March 1650: An Act touching the way of collecting the Excize for Ale and Beer brewed and spent in private Families.

March, 1650

[28 March, 1650]

The Parliament now assembled, taking into their consideration the Thirty Fifth Article in the late Act, entituled An Act for the speedy raising and levying of moneys by way of New Impost or Excise, for the assessing and collecting the Excize of Ale and Beer brewed and spent in private Families, and that the Common Wealth hath not received that benefit . . . . just by the same as was expected and intended, Do therefore now Enact and Ordain, and be it by authority of Parliament Enacted and Ordained, That the said Thirty Fifth Article in the said late Act, and the several Clauses mentioned in in the said Thirty Fifth Article (for the assessing and collecting the Excize of Ale and Beer brewed and spent in private Families, in such maner as in and by the said Thirty Fifth Article in the said Act is directed) is hereby repealed and made void to all intents and purposes. And be it Further Enacted and Ordained by authority aforesaid, That the Commissioners of Excize, their Sub-Commissioners, Collectors and Officers, shall and may from henceforth observe, perform and keep such Rules, Orders and Directions for the collecting and gathering the Excize of Ale and Beer, as is or shall be to them given by Order, Ordinance or Act of Parliament, or that shall be given unto them in writing under the Hands of five or more of such Committee as by the Parliament shall be thereunto appointed. And the said Committee are hereby authorized and required to give such Rules, Orders and Directions for the Collecting the Excize of Ale and Beer, as to them shall seem just and reasonable for the most easie and most effectual collection and gathering the Excize of Ale and Beer, so as the same exceed not, alter or diminish the Proportions and Rates assessed and set by Orders and Acts of Parliament. And be it Further by the Authority aforesaid Enacted, that the said Commissioners of Excise, their SubCommissioners, Collectors and Officers or any two or more of them, shall have power and [are hereby] authorized, to enquire by Oath to be administered to all persons (other than the parties themselves) what quantity of Mault is or shall be wet and Brewed by any person or persons whatsoever, that doth or shall Brew any Ale or Beer. Provided, That no person or persons that shall be so examined shall be compelled to travel above two Miles from the place of his dwelling. And that such Oath to be so given, shall be so Given without Fee.