A DECLARATION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament To the whole Kingdom, Concerning the EXCISE: With additional Instructions for the better Regulating of the same.  

Die Lunae 22 Feb. 1646.  
ORdered by the Lords Assembled in Parliament, that this Declaration and Instructions be forthwith printed and published.  
Io. Brown. Cler. Parliam.   
LONDON. Printed for John Wright, at the King's head in the Old-baily. 1646.   

Die Lunae 22. Febr. 1646. A DECLARATION of the Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT, concerning the EXCISE.  
THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, taking notice of the many Tumults and great Riots, which have of late happened, and been privily fomented in several parts of the Kingdom against the Recepts and Collections, of the Excise, by the secret and subtle designs and practices of Malignants, and such, who by their false and feigned pretences do endeavour to breed a misunderstanding, and impatience in the People; have for the better manifesting of the Justice of their proceeding, and realty of their intentions thought fit to make this Declaration to the whole Kingdom.  
That as nothing did or could have drawn them to resolve upon this imposition, but the preservation of this Kingdom, the Religion, Laws and Liberties from utter ruin, and destruction, all which at that time was threatened by the restless, and cruel designs, practices, and treacheries of Papists and Malignant persons, so they could then find no other means▪ after the well-affected had so willingly borne so many great Levies, which the Malignants had endeavoured by all cunning ways to evade, how any longer to maintain the Parliament forces, and other great affairs of the Common Wealth, and to draw in the Malignants, and Neutrals to bear their proportional parts of the charge, then by some such constant, and indifferent way; And what great difficulties expenses, and charges, the said Lords and Commons have by the Receipt▪ and credit of the Excize with some other helps as occasion did require, been enabled ever since, through God's blessing to overcome and maintain by continually keeping on foot so many several Armies as they were by the King's party in Arms against the Parliament, enforced to raise in divers parts of the Kingdom by maintaining so many Garrisons by relieving of Ireland from time to time when other supplies could not be timely raised, by satisfying our Brethren of Scotland in part; is by this time so evident to the whole Kingdom, that they hope no well affected person can, or will look back upon what he hath contributed in this way for his part, with any regret, or repining, as if the same had, or can be fruitless to him, or his posterity; And for the present continuance of this Levy, when it shall be considered for what great sums, and to how many well affected persons they have already engaged the Excise for Monies borrowed and justly due unto them, what expenses they must yet be at before they can settle this Kingdom, what charges are requisite to reduce the Kingdom of Ireland, and what great engagements do otherwise lie upon the Parliament for many supplies and services, for satisfying whereof the public Faith, and Honour of the Parliament, and Kingdom is engaged, they are confident that no well-affected, or understanding person can, or will desire, or expect that this Levy, which they still find the most equal and indifferent course to go through so many great affairs should cease, while the Parliament is thus deeply engaged, and have so many pressing occasions for moneys for the necessary support, and preservation of the Kingdom; And therefore the said Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, do hereby declare to the whole Kingdom that they shall, and do expect that all persons whatsoever shall duly pay all sums of Money imposed by any Ordinance of Parliament by way of Excise upon all, and every the Commodities, Marchandizes, and things therein mentioned, and comprised, and that the same Ordinances shall be duly observed according to the Rules therein prescribed until further Order of both Houses of Parliament; Whereunto the said Lords and Commons do hereby require all persons to yield all ready obedience, conformity and assistance accordingly as they tender the honour of the Parliament, the welfare of the Kingdom, and as they would approve themselves well affected to both.  
And we the said Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, to manifest our constant and sincere intentions, in the continuance of this receipt of the Excise, do hereby declare, that as hitherto the Revenue thereof hath been wholly employed for the Public uses and occasions of the Kingdom, and diverted to no private use whatsoever, so they are still resolved to dispose thereof in the same public and necessary services of the Commonwealth only, and shall no longer continue this charge upon the Subject, than they shall find the public affairs wherewith they are entrusted necessarily to require the same; And when it shall please God by the continuance of his mercy, to enable them to settle the Peace of the Kingdom, and to overcome the engagements thereof in some good measure, they shall then make it appear to the whole World, how much more ready they are to ease the People of this charge, than they were willing at first to impose the same. In the mean time, and to the end that they may give all possible ease to the People, where the nature of such a Leavy, and the just and most indifferent Rules, which must necessarily be used and observed in the raising of the same, will admit thereof.  
They have for the better regulation of this Receipt and for restraining of Arbitrary and Exorbitant power, resolved for the present on the Instructions and Rules ensuing; And do hereby require the Commissioners of Excise, their Sub-Commissioners and all other their Collectors and under Officers duly to observe the same, and according as they the said Lords and Commons shall further discover any further inconveniency or preasures upon the People in the levying of the Excise. It shall be their continual care to find out such fitting remedies for the ease of them, and removing of all just grievances as shall be a sufficient testinony to the whole Kingdom, how ready they are to answer the great trust reposed in them, and to let the People enjoy the long expected fruits of their great expenses and contributions.  
And the said Lords and Commons do hereby further declare, and Ordain, that for the better and dire punishment of all such Tumults, Riots, and unlawful Assemblies; All Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, and all other his Majesty's Officers within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, as well within Liberties as without, within their several Counties, Liberties, and Jurisdictions respectively, do from time to time make diligent inquiry of all Tumults, Riots, & other unlawful Assemblies as have been, or for time to come shall be made, done, or committed against the said Commissioners of Excise, their Sub-Commissioners or any of their Officers, or others in their aid and assistance in the execution of the several Ordinances of Excise, and all such persons as have or shall make or cause such Tumults, or Riots, to apprehend, and to commit to prison and to punish according to Law.  
And in case any Tumult, or Riot be hereafter attempted, or acted against the said Commissioners of Excise, their Sub-Commissioners, Collectors or Officers, or others in their aid, and assistance. It is hereby further Ordained and declared, that for the better aiding and assisting, the said Commissioners of Excise, their several Sub-Commissioners, Officers, and others in their aid and assistance, in pursuance of the said Ordinances of Parliament for the levying of Excise; All Sheriffs, Deputie-Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and all other his Majesty's Officers in their several Counties, Liberties, and Jurisdictions. All Colonels, Captains, Officers and Soldiers, and all other his Majesty's Subjects, be aiding and assisting from time to time upon notice to them given for the suppressing of all such Tumults, Riots; and unlawful Assemblies, and in apprehending and bringing to condign punishment, all such Rioters and Offenders according to Law. And in aiding and assisting the said Commissioners their Sub Commissioners and Officers, and others in their aid and assistance in execution of the said Ordinances for Excise. And all such as shall be so aiding and assisting, shall be defended and saved harmless and indemnified, by Authority of both Houses of Parliament.   

Die Lunae 22 Febr. 1646. Additionall Instructions concerning the Excize.  

I.  
THat no Excize, or Arrears of any Excize, due for any goods Excizeable, consumed or spent, be henceforth Demanded, Levied, or Collected by any Officer or Collector of Excize, due by any person before such time as the Ordinances of Excize have or shall begin to be put in Execution in the several Counties or Cities, or any part of the said Counties.   

II.  
That no Excise, or any Arrears of Excise, be from henceforth Demanded, Levied, or Collected, by any Officer or Collector of Excize, for any Excize that did grow due by any person, for any Goods within any County, City, Town, or Place, during the time such County, City, Town, or Place, were under the power of the Enemy.   

III.  
That the Excize of Ale and Beer be raised ●nd levied upon the Subjects of this Kingdom, as is prescribed and directed by the several Ordinances of Parliament, for the Assessing, Raising, and Collecting thereof, and not by way of Poll, or otherwise, unless it be where any person or persons have, or shall at their own desire, and free consent, and for such time only, as they shall so desire and consent unto, in writing, compound by the Poll or otherwise, for Beer and Ale brewed in their own houses, and consumed by themselves and family within their own houses.   

iv  
That upon complaint made upon Oath to any the Justices of Peace of any County of this Kingdom, or to any Mayor, Bailiff, or chief Officer, in any City or Town Corporate, of the Kingdom of England or Dominion of Wales, That the Sub-Commissioners of Excize, their Officers or Servants, or any of them, under colour or pretext of the trust in them reposed, and power given by the several Ordinances of Parliament, have or shall oppress and abuse the People, by exacting or compelling them to pay more or greater sums of Money, then is appointed by the several Ordinances of Excize; or Fine and Imprison, contrary to the said Ordinances, or to have converted or employed the Money by them collected, to their own uses, or to any other use than is appointed by the said Ordinances, or otherwise abuse the said Trusts and Power given them; That the said Justices, Mayors, Bailiffs, and Chief Officers, have Authority, and are hereby required, to send for the Parties and Witnesses, and to examine the Witnesses upon Oath, giving notice to the Parties, of the time of examining the said Witnesses; and the Examinations so taken upon Oath, to send up in writing, sealed up, and subscribed by the hand of the Justice of Peace, or other chief Officer, before whom the said Examinations shall be taken from time to time, within twenty days after the complaint made to both or either House of Parliament, or to the Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating the Excize, sitting at the Star Chamber Westminster, who shall and will proceed to the consideration of the said Offences, and to the severe and due punishment of the said Offenders, as to Justice shall appertain.   

V  
That in case any Justice of Peace, Deputy Lieutenant, or any of the Committees within the several Counties of this Kingdom shall refuse, or wilfully neglect to pay the Excise by them due and payable, and to conform to the orders and directions in the several Ordinances of Excise, or that shall affront, or publicly abuse the said Sub-commissioners of Excise, or their Officers within the said respective Counties, in the execution of their several duties and places according to the Ordinances of Excise: That the Deputy lieutenants, Justices of the Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, or other chief Officers within the said Counties, Cities, and places, or any of them, upon notice and request to them made by the said Sub-commissioners, or any of them, do examine the same upon Oath, and thereof within twenty days certify in writing the said Houses of Parliament, or either of them, or the Committee of Lords and Commons for regulating the Excize, who will proceed thereupon against such persons as to justice shall appertain according to their demerits.   

VI  
That no person taking Alms or Collection, shall be compelled to pay Excize for any Ale or Beer, that is, or shall be brewed in their own houses, and consumed by themselves and family within their own houses.   
Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.  
FINIS.