AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT, Inhibiting the importation of currants.  
WHereas it is found by daily experience, that the Importation of currants into this kingdom (it being a Commodity of little or no use at all, but a mere superfluity, and may well be spared) is a matter of great concernment, not only to the Merchant, but to this Nation, in regard the said Commodity cannot be had in the parts beyond the Seas, where the same are bought, without ready money, an hundred thousand pound per annum at least being bestowed in currants, which otherwise would be brought into this kingdom, is wholly diverted; whereas formerly (till of later years) the said currants were bought for Commodities of this kingdom, exported hence of small value, besides the great advantage which is yearly made upon the Merchant (where the said currants are laden) to their exceeding prejudice by the high and excessive Rates and Taxes which are there imposed upon the said Commodity.  
For the prevention of the like mischief for time to come, the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, at the instance and desire of the Merchants of this kingdom, and by and with their consent, do order, ordain, and declare, that from and after the last day of September, which shall be in the year of our Lord God 1642, That no currants be imported into the kingdom of England, or Dominion of Wales, by any merchant's strangers, Denizens, or others by way of merchandise or otherwise, from any parts beyond the Seas; But the importation thereof from and after the said last day of September, is hereby utterly prohibited and forbidden.  
And further by the Authority aforesaid, it is ordered and declared, That from and after the said last day of September, no Entries be taken of any currants that shall be imported into this Kingdom or Dominion of Wales, by any Officer whatsoever, in any of the Custome-Houses or elsewhere; And in case any Merchant Denizen, or Alien, or any other person whatsoever contrary to this Ordinance, shall presume to Import and unlade any currants within this kingdom or Dominion of Wales after the said last day of September, that it shall be lawful for the Officers of the customhouse respectively, to seize, take, and carry away all such currants, and them to detain until they shall receive further order from both the Houses of Parliament in that behalf; And that every person that shall offend herein, shall be liable to such further punishment and censure as the Lords and Commons in a Parliamentary way shall inflict or impose.  
And it is further ordered that the respective Officers of the Custome-houses do take special care to put this Ordinance in execution, or do cause it to be fully executed in every point according to the true intention of the same, and that such persons as shall not obey in any of the premises shall answer their neglect and contempt before the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and not otherwise or elsewhere.  
And lastly, it is ordered and declared, That from and after the three and twentieth day of August, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, 1642. that no currants which are already bought in the parts beyond the Seas, and brought into this kingdom or the Dominion of Wales, shall be sold by retail for more than after the rate of five pence the pound, and that if any person (that shall sell the same) shall offend contrary to this Ordinance, that he shall be liable to receive such punishment as the Lords and Commons in a Parliamentary way shall impose for his contempt in that behalf.  

Veneris 26 August. 1642.  
It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons, that this Ordinance concerning currants be forthwith printed and published.  
Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.    

London printed for Laurence Blaiklock, Anno Domini, 1642.