October 1644: Ordinance for Redemption of the Captives at Algiers.

October 1644

[24 October, 1644.]

Whereas, by an Act made this present Parliament, intituled, "An Act for the Relief of the Captives taken by Turkish, Moorish, and other Pirates, and to prevent the taking of others in Time to come," a Subsidy of One per cent. was imposed on all Goods and Merchandizes exported out of, or imported into, this Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, which was to be One Fifth Part more than the Custom and Sudsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, according to the Book of Rates: and whereas, since the passing of that Act, the House of Commons, by their Order of the Tenth of March, 1641, in regard of the then growing Distractions of this Kingdom, did then Order, That Bonds only should be taken by the Collectors of the said Duty, for the Payment of the said One per cent., according to such Rates as this House should after appoint, and accordingly the Bonds have been taken: The Lords and Commons, &c., intending to carry on that so pious a Work of the releasing of the said distressed Captives, and withall having Respect to the Encouragement of Merchants in their Trade, do hereby Declare and Order, That only One Fourth Part of the Monies due on the said several Bonds, that is to say, One Fourth Part of the One per cent. due by the said Act, which is One Shilling in every Twenty Shillings, paid for Custom and Subsidy, according to the new Book of Rates established by Authority of this present Parliament, shall be paid by the several Merchants so indebted, within Thirty Days after Publication of this Order in Print, unto the Chamberlain of the City of London for the time being, who is hereby authorized to receive the same, or unto his Deputy or Deputies appointed by him; who, by himself and Deputies, is required to attend at the several Customhouses in the Port of London, and Out Ports, at the usual Hours between Nine and Twelve in the Morning, to receive the same, or to take such other Course for Dispatch of that Service as they shall think fit; and, upon Receipt of the Monies due, to deliver up the Bonds; which said Monies shall be employed and disposed of, for and towards the Redemption of the said distressed Captives, in such Manner as by the Lord Admiral and the Committee of the Navy shall be ordered and directed; and in case any Merchant so indebted shall not pay in the said Fourth Part within the Time before limited, the same being demanded, that then the said Collectors do certify the Names of such Person or Persons unto the said Committee of the Navy, who thereupon are to cause the said Bonds to be put in Suit, for the whole Duty of One per Cent. according to the Intent of the said Act: And it is further Ordered, That from the Day of the Date hereof, unto the Expiration of the Date of the said Act, no Bonds be taken for the said Duty; but that the said Chamberlain, his Deputy or Deputies, do receive the Money collected for the said Duty of the Fourth Part of One per Cent. as before, upon all Goods, Wares, and Merchandizes, both exported and imported, according to the said Act; and all Merchants are hereby required to pay the same.