THE CHARTER OF THE BOROUGH OF LANCASTER. 145 



Malfeasance in his office by the Burgesses and assistants ai'(;res:ii(l, and 

 another from time to time appointed and removed as they shall lind it 

 necessary. 



And we do further grant unto the said Burgess, high Constable and 

 assistants, and their successors, as much as in us is, That if any of the 

 inhabitants of the said borough shall be hereafter elected to the office of 

 Burgesses, high Constable or assistants, and having notice of his or their 

 election, shall refuse to undertake and execute that office to whicli ho Ls 

 chosen, it shall and may be lawful for the Burgesses, high Constable and 

 assistants then acting to impose such moderate fines on the person or 

 persons so refusing as to them shall seem meet ; so always that sucli fine 

 imposed on a Burgess elect do not exceed ten pounds, and the Fine on 

 the high Constable or an assistant elect do not exceed five pounds, each 

 to be levied by distress and sale of the goods of the party refusing, by 

 warrant under the hand and seal of one of the said Burgesses, or any 

 other lawful way or means whatsoever, for the use of the said Corpora- 

 tion. And in any such case, it shall and may be lawful for the said in- 

 habitants to proceed to the choice of some other fit person or persons in 

 the stead of such who shall so refuse. 



And it shall and may be lawful for the said burgesses, high constable 

 and assistants for the time being to assemble town meetings as often as 

 they shall find occasion: At which meetings they may make such ordi- 

 nances and rules, not repugnant to, or inconsistent witli the laws of the 

 said province, as to the greatest part of the inhabitants shall seem neces- 

 sary and convenient for the good government of the said Borough. And 

 the same rules and orders to put in execution; and the same to revoke, and 

 alter and make anew as occasion shall require. And also to impose such 

 mulcts and amerciaments upon breakers of the said ordinances as to the 

 makers thereof shall be thought reasonable; to be levied as above 

 is directed in case of fines, for the use of the said borough, without ren- 

 dering any account thereof to us, our successors, or to the proprietors 

 aforesaid, their heirs or successors. Also at the said meetings to miti- 

 gate or release the said fines and mulcts, upon the submission of tlie 

 parties. 



And we do further will and grant, that where any doubts shall ha})peii 

 to arise touching this present charter, that the same shall in all courUs 

 of law and equity be construed and taken most favourably and benefi- 

 cially for the said corporation. 



In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made 

 patent. Witness George Tliomas, Esq.; with our royal approbation 

 Lieutenant Governor of the province aforesaid under John Penn, 

 Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute proprieta- 

 ries of the province aforesaid, and of the counties Newcastle, Kent and 

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