A BIL L, INTITULED, AN ACT to diminish the Inconvenience and Expense of N. B.-The Figures in the Margin denote the number of Presses in the Ingrossment. 1 2 W HEREAS great Inconvenience and Expense have been Preamble. experienced from the practice of directing or addressing Commissions in the nature of Writs De lunatico inquirendo to Three or more Persons therein named as Commissioners: AND whereas Doubts have arisen whether such Commissions can be directed or addressed to one such Commissioner only; BE it therefore Enacted and Declared, 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 it shall and may be lawful to and for the Lord Chancellor, or the Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal of Great Britain, or other the Person or Persons for the time being intrusted by virtue of the King's Sign Manual with the Care and Commitment of the Custody of the Persons and Estates of Persons found idiot, lunatic, or of unsound Mind, (in case he or they shall deem it advisable) to cause any Commission in the nature of a Writ De lunatico inquirendo to be directed or addressed to any one or more Person or Persons, who shall make Inquisition thereon, and return the same into the High Court of Chancery, and who for that purpose shall have the same power to issue Precepts to the Sheriff to summon a Jury, and to compel the Attendance of Witnesses, and the Production or Attendance of the alleged Lunatic, and all other the Powers hitherto possessed by the Three or more Commissioners in The Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper may cause in the nature Commissions of Writs De Lunatico Inquirendo to be addressed more Persons, sufficient Power to to any one or who shall have make Inqui sition therein. The Lord Visitors to superintend, and report to him upon the Care and Treatment of Idiots, &c. In case of cellor inay Persons interested in Houses li such Commissions named; and such Inquisition shall be good and valid to all intents and purposes as if the said Commission in the nature of a Writ De lunatico inquirendo had been directed or addressed to, and the said Inquisition returned by, Three or more Commissioners, as heretofore. AND whereas it is expedient, for the better Care and Treatment of Idiots, Lunatics, and Persons of unsound Mind, found such by Inqui sition, that proper and fit Persons should be appointed to superintend, and from time to time report to the Lord Chancellor, or other the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, the Care and Treatment and State of every such Idiot, Lunatic, and Person of unsound Mind; BE it further Enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the Lord Chancellor, or other the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, by an Instrument under his hand and seal, or their hands and seals, to appoint Three Persons to be Visitors, during pleasure, for superintending, inspecting and reporting upon, under the order 3 and direction of the Lord Chancellor, or other the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, the Care and Treatment of all Persons found idiot, lunatic, or of unsound Mind, by Inquisition, and to make all such Orders and Regulations, as to the duties of such Visitors, as the Lord Chancellor, or other the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, shall from time to time think fit. And be it further Enacted, That as often as any of the Visitors to be appointed as aforesaid shall die, or refuse to act, or become unable, by illness or otherwise, it shall and may be lawful for the Lord Chancellor, or other the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, by an Instrument under his hand and seal, or their hands and seals, to appoint a Visitor in the room of every Visitor who shall die, or refuse or become unable to act. And be it further Enacted, That no Person shall be appointed Visitor as aforesaid, who shall be, or shall have been within the Two censed for the Years then next preceding, directly or indirectly interested in the keeping any House licensed for the reception of Insane Persons; and reception of Insane to act as Vi- A Secretary and Clerk to such Visitors may be appointed. if any Person shall after his appointment become so interested, and continue to act as such Visitor, his appointment as Visitor shall thenceforth become null and void, and it shall not be lawful for him to act as such Visitor. And be it further Enacted, That the Lord Chancellor, or other 4 the Person or Persons intrusted as aforesaid, is and are hereby empowered, by an Instrument under his hand and seal, or their hands and seals, to appoint, during pleasure, fit Persons to be Secretary and Clerk to such Visitors, and for the purposes of this Act. |