Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. M.DC.XXVII.
1 p. folio. Copies in Antiq., B. M., Crawf., P. C., and P. R. O. Entered on Patent Rolls. Printed in Rymer's "Fœdera," xviii, 886.
[1627, August 9.]
[Importation of Tobacco.]
BY THE KING.
A Proclamation for the ordering of Tobacco.
The Kings most Excellent Majestie, and His Royall Father of blessed memory, having at severall times and upon severall occasions, published their Proclamations concerning Tobacco, as well that which hath beene indeavoured to bee planted within this Realme, as that which is of the growth of Virginia and the Sommer Islands, and other English Colonies and Plantations, and also concerning Spanish and other forraigne Tobacco; And finding that the inordinate desire of taking Tobacco, and the immoderate thirst of gaine, by the planting and selling of Tobacco, cannot otherwise be allayed or moderated; Hath at the last, by the advice of His Privie Counsell, determined upon this finall resolution touching all sorts of Tobacco, in manner following.
First, His Majestie doth heereby declare His Royall Pleasure to be, and doth heereby Will and Command, that no person whatsoever doe at any time hereafter, plant, cherish, or preserve any Tobacco, within these His Realmes of England or Ireland, or Dominion of Wales, or any the Isles, parts, or places, of, or belonging to them or any of them, and if any bee now planted or growing there, that the same bee presently plucked up and utterly destroyed, by the Owners, Planters, Tenders, or Dressers thereof, and lest they or any of them, should adventure to neglect the performance hereof, His Majestie doeth further straitly charge and command all Constables, Tything-men, Headboroughs, and other Officers within their severall limits and Jurisdictions, carefully and effectually to see the same executed and performed accordingly. And His Majestie doth further Will and Command all Justices of Peace, Mayors, Sheriffes, and other principall Officers in their severall places, within the compasse of their severall Jurisdictions and authorities, upon complaint to them made, to cause the same to be duly performed and executed without partialitie, as they and every of them will answere their contempts in that behalfe at their uttermost perils.
And that the Tobacco of His Majesties own Plantations and Colonies may not bee planted and imported hither without limitation or measure, or under colour thereof, the Tobacco of the growth of Spaine and other forraigne parts, may not be brought into these His Realmes, or sold or uttered heere, to the overthrow of His Colonies abroad, and to the wasting of the wealth and treasure of His Kingdomes at home. His Majesty doeth further Will and straitly Command, that no person whatsoever doe at any time heereafter import any Tobacco of the growth of Spaine, and other forraigne parts out of His owne Dominions, nor sell, utter, or offer to sell, or utter, or otherwise dispose or keepe any such Tobacco, to the intent to sell or utter the same without His Majesties speciall Commission in that behalfe, upon paine of confiscation and forfeiture thereof, in whose hands soever the same shall be found, and upon such further paines and penalties, as by the Lawes of these His Realmes, or by His Prerogative Royall which in this case He will not admit to be disputed, may be inflicted upon the offendors.