THe Lords and Commons assembled in Par­liament having, by an Ordinance dated the eleventh of September last, set a Rate of Excise and New-Impost upon se­verall Commodities, as well Native as Forraign, for the maintenance of the Ar­mies raised in defence of the King and Parliament, and other great Affairs of the Common-wealth; amongst which, they had speciall regard to the Navie, for guard of the Seas: And now finding, That through the losse of [Page 2]severall Ports of the Kingdom, and daily decay of Trade, the Navie cannot be sufficiently maintained out of the Re­venue of the Customes, as these times of imminent danger do require; nor such a convenient Fleet set forth this next Summer, for the guard of the Seas, defence of the Kingdom, and preservation of Trade, without further supply of Moneys, to be raised by some equall and indiffer­ent way, as may be most easie to the well-affected Subjects of this Kingdom:

Be it therefore Ordained by the said Lords and Com­mons, That from and after the tenth day of this instant January, all the severall sorts and kindes of Flesh-Meats, as also all Salt imported, or made within this Kingdom, shall pay the severall Rates of Excise or New-Impost hereafter appointed and specified, according as the said Excise is hereby directed to be leavied and paid, Viz.

THat all Forraign Salt imported, or to be im­ported into the Kingdom of England, Domi­nion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, shall pay one penny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt.

That all Salt made within the Kingdoms of Eng­land and Scotland, and Dominion of Wales, shall pay one half-penny upon every Gallon. And that all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt, within the said Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, which hath once paid the Excise, shall pay one farthing upon every Gallon, to be paid by the maker of all such Salt, before such time as the said [Page 3]Salt shall be put to sale. And that all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt in the Kingdom of Scot­land, which hath once payed the Excise, shall pay one farthing upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt. And that all other Salt upon Salt, imported, or to be imported, in the said Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, shall pay one penny half-penny upon every Gallon; to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt: Provided alwayes, That no Salt expended upon Fishing, shall be lyable to this Excise.

That all Beefs, Muttons, Veals, Porks, Lambs, and other Butchers Meat, to be killed for provision of Victuals, shall pay one shilling in every twenty shillings value of the Beast, when he is living.

That all Conies or Rabbets, shall pay one half penny a piece.

That all Pigeons shall pay after the rate of one penny for every dozen.

That all Butchers, or others, who do kill and sell any Beef, Veal, Mutton, Lamb, Pork, or any other Swines flesh whatsoever, for the Market or sale, do weekly give an Account to such Office of Excise under which their dwelling, or other place of residence is; and at the same time pay the Ex­cise before mentioned, upon forfeiture of double the value of all such Beasts, and other Cattle, as by two Witnesses, or other good proof, shall be proved to have been killed at any time, after the tenth day of January, 1643. for which no Excise [Page 4]hath been paid: and further, To be restrained from the killing and selling of any Flesh Meat, for one whole yeer, after such proof as aforesaid.

That all Poulterers, and others, who make sale of any Rabbets or Pigeons, do weekly make like account to the Office of Excise under which their Habitation and Trading is, of all Rabbets and Pigeons by them sold from time to time; And at the same time pay the Duty of Excise before ap­pointed in this particular, upon the like penalty re­spectively, and to be restrained from such trading and dealing in any kinde whatsoever, for one whole yeer after.

That al House-keepers, who, for their own spend­ing, shal at any time kil any Beefs, Calves, Sheep, Lambs, Porkers, Rabbets, or Pigeons, shal weekly pay Excise, after the rate aforesaid, unto such Col­lector or Collectors as shal be appointed to that purpose. And all persons who shal refuse or neglect to give a true weekly Account, either of their kil­ling for sale, or of their own expence, as aforesaid, shal be liable, upon proof of one or two witnesses, as before directed, to the fine of treble the value, toties quoties, to be levyed by distresse; and, in de­fault thereof, unto imprisonment, until the Excise and penaltie be both satisfied.

That al Sum and Sums of money received by vertue of this Ordinance, upon any Butchers Meat, Rabbets or Pigeons, before mentioned; as also, of al Salt imported, or made in the Land, be appro­priated to the maintenance of the Navy, and from [Page 5]time to time issued and payed out, according to the Orders of the Committee of the House of Com­mons for the Navie; which shal be a sufficient dis­charge to the Commissioners for Excise, being signed by the hand of the Chair-man of that Com­mittee for the time being.

That John Towse, Thomas Foot, John Kendrick, and Thomas Cullum, Esquires, Aldermen of the City of London, Simon Edmonds, John Lamot, and Ed­ward Claxton of London, Esquires, shal be Commissioners for the receipt of the before-mentione [...] Excise, according as they are already appointe [...] and authorized, by Ordinance of the eleventh o [...] September last, for the receipt of the Excise and New-Impost therein rated and expressed, and re­ceive the like allowance of six pence in every pound for the receipt; And shal and may likewise exe­cute al and every thing and things therein prescri­bed, for the better managing of this Work mutatis mutandis, as shal be requisite, for the due perform­ance of this Ordinance, according to the true intent and meaning thereof: And that Thomas Fawkon­bridge and William Bond, Gentlemen, shall be Audi­tors to execute this Ordinance, by the same Rules and Limitations as they are authorized by the for­mer Ordinance of Excise.

And all persons who shall seek to elude this Or­dinance, by concealment, or other fraudulent pra­ctice, or by non-payment of the Excise as aforesaid, shal be subject to all Fines, Forfeiture, Imprison­ment, or other punishment whatsoever, as in the [Page 6]said Ordinance of the eleventh of September last is more at large Declared and Ordained.

Provided, That in case there shal happen to be an overplus of Money arising by vertue of this Or­dinance, which shal not be necessary for the support of the Navy, That in such cases the overplus shal not be disposed to any uses, but by Order of both Houses of Parliament.

Provided, That this Ordinance shall continue in full force for one whole yeer after the date hereof.