July 1644: An Ordinance concerning a new Excise upon Allum, Copperas, Monmouth-caps, and Hats of all sorts, Hopps, Saffron, Starch, and all manner of Silks or Stuffes, made in this Kingdome; and many other Goods and Commodities imported, made or growing in this Kingdome, not formerly paying Excise.

July 1644

[8 July, 1644.]

Order for Excise and New Impost.; Exceptions.; Commodities first imported, then exported.; Saltery-Wares.; Cotton-Wool.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament being desirous by all good means to provide for the payment and satisfactions of the publique debts of the Kingdome, which they hope by Gods blessing in convenient time to bring to passe, and earnestly labouring the present satisfaction and payment of such pressing debts as are due unto severall Handicrafts-men strangers, and other persons for Armes and Ammunition, bought and taken up of them for the Service of the State; And to severall poore persons for Carriages by Cart and Wagon for the same use, and for the reliefe of wounded and maimed Souldiers that have received their wounds in the service of the Common-wealth, and for the widowes and children of such as have lost their lives in the said service, and for other necessary occasions for the defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdome, Doe hereby Declare, Order, and Ordaine, that the severall rates and charges here under mentioned shall be set and laid and are hereby set, laid, and imposed upon the severall Commodities hereafter expressed, within this Realm, the Dominion of Wales and Town of Barwicke, by the way of Excise and new Impost over and above all Customes, and other duties due and payable for the same: viz. Upon all Goods and Merchandizes whatsoever imported (except Bullion, Corne, Victuall, Armes and Ammunition) which have not been hitherto charged with the duty of Excise and new Impost twelve pence upon every twenty shillings value thereof, and so proportionably for every greater or lesser value, to be paid by the first buyer thereof from the Merchant, Importer or Ingrosser. Provided, that for all Commodities here rated, which are first imported, and after exported beyond the Sea, the Excise thereof being payd, and due proofe thereof made by oath of the party or witnesses, which oath the said Commissioners or the major part of them, or such as they shall appoint under their hands and seales, shall have power to administer, shall be repaid, and the said Commissioners and their Deputies shall have power to repay the same accordingly. Provided also that Hemp, Flax, Tow, Pitch, Tar, Rozen, and Tallow imported be accounted under Saltery-wares; And that all Cotten-wools imported shall pay onely six pence upon every ponnd value, and so after that rate for a greater or lesser value, to be paid by the first buyer, as aforesaid.

Excise on English Goods.

And be it further Ordained, that the Goods and Commodities herinafter mentioned, made or growing within this Kingdome shall pay by way of Excize upon the first sale, and by the first grower and maker therof respectively for every value of twenty shillings, and so proportionately for a greater or lesser value, in such manner as is hereafter limited, and appointed, viz.

Alum.

Allum English, to be paid by the first buyer, six pence.

Copperas.

Copperas, English, to be paid by the maker, twelve pence.

Monmouth-Caps.

Monmouth-caps of all sorts, to be paid by the first retailing buyer, twelve pence.

Hats.

Hats of all sorts, to be paid by the first maker, twelve pence.

Hops.

Hopps English, to be paid by the planter, six pence.

Saffron.

Saffron, to be paid by the planter, twelve pence.

Starch.

Starch, to be paid by the first maker, twelve pence.

Silks, etc.

All manner of Silkes, or Stuffes made in the Kingdome, made of, or mixt with Silke, Haire, Wool, or Thread, not formerly paying Excize, As also all Upholstry-ware made in this Kingdome, not formerly paying Excize, to be paid by the first buyer, six pence.

Tin.

Tynn, to be payd by the first buyer twelve pence.

Wood.

Wood English, to be paid by the first buyer six pence.

Iron.

Iron made in England, to be paid by the first buyer six pence.

Tobacco-Pipes.

Tobacco-pipes of all sorts, to be paid by the first buyer for every grosse foure pence.

Power of Excise Officers in relation to above goods.

And the Commissioners and Officers for the Excize appointed by former Ordinances of Parliament are hereby authorized, enabled and required to use all such good wayes and meanes for the discovering, rating, collecting and securing of the severall summes of money herein imposed upon the severall commodities above-mentioned, as they are anthorised and enabled to doe in the case of the Excize set upon other Commodities by former Ordinances of both Houses of Parliament.

Moneys thus raised how to be employed.

And be it further Ordeined and Ordered, that of the moneys so to be raised by this addition of Excise or new Impost as aforesaid, one third part shall be imployed toward the satisfaction of the pressing debts due to the said severall Tradesmen, strangers, and other persons, and to severall poore persons for carriages by Cart and Wagon, as aforesaid, and also for the reliefe of wounded and maimed Souldiers, and for satisfaction of such summes of mony as are due unto or have bin disbursed by Physitians, Apothecaries, and Chyrurgions, for the cure of them; and for the reliefe of such widowes and children as have lost their husbands and fathers in the service of the Common-wealth, as aforesaid. For the second, third part, one moity thereof shall be imployed towards the maintenance of the Land-forces in service of the Parliament, and the other moity for provisions of Arms and Ammunition for the same. And for the other third part, one moity thereof shall be employed for the maintenance of the Navy at the Sea, under the command of the E. of Warwick Lord high Admirall of England, and the moity for provision of Armes, store, and Ammunition for the same.

How long this Ord. to continue.

And be it also Ordered and Ordained, that this Ordinance shall begin and take effect from the 24 day of June, 1644. and from thence to continue for one yeare then next following.