August 1642
[26 August, 1642.]
Whereas it is found by daily experience, that the Importation of
Currans into this Kingdome (it being a Commodity of little or of
no use at all, but a meere superfluity, and may well bee spared) is a
matter of great concernment not only to the Merchant but to this
Nation, in regard the said Commodity cannot be had in the parts
beyond the Seas, where the same are bought, without ready money,
an hundred thousand pounds per annum at least being bestowed in
Currans, which otherwise would be brought into this Kingdome,
is wholly diverted; whereas formerly (till of later years) the said
Currans were bought for Commodities of this Kingdome, exported
hence of small value, besides the great advantage which is yearly
made upon the Merchant (where the said Currans are laden) to
their exceeding prejudice by the high and excessive Rates and
Taxes which are there imposed upon the said Commodity.
Importation of Currants after 30 September 1642 forbidden.
For the prevention of the like mischiefe for time to come, the
Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, at the
instance and desire of the Merchants of this Kingdome, and by and
with their consent, doe order, ordain and declare, that from and
after the last day of September, which shall be in the Year of Our
Lord God 1642. That no Currans be imported into the Kingdom of
England, or Dominion of Wales, by any Merchants strangers,
Denizens or others by way of Merchandize or otherwise, from any
parts beyond the Seas; But the importation thereof from and
after the said last day of September, is hereby utterly prohibited
and forbidden.
Currants imported contrary to this Ordinance to be detained.
And further, by the Authority aforesaid, it is ordered and declared,
That from and after the said last day of September, no Entries be
taken of any Currans that shall be imported into this Kingdome
or Dominion of Wales, by any officer whatsoever, in any of the
Custom-houses or elsewhere; And in case any Merchant-denizen,
or Alien, or any other person whatsoever contrary to this Ordinance,
shall presume to Import and unlade any Currans within this Kingdom or Dominion of Wales after the said last day of September,
that it shall be lawfull for the Officers of the Custome House respectively to seize, take and carry away all such Currans, and them to
detaine untill they shall receive further order from both the Houses
of Parliament in that behalfe; And that every person that shall
offend herein shall be liable to such further punishment and censure
as the Lords and Commons in a Parliamentary way shall inflict or
impose.
Charge to Officers of the Customs.
And it is further Ordered that the respective Officers of the
Custome-houses doe take speciall care to put this Ordinance in
execution, or doe cause it to be fully executed in every point according
to the true intention of the same, and that such persons as shall not
obey in any of the premises shall answer their neglect and contempt before the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and not
otherwise or elsewhere.
Retail price of Currants after 23 August, 1642, not to exceed 5d. per lb.
And lastly it is Ordered and declared, That from and after the
three and twentieth of August which shall be in the Yeere of Our
Lord God 1642. that no Currans which are already bought in the
parts beyond the Seas, and brought into this Kingdome or the
Dominion of Wales, shall be sold by retaile for more than after
the rate of five-pence the pound, and that if any person (that shall
sell the same) shall offend contrary to this Ordinance, that he shall
be liable to receive such punishment as the Lords and Commons
in a Parliamentary way shall impose for his contempt in that
behalfe.