HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation to restrain the planting of Tobacco in England and Wales.  
IT is not unknown what dislike We have ever had of the use of Tobacco, as tending to a general and new corruption, both of men's bodies and manners: Nevertheless it is of the two, more tolerable, that the same should be imported amongst many other vanities and superfluities which come from beyond the Seas, then permitted to be planted here within this Realm, thereby to abuse and misimploy the soil of this fruitful Kingdom: For which purpose by Our direction, Letters of late have been addressed from our Council of State, prohibiting the plantation thereof within a certain distance of Our City of London: But entering into further consideration of the manifold inconveniences of suffering this nourishment of vice (and nothing else) as a noisome and running Weed, to multiply and overspread within this Our Kingdom, We are resolved upon many and weighty reasons of State, to make the said Prohibition general.  
For first, We are informed, That whereas the use of foreign Tobacco was chiefly vented, and received in Cities and great Towns, where riot and excess useth to take place, it is now by the Inland plantation become promiscuous, and begun to be taken in every mean village, even amongst the basest people.  
Secondly, We are given to understand from divers persons of skill and experience, That the English Tobacco, howsoever some do presume or imagine by industry and experience to rectify it, and make it good (wherein it is easy for opinion to do mischief) yet it is certainly in itself more crude, poisonous and dangerous for the bodies and healths of Our Subjects then that that comes from hotter Climates; So that the medicinal use of Tobacco (which is that that is only good in it, and to be approved) is in this kind also corrupted and infected.  
Thirdly, Whereas Our Colonies and Plantations in Virginia and the Summer islands, (being proper and natural Climates for that plant, and the true temper thereof) receive much comfort by the Importation thereof into this Kingdom, (which is to be respected at least in the Interim, until Our said Colonies may grow to yield better and more solid commodities) Now the said Trading from thence is and will be by the Plantation within this Realm, choked and overthrown.  
Fourthly, We do find also, that the reason that moved Us to interdict the planting thereof near the City of London, (which was in regard of the conversions of garden grounds, and rich soiled grounds from divers Roots and Herbs, fit for victual and sustenance, unto this harmful vanity) extendeth likewise unto all Cities, Towns and villages, and rather more, by how much the poverty is greater there, then here above.  
And lastly, for that it doth manifestly tend to the diminution of Our Customs, which is a thing, that although in case of good Manufactures, and necessary commodities We do little esteem, Yet where it shall be taken from Us, and no good but rather hurt thereby redound to Our people, We have reason to preserve.  
We therefore intending in time to provide a remedy for this spreading evil, which hath in a very few years dispersed itself into most parts of Our Kingdoms, do hereby straightly charge and command all and every person and persons of what degree or condition soever, That they or any of them, by themselves, their servants, workmen or labourers, do not from and after the second day of February next, presume to sow, set, or plant, or cause to be sown, set or planted within this Our Realm of England, or Dominion of Wales, any sort or kind of Tobacco whatsoever; And that they or any of them, shall not, or do not hereafter maintain, or continue any old stocks, or plants of Tobacco, formerly sown or planted, but shall forthwith utterly destroy and root up the same, converting and employing the ground and soil thereof to some other lawful uses and purposes, as to them shall seem best, upon pain of contempt of Our Royal commandment, to be proceeded with according to Our Laws, and Prerogative Royal with all severity.  
And therefore, for the more due execution of the premises, We do further will, require and command all Mayors, Sheriffs, justices of Peace, Bailiffs, Constables, and other Officers and ministers, to whom it shall or may appertain, That they and every of them, shall from time to time diligently and carefully intend the due and exact observation of this Our Royal pleasure, And that they permit not, nor suffer any thing to be done, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Our Proclamation, but withstand the same to their uttermost power, as they tender Our service: And further that they take order that such offenders, labourers, or workmen, as shall persist in the sowing or planting of Tobacco, in this Our Realm or Dominion of Wales, or in the maintaining or continuing any old stocks, or former plantations thereof hereafter, may be called before them, & be bound in recognisances of good sums of Our use, to appear in Our Court of star-chamber, there to be prosecuted by Our Attorney general, as contemners of Our express Commandment, Proclamation, & Prerogative Royal, wherein (especially in a cause of this nature) We will expect, and require of all Our Subjects, their due conformity and obedience.  
Given at Our Palace of Westminster the thirtieth day of December, in the seventeenth year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
ANNO DOM. M.DC.XIX.