Page:Ruffhead - The Statutes at Large - vol 9.djvu/711

Rh  seven hundred and seven, be Awarded or issued out against any Person whatsoever, at the Instance, or upon the Petition of any one or more Creditor or Creditors, unless the Single Debt of such Creditor do amount to the Sum of one hundred Pounds or upwards, or unless the Debt of Two Creditors so Petitioning, as aforesaid, shall amount to One hundred and fifty Pounds, and upwards, or unless the Debt of Three or more Creditors so Petitioning, as aforesaid, shall amount to Two hundred Pounds, and upwards ; And the Creditor or Creditors Petitioning for such Commission, shall, before the same be Granted, give Bond to the Lord Chancellor, Lord Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being, in the Penalty of Two hundred Pounds, to be Conditioned for Proving his, her their Debts, and also for Proving the Party a Bankrupt at the time of taking out such Commission ; And if such Debt or Debts shall not be really due and owing, or if after such Commission taken out it cannot be proved that the Party was a Bankrupt at the time, but on the contrary it (hall appear, that such Commission was taken out Fraudulently or Maliciously, That then the Lord Chancellor, Lord Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal, for the time being, shall and may, upon Petition of the Party or Parties grieved, Assign such Bond to Recompence him, her or them in Damages ; Any Law, Custom or Usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

VIII. Provided always, and it is hereby further Declared and Enacted by the Authority aforefaid, That no Farmer, Grazier or Drover of Cattle, or any Person who is or hath been a Receiver General of Taxes Granted by Parliament, shall be Entitled to any of the Benefits given by this or the said late Act made in the Fourth and Fifth Years of Her Majesties Reign, nor be deemed a Bankrupt within the same, or any former Acts made against Bankrupts ; Any Law, Custom or Usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

IX. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That this Act shall continue and be in Force for the space of Two Years, and from thence to the end of the next Session of Parliament, and no longer. 

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