June, 1643
An Ordinance for the Regulating of Printing.
[14 June, 1643.]
Whereas divers good orders have been lately made by both
Houses of Parliament, for suppressing the great late abuses and
frequent disorders in Printing many false, forged, scandalous,
seditious, libellous, and unlicensed Papers, Pamphlets, and Books
to the great defamation of Religion and Government. Which
Orders (notwithstanding the diligence of the company of
Stationers to put them in full execution) have taken little or no
effect: By reason the Bill in preparation, for redress of the said
disorders, hath hitherto been retarded through the present
distractions, and very many, aswel Stationers and Printers, as
others of sundry other professions not free of the Stationers
Company, have taken upon them to set up sundry private
Printing Presses in corners, and to print, vend, publish, and
disperse books, pamplets and papers, in such multitudes, that no
industry could be sufficient to discover or bring to punishment
all the several abounding Delinquents; And by reason that
divers of the Stationers Company and others being Delinquents
(contrary to former orders and the constant custome used
among the said Company) have taken liberty to Print, Vend
and publish, the most profitable vendible Copies of Books
belonging to the Company and other Stationers, especially of
such agents as are imployed in putting the said Orders in
Execution, and that by way of revenge for giving information
against them to the Houses for their Delinquences in Printing,
to the great prejudice of the said Company of Stationers and
Agents, and to their discouragement in this publike service.
Orders and Declarations of Parliament not to be printed but by Order. Nor other books unlicensed and entred.; Nor books granted to the Company of Stationers without their license.; Nor books licensed and entred for particular persons without consent of the Owner. Importation.
It is therefore Ordered by the Lords and Commons in
Parliament, That no order or Declaration of both, or either
House of Parliament shall be printed by any, but by order of
one or both the said Houses: Nor other Book, Pamphlet, paper,
nor part of any such Book, Pamphlet, or paper shall from
henceforth be printed, bound, stitched or put to sale by any
person or persons whatsoever, unless the same be first approved
of and licensed under the hands of such person or persons as
both, or either of the said Houses shall appoint for the licensing
of the same, and entred in the Register Book of the Company
of Stationers, according to ancient custom, and the Printer
thereof to put his name thereto. And that no person or persons
shall hereafter print, or cause to be reprinted any Book or Books,
or part of Book, or Books heretofore allowed of and granted to
the said Company of Stationers for their relief and maintenance of their poor, without the license or consent of the Master,
Wardens and Assistants of the said Company; Nor any Book
or Books lawfully licensed and entred in the Register of the
said Company for any particular member thereof, without the
license and consent of the Owner or Owners thereof. Nor yet
import any such Book or Books, or part of Book or Books,
formerly Printed here, from beyond the Seas, upon pain of
forfeiting the same to the Owner, or Owners of the Copies of the
said Books, and such further punishment as shall be thought fit.
Power to search and seize.; To apprehend Authors, Printers, &c
And the Master and Wardens of the said Company, the
Gentleman Usher of the House of Peers, the Sergeant of the
Commons House and their Deputies, together with the persons
formerly appointed by the Committee of the House of Commons
for Examinations, are hereby Authorized and required, from
time to time, to make diligent search in all places, where they
shall think meet, for all unlicensed Printing Presses, and all
Presses any way imployed in the printing of scandalous
or unlicensed Papers, Pamphlets, Books, or any Copies of Books
belonging to the said Company, or any member thereof, without
their approbation and consents, and to seize and cary away such
Printing Presses Letters, together with the Nut, Spindle, and
other materials of every such irregular Printer, which they find
so misimployed, unto the Common Hall of the said Company
there to be defaced and made unserviceable according to ancient
Custom; And likewise to make diligent search in all suspected
Printing-houses, Ware-houses, Shops and other places for such
scandalous and unlicensed Books, Papers, Pamphlets and all other
Books, not entred, nor signed with the Printers name as
aforesaid, being printed, or reprinted by such as have no lawfull
interest in them, or any way contrary to this Order, and the
same to seize and carry away to the said Common Hall, there to
remain till both or either House of Parliament shall dispose
thereof; And likewise to apprehend all Authors, Printers, and
other persons whatsoever, imployed in compiling, printing,
stitching, binding, publishing and dispersing of the said
scandalous, unlicensed, and unwarrantable Papers, Books and
Pamphlets as aforesaid, and all those who shall resist the said
Parties in searching after them, and to bring them afore either
of the Houses or the Committee of Examinations, that so they
may receive such further punishment, as their Offences shall
demerit, and not to be released until they have given
satisfaction to the Parties imployed in their apprehension for
their pains and charges, and given sufficient caution not to
offend in like sort for the future. And all Justices of the Peace,
Captains, Constables and other Officers, are hereby ordered and
required to be aiding, and assisting to the aforesaid persons in
the due execution of all, and singular the premises, and in
the apprehension of all Offenders against the same. And in
case of opposition to break open Doors and Locks.
And it is further Ordered, that this Order be forthwith Printed
and Published, to the end that notice may be taken thereof, and
all Contemners of it left inexcusable.