AN ACT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT Of the Revenue of the Customs and Excize.  
WHereas by the Humble Petition and Advice of the Parliament, it is thought fit and Declared, That the constant yearly Revenue of Thirteen hundred thousand pounds, shall be raised and settled for the Maintenance of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth, and for Defraying the Charges of the Government; And whereas it will be necessary that the Profits of the Excize and Customs, and other the Public Revenue, be by all good ways and means Improved to the best Advantage of the Commonwealth, and as much as may be, reduced to a Certainty, to the end the said Yearly Revenue of Thirteen hundred thousand pounds may be answered & raised without a Land-Tax, according to the Humble Petition and Advice, without weakening the Securities wherewith the same are already charged; Be it therefore Enacted by His Highness the Lord Protector and this present Parliament, and by Authority thereof, That the Lord Whitlock, Col. Sydenham, Col. Philip Jones, the Lord Commissioner Fyennes, the Lord Commissioner Lisle, Mr. Secretary Thurloe, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William Roberts, Mr. Drake, Mr. Godfrey, Col. John Clerk, Mr. Bond, Capt. Stone, Sir Christopher Pack, Alderman Foot, Mr. Lloyd, the Lord Chief justice Glyn, Sir Charles Wolseley, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Upton, the Lord Broghil, Gen. Disbrow, Major General Goff, M. Bodwrda, Mr. Thomas Smith, Col. Twisleton, Mr. Rushworth, Mr. Downing, Sir John Barkstead, Col. John Jones, Major Beak, Capt. Blackwel, Mr. Highland, Col. Mildmay, Col. Matthews, Major General Hains, Major General Kelsey, and Mr. Maidston, or any seven of them shall be, and hereby are Authorised and Impowered to be a Committee of Parliament, to Treat, Contract and Conclude with any person or persons for the Farming all or any part of the Duties of Customs and Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, and of Excise and New Impost, and all or any part of the Duties mentioned in two several Acts made this present Parliament, the one Entitled, An Act for Continuing and Establishing the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage; And for reviving an Act for the better Packing of Butter, and for Redress of Abuses therein; The other Entitled, An Additional Act for the better Improvement and Advancing the Receipts of the Excize and New Impost, and all or any part of the Duties mentioned in any other Act or Ordinance touching the said Customs and Excize, which by virtue of the aforementioned Acts are Revived, Continued, Confirmed or put in force; And what Contract, Bargain or Agreement, Contracts, Bargains, or Agreements, shall be made by the said Committee, or any seven of them, with any person or persons for or touching the premises, or any part of them; which Contract, Bargain or Agreement, Contracts, Bargains or Agreements being assented unto by His Highness, with the Advice of His Council, and Ratified and Confirmed by any Grant or Grants under the Great Seal of England, shall be, and hereby is and are declared to be and continue Good and Valid to all intents and purposes; and all and every person or persons that shall be a Farmer or Contractor, Farmers or Contractors in pursuance of this Act, shall be saved and kept harmless by Authority of Parliament.  
Provided always, That the premises nor any part of them, be farmed for any Term exceeding Seven years: And the said Committee are hereby required to give an Account of their Proceed hereupon to the Parliament at their next Sitting.  
Provided always, That no person appointed by this Act to be of the Committee of Parliament as aforesaid, shall directly or indirectly be a Farmer, or Partner in the farming of any part of the Custom or Excise aforesaid.  
Provided always, and it is hereby Enacted, That no person or persons whatsoever, that shall farm the Customs or Excize, or any part of them, or shall be Commissioner or Commissioners of them or either of them, shall during the time of such Farm or Commission, trade in any the Commodities which may fall under the said Farm, or within the Compass of such Commission.   

LONDON: Printed by HEN: HILLS and JOHN FIELD, Printers to His Highness the Lord PROTECTOR. 1657.