May, 1645
[6 May, 1645.]
Prejudice to Merchants by Strangers.; By whom and in what Ships Whale-Oyle, Fins and Gils may be imported.; Confiscation.
The Lords and Commons assembled in the high Court of
Parliament of England, taking into consideration, that nothing
more inricheth this Kingdome then commerce, whereby the
navigation thereof is much increased, especially in Fishing Voyages, and therefore ought to be incouraged. Upon the humble
Petition presented from the fellowship of Merchants of England,
for discovery of new Trades Adventurers to Greenland: showing,
That they were the first discoverers of that Countrey, and for
many years successively have maintained the Fishing there,
which hath been a great increase of many Sea-men, & many
Ships yearly imployed, to the great benefit of this Kingdome.
But of late years have been much prejudiced, for that great
quantities of Whale-Oyl of Strangers Fishing, are permitted to
be imported into this Kingdome more than it can spend. By
means whereof the said Petitioners, and others his Majesties
Subjects trading thither, have not vent for theirs: Which without some speedy prevention will disable them from continuing
their Fishings into those parts, to the hazard of the loss of that
Countrey unto Strangers (so long desired by them) being Subject
to the Crown of England. And likewise taking into consideration, That in other Kingdomes and States the importation of
Whale-Oyl and Fins are not permitted to any, but the Subjects
of those Kingdomes and States of their own Fishing, do therefore
Order and Ordain, That no Whale-Oyl, nor Fins, nor Gils, commonly called Whale-bone, either wrought or unwrought, shall
hereafter be imported into any Port, Haven, or Creek of this
Kingdome from any Foreign parts whatsoever, other then what
are immediately fished in Greenland by the Subjects of this
Kingdome, and in Ships set out from hence, under penalty of
confiscation. And all Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers,
Waiters, and all other Officers in their several and respective
Places, are hereby required to attend the due execution thereof,
and not to permit or suffer any Whale-Oyl, nor Fins, nor Gils, as
aforesaid, to be imported into this Kingdome, or colourably customed for any other Goods or Merchandize, but that they do
forthwith seize and take the same into their custody, one Moyety
for the use and benefit of the State and the other Moyety for the
said Fellowship towards their charges. And all Justices of the
Peace, Mayors, Bayliffs, Sheriffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and
all other his Majesties Officers in their several and respective
Places, are hereby commanded and required to be aiding and
assisting therein, as they will answer the contrary at their perils.