FOrasmuch as by the Laws of this Realm, Our Soveraign Lord the King & his Heirs are to have, receive and leavy one subsidy of Poundage, (that is to say) of [Page 4]all and every twenty shillings worth of all manner of Merchandizes and Wares brought into this Realm of Ireland, by any person or persons to be sold within the said Realm, Twelve pence of lawfull money of England, and likewise to have, leavy and receive for e­very twenty shillings worth of Merchandi­zes and Wares, after the price that they be bought within this Realm, and to be carried out of the same, to be sold by any manner of person or persons beyond the seas, twelve Pence, (Wine and Oyl onely excepted.) And forasmuch as the prizes of all such Mer­chandizes and Wares brought in, and sold, and bought, and carried out, are uncertain, and the duties therefore or subsidy of Poundage of the same not possibly to be had received & lea­vied in so regular a way as the nature of such an Affair doth require, unless some certain and set Rates be conceived by which the said Duties and subsidie may be paid:

We the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, with the Commons of your Majesties Realm of Ireland, in this present Parliament assem­bled, upon due and mature consideration had of the present state and condition of the Trade of this your Realm, and of the Nature, Quality, and several Vses of the Goods and [Page 5]Merchandizes Imported and Exported, and of the most orderly and regular manner of leavy­ing the said subsidy upon the Goods and Mer­chandizes aforesaid, Do therefore most hum­bly beseech your Majesty, that it may be En­acted; And be it Enacted by your most Ex­cellent Majesty, by the advice of the Lords spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that the Rates mentioned and ex­pressed in one book of Rates hereunto an­nexed, Intituled, The Rates of Merchandizes, (That is to say,) The Subsidy of Poundage, and the Subsidy of Tunnage, as they are Ra­ted and agreed on by the Parliament of Ire­land, set down and expressed in this Book, to be paid according to the Tenor of the Act of Poundage and Tunnage, to the use of his Ma­jesty, his Heirs and Successors for ever; shall be the Rates according to which, all Goods and Merchandizes of every Merchant, natural born subject, Denizens and Aliens to be brought into all or any part of this Realm, or carried out of the same of the value of every twenty shillings of the same Goods and Mer­chandizes according to the several and parti­cular rates and values of the same Goods and Merchandizes, as they are particularly [Page 6]and respectively rated and valued in the fore­mentioned book, shall pay twelve pence Eng­lish money; and that the said book of Rates together with certain Rules, Orders, and Di­rections thereunto annexed, Intituled, Cer­tain Rules, Orders, Directions and Allowan­ces for the advancement of Trade, and the encouragement of Merchants, as also for the regulating as well of the Merchants in ma­king of due Entries, and just payment of their customs, as of the Officers in all Ports of this Realm in the receipts of their several Fees, and in the faithful management of their Duties and Trusts; And every Article, Clause, Sentence and Rule in the before-men­tioned book of Rates, and certain Rules, Orders and Directions aforesaid, shall from and after the first day of December, One thou­sand six hundred sixty one, be and remain as effectual to all intents and purposes as a­foresaid, as if the same had been particularly included in the body of this present Act; And for the better guarding and defending of the Seas against all persons intending, or that may intend the disturbance of the intercourse of the Trade of this Your Majesties Realm, and for the better defraying the necessary ex­pences thereof, which otherwise cannot be ef­fected [Page 7]without great charge. And for increase and augmentation of Your Majesties Reve­nue, be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that your Majesty, your Heirs and Successors shall have, leavy and receive for ever, from and after the said first day of December, One thousand six hundred sixty and one, one subsidy more of Poundage, (that is to say) of every twenty shillings value of any of the native Commodities of this Realm, or Manufacture wrought of any such Commodities to be carried out of this Realm by every Merchant, stranger, or other Alien, according to the value thereof in the a­foresaid book of Rates expressed, twelve pence of like English money, over and above the twelve pence aforesaid; and also one subsidy called Tunnage, (that is to say) Every Tun of Wine of the growth of France or of any the Dominions of the French King, or Crown of France, that shall come or be brought into the Port of Dublin, and the members thereof, and into all and every the other Ports and places of this Realm, by Your Majesties natural born Subjects of this Realm, or any other Your Majesties Domi­nions, the sum of three pounds and ten shillings of lawfull money of England, and [Page 8]by strangers and Aliens the sum of Four Pounds Thirteen shillings and Four Pence, of like money; and of every But or Pipe of Muscadine, Malmeseis, Cutes, Tents, Alli­cants, bastardsacks, Canaries Malligoes, Maderaes, and all other Wines whatsoever, commonly called sweet Wines of the growth of the Levant, Spain, Portugal, or of any of the Islands or Dominions to them, or any of them belonging, or elsewhere, that shall come and be brought into the Port of Dublin, or members thereof, and into all and every the other Ports and places of this Realm, by any natural born subject as aforesaid, the sum of two pounds and ten shillings of like mony of England, and by strangers and aliens the sum of three pounds six shil­lings and eight pence; of every Awme con­taining fourty two Gallons of Rhenish wine, of the growth of Germany, that shall come and be brought into this your Majesties Realm, by your natural born subjects as a­foresaid, the sum of fifteen shillings of like mony; and by straingers and aliens twenty shillings; of every Tun of Rape and Lin­seed-Oyles, containing two hundred fifty two Gallons, that shall come and be brought into the Port of Dublin, or any of the Ports of this Realm, by any natural born sub­ject [Page 9]as aforesaid, the sum of one pound ten shillings of like mony, by strangers and [...]liens the sum of one pound seventeen shil­lings and six pence of like mony; of every like Tun of Sevil, Majorca, Minor­ca, Apuglia, Province, or Portugal Oyl, that shall come or be brought in by any na­tural born Subject as aforesaid, the sum of two pounds, and twelve shillings of like mony: by strangers or Aliens the sum of three pounds, five shillings of like mony; of every like Tun of Sallet-Oyl, brought in by any natural born Subject as aforesaid, the sum of three pounds, and three shillings of like mony; by strangers or Aliens the [...]m of three pounds eighteen shillings and nine pence of like mony; of every like Tun of Trayn Oyl, of Greenland, brought in by any natural born subject as aforesaid, the sum of eight shillings of like money, by Strangers or Aliens the sum of ten shillings of like mony; of every like Tun of Trayn-Oyl of new found land, brought in by any natural born subject, the sum of six shillings of like mony, by strangers or Aliens the sum of seven shillings and six pence of like mony, which several Rates of Tunnage and Poundage being the same which are [Page 10]expressed in the book of Rates before me [...] ­tioned, and no other, from and after the sa [...] first day of December, one thousand six hun­dred sixty one, shall be had, received, leavy­ed, and taken upon all Goods and M [...] ­chandizes whatsoever, Imported or Exporte [...] into or out of any Port or place of thi [...] Realm, and so proportionably for a greate [...] or lesser quantity of the same, any forme [...] Laws, Statutes, Vsages, or Customs t [...] the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, e [...] ­cepted always and foreprized prisage and butl [...] ­rage.

Provided always, and be it Enacted by th [...] Authority aforesaid, that if any Goods [...] Merchandizes aforesaid of any Merchan [...] being born Denizen of this Realm of Ire­land, or any other your Majesties Do [...] ­nions hath been, or at any time hereafter shall be taken by any Enemies, or Pirate [...] upon the Sea, or perish in any ship, [...] ships, that shall happen to be taken [...] perished, whereof the subsidies and oth [...] Duties are, or shall be duely paid, or agree [...] for, and that duely proved before the Lor [...] Treasurer of Ireland, or the chief Baron [...] your Majesties Court of Exchequer for th [...] time being, by the examination of the sa [...] [Page 11] [...]erchants, if they be alive, or of their executors, or Administrators if they be dead, [...] by two credible witnesses at the least born, or other reasonable witness and [...]roof sworn, then the same Merchant, or Merchants his or their Executors, or Ad­ministrators, shall and may, newly ship in [...]e same Port, where the Goods and Mer­chandizes aforesaid were, or shall be customed, so much other Goods and Mer­chandizes, as the same Goods and Mer­chandizes so lost as aforesaid shall amount un­ [...]o, in custom, without paying of any thing [...]or the same, so as the same proof be re­ [...]orded, and allowed of, in the Court of Exchequer, and certified unto the Collector of the Customs of the Port, where the [...]ame Goods and Merchandize are to be newly shipped without custom as aforesaid. And whereas many great quantities of Goods and Merchandizes, are often times fraudulently concealed, to the great lessening, [...]or diminution of your Majesties Revenue, for prevention thereof; be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that no Owner, Master, skipper, Purser, or other person ta­king charge of any Vessel, or of any Mer­chants Goods, shall receive or take into a­ny [Page 12]ship, Bottom, or Vessel whatsoever, any Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes, to be carried or transported, into any of the parts beyond the seas, before he shall have signif [...]ed to the customer of the Port when he ladeth, and other Officers there in the open Custom house (if any such be there,) or elsewhere the said Officers, or their de­puties or any of them be or shall be usually resident that he intendeth to Lade, and to what place he intendeth to pass, nor shall after his or their full lading, depart out of the Port, Creek or place, where he shall so Lade, before he do in like manner signifie unto the [...]ustomer and Officer as is afore­said, of his Lading and what Merchants, and other persons shall have Lading with him, or in his ship Vessel, or Bottom, and further truely to answer to such questions as shall be interrogated of him, or them by the customer or other Officers concerning such Wares and Merchandizes as he shall have Laden, being examined upon his or their oath in the open custom-house or o­therwise as is aforesaid, upon pain to for­feit for every such default, or not truly ad­vertising, nor answering to such questions as shall be demanded of him, one hundred pounds of currant mony of England afore: [Page 13]said. That no owner, Master, skipper, Purser, or other person taking charge of any ship, Vessel, or Bottom, wherein a­ny Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes shall be Laden, or brought from any the parts beyond the seas, shall discharge into any Lighter, Gabbard, Bottom, Boat, ship, or Vessel whatsoever, and lay on land, or procure, or cause, or any wayes permit, or suffer to be discharged into any Lighter, Gabbard, bottom, boat, ship or Vessel whatsoever, and to be laid on land out of such ship, bottom or Vessel, any goods, wares, or Merchandizes whatsoe­ver, before such Owner, Master, skipper, Pur­ser or other person or persons, taking charge of the ship, bottom, or vessel shall have first entred into a sufficient obligation in the law, in which he shall be bound to the King with known able sureties, in such sum as the Collector of the Port where he arrives shall judge meet, That the ship, or Vessel by him brought in, shall not depart or sail away out of the said Port or Harb our, without her being fully cleared and discharged by the Collector, or searcher of the said Port, and shall like­wise have delivered under his hand to the Customer, or other Officer of the Port, Haven, or Creek where he arriveth, one bill of the particulars and contents of the whole [Page 14]Lading of his or their Ship, Bottom, or Ves­sel, with the names of the several Mer­chants, or Laders, and the mark, packadge, or outward form of the Goods, and Mer­chandizes laden, and shall make declaration that he hath not broken bulk since he came into the Port, nor into any other Port of this Realm, otherwise then in the said bill shall be expressed and shall have truly an­swered upon Oath unto such Questions and Interrogatories touching, or concerning such Goods, Wares or Merchandizes as shall be then Laden in any such Ship, Vessel, or bot­tom as shall be to him administred by such Customer, or other Officer openly in the cu­stom-house, or in such other places as afore­said upon his or their oath, if he or they shall be thereunto required, upon pain that every owner, Master, skipper, Purser, or o­ther person or persons as aforesaid, shall forfeit and loose for every such default in not giving bond, truly advertising, nor an­swering as is aforesaid One hundred pounds of like mony;

That it shall not be lawfull to or for any person or persons whatsoever to lade, or put, or cause to be laden or put off or from any Wharf, Key, or other place on the Land in­to [Page 15]any Lighter, Gabbard, bottom, boat, ship, or Vessel, whatsoever to be transport­ed into any place or places beyond the seas or to take up, discharge or lye on Land, or cause, or procure to be taken up, or dis­charged out of any Lighter, Gabbard, bot­tom, boat, ship, or Vessel whatsoever (not being in leak or wrack) and laid on land a­ny Goods, Ware, or Merchandizes whatso­ever, brought from any parts beyond the seas but only in the day light (that is to say) from the first of March unto the last of September betwixt the sun rising and the sun setting, and from the last of September unto the last of March between the hours of seven in the morning, and four in the afternoon, and in and upon some such open Key, or Wharf, as the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy or other chief Governour and Governours and privy Council of this Realm for the time being, shall therefore appoint within your Majesties Port of Dub­lin, and all other the Ports, Creeks, Ha­vens, or Roads of this Realm, where a cu­stomer Comptroler, and Searcher of such Ports Havens, Creeks, or Roads and every of them or their Deputies have accusto­mably been resident, or hereafter shall be [Page 16]resident upon pain of fo, feiture of all such Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes so Laden and discharged contrary to the meaning of this present Act or the value thereof, That no manner of person or persons shall receive or take into any ship vessel or bottom any Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes to be transported into any place beyond the seas, nor shall discharge and lay on land out of his or their ship, Bottom or Vessel, (not being in Leak or Wrack) any Goods, Wares, or merchandizes, brought from any parts beyond the seas in any other place or pla­ces, or at any other hour, hours, or time then is before limited and appointed upon pain the owner, or owners, master, or ma­sters, or other person or persons taking charge of such ship or Vessel in which such Goods, Wares, and merchandizes shall be so shipped, or out of which the same shall be unshipped, shall forfeit and loose for every such offence, one hundred pounds of lawfull mony of England, and the mate, Boatswain, or any of the marriners, committing such offence shall forfeit treble the value of the subsidies or Customs of such Goods, Wares, and merchandizes, or imprisonment at the will and pleasure of the Chief Governour or [Page 17]Governours of this Realm for the time be­ing, or of the Barons of his Majesties Ex­chequer or any two of them; Provided such imprisonment do not exceed the space of twelve months; That it shall and may be lawfull to and for the Commissioners, and the respective Customers and Collectors of the customs for the time being, or their De­puty or Deputies, (for whom they will answer) by his or their warrant, or war­rants in writing upon the arrival of any Ship or Vessel, with Goods, Wares, and merchandizes from any the Ports beyond the Seas, to secure or take out from any such ships or Vessels all Fine Goods and merchandizes of small bulk or packing as they or any of them may discover, or have cause to suspect their being intended to be conveyed on shore without payment of cu­stoms, Subsidies or other duties for the same; And the same to be put into custo­dy of the Warehouses of the respective Custom-houses there to remain untill the Duties for them respectively be payed, and if any ship or Vessel importing any Goods, Wares, or merchandizes, from any the parts beyond the seas shall not fully unlade, dis­charge, or deliver all the Goods and mer­chandizes [Page 18]imported therein within eight and twenty dayes after the arrival of such ship or Vessel (wind and weather permitting) in some Port or Haven of this Realm, that then for preventing fraud or charge it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Com­missioners and respective customers and Col­lectors of the customs, their Deputy or Deputies to unlade and take on shore all the Goods, Wares, and merchandizes which shall be found in such ship or Vessel, and the same to secure in His Majesties Ware houses of the respective custom-hou­ses or elsewhere, and the charge thereof to be born by the merchants, Owners, or claimers thereof, at such moderate Rates as the said Commissioners and respective customers and Collectors or their Deputies shall judge equal; And in case any person or persons shall find himself agrieved touch­ing the said Rates, that they may ap­peal to the chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom for the time being, who are hereby impowred and enabled to deter­mine the same. And if any person or per­sons shall refuse to permit such fine goods, or such other goods wares, or merchan­dizes to be unladen, taken out and secured [Page 19]as aforesaid he or they so refusing, shall up­on proof thereof forfeit the sum of one hun­dred pounds of like mony of England; Pro­vided alwayes and be it enacted by the au­thority aforesaid that if any goods, wares, or merchandizes, so unladen or laden out of any ship or Vessel shall afterwards be pur­loyned, imbeziled, wilfully spoyled, or impaired, that in such case, the Officer or Ware-house-keeper under whose charge the said Goods, Wares, and merchandizes shall at such time be, shall make full and ample satisfaction to the owner or claimer of the same, to be adjudged by the Barons of his Majesties Exchequer or any two of them. And the Commissioners of the customs are hereby required to take good security of the officers imployed in and about the premisses, for the faithfull discharge of their respective trusts therein. That if any goods, Wares, or other merchandizes whereof the subsi­dies aforesaid, are or shall be due, shall at any time be shipped or put into any Lighter, Gabbard, Wherry, boat, bottom, or Vessel whatsoever, to the intent to be carried into any the parts beyond the Seas, or else be­ing brought from the parts beyond the Seas into any Port, place, or Creek of this [Page 20]Realm, (except in cases of necessity when such goods, or merchandizes are in danger of perishing,) shall be unshipped to be laid on Land without the knowledge, privity, and consent of the Commissioners, or re­spective Customers, or Collectors of the cu­stoms for the time being, or before due en­try thereof be made, and the subsidies, Customs, and other duties due or to be due for the same, not paid nor lawfully tende­red to the Collector thereof or his deputy with the consent and agreement of the Comptroler and surveyor and any one of them at the least and warrant in due form and manner past for the same, that then all the same Wares, Goods, and mer­chandizes whatsoever so shipped, transported and carried or unshipped and landed as a­foresaid, or the value thereof shall be for­feited.

That if any Goods, or merchandizes, im­ported from beyond the seas, shall be un­shipped and put into any Lighter, Gabbard, Wherry, boat, or other Vessel whatsoever, without the consent privity or allowance of the Commissioners, or respective Customers, or Collectors of the customs their deputy or deputies testified by a note under his or [Page 21]their hand or hands, that then every such Lighter, Gabbard, Wherry, boar or other Vessel in which such Goods, and merchan­dizes shall be put, shall be forfeited and con­fiscated; That before and during the un­lading of any ships or Vessels after their arribal in any Port of this Realm, the Commissioners and respective Customers and Collectors of the Customs, shall and may, where and as often as they shall see cause, appoint one or more Tide-wayters or Officers to go on board every such ship, or Vessel, either from beyond the seas, or from any other part within this Realm, and there to lye and remain on board un­till the Goods, and merchandizes of such ship or Vessel, shall be unladen or untill they the said Wayters or Officers shall be thence discharged;

And if any master, Owner, or other ta­king charge of any ship or Vessel, refuse and will not suffer and permit, any such Waytor or Officer to come on board his or their Vessel and there to remain as afore­said, and if after the clearing of any ship or Vessel by the Commissioners of the Cu­stoms Collectors or other Officers respe­ctively or the discharging of the Tide way­ters [Page 22]or other Officers from on board such ship or Vessel, there shall be found on board such Ship or Vessel any Goods, Wares, or merchandizes which have been concealed from the knowledge of the Officer or Officers on board, and for which the custom, subsidy, or other duties, due upon the importation thereof are unpaid; That then and in every such case the Master, Owner, or other person, taking charge of such ship, or Vessel, shall forfeit for every such offence, the sum of one hundred pounds of like mony of England.

That all and every Merchant, and Mer­chants, and any other person, or persons whatsoever, entring any Goods, Wares, or merchandizes, to be shipped, or landed, shall make entry thereof particularly, and deliver a bill thereof at large, under his hand, or the hand of his Assignee, for whom be shall be responsible, and auswerable to the collector, expressing the name of the Ship, and the Master, the burthen, of whence, and from what place it was fraighted, with the marks and numbers of the Fardles, bulks, and Packadge in the margent, and the quantities and qualities, of all and e­very the goods, Wares, and Merchandizes [Page 23]that are therein contained, and so by him entred, upon pain that every Merchant, or Merchants, and other person, or persons, not entring in such form and manner, shall for every time forfeit ten pounds of like Eng­lish mony: And if any Merchant or other person or persons, entring in manner as a­foresaid, shall make a short, or undue entry, of the quantity, or quality, of his or their Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes, every such Merchant, and other person, shall forfeit and loose all such Goods, Wares, and merchandizes, or the value of them, which shall be so short, or unduely entred.

That no person, or persons, shall carry any Goods, Wares, or Commodities pro­hibited, or whereof any the duties aforesaid are payable, to discharge the same in any other Port, or place of this Realm, unless such person, or persons, do before the ship­ping thereof, declare, and manifest to the Collector of the customs, or their deputies, together w^eith the customer, or Comptroler, of the said Port, where the same shall be shipped in the open Custom-house the na­ture, length number, or other contents, or value of the said Goods, Wares, or mer­chandizes, and with the approbation of the [Page 24]Collector, or his Deputy, shall also make and enter, into sufficient Obligation in the law in which he shall be bound, to our So­veraign Lord the King, with sufficient sure­ties in such sum as shall amount to the double value of such Goods, Wares, and merchan­dizes so declared and manifested, with con­dition that the same shall be discharged at some lawfull Yort, or place, within this Realm, and in no other Ports, or Places whatsoever; which bonds the said Collect­ors of the Customs, or their deputies re­spectively, are hereby required, and authorized to take accordingly,

And incase any of the said Goods, wares, or merchandizes, shall be shipped, or Laden, in any other ship, or Vessel, to be carried, or transported between Port, and Port afore­said, before such declaration be made, or se­curity given as aforesaid, that then all, and every the said Goods, Wares and merchan­dizes, or their value, shall be forfeited and lost and every person, or persons, that shall ship such Goods, and be bound as aforesaid, shall within two months next after the shipping thereof, [...]ring, or cause to be brought, a true Certificate under the hand and seal of Of­fice of the Customers, or Collector, or Col­lectors, [Page 25]and Comptrollers, or their Deputies of the said Port, Creek, or place, where he or they, shall happen to discharge the same, testifying thar the said Goods, Wares, and merchandizes so shipped, and the true nature, length, and number, or other contents, and value thereof, is there discharged and landed, which Certificate the customer, and Comptrol­ler of such Port, or place where the said Goods, Wares or merchandizes shall be dis­charged, shall upon the discharge thereof, de­liver to the party so discharging the same, or to his Factor without delay: That every merchant which shall bring any manner of Goods, Wares, or merchandizes into any Port of this Realm, and there entring, and paying the Customs, or Subsidy of the same, will afterwards convey, or carry away the same, or any part of the same from thence, into any other Port of this Realm; That then the Owner of the said Goods, or mer­chandizes, his Factor, or Attourney, shall bring from the Collector, and Comptroller of the Port where the said Goods, and mer­chandizes shall be so entred, a Certificate un­der the said Collector and Comptrollers seals, directed to the customer and Comptroller of the Port, where the said Goods, and mer­chandizes [Page 26]shall be conveyed, or carried, spec­fying, or making mention, within the sa [...] Certificate as well the quality, as the quan [...] ­tity of the weight, number, measure, of th [...] Goods, Wares, and merchandizes so entre [...] and that the same Certificate so made, be d [...] ­livered to the said customer, Collector, an [...] Comptroller, before the said Goods be d [...] charged, That so they, or such as they shal [...] appoint, may see, and try whether the quality quantity, weight, number, or measure, of th [...] same, do agree with such Certificate, and if a­ny Certificate shall not be duely made, [...] form and manner, and specifying, or making mention, according as is aforesaid, that th [...] the said customer, or Comptroller, shall loo [...] his or their Office, and if any such Good [...] Wares, or Merchandizes, or any parcel the [...] of be discharged, and impacked, or put to sa [...] within any other Port, then within the sam [...] where they shall be first Entred before t [...] said certificate shall be delivered and t [...] Goods and merchandizes seen as aforesaid the same shall be forfeited, and confiscated.

That no person do take upon him to en [...] or do, or cause to be entred into the book [...] any customer, or any other, or Officers [...] any Port within this Realm, his, or their [Page 27] [...]eputy, or Deputies any manner of goods, [...]ares, or Merchandizes whatsoever, coming, brought from any parts veyond the Seas the name or names, of any other person or [...]sons, then the very owner, or Owners, [...]oprietor, or Proprietors, of the same [...]oods, Wares, or Merchandizes being not [...]uld, vargained, or contracted for, to, or [...]ith any person or persons, before such en­ [...]y, or before the arrival of such Goods, [...]ares, or Merchandizes, upon pain of for­ [...]ture of the Goods, or value of the goods, which shall be entred otherwise.

That for the better discovering of all pro­ [...]vited, and other Goods, and Merchandi­ [...]s, fraudulently, or covertly brought in, and [...]nded at unlawfull hours, and places, the [...]ollector, Surbeyor, Searcher, Wayter or [...]her persons authorized, deputed, and ap­ [...]inted thereunto by the Commissioners of [...]e Customs, under their hands, and seals, [...] under the hands and seals of the major [...]rt of them, shall have power and authori­ [...], and are hereby impowred, and authori­ [...]d, to go on board and enter into any Ship, [...]oy, Bark, Bottom, Boat, or other Vessel [...]harsoever, as well by night as by day, ri­ [...]ng, lying, or being within any the several [Page 28]Ports, Havens, Creeks, or other pla [...] within this Realm, and likewise at [...] time of the day, to go, and enter into [...] or any of the Cellars, Shops, Ware-house where they shall have just cause of suspici [...] to see, surbey, and make search, for [...] prohibited Goods, Wares, and Merchan [...] ­zes, and likewise any goods, or Merchan­dizes, either put on board any ship or [...] ­sel, or taken out, or carried away, or int [...] ­ded to be carried away, the customs, [...] subsidy for the same having not been ful [...] satisfied and paid, and the said Good [...] wares, and Merchandizes to seise, atta [...] and carry away, secure, and put into [...] Majesties warehouses at the Custom-house of the respective Ports, there to remain [...] till they shall be discharged by due cour [...] Law.

And be it further Enacted by the autho [...] ­ty aforesaid, that all and every the default [...] of such as shall attempt to do any thing [...] trary to the tenor of this present Act, or [...] the Rules, Orders, and directions befo [...] mentioned into the book of Rates to be [...] nexed, or to any of the several Articles, branches of the same, (except as herea [...] ­ig excepted) shall be heard, inquired, and [...] [Page 29] [...]rmined by the Barons of his Majesties [...] ourt of Exchequer, and that the moyety, of [...]e half part of all Fines, Penalties, or [...]orfeitures shall be and remain unto your [...]ajesty, your Heirs, and Successors, and [...]e other morety, or half part to him or them, [...]at shall seise, or sue for, or prosecute the [...]me by Action, Bill, Plaint, or Informa­ [...]on in the said Court of Exchequer wherein [...] wager of Law, Protection, Essoyn, or o­ [...]er Dilatory Plea, shall be allowed.

Provided alwayes for the avoiding of frau­ [...]lent composition, that no Action, Bill, [...]aint, or Information aforesaid, be exhi­ [...]ted, or proceeded in, against any Goods [...]ares, or merchandizes seised, untill such [...]sures, shall be Registred, and entred with [...]e Register, or Officer to be appointed for [...]at purpose in the Port of Dublin, and cer­ [...]fied by him, to be so entred, and Registred, [...]d untill such goods, wares, and merchan­ [...]zes be secured, or laid up in His Majesties Ware-house at the Custom-houses of the re­ [...]ective Ports as aforesaid, and in case the Commissioners of the Customs shall be dissa­ [...]sied, or apprehend any neglect, or delay, in [...]y person, or persons, to sue for, or prose­ [...]te in any Action, Bill, Plaint, or Infor­mation [Page 30]as aforesaid, that it shall and [...] be lawfull to, and for the said Commissio­ners to appoint any other person, or person whom they shall think sit to prosecure, whi [...] other person, or persons, shall be and [...] hereby declared, to be true, proper and law­ful prosecutors, or seisers to all intents a [...] ­purposes whatsoever, and to whom the mo [...] ­ty of the said seisures and forfeitures shall [...] due and payable, and to no other, a [...] ­thing in this present Act, or any other Lak [...] Statute, Vsage, or custom, to the contra [...] hereof notwithstanding. And whereas, by [...] Act made in this Kingdom, in the eight a [...] twentieth year of the Reign of the la [...] Queen Elizabeth, it was Enacted as follow­eth. Provided alwayes, and be it enacted by the said Authority, that the Lord Deputy or other Governour or Governours of th [...] Realm for the time, shall have yearly for th [...] provision and store of his House, of su [...] Wines as shall be brought and conveyed b [...] way of Merchandize into this Realm, th [...] number of twenty Tuns free and discharge of the Customs of Subsidy granted by the Act; And that the said Lord Deputy, [...] other Governour or Governours of th [...] Realm for the time being, shall also by th [...] [Page 31]said Authority, have full power to grant, [...]imit, and appoint to every Peer of this Realm, and to every of the Privy Council in the same, and the Queens learned Coun­cil for the time being, at his or their dis­cretion, from time to time such portion and quantity of Wines to be free and discharged of and from the said Customs and Subsidy, as he shall think to be meet and competent for every of them after their degrees and callings to have, any thing in this Act con­tained to the contrary notwithstanding. It is therefore hereby Enacted, that the Lord Deputy, or other chief Governour or Go­vernours of this Realm for the time being, shall have yearly for their provision and store of his or their Houses, of such Wines as shall be brought into this Realm the number of twenty Luns, free and discharged of all Customs or Subsidies; And that the said Lord Deputy, or other chief Governour or Governours of this Realm for the time be­ing, shall also by the said Authority, have full power to grant, limit, and appoint unto every of the Privy Council, and to His Majesties learned Council. and Clerk of His Majesties Privy Council of this Realm, at his or their discretion, from time [Page 32]to time, such portion and quantity of wine to be free and discharged of and from th [...] said customs and substdy, as he or they sha [...] think fit to be meet and competent for ever [...] of them after their degrees and qualities, an [...] ­thing in this Act contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

Provided also, that this Act, or any thin [...] therein contained, shall not extend to charge any person or persons with any penalty o [...] forfeiture for or concerning any matter o [...] thing done contrary to the tenour of this Act or any part thereof, unless the party or par­ties offending, shall be sued or prosecuted for the same within twelve months after such matter or thing shall be done and committed as aforesaid, any thing in this Act, or any o­ther Law, custom, or Vsage whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.

And because by experience it is found, that the hindering of merchants, strangers, and others, from vending his or their goods, without offering them first to some Burgess, or Freeman of such City, Corporation, or Town, where such merchant, stranger, or other, do arrive with his or their goods, (commonly known by the name of Lown­vargain,) [Page 33]is very destructive to the Trade [...]nd commerce of this Realm, and very pre­ [...]udicial to your Majesties Revenue.

Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that from and after the said first [...]ay of December, one thousand six hundred sixty one, no such Town bargain shall be re­quired, nor any Merchant, or other, hinde­red or with-held from disposing of his or their God's Wares, or Merchandizes, without offering them as aforesaid; but that all and every Merchant, stranger, or other, im­porting any goads, wares, or Merchandi­zes from beyond the Seas, and paying all duties by law due and payable thereupon, shall and may from time to time, and at all times at his and their will and pleasure, freely and without let, molestation, or binde­rance, sell and dispose of his or their Goods, and Merchandizes, any Charter, Custom, Vsage, Priviledge or liberty of or unto any City or Town Corporate at any time made, given, granted, to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

And forasmuch as several antient duties under the name of Town and petty customs, due and payable by Merchants strangers un­to several Cities, and Towns corporate of [Page 34]this your Majesties Realm, have been, and are demanded, received, and taken by their Farmors Deputies, or Officers, in a far greater quantity, and proportion then is of right belonging, in respect the same have been, and are required upon more Goods then are truly lyable thereunto, and according to the Kates after which the customs have been from time to time increased, and paid unto your Majesty and your Royal Predecessors, which exceed far the ancient Kates according to which such petty customs can be required, and taken.

Be it further Enacted, and Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that from henceforth no such petty customs be demanded, received or paid, for, or upon any more, or other Com­modities then were chargeable with the same by antient custom and prescription, and not according to the increase of his Majesties cu­stoms, by his Majesties book of Rates nor for any Wares or Commodities, by virtue of any grant but such as were charged at the time of the Grant made by your Majesties Royal predecessors of such petty customs, unto any citty or Town corporate, nor at any other, or greater Rate or Kates, then the same wen­either payed, or answered by the Merchants [Page 35] [...]rangers at the time of the respective grant­ing of the same, or as the same were taken, in the fifteenth year of the late King Henry the seventh, any grant, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding, upon pain that every person or persons demanding, or receiv­ing more, or greater petty customs, then as aforesaid, shall forfeit for every such offence, double the value of what shall be exacted, or received upon more commodities, or at greater [...]ates then as aforesaid; saving unto Went­worth Earl of Kildare, and the Heirs Males of the body of Gerald Fitz. Gerald Earl of Kildare, all such Estate, Kight and Title of, in, and to the great and little customs poun­ages subsidies, duties, together with the [...]ocquet, and power of constituting Officers hereunto belonging there, the Ports, and Harbours, of Strangford, and A [...]dglass, in he county of Down, and Province of Ulster, no the creeks and members thereunto ap­ertaining, as they, or any of them can or may [...]aim, or demand, by, or under any Letters Patents thereof made by King Henry the [...]ght unto the said Gerald Fitz. Gerald Earl of Kildare, as fully and amply as the [...]ame was granted in and by such Letters Pa­rents, any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.