HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for the ordering of Tobacco.  
THe King's most Excellent Majesty, and His Royal Father of blessed memory, having at several times and upon several occasions, published their Proclamations concerning Tobacco, as well that which hath been endeavoured to be planted within this Realm, as that which is of the growth of Virginia and the Summer Islands, and other English Colonies and Plantations, and also concerning Spanish and other foreign Tobacco; And finding that the inordinate desire of taking Tobacco, and the unmoderate thirst of gain, by the planting and selling of Tobacco, cannot otherwise be allayed or moderated; Hath at the last, by the advice of His Privy Counsel, determined upon this final resolution touching all sorts of Tobacco, in manner following.  
First, His Majesty doth hereby declare His Royal Pleasure to be, and doth hereby Will and Command, that no person whatsoever do at any time hereafter, plant, cherish, or preserve any Tobacco, within these His Realms 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 be now planted or growing there, that the same be 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 Majesty doth further straight charge and command all Constables, Tything-men, Headboroughs, and other Officers within their several limits and jurisdictions, carefully and effectually to see the same executed and performed accordingly. And His Majesty doth further Will and Command all justices of Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, and other principal Officers in their several places, within the compass of their several jurisdictions and authorities, upon complaint to them made, to cause the same to be duly performed and executed without partiality, as they and every of them will answer their contempts in that behalf at their uttermost perils.  
And that the Tobacco of His Majesty's own Plantations and Colonies may not be planted and imported hither without limitation or measure, or under colour thereof, the Tobacco of the growth of Spain and other foreign parts, may not be brought into these His Realms, or sold or uttered here, to the overthrow of His Colonies abroad, and to the wasting of the wealth and treasure of His Kingdoms at home. His Majesty doth further Will and straight Command, that no person whatsoever do at any time hereafter import any Tobacco of the growth of Spain, and other foreign parts out of His own Dominions, nor sell, utter, or offer to sell, or utter, or otherwise dispose or keep any such Tobacco, to the intent to sell or utter the same without His Majesty's special Commission in that behalf, upon pain of confiscation and forfeiture thereof, in whose hands soever the same shall be found, and upon such further pains and penalties, as by the Laws of these His Realms, or by His Prerogative Royal which in this case He will not admit to be disputed, may be inflicted upon the offenders.  
And because such foreign Tobacco, may not be received and uttered, under the pretence of the Tobacco of the growth of Virginia, the Summer-Ilands, and other Colonies and Plantations, under, and within His Majesty's own Dominions, nor the Planters, Owners, or Adventurers, of, and in these Plantations, give themselves over to the planting of Tobacco only, to make a present return of profit, and neglect to apply themselves to solid Commodities fit for the establishing of Colonies, which will utterly destroy these and all other Plantations; His Majesty doth further will and command, that from henceforth no Tobacco of the growth of Virginia, the Summer-Ilands, or any other Plantations, or Colonies, of, or within His own Dominions, be imported into these his Realms or Dominions, or any the Ports, Havens, Creeks, or places thereof, without His Majesty's especial licence in that behalf, under the great Seal of England, and that upon the importation thereof, the same be delivered into the hands of such Commissioners, for his Majesty's own immediate use, as His Majesty under His great Seal of England shall appoint, at, & for such Prices and Rates to be paid for the same, as shall be reasonably agreed upon, between the Owners or Factors of the same, and the King's Commissioners on His Majesty's behalf, or if they shall not agree thereon, then to be transported again, and sold elsewhere, upon pain of confiscation and forfeiture thereof, and upon such further pains and penalties, as by the Law, or His Majesty's Prerogative Royal may be inflicted upon them.  
And further His Majesty doth straight charge and command, that no person whatsoever presume to buy any sort of Tobacco, within these Realms or Dominions, or any Haven, Port, Creek, or place thereof, of any other person, then of His Majesty's Commissioners only to be authorised under the great Seal of England, as aforesaid, and after the same shall be sealed with a Seal to that purpose appointed, and that they, upon the buying thereof, do express the true time when the same was bought, the quantity and quality thereof, in and by a note in writing indented between the Buyer and Seller, testifying the same upon the pains and penalties aforesaid,  
And if during these times of Hostility, and Tobacco shall be imported by any of his Majesty's own Ships, or by the Ships of any of his Subjects, by way of Prize, or Letters of Marque, his further will and pleasure is, that all such Tobacco shall be delivered unto his Majesty's Commissioners, at, and for reasonable prices, to be accountable therefore to his Majesty's use.  
And his Majesty doth hereby straight charge and command, all Customers, Controllers, Searchers, Waiters, and all other Officers, Ministers, of, or belonging to His Customs, And also all justices of Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, Constables, and other Our Officers, Ministers and loving Subjects, in their several places and degrees, to take knowledge of this his Royal pleasure and Commandment, and to be aiding, helping and assisting to His Majesty's Commissioners, and their Deputies, Factors and servants, in all things touching and concerning this His Service, whereof his Majesty is resolved to require a due and strict account.  
Given at His Majesty's Court at Windsor, the ninth day of August in the third year of His Reign of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. M.DC.XXVII.