In the next place, that all English ships that do go thither to trade, and carry goods to any other country besides England, may be freed of any custom there, more than some certain duty to the use of the colonies....
[384] Quoted in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. I, pp. 142-145.
5. Free Coinage of Bullion at the Mint Proclaimed [Statutes, 18 Chas. II, 5], 1666.
Whereas it is most obvious that the plenty of current coins of gold and silver of this kingdom is of great advantage to trade and commerce ... be it enacted ... that whatsoever person or persons, native or foreigner, alien or stranger, shall from and after the twentieth day of December one thousand six hundred sixty and six, bring in any foreign coin, plate or bullion of gold or silver, in mass, molten or alloyed, or any sort of manufacture of gold or silver, into his Majesty's mint or mints within the kingdom of England, to be there melted down and coined into the current coins of this kingdom, shall have the same there assayed, melted down and coined with all convenient speed, without any defalcation, diminution or charge for the assaying, coinage or waste in coinage: so as that for every pound troy of crown or standard gold that shall be brought in and delivered by him or them ... there shall be delivered ... a pound troy of the current coins of this kingdom, of crown or standard gold.
6. The East India Company and the Interlopers [Diary and Consultation Book of Fort St. George, Ed. Pringle Series I, Vol. III, p. 49], 1684.
To Sir John Wetwangs, Commander of ship Royal James.
His Majesty the King of England our Sovereign Lord having granted the Honourable East India Company full power and authority to enter into any ship or vessel, and to make seizure of the same, that shall be found in these parts of the East Indies, contrary to his royal will and pleasure,[385] ... we therefore, the Agent and Council of Fort St. George, for the said Honourable East India Company, do ... (there being now an Interlopers' ship, the Constantinople, merchant, John Smith, master, at Covelon), require you immediately to repair aboard your ship, weigh anchor, and set sail for that port of Covelon, and there seize upon the said Interlopers' ship and bring her into this Road of Madras.... Dated in Fort St. George the sixth day of June, 1684.
William Gyfford.
John Bigrig.
Elihu Yale.
John Nicks.
John Littleton.
John Gray.
[385] New Charter granted Aug. 9, 1683.
7. Foundation of the Bank of England [Statutes, 5 & 6, Wm. & Mary, 20], 1694.