March 1644: An Ordinance concerning Currans.

March 1644

[19 March, 1643/4.]

From 12 Feb. last Merchants of Levant Co. may import Zant Currants in English bottoms.; Paying 6s. per cent. per cwt. over and above Customs and Excise.; Customs Commissioners to pay moneys so raised for use of Gloucester Garrison.

Whereas by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament dated 26 August, 1642. It is Ordained for the reasons therein expressed, that from and after the last day of September, 1642, no Currans should be imported into the Kingdome of England, or Dominion of Wales, by any Merchants or others, by way of Merchandize, or otherwise from any Ports beyond the Sea, but the Importation thereof is thereby utterly prohibited and forbidden. Now forasmuch as since the making of the said Ordinance, the Enemy is possessed of divers Havens and Port townes of the said Kingdome, where Currans are daily imported, whereby the benefit of the said Ordinance cannot be made usefull for the publike good of the Kingdome, as was intended; The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, doe Order, Ordaine, and Declare, that from and after the Twelth day of February last, it shall and may be lawfull to and for all Merchants of the Levant Company, by way of Merchandize or otherwise, to Import in English Bottoms any Currans of the growth of Zant and Cepholonia, and to land them into the Port of London, or any other Port within the Power of the Parliament, within Twelve months next after the publication of this Ordinance, from any Ports beyond the Seas, paying six shillings per cent: for every hundred weight of the said Currans. over and above the Customes and Excise due for the same: The said Ordinance of Prohibition to the contrary in any wise nothwithstanding: And the Commissioners of the Customes are hereby required to take Entries for the said Currans, and to receive of the said Merchants the said six shillings per cent: for every hundred weight over and above the Custome and Excise as aforesaid, and the proceed of the said six shillings per cent: the said Commissioners are hereby required to pay over to Nathaniel Stevens Thomas Hodges, and Thomas Cury Esquires, Members of the House of Commons, for the use of the Garrison of Gloucester, upon accompt, taking their receipt for the same, which shall be to the said Commissioners, and every of them a sufficient Discharge in that behalfe.