Januury 1642/3
[14 Januury, 1642/3.]
The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. taking
into their Consideration the Number of Ships and Quantity of
Money that is every Year employed, from London and other
Parts and Places of this Kingdom, for the fetching of Coals and
Salt from Newcastle, Sunderland, and Blyeth; and finding that,
since the Beginning of the present Troubles, that Town of Newcastle, being possessed by Forces raised against the King and
Parliament, hath been and is the principal Inlet of Foreign Aid,
Forces, and Ammunition, for the strengthening of that Force
that intends Distractions to the Parliament, and thereby to the
Religion, Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom; and taking into
Consideration that sufficient Coals be supplied from other Parts,
for the Use of this Kingdom, do Declare, that they are inforced.
for the Safety of the Kingdom, and for the better hindering of
the supporting of the said Forces, and of the reducing of the
Town of Newcastle and the Parts adjacent to yield Obedience and
Submission to the Commands of the Two Houses of Parliament,
are constrained for the present to hinder the repairing of Ships
to Newcastle, Sunderland, and Blyth, lest those Ships and
Money, which are intended to procure Fuel for the Supportation
of the Kingdom, be improved to give Vigour and Maintenance
to the War raised to the Destruction thereof. For Prevention
whereof, we the Lords and Commons do Ordain, That no Ship,
Ships, or Barks, shall from henceforward make any Voyage, for
the fetching of Coals or Salt, from Newcastle, Sunderland,
or Blythe, or carrying of Corn or other Provision of Victual
until that Town of Newcastle shall be freed of and from the
Forces there now raised or maintained against the Parliament,
and the Town be reduced into such Hands and Condition as
shall declare themselves for King and Parliament; and the
Masters, Owners, and Sailors, of Ships and Barks, are hereby
required not to presume to go that Voyage, contrary to this
Ordinance: And it is further Ordained and Ordered, That, if
any Ship, Vessel, or Bark, shall, at any Time after the First Day
of February next coming, import or bring, into any Port or Place
of this Kingdom, any Coals or Salt, loaden from Newcastle,
Sunderland, and Blythe, or any of them, until further Order be
taken by both Houses of Parliament, that every such Ship,
Vessel, and Bark, and the Masters and Sailors in the same, shall
be seized upon and stayed in such Port and Place where they
come in, until the Two Houses of Parliament, being thereof
informed, shall take further Order and Direction therein.