December 1647: An Ordinance for the establishing of the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, together with the Book of Rates from the 26 March, 1648. untill the 26 of March 1651.

Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'December 1647: An Ordinance for the establishing of the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, together with the Book of Rates from the 26 March, 1648. untill the 26 of March 1651.', in Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660, (London, 1911) pp. 1032-1042. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/acts-ordinances-interregnum/pp1032-1042 [accessed 25 March 2024]

December, 1647

[16 December 1647.]

Ord. for subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage.; Ord. Jan. 21, 1642/3.; Ord. Sept. 18, 1643.; Ord. Feb. 21. 1644/5.; Ord. March 13, 1646/7.; Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage confirmed; Provisoes.; Tonnage duties on wines exported and imported; Poundage duties on other goods exported and imported.; Native woollen cloths called old draperies excepted.; Forfeiture of goods for evasion of said duties; How said forfeited goods to be employed.; For prevention of fraud declaration of goods to; be made to Customs Commissioners.; Bonds to be given.; Forfeiture of goods for non-declaration.; Certificates of discharge.; In case goods whereon Custom hath been paid be lost or taken at sea, owners may ship; fresh goods to same amount free.; Merchants denizen to pay same Customs as Aliens.; Commissioners and collectors to receive all moneys payable on this Ord. in same manner as they were received by late collectors, etc.; Defalcation of 15 per cent. from said receipts for allowances.; Moneys to be used for Navy, etc.; Indemnity; Book of Rates to be in force for same time as Ord.; Power to Commissioners to punish all offenders against this and like Ords.; To call witnesses and examine them on oath.; Customs Commissioners, etc., to execute Ord.; Assistance in case of tumult.; No governors of garrisons or others to seize Customs moneys; from said Commissioners, or protect any from payment thereof. All goods to be landed or shipped in presence of Customs Officer.; General issue.; Subjects may export herrings, etc., in native ships free.; Late Ords. for regulation of tobacco rates and composition trade of Dover to stand good.; Proceedings in Court of Exchequer.; New rates on spirits; On Sarsnets of Genoa and Pranellas.; Proviso as to repayment of half subsidy to those exporting goods late imported.; Like previso for wines.; What persons to rate goods.

Whereas a Bill passed both Houses of Parliament, intituled a Subsidy granted to the King, of Tonnage and Poundage, and other summes of money payable upon Merchandizes exported and imported, whereby the said subsidies and summes of money were granted to continue from the first day of July, one thousand six hundred fourty and two, unto the first day of March, then next coming, with divers clauses and provisions therein contained; And whereas the said Bill not taking effect, there passed an Ordinance of Parliament, intituled an Ordinance of Parliament concerning the subsidie of Tonnage and Poundage, whereby the said sums are directed to continue from the said first day of July, unto the first day of March, then next ensuing by way of Loane, which Ordinance by a later Ordinance of the one and twentieth of January, one thousand six hundred fourty two, was ordered to stand and continue in full force and power from the expiring of the former Ordinance, until the six and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty foure; and from thence by another Ordinance of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, of the eighteenth of September, one thousand six hundred fourty three, to continue till the five and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty five. And whereas by another Ordinance of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, of the one and twentieth day of February, one thousand six hundred fourty foure: It is ordained that the said first Ordinance intituled an Ordinance of Parliament concerning the subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, together with the Booke of Rates lately agreed on by the Commons House of Parliament, and by their order published in print, and all and every the Articles and Instructions in the said Ordinance and Booke of Rates specified and conteined, shall stand and continue in full force from the said five and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty five inclusive, for and untill the six and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty seven exclusive. And whereas by another Ordinance of the said Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament of the thirteenth of March, one thousand six hundred fourty six; It is Ordained that the respective Ordinances of Parliament concerning the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, dated the first July, one thousand six hundred fourty two, and the one and twentieth of February, one thousand six hundred fourty foure; together with the Booke of Rates, agreed on by the House of Commons, and by their order published in print, and all and every the clauses, Articles, and Instructions in the said Ordinances and Booke of Rates set downe, shall continue and stand in full force and vertue, from the twenty sixth of March then next inclusive, unto the twenty sixth of March, which shall be in the Yeere of Our Lord God, one thousand six hundred fourty eight inclusive, as by the said Bill and severall Ordinances may appeare. And whereas some questions have been made and raised touching the constructions of the said Ordinances, and the power thereby given to the Commissioners, Collectors, and other Receivers of the said Summes, whereby divers arreares thereof have incurred and beene neglected to be paid, for remedy and setling whereof: It is declared and Ordained by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament; That the said several summes called Tonnage and Poundage, and other summes of money in the said recited Bills and Ordinances mentioned to be granted, shall be adjudged, deemed, and taken to be due and payable; and all seisures heretofore made, for non-payment of any of the said sums shall be adjudged good and effectuall, and that such and the like forfeitures shall be adjudged to accrue and grow for or by reason of any non-payment of any of the said summes of money, which have happened or shall happen at any time after the end of the five and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred and fourty five, untill the, six and twentieth of March, one thousand six hundred fourty eight, and such and the like prosecutions for the said summes of money, seisures and forfeitures, as if the said Bill and the matters therein contained had passed as an Act or Ordinance of Parliament to have had continuance from the said first day of July, one thousand six hundred fourty two, untill the said six and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty eight, provided that this present Ordinance or anything therein contained, shall not be construed to make or cause any forfeiture of any goods or merchandizes imported or exported before the five and twentieth day of March, one thousand six hundred fourty five, for which no seisure hath been made for non-payment of the said duties, nor to charge any goods or merchandizes with any double payment, or any way to impeach or take away the said allowance of fifteene pounds per Centum, in the said first recited Ordinance contained. And the said Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, taking into further consideration the necessity of the continuance of the severall Fleetes of Ships abroad at sea for the safety of the Realme, do further Ordaine, that for all goods and Merchandizes exported and imported, there shall be paid for and in the name of Tonnage the summes of money hereafter mentioned; That is to say, of every Tun of Wine of the growth of France, or of any of the Dominions of the French King or Crown of France, that shall come into the Port of London, and the members thereof, by way of Merchandize, by the naturall borne Subjects of this Realme of England, and Dominions thereof, the summe of foure pounds, ten shillings of current English money, and so after that rate: And by strangers and aliens six pounds of like money, and of every Tun of the like Wine brought into all and every other Ports and places of this Kingdom and Dominions thereof by way of Merchandize, by the naturall born Subjects thereof, the summe of three pounds, and by Aliens foure pounds ten shillings, and of every Butt or Pipe of Muskadels, Malmeseyes, Cutes, Tents, Allicants, Bastards, Sacks, Canaries, Malligoes, Maderaes, and other Wines whatsoever, commonly called sweet Wines of the growth of the Levant, Spaine, Portugall, or of any of the Islands or Dominions to them or any of them belonging, or elsewhere that shall come or be brought into the Port of London, by the said naturall borne Subjects, the summe of fourty five shillings of current English money, and so after that rate, and by Aliens and Strangers, three pounds of like money; and of every Butt and Pipe of the like Wines brought into all and every the other Ports and places of this Kingdome and Dominions thereof by way of Merchandize, by the naturall borne Subjects thereof, the summe of thirty shillings, and by Strangers fourty five shillings; and of every Awme containing fourty two gallons of Rennish Wine, or Wine of the growth of Germany, brought, or that shall be brought into this Realme and Dominions thereof, by the naturall borne Subjects thereof, the summe of twenty shillings of current English money, and by Strangers and Aliens, the summe of five and twenty shillings; and so after those rates for every greater or lesser quantity of the said severall sorts of Wines. And that there shall likewise be paid one other duty called Poundage: That is to say, for all manner of other goods and Merchandizes of every Merchant, naturall borne Subject, Denizen and Alien, to be carried out of this Realme or any the Dominions to the same belonging, or brought into the same by way of Merchandize, of the value of every twenty shillings of the same goods and Merchandizes, according to the severall and particular rates and values of the same goods and Merchandizes, as the same are particularly and respectively rated and valued in the aforementioned Booke of Rates, and the Instructions thereunto annexed, the summe of twelve pence, and so after that rate, and of every twenty shillings value of any of the Native Commodities of this Realme, or manufactures wrought of any such Native commodities to be carried out of this Realme, by every or any Merchant Alien, according to the value thereof in the said Booke expressed, twelve pence over and above the twelve pence aforesaid, (except for all manner of wollen cloathes made or wrought, or to be made or wrought within this Realme of England, and the Dominions thereof, commonly called Old Draperies); and all Wines before limited to pay tonnage as aforesaid. And all manner of Fish, English taken and brought by English Bottomes into this Realme, and all manner of fresh fish and Bestiall that shall come into this Kingdome, and the Dominions thereof; And also be it further Ordained, that there shall be paid for every short Wollen cloath to be exported by any naturall born Subject of this Realme and Dominions thereof called Broad-cloath, not exceeding eight and twenty yards in length, and three score foure pounds in weight, the summe of six shillings, eight pence of current English money, and of every cloath of greater length and weight proportionably according to the same rate, and of every other short cloath of old drapery of lesser length and weight, accompting so many pieces to a short cloath, as are limited and appointed thereunto in the Booke of Rates aforesaid, to be likewise exported by the said naturall borne Subjects the like summe of six shillings eightpence, and so after that rate, and by Strangers and Aliens there shall be paid thirteene shillings, foure pence for every short cloath accompted as aforesaid, which severall rates are accordingly expressed in the said Booke of Rates, the same payments to be well and truly had and made, and be continued from the six and twentieth day of March, which shall be in the Yeere of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fourty eight inclusive, untill the six and twentieth day of March, which shall be in the yeer of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fifty and one inclusive. And it is further ordained by the authority aforesaid that if any Wines, Goods, or other Merchandizes, whereof any of the duties or sums of money aforesaid, shall be due or payable, shall at any time hereafter, after the six and twentieth day of March, in the Yeere of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fourty eight inclusive, untill the six and twentieth of March, which shall be in the yeere of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fifty one inclusive, be shipped or put into any Boat or other Vessell to the intent to be carried into the parts beyond the Seas, or to be laden in any other Ship or Vessell so to be transported, or else shall be brought from the parts beyond the Seas, into any Port, place or Creeke of this Realme, or other his Majesties Dominions, by way of Merchandize and unshipped to be laid on land: The said duties or sums of money due or to be due for the same, not paid or lawfully tendred to the Commissioners and Collectors for the Customs for the time being, or one of them, or their Deputies, or agreement with them or any of them, made for the same in the open Custom House, with the privity or agreement of the Comptroller and Surveyor there or one of them, according to the true meaning of this Ordinance. That then from the six and twentieth of March which shall be in the yeere of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fourty eight, all the said Wines, Goods, and Merchandizes whatsoever shall be forfeit and lost, the one moiety to be put to him or them that shall or will seize or sue for the same, and the other moiety or value thereof, or fine or composition for the same to be paid to the Commissioners and Collectors of the Customes for the time being, for the use of the Navy, or to such use as the said two Houses of Parliament shall from time to time limit and appoint: And such Goods so seized, to be from time to time by the seizer thereof, registred with the Officer thereunto appointed or to be appointed in the Custome House of London. And for preventing all fraud in and about all such Goods, Wares, and Merchandizes as shall be carried or passed between Port and Port, within this Kingdome or the Dominions thereof. Be it further Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that no person or persons shall hereafter ship or carry any Goods or Merchandizes prohibited, or whereof any of the duties aforesaid are payable to discharge the same in any other Port or place of this Realme, unlesse such person or persons do before the shipping thereof, declare and manifest to the said Commissioners of the Customes or any one or more of them, or their Deputy, together with the Customer or Comptrolor of the said Port or Creeke, where the same shall be shipped in the open Custom house, the nature, length, weight, number, or other contents and value of the same Goods, and with approbation of the said Commissioners, or one of them, and the Officers or their Deputy shall also make and enter into a sufficient obligation in the Law in the which he shall be bound to the King, with sufficient sureties in such summe as shall amount to the double value of the said Goods so declared and manifested, with condition that the same shall be discharged at some Port or Creeke within this Realme, and in no other place; which Bonds the said Commissioners and Officers are hereby required and authorized to take accordingly. And in case any of the said Goods or Merchandizes shall be shipped or laden in any Ship or other Vessell, to be carried or passed betweene Port and Port as aforesaid, before such declaration shall be made and security given as aforesaid; that then all and every the said Goods and Merchandizes shall be forfeit and lost, the one moiety or the value thereof to be to him or them that will seize or sue for the same, and the other moiety or value thereof, or Fine, or Composition for the same to be paid to the Commissioners and Collectors of the Customes for the time being, for the use of the Navy, or to such use as the said Houses of Parliament shall from time to time limit and appoint. And be it further Ordained and declared, that every person and persons that shall ship such Goods, and shall be bound as aforesaid, shall within foure moneths next after the Shipping thereof, bring a true certificate from the Customer or Collector of the said Port, Creek, or place where he or they shall happen to discharge the said Goods, together with the commissioners for the Customes, or one of them, or their Deputy there testifying that the same goods so shipped, and the true nature. length, weight, number, or other content or value thereof is there discharged, which certificate, the Customer of such place where the said Goods shall be discharged, shall upon the discharge thereof, deliver to the party so discharging the same, or to his Factor without any delay. And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that if any Goods or Merchandises aforesaid of any Merchant born denizen within the time, hath beene or shall be taken by any enemies or Pirats upon the Seas, or perish in any Ship or Ships happening to be taken or perished, where the Customes or Subsidies shall be duly paid or agreed for as aforesaid, and that duly proved in his Majesties Court of Exchequer, by the Examination of the Merchants (if living) or of their Executors or Administrators (if dead) or by two credible or other reasonable witnesses and proofe sworne, then the same Merchants, their Executors or Administrators, shall or may in the same Port where the Goods so taken, lost, or perished, were formerly customed, newly ship so much other Merchandizes or Goods without paying any custome or subsidy for the same, as that the custome or Subsidy of the said Goods to be newly shipped shall amount unto the custome or Subsidy formerly paid for the said Goods or Merchandizes so taken, lost, or perished as aforesaid, so as the same proofe be recorded and allowed of in the said Court of Exchequer, and certified by his Majesties Remembrancer of his Exchequer, or of one of the sworne Clarks of the same Court, to the said Commissioners for the customes or their Deputy Collector in the Port where the same Wares are to be so newly Shipped, without Custome as aforesaid: And further that every Merchant denizen, Shipping and Goods or Merchandizes in any Carrack or Galley, shall pay all manner of Customes and Subsidies, as any Alien borne out of this Realme. And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that the Commissioners and Collectors of the Customes for the time being, and such sworne Deputy and Deputies, as by writing under their hands they already have, or shall from time to time hereafter thereunto appoint; are authorized and enabled to collect and receive all such summe and summes of money, which from and after the six and twentieth of March, which shall be in the Yeere of our Lord one thousand six hundred fourty eight inclusive, untill the six and twentieth of March, which shall be in the Yeere of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fifty one inclusive, according to this present Ordinance, and the true intent and meaning thereof, shall be payable or paid by vertue of this present Ordinance, for or in regard of all or any Goods or Merchandizes within the time aforesaid, to be exported out of, or imported into the Port of London, and all or any other ports within the Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Towne of Barwick, or the Creekes or members thereof, in such manner as the duties of Tonnage and Poundage have beene formerly by the late Farmers, or other Commissioners and Collectors of the Customes received or collected, and also all the forfeitures aforesaid; which said Commissioners and their aforesaid Deputy and Deputies, or any one of them, shall have full power and authority to give allowance by way of defalcation out of the said receipts for the customes and duties aforesaid, after the rate of fifteene per Centum, out of all such monies as by vertue of this present Ordinance shall be received or collected as aforesaid. All which monies the said Commissioners their Deputy or Deputies shall receive upon accompt, and shall from time to time issue out the same as the said Commissioners shall be authorized by order of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, or by Order signed by five at the least of the Committee of the Commons House of Parliament for the Navy and Customes, sitting the said Committee for the use of the Navy, and such Fleete or Fleetes, which shall be then at Sea, or hereafter shall be imployed by authority of both Houses of Parliament, for the guarding of the Seas, and defence of the Kingdome, and for other necessary charges for the managing the Service aforesaid, whose Order from time to time shall be their discharge: And for the better incouragement of the said Commissioners the said Lords and Commons do further ordaine, That whatsoever Act the said Commissioners, their Deputy or Deputies, or any of them shall do in execution of this present Ordinance, or any other Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament, now in force concerning the said Tonnage and Poundage, or other affaires of the Customes, and of certaine Articles and rules for the better regulating of the Customes and Officers attending the same heretofore prescribed, as well by the House of Commons as the Committee for the Navy of the said House, and whatsoever monies they shall receive and issue out by vertue of the same, they the said Commissioners, theire Heires, Executors, and Administrators, shall be acquitted, discharged, and kept harmlesse by authority of Parliament from any further question or accompt whatsoever, either to his Majesty, his Heirs, or Successors, in his Exchequer or elsewhere, or to any other person or persons, saving the said Lords and Commons, or whom they shall appoint; And for the better managing of the said Customes, and the Affaires thereof, it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that the said Booke of Rates, and all and every the Articles and Instructions therein contained, or thereunto annexed, shall continue in full force during the continuance of this present Ordinance, which said Orders and Instructions, as also all such other Orders and directions as they the said Commissioners shall from time to time receive from both Houses of Parliament, or the aforesaid Committee of the Navy, the said Commissioners for the Customs shall observe and follow; And the said Commissioners, or the major part of them shall have power to punish all inordinate Officers, or persons under their charge, which are or shall be imployed in the Affaires of the Customes, and shall be found wilfully negligent or corrupt in the execution of the trust committed to them either by suspension or dismission from their said imployment, and for the better carrying on of the said service, and discovering of such frauds and deceitfull practises relating to the said Customs, as by sundry ill-disposed persons are dayly attempted and practised, as well by Exportation of severall sorts of Goods and Merchandizes by the Lawes of this Kingdome prohibited to be exported, as by shipping, and landing of Goods and Merchandize which ought to pay the duties aforesaid without the due payment thereof, or compounding for the same as is before directed, to the great prejudice of the State, and for the due punishment as well of such offenders as of all such as shall be refractory or disobedient to this present Ordinance, or any other laws of Ordinances made concerning the customs, or shall abuse or affront the said Commissioners, or any their Deputies in the execution of the trust committed to them, the said Lords and Commons doe further ordaine, that an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament bearing date the fourteenth day of Aprill, one thousand six hundred fourty five, relating to the said Commissioners and their Deputies, be continued in full force: And the said Commissioners, or the major part of them are hereby further enabled to call before them any person or persons whom they shall think fit, to inform and testify touching the premises, and to examine any such person other than the party himselfe upon Oath if need require, (which Oath the said Commissioners, or the major part of them, or such of their Deputies, collectors in the respective Out-ports, as they shal appoint under their hands and seals, are hereby enabled to administer for the better discovery of any fraud, guile, force or misbehaviour in the premises, and as occasion shall require to transmit such offenders together with such examinations relating to such misdemeanours wherewith he or they shall be chargeable or charged, as shall be taken as aforesaid unto the Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating of the Excise, who are hereby authorized upon hearing the said charges and examinations there taken, or such other proofe as shall be made before them to punish such offenders as in cases touching excise as to them in their discretion shall seeme meete: And the said Lords and Commons do hereby require and enjoyne the said Commissioners for the Customs, and all their Deputies and Officers in all Ports and places throughout the Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, and town of Barwick, to apply themselves to the collection of the duties aforesaid, and Execution of this Ordinance, and such other Laws and Ordinances as are in force concerning the customs: and if in the due and vigorous execution thereof any Tumults, Riots or other opposition shall be hereafter attempted or acted against the said Commissioners, or any their Deputies, or under Officers, or others acting in their aid and assistance, the said Lords and Commons do further order and enjoyne, that all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenants, Mayors, Bayliffs, Constables Headboroughs and all other his Majesties Officers in their severall Counties, Liberties, and Jurisdictions, be aiding and assisting unto the said Commissioners and their Deputies and Officers respectively in the collection of the said duties, and in suppressing of all Tumults, Ryots, and disorders raised against them, or any of them in the execution of this present, or any other, Ordinance of Parliament relating to the Customes as aforesaid. And the said Lords and Commons do further require and enjoyne, That no Governour or Commander of any Garrisons, Townes, Castels or Forts under the service of the Parliament shall seize upon, or any waies anticipate from the said Commissioners, or their deputies collectors in the severall ports within the places aforesaid, any of the monies arising by the said customs, nor protect any person or persons from paying thereof upon any pretence whatsoever: and that no Wharfinger, or keeper of any Wharfe, Crane, or Key, nor their servants, nor any Porter, Carman, Waterman, or any other person do take up, or let down, or otherwise permit to be landed upon, or shipped off his or their wharfe or key, any goods or merchandize whatsoever, whereof the duties aforesaid shall be due and payable, but in the presence of one of the Deputies of the said Commissioners for the Customs, and at such houres and times only as by the laws of this Land are in that case limited and appointed, upon paine of being proceeded against as contemners of the said Ordinance, and power of the Parliament; And the said Lords and Commons do further ordain, that in every action, suit, indictment, information or prosecution wherein, or whereby the said Commissioners their deputies or servants, or any others acting in aid of them are or shall be sued, indicted, prosecuted, or molested, it shall be lawfull for all and every the said persons, their Heires, Executors, and Administrators to plead the generall issue, and to give this, or any of the aforesaid Ordinances of Parliament relating to the Customs, in evidence in any of his Majesties Courts of Justice, or other Court where the said matter shall be depending, and the Judges of all the said Courts are hereby strictly required and enjoyned to allow and admit of the same accordingly; Provided alwaies, that it be lawfull to all the Subjects of this Realme, and the dominions aforesaid, at their will and pleasure to carry and transport out of this Realm in the ships, or other vessels of any of the same Subjects, all and every kind of Herrings, and other sea-fish to be taken upon the seas by any of the subjects aforesaid, out of any Port or Harbour of this Realm, to any place out of the Kings dominions without paying any Customs, Subsidies, or Poundage money for the same Herrings or Fish so carried, or transported within the time before mentioned, anything before contained to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided also, and it is declared, That this Ordinance, or anything therein contained shall not be construed in any sort to repeale an Ordinance lately made for the regulating of the rates of Tobacco, nor to impeach the composition Trade of Dover, provided for by the said Ordinance of the 21 of Febr. 1644. And likewise it is Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that the said Book of Rates, Orders, and Instructions therein contained, and thereunto annexed, together with the tenor of this present Ordinance, and the said Ordinances and Bill herein recited be transmitted under the Great Seale of England into the Exchequer for proceedings thereupon, to be according to the contents and tenor of this Ordinance, and the true intent and meaning of the same, and the Commissioners of the Great Seale for the time being shall 'and may, and are hereby authorized and required to performe and do all act and acts for the transmission of the same accordingly: And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the Barons of the said Court of Exchequer, and all other the Officers and Ministers of the same Court respectively for the time being do, and shall and are hereby authorized and required to receive and proceed to Judgement upon any Bill, Plaint, or Information, which according to the true intent of this Ordinance is or shall be prosecuted before them touching any of the matters herein contained, according to the course of that Court heretofore used when Tonnage and Poundage were at any time formerly granted, and that the Chief Baron, and other Barons of the Coif of his Majesties Court of Exchequer, his Majesties Atturney-Generall, or Solliciter-Generall, or any three of them, whereof the said Atturney, or Solliciter-generall to be one, shall, and may compound for all such seizures and forfeitures in and by this Ordinance, limited and appointed to be paid to the Commissioners and Collectors of the Customs for the time being for the use of the Navy, or to such use as the said two Houses of Parliament shall from time to time limit and appoint, as by the true intent and meaning of this present Ordinance, or of the said Ordinance of the 21 of February, have happened, or shall happen or accrue; and upon such composition made, and payment thereof, the said Court of Exchequer to give judgment for the discharge of such forfeiture, and also that the same Court, or any of the Barons of the Coife there shall, and may give license to such informer to treat, and compound with the defendant for the said other part of any such seizure or forfeiture; Provided also, that a certain liquor called Spirits lately imported into this Kingdom from forein parts, and not rated in the said Booke of Rates, be henceforth rated, in regard of the subsidy payable upon the importation thereof at four and twenty pounds per Tun, and the said subsidy payable by this Ordinance upon the same to be henceforth levied according to that rate and value, and so after that rate for every greater or lesser quantity thereof, and that a certain silk stuffe called Sarsnets of Genoa, and other silk stuffe called Pranellas, and all other silk stuffs of the like fabrick or goodnesse be henceforth rated, viz. The broad at eighteen shillings per ell, and the narrow at nine shillings per ell, and the subsidy thereof to be henceforth leavied according to those rates: And provided, that the half subsidy by the second Article of instructions, annexed to the said Book of Rates, directed to be repaid to merchants upon exportation of such foreign goods and merchandize as had formerly advanced the subsidy inwards, in case the same shall not really be shipped out by the importer thereof, and for his own accompt or by or for the accompt of the first or second buyer thereof at the farthest, and the truth thereof appeare upon Oath before the Commissioners and Officers of the customs be henceforth forborn to be repaid by the said Commissioners of the Customs, the said Articles or Instructions notwithstanding. And provided also, that the half-subsidy heretofore repaid to Merchants upon exportation of any Wines formerly imported be likewise henceforth forborne to be paid; And provided lastly, that in all cases where any goods or merchandize which by the intention of the Instructions annexed to the said Booke of Rates are to pass ad valorem, the said goods and merchandize be henceforth rated and valued, viz. in the port of London, by the said Commissioners of the Customs, or one of them, together with the Comptroller or Surveyor in the Port of London, or one of them upon view of the said Goods, and in the out-Ports by the DeputyCollector of the said Commissioners, together with one of the said Officers in the respective out-ports in like manner, and that the value of the said Goods be by them entred upon the Warrant signed by themselves by which the said Goods are to passe, and the Subsidie or other Duties by this Ordinance payable for the same, to be levied and taken according to that rate and value.