Page:An Act for Extending and improving the Trade to Africa (1750).djvu/16

 administer an oath, for the better discovery of the truth of the facts, touching which such examination or inquiry shall be made; and they are hereby required to close and finish their examinations of all the claims that shall be made by such of the said creditors, who reside in Great Britain or Ireland, at the farthest, on or before the thirty first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and fifty, and of all the claims that shall be made by such of the said creditors who reside in Africa, or any other parts be yond the seas, on or before the twenty eighth day of February, Accounts to one thousand seven hundred and fifty; and the said commissioners shall lay accounts of their proceedings before the parliament with all convenient speed.

XXXIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in case any person or persons summoned to appear before the said commissioners, shall wilfully neglect or refuse to appear and be examined touching the matters and things by this act directed to be inquired into, or shall refuse to answer, or shall not fully answer to the satisfaction of the commissioners present at the time of such examination, or any two of them, all questions put to him, her, or them, by the said commissioners, or any two of them, as well by word of mouth as by interrogatories in writing; or shall refuse or wilfully neglect to produce, from time to time, to the said commissioners, or any two of them, all books of accounts, papers, and writings, in their custody or power, relating to the matters herein directed to be inquired in to by the said commissioners, as the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall, from time to time direct, then and in every such case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said commissioners, or any two of them, by warrant under their hands and seals, to commit him, her, or them, to such prison, as the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall think fit, there to remain, without bail or mainprize, until such person or persons shall submit him, her, or themselves, to the said commissioners, and produce before them such books of accounts, papers, and writings, upon oath, and full answer make, to the satisfaction of the commissioners, to all such questions as shall be put to him, her, or them, as aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of this act; and the said commissioners, in every case where any person or persons shall be by them committed for refusing to answer, or for not fully answering any question or questions put to him, her, or them, by the said commissioners, by word of mouth, or