THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE MERCHANT-STRANGERS, and others in the City of LONDON, concerned in the Importation of Plate and Bullion into this Kingdom. Presented to both Houses of Parliament.  
WITH AN ORDINANCE OR DECLARATION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament, Concerning the said PETITION.  
Die Sabbathi 26. Augusti. 1643.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Petition, with the Ordinance concerning the same, shall be forthwith printed and published.  
I. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.  
LONDON, Printed for john Wright in the Old Bayley, Aug. 28. 1643.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS now Assembled in Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Merchant-Strangers, and others concerned in the Importation of Plate and Bullion into this Kingdom,  
Sheweth,  
THat the Petitioners Correspondents have forborn to lad their Plate and Bullion in English Ships, as formerly they have done, by reason of the Visits, Search, Arrests, and Molests which have been lately attempted and used for the finding out or seizing of the said Plate and Bullion, which hath been a great hindrance to the Petitioners, and a general damage to this Kingdom. For by the Importation thereof, many Ships were employed, the Navigation increased, the Owners encouraged to build and maintain good Ships, great profit by the Coinage, and by the low Exchange, Merchants had plenty of Money to employ in the Manufactures of this Kingdom; and generally the whole Kingdom hath been, and is, enriched by the said Treasure that comes in and remains in the Kingdom. And the Petitioners are very confident, That if they could give their Correspondents assurance by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, That their Plate and Bullion may for the future be imported in English Ships without any molest or interruption, with Declaration that they should also have and enjoy the full benefit of the Articles of Peace made with Spain, that then they would employ English Ships again, and remit their Plate and Bullion, and other Goods to Dover, as formerly they have done: And for the real effecting hereof, and better encouragement of the Parties concerned, and for the removing of all Doubts and jealousies for the future:  
The Petitioners humbly pray this most Honourable Assembly, to make an Ordinance according to the tenor of this Petition, or as in your Wisdoms shall be thought fit, and that this Petition, together with the said Ordinance, may be printed and published by Order of both Houses of Parliament, and they permitted to send them abroad, for the timely prevailing and effecting of a work of so much importance to this Kingdom.  
And the Petitioners shall pray.   

AN ORDINANCE OR DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons.  
Assembled in Parliament.  
Die Sabbathi 26. August, 1643.  
The Lords and Commons now in Parliament assembled, having received information by a Petition of Merchant-strangers, and others, concerned in the importation of Plate and Bullion into this Kingdom, That their correspondents inhabiting in the parts beyond the Seas, have conceived many fears and jealousies which might discourage them in the usual importing of Bullion into this Kingdom; For the better security and encouragement of all Traders and bringers in of Bullion or Coin into this Kingdom, do Declare, and Ordain, That Bullion and Coin, that shall be brought into this Kingdom, by any English shipping, shall have free and safe passage and protection, as in any former times; both by Sea, and Land, into the Ports of Dover and London: and accordingly into, and out of His Majesty's Mint in the Tower of London, without any interruption.  
FINIS.