Die Martis, 30. Maii, 1643.  
WHereas there are many and great abuses daily committed, by the importing into, and exporting out of this Kingdom, divers prohibited Goods and Merchandise, contrary to the Laws; And also for that there are divers practices of late used by Merchants and others, to deceive his Majesty and the Parliament, of such customs and duties as are due and payable for such Goods as are imported and exported as aforesaid; For prevention whereof for the future, It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That Thomas Andrew's, John Fowke, Richard Chambers, and William Barkeley, Aldermen of the City of London, Maurice Thompson, Francis Allyn, james Russell, and Stephen Estwick Merchants, who are by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, of the one & twentieth of january last, apppointed and constituted Commissioners and Collectors, to receive all such sums of money which should at any time hereafter be paid for customs, or advanced by way of Loane, or otherwise, for and in respect of Goods and Merchandise exported out of, and imported into the Port of London, and all other Ports within the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick; As also all Deputy-Collectors, Surveiors, Searchers, Waitors, and all other Officers which are, or shall be deputed and appointed by the said Commissioners under their hands and Seals, as their Deputies, Factors, or Servants, for the managing of the Affairs of the customs, and receipt of the said moneys, paid and advanced as aforesaid, in the several Ports aforesaid, and their members; shall have full power and authority to go on Board, and enter into any Ship, Hoye, Bark, Bottom, Boate, or other Vessel whatsoever, as well by night as by day, Riding, lying, or being within any the several Ports, Havens, Creeks, or other places; As also in the day time, to go and enter into all, or any Cellors, Vaults, Ships, Warehouses, or other places within the said Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, to see, Survey, and make search for any such prohibited Goods or Merchandizes as aforesaid: And likewise any other Goods or Merchandise, either put on Board any Ship or Vessel, or taken out and carried away, or intended to be carried away, (the customs and other duties for the same, having not been fully satisfied and paid) and the said Goods to Seize, Attatch, carry away, and put into safe custody: And it is further Ordained by the Lords and Commons aforesaid, that upon all such Seizures made by any of the Collectors, Serveiors, Searchers, Waitors, or other Officers, Deputies, Factors, or Servants of the Commissioners aforesaid, or by the King's Officers, or any other person or persons, certificate shall be by them respectively forthwith thereof made unto the said Commissioners: And that no fraudulent composition shall be made by the said Officers to the prejudice of the Kingdom, and the loss of the customs, and other duties, due and payable upon the said Goods and Merchandizes as aforesaid: And it is further Ordained by the Lords and Commons aforesaid, that the said Commissioners of the customs, shall have power from time to time to choose and depute a Messenger to attend their Service, and him again at their pleasure to diplace, and others to Substitute, which Messengers by them so chosen, shall have to summon or Attatch all or any such person or persons as shall be refractory, or disobedient to the Laws, or Ordinances made for the payment of customs, for advance of moneys, or that shall affront or abuse the said Commissioners, their deputies, factors or servants, in the execution of their several duties or services, & the persons so offending to bring before the honourable House of Commons or Committee of the Navy, to answer such their misdemeanours & miscarriages: And it is further Ordained, that such security as the Committee of the Navy, or the Commissioners of the Customs shall think fit to require of any person, or persons, for the better manadging of the businesses aforesaid, shall be taken in the name of the Sergeant at Arms for the time being attending the House of Commons, to the use of the Commonwealth, and for the better enabling them the aforesaid Commissioners, as also of their Deputies, Factors, and Servants by them as aforesaid, authorised and appointed to transact and perform what is required of them in the premises: It is further Ordained by the Lords and Commons aforesaid: And it is hereby required, that all Custommers, Comptroulors, searchers and all other His Majesty's officers of, or belonging to the Customs in all the ports and places aforesaid, as also all and every the Officers of, or belonging to the Admiralty, all Vice Admirals, Captains of Ships, and Forts, and all justices of Peace, Major's Sherriffs, Baliffs, Constables, and all other His Majesty's Officers, Ministers and Subjects whatsoever, shall from time to time be aiding and assisting to the said Commissioners and to all and every their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, by them as aforesaid, deputed, and appointed, in the execution of the said service, and that all and every the said Commissioners, their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, and all those who shall be aiding and assisting unto them shall be defended and saved harmless by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament, and that this Ordinance shall, be fortwith Printed and Published, and sent to the several ports of this Kingdom.