A DECLARATION TO All His Majesties loving Subjects, touching Brokers Usurers, Scrivenors, and Solicitors; For, and in behalf of all Shoo-makers, Weavers Butchers, Victuallers, Chandlers, Drapers, Clothworkers, Taylors, Wire-drawers, Gold Smiths, and Silver-Smiths.
AMongst the rest of His Sacred Majesties many Illustrious Titles, which like fair and beautiful Flowers, do adorn & bedeck His Royal Crown, there's [...]one exc [...]eds and excels all the rest, aswell in Vertue as in Beauty, [Page 2]and that is His Title of Defender of the Faith, &c. And, indeed, as that Title is his Majesties Honour, so the Truth of it is His Subjects Happinesse. For, neith [...]r the highest Prov [...]c tions, nor the strongest Tempt [...]tions that ever Prince met withall, hath been able to slake his [...]ictorious Faith, nor abate his holy Zeal: Witnesse his Gracious Majesties first Act, after his Return [...]o the Exercise of his Regal Power, in his early and timely suppressing Prophanenesse and discountenancing debaucht persons, who know not how to expresse their Thankfulnesse unto GOD for Mercies, but by a sinful drinking them away; a practise his Majesties Soul a [...]hors.
These his eminent Vertues, and excellent Qualifications that God hath bestowed upon Him, to make him every way wo [...]thy and fit for Government, invit [...]d the Parliament, with joyful [...]earts, to make their humble Addresses to his Majesty for his Royall Assent to several Bills; Amongst whi [...]h, the Bill intituled, An Act to prevent the taking of excessive Usu [...]y, was by his Maj [...]sty signed, to the great contentment of all Loyal and Faithful Subjects.
The restraining men of avaritious minds whose Consciences are as large as their Bags, will be a great ease to the People, and an inablement to [Page 3]the Merchants the better to go on with their Trades. They are the laborious Bees that bring in Honey into his Majesties Hive; and Usurers are the lazie, idle Dron [...]s, [...]hat rob this precious Hive of the honey.
For preventing all such Abuses for the Future, It is Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled, That no per [...]on or persons whatsoever, from and after the 29th day of September, 1660. upon any Contract, shall from and after the said Day, take directly o [...] indi [...]ectly for Loane of any Mo [...]ies, Wares, Merchandise, or o [...]her Commodities whatsoever, above the value o [...] six pounds for the Forbearance of one hundred pounds for a year, and so after that Rate for a greater or lesser sum or for a longer or shorter time. And that all Bonds, Contracts, and Ass [...]r [...]nc [...]'s whatsoever, made after the time afore [...]aid, for payment of any Principall or Money to be lent or covenan [...]ed to be personmed upon or for any Usury.
Whereupon or whereby there shall be reserved or taken above the rate of six pounds in the hundred as aforesa [...]d shall be utterly void.
And all persons what [...]oever, who shall after the 29 day of September, are hereby desired to take notice, That if any person or persons shall take, accept, and receive, by way or means of any corrupt Bargain, Loan, Exchange, Shift, or Interest of any Wares or Merchandise whatsoever, or by any deceitful way, or conveyance, for the forbearing or giving day of payment for one whole year, of and for their Money, or other thing, above the sum of six pounds for the forbearing of one hundred pounds for a year, and so after that Rate for a greater or lesser sum, or for a longer and shorter Terme, shall forfeit & lose for every such Offence, the treble value of the Monies, Wares, Merchandise, and other things so lent, bargained, sold, exchanged, or shifted. And all Scrivenors, Brokers, Solicitors, Drivers of Bargains for Contra [...]ts, who shall after the said 39. day of September, take or receive, directly or indirectly, any Sum or Sums of Money, or other Reward or Thing for Brokage, Soliciting, Driving, or procuring the Loan, or forbearing of any Sum or Sums of Money, over and above the Rate or value of five shillings for the Loane, or forbearing of one hundred pounds for [Page 5]a year, and so rateably, or above twelve pence for making or renewing of the Bond or Bill for the Loane, or for forbearing thereof, or for any Counterbond or Bill concerning the same, shalll Forfeit for every such Offence twenty pounds, and have imprisonment for half a year: The one moyety of all which Forfeitures to be to the King our Soveraign Lord, His Heirs and Successors; And the other moiety to the persons that shall sue for the same, in the same County where the several Offences are committed, and not elsewhere.