AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT FOR Mitigation of the Excise upon Strong-water.  
Die Jovis, 26 Septemb. 1644.  
 woodcut of three flowers 
HEB DDIEV HEB DDIM   
Printed at London, by R. coats, and J. Raworth. 1644.   

AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMEMT FOR Mitigation of the Excise upon Strong-water.  
Die Jovis, 26 Septemb. 1644.  
WHereas by Ordinance of Parliament, dated the eleventh of September, Anno ●643. there is eight pence upon every Gallon laid by way of Excise upon all Strong-waters, and Aqua vitae, imported, or to be imported, or made or distilled within the realm of England, Dominion of Wales, or town of Berwicke, to be paid by the first buyer, or maker, or distiller respectively, which sum of eight pence upon the G●llon, being raised upon the Strong waters, and Aqua vitae, made within the kingdom, is found to have something intermitted Trade in that Commodity within the kingdom. And forasmuch as by the said Ordinance of the eleventh of September, 1643▪ there was no provision made for the levying of Excise upon all Spirits imported, whereby the true intent of the said Ordinance might be avoided. Be it ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by Authority of the same, for the encouragement of the maker and Distiller of Strong waters▪ and for the better receipt of the Excise upon this commodity, that all Aqua vitae, or strong waters made in the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, or town or Port of Berwicke, do pay two pence upon every Gallon by way o● Excise, and so after that rate, for a greater or lesser quantity, to be paid by the first maker thereof.  
That all Spirits made of French or Spanish Wines, commonly called Brand-Wine, Imported, do pay two pence upon every Gallon Excise, and so after that rate for a greater or lesser quantity to bee paid by the first buyer, from the said Importer. That all strong waters perfectly made whatsoever, imported from beyond the Seas, shall pay eight pence upon every Gallon Excise, to bee paid by the first buyer, from the said importer.  
That for such foreign Spirits as aforesaid, as any distiller shall use and make into perfect Strong waters, that such maker or distiller shall pay onely one penny upon every Gallon more, it first appearing unto the Commissioners of Excise, or their deputies, in the seveall offices respectively by sufficient testimony, that the two pence aforesaid was duly paid at▪ the first sale thereof as Spirits.  
That for all Aqua vitae, or Strong waters, made in the kingdom, which shall be again exported for any parts beyond the Seas, or out of the Realm of England, &c whether into plantations or other whatsoever, having first paid the several Excises before mentioned. The Commissioners of Excise for the time being, or their deputies unto whom the several Excises have been paid as aforesaid, being sufficiently satisfied therein, as aforesaid, shall and may allow and repay the several Excises aforesaid, except onely the one penny laid upon foreign Spirits, made here into perfect strong waters. Provided always that all Spirits both foreign and domestic, that shal fraudulently be sold by any person or persons to Chapmen or others to retail in kind, instead of Aqua vitae or Strong waters before the same bee re-distilled and made into perfect Aqua vitae, or Strong waters, shal pay for every Gallon, so sold after the rate of eight pence per Gallon Excise.  
And provided always that no distillers, or other dealers in Spirits, Aqua vitae, or Strong waters as aforesaid, shall have any benefit of the rates or abatements aforesaid, but onely such as shall clear the Excise according to the said several rates, for all Spirits, Aqua vitae, and Strong waters, made, bought, or sold respectively since the eleventh of September, 1643. by such testimony as shall satisfy the Commissioners, or their deputies by an account under their hands to be brought in within one month after the date hereof; But to pay Excise and to bee proceeded against without favour, according as is expressed in the said Ordinance of the eleventh of September, in this behalf.  
H. elsing clear. Parl. D. come.