William and Mary, 1693: An Act for the importation of fine Italian Sicilian and Naples Thrown Silke [Chapter III. Rot. Parl. pt. 2. nu. 2.]

2 W. & M. Sess 1. c. 9. § 2.; 12 Car. II. c. 18.; Italian Silk may be imported.

Whereas by an Act made in the Second yeare of their Majesties Reigne entituled An Act for the discourageing the importation of Throwne Silk (amongst other things in the said Act contained) the bringing in of Throwne Silk of the growth or production of Italy Sicily or the Kingdom of Naples is prohibited unlesse imported in such Ships or Vessells and navigated in such manner as in and by an Act made in the Twelfth yeare of the Reigne of King Charles the Second entituled An Act for the encouragement and increasing of the Shipping and Navigation is directed or allowed and brought from some of the Ports of those Countries or Places whereof the same is of the Growth or Production and which shall come directly by Sea and not otherwise. And whereas by the Act of Navigation Italian and Sicilian Thrown Silk may be brought from any Port or Place of Europe and that it hath been found by experience that the importation of Italian Sicilian and Naples Silk by the ways prescribed by the said recited Act (in regard of the great difficulties and hazard occasioned by the present War with France is greatly prejudicial and if longer continued will endanger the losse of the Silk Manufactory of this Nation be it therefore enacted by the King and Queens most excellent Majesties by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Co[m]mons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same That from and after the Twentieth day of December One thousand six hundred ninety and three it shall and may be lawfull to and for any person or persons who do or shall reside in their Majesties Dominions to import or bring into this Kingdom from any Port or Place whatsoever (excepting the Ports of France) dureing the pressent Warr with France and Three months after fine Throwne Silk of the growth or production of Italy Sicily or Naples any thing in the said recited Acts to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

II. Coarse Silk, &c. not to be imported.

Penalty.

Provided always That this Act nor any thing herein contained shall extend to give liberty to bring over land and import any Italian throwne Silke that shall be courser then a sort thereof knowne [& distinguished (fn. 1) ] by the name of Third Bolonia Nor any Sicilian Throwne Silk that shall be courser then a sort thereof knowne and distinguished by the name of Second Orsoy nor any sorts of Silks co[m]monly called Frams of the growth of Italy Sicily or Naples nor any other Throwne Silk of the growth or production of Turkey Persia East-India or China under the penalty and forfeiture of all such Throwne Silk as shall be brought over land and imported contrary to the purport true intent and meaning of this Act one Moyety whereof shall be to the use of the King and Queens Majesties their Heirs and Successors and the other moyety to such person or persons as shall seize informe or sue for the same to bee recovered by Bill Plaint or Informac[i]on in any of their Majesties Courts of Record wherein noe Essoign Protection or Wager of Law shall be allowed.

III. All Italian Silk to be brought to the Custom-house, London.

And for the better and more effectual execuc[i]on of this Act and to prevent the importac[i]on of any sort of Thrown Silke contrary to the true intent and meaning hereof be it further enacted and declared That all such fine Italian Sicilian and Naples Thrown Silks as are allowed to bee imported by this Act wheresoever landed shall be brought to their Majesties Customhouse London to the intent that noe [other (fn. 1) ] sort may be imported over land then those only allowed by this Act under the penalties and forfeitures before menc[i]oed and recited any thing to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.