A DECLARATION, OF SEVERAL OBSERVATIONS TO THE READER, worthy of perusal: Concerning the Cause of the Subject's Grievances hereunder expressed.  
Humbly Sheweth,  
THat by the several Acts of Honourable PARLIAMENT, concerning what Brewers and Victuallers are limited to observe and perform, is contained in the first year of the late King James of blessed memory the 7th. Chapter; And the fourth of King James the fifth Chapter; And especially, in the 21, of King James the 9th. Chapter.  
Wherein it is plainly expressed, That no Victualler shall sell less than an Ale-quart of the best Bier or Ale for j d. If he de, he shall forfeit xx. s. for every such offence. As by the same Acts may appear.  
And by the Ordinance of the Honourable Parliament, dated the 17. day of October, 1643. in these ensuing words; It is (verbatim expressed) That no Brewers or Retailers of any Bier or Ale, etc. Shall take any more in the price thereof upon sale of the said commodities, then according to the usual rate and prizes appointed by Law for the same (excepting only the rate of Excise) as they will answer their contempt to both Houses of Parliament.  
Never thelesse so it is; 
 THat the said Brewers contrary to the said Acts and honourable Ordinance of Parliament, doth take of the Victualler xij. s. the Barrel, for every Barrel of Bier and ordinary Ale, which is iiij. s. above the Statute, in lieu of the ij. s. he payeth for Excise. And taketh of the Victualler for strong Ale xuj. s. the Barrel, which is viij. s. in every Barrel above the Statute, for the two shillings he payeth for Excise. And for the Ale he retaileth at the Tun side, he taketh vj. d. per Gallon, which is after the rate of xviij. s. the Barrel, being x. s. the Barrel above the Statute, for the ij. s. he payeth for Excise.  
And the Victualler, who payeth xij. s. the Barrel, maketh by retail of every Barrel twenty-four. s. or at least xxj. s. the Barrel: That is to say, By selling at ij. d. the Ale-quart it comes to twenty-four. s. And by retailing at seven. Farthings the quart comes to xxj. s. the Barrel. So in the first place he takes viij. s. besides the ij. s. he payeth for Excise; besides his ordinary gain allowed by Statute: And in the secoad place he taketh v. s. in every Barrel, besides the ij. s. he payeth for Excise; besides his ordinary gain allowed by the Statute.  
And for the strong Ale which the Victualler payeth to the Brewer xuj. s. the Barrel, he selleth the same at ij. d. the Wine-quart, which amounteth to xxx. s. the Barrel: So that he taketh fourteen. s. the Barrel; that is to say, x. s. in the Barrel clearly: besides his ordinary gain allowed by the Statute.  
That a Barrel of Beer containing 36. Ale Gallons, And every Gallon doth, or should yield vj. Wine-quarts: So that j d. farthing for every Wine-quart that is retailed out of doors by the Victualler is seven. d. halfpenny the Ale Gallon, which amounteth to xxij. s. vj. d. the Barrel; whereby the Victualler takes vj. s. vj. d. prosit upon every Barrel, besides his ordinary gain, and the Excise paid, which is conceived to be a contempt against the Statute; And by the Rates of Beer appeareth, and the Victuallers do in the premises is contrary to the Ordinance of the Honourable PARLIAMENT.  
Now what the Subject or Commonalty hath and doth pay for Beer and Ale to them uttered in lieu of the Excise, is willingly and freely done for the good of the State, but not with an intent to enrich, or be put into the Brewers, or Victuallers purses; who (as before is mentioned) do in an extraordinary way take that which is contrary to the Laws and Ordinance of Parliament, And that the Brewer may take no more above the Statute, but that he returns for Excise, And that the Victuallers may according to the Statute, and Honourable Ordinance, be limited at what Rates, and what sized Measures the Subject should be served, which will give great contentment to the Commonalty.  
And for the good of the State, and in their Name, the money that hath been heretofore taken, and gathered from the Subject and Commonalty, by the Brewer and Victualler, above the Statute and Honourable Ordinance; as in the Premises is plainly expressed, That the Brewer and Victualler may be compelled to pay the Arrearages in their hands since the Excise rated: which Money will amount to a mighty sum, to discharge and give satisfaction for the necessary Designs and Service in hand, for the good of the State.  
For one penny halfpenny, the Full-Pot or Flagon retailed within the Victuallers house, is xviij. s. the Barrel, and a penny a Wine-quart is no less.  
By which Premises, the Honourable State may receive 4. s. the Barrel for Excise; whereas they now receive but 2. s. The Victualler may sell his Beer for a penny a Wine-quart out of doors, and one penny halfpenny their best Beer the Full-Pot or Flagon in the house, and be great gainers, and neither the Brewer or Victualler pay no part of the Excise out of their own gains.  
But the Commonalty that payeth for Beer and Ale at the Rates aforesaid, the Excise cometh thereout.  
And lastly, it is most humbly prayed. That the good Laws and Ordinances heretofore enacted and confirmed by the Honourable Parliaments in the Premises, may take effect, And a Reformation may now in the Premises, the Subject and Commonalty enjoy their Rights and Liberties therein, expressed in the memorable Covenant ordained by the Honourable Parliament, and Ordinance of Excise may be much improved.  By T. A. a Well-willer for the Public good.  

LONDON, Printed for JANE COE, according to Order. 1645.