April 1651: An Act concerning the new Invention of Melting down Iron, and other Metals, with Stone-Coals, and other Metals with Stone- Coals without Charking thereof.

April, 1651

[2 April, 1651.]

Jeremy Buck to make use of his new invention for melting Iron, &c. for fourteen years.

Whereas Jeremy Buck of Minchinhampton in the County of Glocester Esq; by a new Invention doth undertake to melt or cause to be melted down Iron, Lead, Tin, Copper, Brass, and other Metals, with Stone-Coal, Pit-Coal or Sea-Coal, without Charking thereof: Be it therefore Enacted by this present Parliament, and by the Authority thereof, That the said Jeremy Buck, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, and such as he or they or any of them by Writing under his, their or any of their Hands and Seals shall from time to time appoint (and none other) shall and may use, exercise and enjoy the Art, Skill, and Mystery of melting down Iron, Oare and Sinders into Raw Iron, and of other Oare and Metal, with Stone-Coal, Pit-Coal or Sea-Coal, without Charking thereof, and the sole and onely benefit of his New Invention aforesaid, for and during the term of Fourteen years, from the First day of March, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred and fifty, And that no person or persons, Bodies Politique or Corporate whatsoever, shall make use of the said New Invention within the Commonwealth of England, or any the Dominions thereof, during the said time of Fourteen years.

Other ways of melting Iron not prohibited.

Provided always, and it is hereby Declared and Enacted, That all and every person and persons may use such ways and works for melting down any Iron, Oare, Sinder, or other Metals, as they now use, or have heretofore lawfully used to do, or any other way or works hereafter by them newly to be invented, so as they make not use of the said New Invention of him the said Jeremy Buck.

The forfeiture of those that offend against this Act.

And it is further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every person offending against this Act, for every day wherein such Offence shall be committed, shall forfeit and lose to the said Jeremy Buck, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns respectively, the sum of ten pounds, in the name of a Pain or Penalty to be recovered by the said Jeremy Buck, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, by Action of Debt to be grounded upon this Act, in any Court of Record within this Commonwealth, where any Action of Debt now doth, or shall hereafter be tryable, together with Damages for non-payment thereof, and Costs of Suit; in which Action of Debt, or for the staying whereof, no Essoyn, Wager of Law, Protection or Injunction, or any other means of Delay, shall or may be granted, admitted or allowed.

Buck, after seven years, to take Apprentices.

Provided also, That the said Jeremy Buck and his Assigns, after seven years of the term hereby granted, do and shall take Apprentices, and teach them the Knowledge and Mystery of the said New Invention.