AN ORDINANCE OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT, Concerning the EXCISE OF TOBACCO.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
London, Printed by Richard Cotes and John Raworth.   

 Tudor rose  depiction of Irish harp  Scottish thistle  
DIE SABBAT. DECEMB. 23. 1643.  
FORASMUCH as the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have taken notice, That the Rate of four pence lately imposed, by Ordinance of the eleventh of September last, upon every pound of Tobacco of the English Plantations by way of Excise, hath something intermitted Trade in that Commodity:  
Be it therefore Ordained by the said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by Authority of the same, for the encouragement and ease, as well of the Importer, as Engrosser and Seller of such Tobacco's; That all Tobacco's of the English Plantations imported, and remaining on the hands of the Merchant or Importer, or the Engrosser or Seller thereof, before the eleventh of September last passed, shall pay only one penny upon every pound: And all such Tobacco's imported since the eleventh of September last, and remaining on the hands, either of the Merchant, Importer, Engrosser, or Seller thereof, at the day of the date of this Ordinance, shall be liable to, and pay two pence upon every pound: And for all such Tobacco of the English Plantations, as shall hereafter, from the day of the date hereof, be imported into the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Port and Town of Berwick, shall pay after the rate of four pence upon every pound, according to the former Ordinance dated the eleventh of September last; The respective sums of one penny, two pence, and four pence upon every pound, to be paid by the Engrosser, or Seller, upon sale thereof, as is therein prescribed: Provided always, That no person shall have any benefit of the aforesaid Moderation to one penny and two pence upon every pound of Tobacco respectively before mentioned, but such only as shall within fourteen days after the publication of this Ordinance, make his personal appearance at such Office of Excise under which his dwelling place shall be, and there deliver in, upon oath, a true and just Particular of all Tobacco by him sold, since the eleventh of September last, unto the time he shall make his appearance; As also, at the same time declare upon oath, and deliver in a like true Particular of all Tobacco's either remaining upon his hands at that time, of such Tobacco's as were upon his hands before the eleventh of September, as of such Tobacco's as have been by him imported or brought, and are remaining upon his hands at the time of his appearance; and shall presently, according to the respective Rates of one penny and two pence, pay and clear the duty of Excise, as well for all Tobacco by him sold since the eleventh of September last, as for all Tobacco by him imported, and remaining at that time upon his hands as aforesaid, but be proceeded against without favour or pardon, according to the former Ordinance of the eleventh of September last.  
Provided also, That no Abatement or Allowance shall be made, under pretence of this Ordinance, for any Tobacco's which have already paid Excise, according to the said Ordinance of the eleventh of September last, before the date hereof.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
FINIS.