Charles II, 1662: An Act for the importing of Madder pure and unmixed.

Recital that Madder is useful in the Art of Dying, and that the same has been mixed with Sand, &c.

Importing or exposing to sale Madder mixed with Sand, &c.; Penalty.

WHEREAS the use of Madder for the laying and grounding of most colours is most usefull and necessary in the Art of Dying within this Kingdom which is imported from Holland and other Forreign parts in great quantities but so deceitfully and abundantly mixed with sand and other materials before it is imported that one pound of good and pure Madder will make more perfect worke then three of that which is usually imported by reason of which deceit and p[re]judice the colours therewith laid and grounded are very imperfect and fading which occasioneth the Transportation of great quantities of Woollen Clothes and other Woollen Manufactures undyed and undressed beyond the Seas to be there wrought and put in colours to the great p[re]judice and impoverishing of many thousands of His Majesties leige people. For the preventing of which deceits and mischeifs and for the better incouragement of all planters of Madder within this Kingdome Bee it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty with the Advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That if any person or persons shall from and after the Foure and twentieth day of June in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and two import into this Realm of England or any part thereof any Madder whatsoever or expose the same to sale being mixed with sand or other materials over and above two pound weight in every hundred weight of Madder which hundred weight shall containe One hundred and twelve pound that then every person and persons so offending as aforesaid shall forfeit and lose all and every such parcell of Madder so mixed with sand or other materials as aforesaid the one moyetie of the said forfeiture to be to the use of His Majesty His Heires and Successors and the other moyety to such person or persons as shall discover the same to be recovered by him by Action or Bill of Debt in any of His Majesties Courts of Westminster wherein no Essoign Protection or Wager of Law shall be allowed.