January 1645: An Ordinance for the raising of Moneys for Redemption of distressed Captives.

January, 1644/5

[28 January, 1644/5.]

Whereas by an Act made this present Parliament, intituled, An Act for the Reliefe of the Captives taken by the Turkish, Morish, and other Pyrats: And to prevent the taking of others in time to come, A Subsidie of One per centum was imposed on all Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, of what nature, kind or quality soever, to be exported out of, or imported into this Kingdome of England, and Dominion of Wales; which Subsidie or imposition was to continue by the said Act, during the space of three yeers expiring the tenth of December, 1644. And whereas the Lords and Commons by their Ordinance of the twenty fourth of October, 1644. for the carrying on that so pious a work, the Releasing of the said distressed Captives: And withall, having respect to the Incouragement of Merchants in their Trade, did thereby Declare and Order, That onely one Fourth part of the Moneys due on the severall Bonds taken and due by the said Act; That is to say, one Fourth part of the One per Cent. which is one shilling in every Twenty shillings paid for Custome and Subsidie, according to the now Book of Rates established by Authority of this present Parliament, should be paid by the severall Merchants so indebted, and to continue the payment of the said fourth part of one per Cent. as before, upon all Goods and Merchandize exported and imported unto the expiration of the said Act.

Ord. of 24 Oct., 1644 to continue a year.; Power to Chamberlain of City of London and his Deputies to receive Moneys collected.

Now the said Lords and Commons finding the said work will require farre greater sums of money then could be raised by vertue of the said former Act and Ordinance, during the time therein limited by the said one fourth part, do Order and Ordain: That the said Ordinance of the twenty fourth of October, 1644. concerning the Collecting of the said duty and imposition of one fourth part of one per Cent. which is one shilling in every twenty shillings, paid for Custome and Subsidy, according to the now Book of Rates established by Authority of this present Parliament, upon all Goods and Merchandize exported or imported into this Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Barwick, shall stand and continue in full force and power, from the said Tenth of December, 1644. inclusive, unto the Eleven of December 1645. And that the Chamberlain of the City of London for the time being, his Deputy or Deputies, be hereby appointed Collectors, who are hereby enabled to receive all such summes of Money as shall hereafter during the continuance of this Ordinance, be payable or payd, for and in respect of the said duty, who are hereby required to attend at the severall Custome-houses in the Port of London, and out-Ports, at the usuall houres, between Nine and Twelve in the morning, to receive the same, And to take such further course for dispatch of the service, as he or they in their wisdomes shall think fit.

Moneys to be paid towards Redemption of Distressed Captives.

And it is further Ordained, That all such sums of Money as shall be collected and received for the said duty aforesaid, shall from time to time be issued, imployed, disposed and payed by the said Chamberlain, for and towards the Redemption of the said distressed Captives, in such manner as by the Lord Admirall for the time being, and the Committee for the Navie of the Commons House of Parliament, or in the absence of the Lord Admirall, by the Committee of the Navy shall be ordered and directed, whose order from time to time shall be his sufficient discharge.

No Warrant, etc., to be passed unless signed by Chamberlain of London or Deputies.

And that the said duty may be duly collected and paid according to the true intent and meaning of this Ordinance, It is Ordained, That no Officer or Officers belonging to any Customehouse in the Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, do passe any Warrant Cocquet, or permit any Goods to passe by any Warrant Cocquet, unlesse the same be signed or subscribed by the Chamberlain of London, his Deputy or Deputies.

Indemnity.; Merchant Strangers trading on Composition Trade at Dover excepted from Duty.; No Defalcation.

And for the better incouragement of the said Chamberlain, The Lords and Commons do Ordain, That whatsoever Act or Acts, the said Chamberlain, his Deputy, Deputies, or any one of them, shall do in the Execution of this Ordinance: And whatsoever money they shall receive and Issue out by vertue of the same; They, their Heires, Executors and Administrators shall be acquitted, discharged, and saved harmlesse, by the Power and Authority of both Houses of Parliament. Provided, That the said duty be not demanded or levyed of the MerchantStrangers, Trading upon the Composition Trade at Dover. Provided also, And it is the true intent and meaning of this Ordinance, That no Merchant-Stranger whatsoever, as to this duty, do pay any more then the Merchant-Denizen both; and likewise, that as touching the duty hereby Imposed, there be no Deduction or Defalcation of fifteen pounds per Cent. any thing contained in this Ordinance to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.