November 1644: Ordinance concerning Goods exported and imported from New England.

November 1644

[26 November, 1644.]

Whereas the Plantations in New England have been, by the Blessing of Almighty God, and prosperous Success, without any Public Charge to this State, and are likely to prove very happy for the Propagation of the Gospel in those Parts, and very beneficial and commodious to this Kingdom and Nation: The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, for the better Advancement of those Plantations, and the Encouragement of the Planters to proceed in their Undertakings, have Ordained, and be it Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That all Merchandize and Goods, that, by any Merchant or other Person or Persons whatsoever, shall be exported out of this Kingdom of England, into New England, to be spent, used, or employed there, or, being of the Growth of that Country, shall be from thence imported hither, or shall be laden, or put on board, in any Ship or Vessel for Necessaries, in passing or returning to and from, without paying or yielding any Custom, Subsidy, Taxation or Imposition, or other Duty for the same, either Inwards or Outwards, either in this Kingdom or New England, or any Port, Haven, or Creek, or other Place whatsoever, from the Tenth Day of March, 1642, until both Houses shall take further Order therein to the contrary; and all and singular Customers, Farmers, and Collectors of Customs, Subsidies, and Imposts, and other Officers, Ministers, and Subjects whatsoever, are hereby required and enjoined, that they, and every of them, upon shewing forth unto them of this Ordinance, or a true Copy thereof under the Hand of the Clerk of the Parliament, without any other Writ or Warrant whatsoever, do make full, whole, and entire and due Allowance, and clear Discharge, unto the said Owners of the said Goods and Merchandizes, their Factors, Servants, and Agents, according to the true Intent and Meaning of this present Ordinance.