WHereas it is found by daily experience, that the Importation of Currans into this Kingdome (it being a Commodity of little or no uſe at all, but a meere ſuperfluity, and may well bee ſpared) is a matter of great concernment, not only to the Merchant, but to this Nation, in regard the ſaid Commodity cannot be had in the parts beyond the Seas, where the ſame are bought, without ready money, an hundred thouſand pound per annum at leaſt being beſtowed in Currans, which otherwiſe would be brought into this Kingdome, is wholly diverted; whereas formerly (till of later yeares) the ſaid Currans were bought for Commodities of this Kingdome, exported hence of ſmall value, beſides the great advantage which is yearly made upon the Merchant (where the ſaid Currans are laden) to their exceeding prejudice by the high and exceſſive Rates and Taxes which are there impoſed upon the ſaid Commodity.

For the prevention of the like miſchiefe for time to come, the Lords and Commons in this preſent Parliament aſſembled, at the inſtance and deſire of the Merchants of this Kingdome, and by and with their conſent, doe order, ordaine, and declare, that from and after the laſt day of September, which ſhall be in the yeare of our Lord God 1642, That no Currans be imported into the Kingdome of England, or Dominion of Wales, by any Merchants ſtrangers, Denizens, or others by way of Merchandize or otherwiſe, from any parts beyond the Seas; But the importation thereof from and after the ſaid laſt day of September, is hereby utterly prohibited and forbidden.

And further by the Authority aforeſaid, it is ordered and declared, That from and after the ſaid laſt day of September, no Entries be taken of any Currans that ſhall be imported into this Kingdom or Dominion of Wales, by any Officer whatſoever, in any of the Cuſtome-Houſes or elſewhere; And in caſe any Merchant Denizen, or Alien, or any other perſon whatſoever contrary to this Ordinance, ſhall preſume to Import and unlade any Currans within this Kingdome or Dominion of Wales after the ſaid laſt day of September, that it ſhall be lawfull for the Officers of the Cuſtome-Houſe reſpectively, to ſeize, take, and carry away all ſuch Currans, and them to detaine untill they ſhall receive further order from both the Houſes of Parliament in that behalfe; And that every perſon that ſhall offend herein, ſhall be liable to ſuch further puniſhment and cenſure as the Lords and Commons in a Parliamentary way ſhall inflict or impoſe.

And it is further ordered that the reſpective Officers of the Cuſtome-houſes doe take ſpeciall care to put this Ordinance in execution, or doe cauſe it to be fully executed in every point according to the true intention of the ſame, and that ſuch perſons as ſhall not obey in any of the premiſes ſhall anſwer their neglect and contempt before the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and not otherwiſe or elſewhere.

And laſtly, it is ordered and declared, That from and after the three and twentieth day of Auguſt, which ſhall be in the yeere of our Lord God, 1642. that no Currans which are already bought in the parts beyond the Seas, and brought into this Kingdome or the Dominion of Wales, ſhall be ſold by retaile for more than after the rate of five pence the pound, and that if any perſon (that ſhall ſell the ſame) ſhall offend contrary to this Ordinance, that he ſhall be liable to receive ſuch puniſhment as the Lords and Commons in a Parliamentary way ſhall impoſe for his contempt in that behalfe.