March 1650: An Act for the Redemption of Captives.

March 1650

[26 March, 1650.]

Extra Custom and subsidy, to be applied to redemption of captives.; Forfeiture of goods for nonpayment.; Disposal of forfeited goods.; Exemption for merchant strangers trading on Dover composition trade.

Whereas the Parliament formerly taking into consideration the Redemption of Captives, taken by Turkish, Moorish and other Pirats, did for the accomplishment of that work, by several Ordinances impose a duty on Goods and Merchandizes Exported and Imported into and out of this Realm, which some time since has been expired: But the Parliament finding that the Moneys already collected on those Ordinances, will not be sufficient to perfect that good work, Do therefore Enact, and be it Enacted by Authority of this present Parliament, That one fourth part of one per cent, which is one shilling in every Twenty shillings paid for Custom and Subsidy, according to the new Book of Rates established by the authority of this present Parliament, shall from and after the first day of April, One thousand six hundred and fifty, be raised, levyed and paid over and above the said Custom and Subsidy, of and from all and every such Goods, Wares and other Merchandizes, to be Imported into, or Exported out of this Commonwealth of England; the said sum of one quarter of one per cent. to be raised and paid for the space of two years next after the said First day of April, One thousand five hundred and fifty, and received and taken by the Commissioners of the Customs for the time being, their Deputy or Deputies, and by them to be laid out, paid and imployed, in such maner as by the Committee of the Navy shall be ordered and directed, whose Order from time to time shall be their sufficient discharge. And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any Goods, Wares or Merchandizes, wherof the sum of one Fourth part of one per cent. is or shall be due and payable by vertue of this Act, shall at any time hereafter be shipped, or put into any Boat or other Vessel, to the intent to be carried into the parts beyond the Seas, or else be brought from the parts beyond the Seas into any part of this Commonwealth aforesaid, and unshipped to be laid on Land, the sum of one quarter of one per cent. due on the same not paid; all the same Goods, Wares, and other Merchandize whatsoever shall be forfeited and lost, the one moyety of the value thereof to be to him or them that will seize or sue for the same, and the other moyety to be for the Redemption of Captives as aforesaid. Provided, that the said Duty be not demanded or Levyed of the Merchant-Strangers, trading upon the Composition Trade at Dover. Provided also, and it is the true intent and meaning of this Act, That no Merchant-Stranger whatsoever, as to this duty, do pay any more than the Merchant Denizen doth; and likewise that as touching the duty hereby imposed, there be no deduction or defalkation of fifteen per cent. Anything in this Act to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.