November 1643: An Ordinance touching Customes for Plymouth.

November 1643

[15 November, 1643.]

In regard of the great necessitie of the Town and Port of Plimmouth, and Island of Saint Nicholas, and the Towns of Pool and Lime, and places neer adjacent.

Extra 1/10; of Customs Rates henceforth to be paid to be for defence of Plymouth, etc.; Penalty for non-payment of extra tenth.; Proviso.; Instruction to Customs Officers, etc.; 4d. allowed for every 20s.

Be it Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, that where any Subsidie, Custome, or other dutie on the First day of November, in the year of our Lord God, 1643, is or shall be laid or imposed by Authority or Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, upon any Goods, Wares, or other Merchandizes, or what nature, kinde, or quality soever, to be exported out of or imported into the Kingdom of England or Dominion of Wales; That their one Tenth part more of the Rate of the Custome, Subsidy, or Duties now paid, or according to the Book of Rates now by such authority or Ordinance established be paid and answered, over and above the said Custome, Subsidy or Duty, from and after the Fifteenth day of November, of and from all and every such Goods, Wares, and other Merchandize so to be exported or imported, That is to say, where Ten shillings now is paid, there hereafter shall be paid One shilling more, and after that Rate for more or lesse, to continue till it be otherwise Ordained by both Houses of Parliament; and to be received, collected and taken, by Nathan Wright, Francis Lenthall, and George Henly, of London, Merchants, their Deputie and Deputies and by them to be paid over to such Treasurer as shall be appointed by both Houses of Parliament, to be imployed for, in, and about the Defence of the said Town and Port of Plimouth and Island, and the Towns of Pool and Lyme, and places neer there or adjacent, by Order of both Houses of Parliament, or such other persons to whom they shall give Authority in that behalf: And the said Subsidy and Imposition to be paid, under such penalty and seizures as are established by an Ordinance or Act now in being, for other Customes and Subsidies already established: And the Collectors be secured and saved harmlesse, by Authority of both Houses of Parliament, in what they shall do in execution of the Premises; Provided alwayes, That as touching the Duty hereby imposed, there be no deduction or defalca tion of 15.1 per Cent. And it is further Ordered, That the Customers Comptrollers, and other Officers whom it may concern in the Port of London, and other the out-Ports, Do take particular notice of this Ordinance, who are to passe no entry untill the said Duty of one Tenth part over and above the present Custome, be duly satisfied, and paid to the said Collectors or their Deputies and signified under their hands in writing. And be it further Ordained by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be allowed 4.d. per lib. out of every Twenty shillings so paid for such Collection.