that more effectual provision should be made against such unlawful practices, and for preventing such violences and outrages for the fuIture, and for bringing all offenders in the premises to more speedy and exemplary justice:' May it therefore please your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any framework knitter or framework knitters, who shall Framework or may rent or take by the hire, any stocking frame or frames, either with knitters hiring or without any machine or engine thereto annexed, or therewith to be em- frames, and ployed, of and from any person or persons whomsoever, shall at any time, refusing to refrom and after the passing of this Act, refuse to yield up and re-deliver such turn them on frame or frames, with the machine or engine therewith let (if any such fourteen days" there shall be) to the person or persons of whom he or they shall or may notice, to forso rent the same, having received from such person or persons fourteen feit 20s.; days previous notice for such purpose, then, and in every such case, the person so offending, being thereof lawfully convicted by the oath, or (if the owner or employer thereof be of the people called Quakers,) solemn affirmation of the owner or employer of such frame or frames, or by the oath or affirmation of any other credible witness or witnesses, before any one or more justice or justices of the peace of the county, riding, division, city, liberty, town, or place, where such offence shall be committed, or where the person or persons so charged shall reside or inhabit (which oath or affirmation the said justice or justices is and are hereby empowered and required to administer), the person or persons so offending shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of twenty shillings to and for the use of the poor of the parish where such offence shall be committed; and in case the and if not im- . said forfeiture shall not be immediately paid, and the said frame or frames, mediately with the machine or engine therewith let, (if any such there shall be) de- paid, and the livered up to the owner or owners thereof, within six days next after such frames returnconviction, the justice or justices before whom such conviction shall be had ed in six days shall commit the party or parties so convicted to the common gaol, or after conviction, to be imother public prison of such county, riding, division, city, liberty, town, or prisoned not place, there to remain without bail or mainprize, and be kept to hard lamore than bour, for any time not exceeding three calendar months, nor less than one calendar month. three months, nor less than II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any one. person so renting or taking to hire any stocking frame, with or without Persons so hirany such machine or engine as aforesaid, shall at any time, from and after ing frames, the passing of this Act, sell or otherwise unlawfully dispose of any such and selling stocking frame, or the machine or engine therewith let (if any such there them, to be shall be), without the consent of the owner or owners thereof, every such imprisoned not offender, being thereof lawfully convicted upon any indictment to be found less than against him, shall suffer solitary imprisonment in the common gaol or house of correction of the county, riding, division, city, liberty, town, or place wherein such offence shall have been committed, without bail or mainprize, for a space not less than three calendar months, nor exceeding twelve calendar months. three, nor more than twelve months; III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any and persons person or persons shall wilfully and knowingly receive or purchase any such purchasing stocking frame, machine, or engine, so sold or unlawfully disposed of as them liable to aforesaid, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Act, and shall the same thereof be lawfully convicted on any indictment to be found against him or punishment. them, every such offender or offenders shall be subject to such and the like punishment as by this Act is inflicted, or provided to be inflicted, on such person so selling or unlawfully disposing of any such stocking frame, machine, or engine as aforesaid. IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any Persons enterperson or persons shall, by day or by night, enter by force into any house, ing shops, &c. shop, or place, with an intent to cut or destroy any framework-knitted with an intent to destroy, or |