Die Martis, 9 Januarii. 1643.  
AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS And COMMONS Assembled In PARLIAMENT, Touching the EXCISE OF Flesh-Victuals, and Salt.  
Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
LONDON, Printed by Rich. Cotes and Joh. Raworth, 1644.   

Die Martis, 9 Januarii. 1643.  
AN ORDINANCE Of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT, Touching the Excise of Flesh-Victualls and Salt.  
THe Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament having, by an Ordinance dated the eleventh of September last, set a Rate of Excise and New-Impost upon several Commodities, as well Native as Foreign, for the maintenance of the Armies raised in defence of the King and Parliament, and other great Affairs of the Commonwealth; amongst which, they had special regard to the Navy, for guard of the Seas: And now finding, That through the loss of several Ports of the Kingdom, and daily decay of Trade, the Navy cannot be sufficiently maintained out of the Revenue of the Customs, as these times of imminent danger do require; nor such a convenient Fleet set forth this next Summer, for the guard of the Seas, defence of the Kingdom, and preservation of Trade, without further supply of Moneys, to be raised by some equal and indifferent way, as may be most easy to the well-affected Subjects of this Kingdom:  
Be it therefore Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That from and after the tenth day of this instant January, all the several sorts and kinds of Flesh-Meats, as also all Salt imported, or made within this Kingdom, shall pay the several Rates of Excise or New-Impost hereafter appointed and specified, according as the said Excise is hereby directed to be levied and paid, Viz.  
THat all Foreign Salt imported, or to be imported into the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, shall pay one penny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt.  
That all Salt made within the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and Dominion of Wales, shall pay one halfpenny upon every Gallon. And that all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt, within the said Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, which hath once paid the Excise, shall pay one farthing upon every Gallon, to be paid by the maker of all such Salt, before such time as the said Salt shall be put to sale. And that all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt in the Kingdom of Scotland, which hath once paid the Excise, shall pay one farthing upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt. And that all other Salt upon Salt, imported, or to be imported, in the said Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, shall pay one penny halfpenny upon every Gallon; to be paid by the first buyer of such Salt: Provided always, That no Salt expended upon Fishing, shall be liable to this Excise.  
That all Beefs, Muttons, Veals, Porks, Lambs, and other Butcher's Meat, to be killed for provision of Victuals, shall pay one shilling in every twenty shillings value of the Beast, when he is living.  
That all Coneys or Rabbits, shall pay one half penny a piece.  
That all Pigeons shall pay after the rate of one penny for every dozen.  
That all Butchers, or others, who do kill and sell any Beef, Veal, Mutton, Lamb, Pork, or any other Swine's flesh whatsoever, for the Market or sale, do weekly give an Account to such Office of Excise under which their dwelling, or other place of residence is; and at the same time pay the Excise before mentioned, upon forfeiture of double the value of all such Beasts, and other Cattle, as by two Witnesses, or other good proof, shall be proved to have been killed at any time, after the tenth day of January, 1643. for which no Excise hath been paid: and further, To be restrained from the kill and selling of any Flesh Meat, for one whole year, after such proof as aforesaid.  
That all Poulterers, and others, who make sale of any Rabbits or Pigeons, do weekly make like account to the Office of Excise under which their Habitation and Trading is, of all Rabbits and Pigeons by them sold from time to time; And at the same time pay the Duty of Excise before appointed in this particular, upon the like penalty respectively, and to be restrained from such trading and dealing in any kind whatsoever, for one whole year after.  
That all Housekeepers, who, for their own spending, shall at any time kill any Beefs, Calves, Sheep, Lambs, Porkers, Rabbits, or Pigeons, shall weekly pay Excise, after the rate aforesaid, unto such Collector or Collectors as shall be appointed to that purpose. And all persons who shall refuse or neglect to give a true weekly Account, either of their kill for sale, or of their own expense, as aforesaid, shall be liable, upon proof of one or two witnesses, as before directed, to the fine of triple the value, toties quoties, to be levied by distress; and, in default thereof, unto imprisonment, until the Excise and penalty be both satisfied.  
That all Sum and Sums of money received by virtue of this Ordinance, upon any Butcher's Meat, Rabbits or Pigeons, before mentioned; as also, of all Salt imported, or made in the Land, be appropriated to the maintenance of the Navy, and from time to time issued and paid out, according to the Orders of the Committee of the House of Commons for the Navy; which shall be a sufficient discharge to the Commissioners for Excise, being signed by the hand of the Chairman of that Committee for the time being.  
That John Towse, Thomas Foot, John Kendrick, and Thomas Cullum, Esquires, Aldermen of the City of London, Simon edmond's, John Lamot, and Edward Claxton of London, Esquires, shall be Commissioners for the receipt of the beforementioned Excise, according as they are already appointe● and authorized, by Ordinance of the eleventh o● September last, for the receipt of the Excise and New-Impost therein rated and expressed, and receive the like allowance of six pence in every pound for the receipt; And shall and may likewise execute all and every thing and things therein prescribed, for the better managing of this Work mutatis mutandis, as shall be requisite, for the due performance of this Ordinance, according to the true intent and meaning thereof: And that Thomas Fawkonbridge and William Bond, Gentlemen, shall be Auditors to execute this Ordinance, by the same Rules and Limitations as they are authorized by the former Ordinance of Excise.  
And all persons who shall seek to elude this Ordinance, by concealment, or other fraudulent practice, or by nonpayment of the Excise as aforesaid, shall be subject to all Fines, Forfeiture, Imprisonment, or other punishment whatsoever, as in the said Ordinance of the eleventh of September last is more at large Declared and Ordained.  
Provided, That in case there shall happen to be an overplus of Money arising by virtue of this Ordinance, which shall not be necessary for the support of the Navy, That in such cases the overplus shall not be disposed to any uses, but by Order of both Houses of Parliament.  
Provided, That this Ordinance shall continue in full force for one whole year after the date hereof.  
Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
FINIS.