November 1644
[26 November, 1644.]
Whereas the Plantations in New England have been, by the
Blessing of Almighty God, and prosperous Success, without any
Public Charge to this State, and are likely to prove very happy
for the Propagation of the Gospel in those Parts, and very beneficial and commodious to this Kingdom and Nation: The Lords
and Commons now assembled in Parliament, for the better
Advancement of those Plantations, and the Encouragement of
the Planters to proceed in their Undertakings, have Ordained, and
be it Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That all Merchandize and Goods, that, by any Merchant or other Person or
Persons whatsoever, shall be exported out of this Kingdom of
England, into New England, to be spent, used, or employed there,
or, being of the Growth of that Country, shall be from thence
imported hither, or shall be laden, or put on board, in any Ship
or Vessel for Necessaries, in passing or returning to and from,
without paying or yielding any Custom, Subsidy, Taxation or
Imposition, or other Duty for the same, either Inwards or Outwards, either in this Kingdom or New England, or any Port,
Haven, or Creek, or other Place whatsoever, from the Tenth Day
of March, 1642, until both Houses shall take further Order therein to the contrary; and all and singular Customers, Farmers, and
Collectors of Customs, Subsidies, and Imposts, and other Officers,
Ministers, and Subjects whatsoever, are hereby required and
enjoined, that they, and every of them, upon shewing forth unto
them of this Ordinance, or a true Copy thereof under the Hand
of the Clerk of the Parliament, without any other Writ or Warrant
whatsoever, do make full, whole, and entire and due Allowance,
and clear Discharge, unto the said Owners of the said Goods and
Merchandizes, their Factors, Servants, and Agents, according to
the true Intent and Meaning of this present Ordinance.