The Schedule. IN THIS SCHEDVLE IS CONTAINED THE EXCISE, SET AND TO BE SET UPON several Commodities, as well foreign as Native, as hereafter followeth. bristol, Printed by ROBERT BARKER, and JOHN BILL, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty: MDC.XLIIII. CHARLES by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To Our trusty and welbeloved Arthur Basset Esq; George Parry Doctor of the Laws, Peter Sainthill Esq; and Richard Ward Esq; greeting. Whereas We have been, and still are enforced to raise and maintain several Armies for the defence of the true Protestant Religion, Our own royal Person and just Rights, the Laws of the Land, the Liberties and Properties of Our Subjects, and privileges of Parliament, for the resistance of the present Invasion of the Scots, and for suppression of this their horrid Rebellion raised against us, the charge whereof is so vast that We are no way able( Our own Revenues and Customs being detained from us & by the Rebels employed for maintenance of those Forces which they have raised against us) to destroy the same, without the ●●sistance of Our good Subjects: And whereas at a council of War held at Oxford the 28. day of December last past, it was presented unto us by the Lords and others of Our said council then present, That the Rebels at London, and other parts of this Kingdom in their power( to maintain and continue their horrid and barbarous Rebellion) had laid an Excise upon several wears and Commodities whereby they raise great sums of Money for the payment of their Rebellious Forces, and thereby encourage and keep them together; And it was therefore by the general consent and desire of the principal Officers of Our Army, thought most necessary, that We should be prayed speedily to lay an Excise upon wears and Commodities in the like nature, whereby Money may be levied for the payment of Our Army raised for Our own defence, and reducing Our Subjects to their due Obedience. And although upon due consideration had by us thereon, We found ourselves necessitated to take some speedy course for raising of Moneys for these purposes, yet We thought fit to forbear putting the said Advice in Execution till We had communicated the same to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford by virtue of Our Proclamation, to the end that with their advice the said Excise might with most indifferency and ease to Our People be ranted and levied; And the said Lords and Commons taking into their serious Considerations the means how to support and maintain Our Armies, could not find any way whereby that Charge might be so equally born by Our Subjects as by laying an Excise upon sundry wears and Commodities for that purpose, Yet withall humbly desireth that He would not continue the said Excise for any longer time then during the present necessity, and whilst the Rebels at London continue the Excise laid by them, that We would determine the Excise laid whensoever We should be thereunto desired by the Lords and Commons, and ease Our People of the Contribution now paid in part or in whole, so soon as by this way We should have Moneys sufficient to maintain Our said Armies; and that We should be pleased graciously to declare, That the settling & laying the said Excise is done merely for Necessity, and that the Moneys raised thereby shall be employed onely for payment and maintenance of Our Army, and shall be disposed from time to time in such sort as shall be advised by the said Lords and Commons, or such as they nominate, and no otherwise; And that We declare and also promise Our royal assent to an Act whereby it may be declared and Enacted in a full and free convention of Parliament, That Our doing therein shall not be drawn into president or example in time to come, nor to be made use of mentioned, or urged as a president, nor any other advantage taken thereon in prejudice of the right and property of Our Subjects for the future; And lastly, That the said Excise might be set, ordered, and governed in such a sort and Instructions as should be approved or appointed by the said Lords and Commons, and not otherwise. Know ye therefore, that in pursuance of the said desires, all which We do approve, and thereunto give Our full Promise and Consent, have ordered and appointed, and by these presents do order and appoint that an Excise shall be laid and set, and We do by these presents lay and set an Excise upon the several wears and Commodities expressed and contained in the Schedule to these presents annexed, and according to the several and respective rates and valves therein limited and set down to be paid, the same to be raised, levied, paid, and disposed in such sort and manner as in the said Schedule is contained, and according to the Articles and Instructions thereunto adjoined: And for the due execution hereof We have nominated, appointed, authorised, and by these presents do nominate, appoint, and authorize You to be Our Commissioners within Our County of Devon, for the levying, collecting, and gathering the said Excise according to the rates & valves set down and prescribed in the said Schedule, and according to the Articles and Instructions therewithal now sent, or hereafter to be sent by the approbation of the said Lords and Commons, or such as they shall authorize for that purpose, and not otherwise. And We by these presents give full power and authority unto you Our said Commissioners, or the greater nu●ber of you, writing under your Hands and seals from time to time, to nominate and appoint such and so many Substitutes or Deputies within Our said County, Towns corporate, Divisions, or other part or parts of Our said County, as to you, or the greater number of you think sit and convenient; And also in like manner to name, make, and appoint such and so many Registers, Clerks, Collectors, and other inferior Officers and Ministers for the better execution of the said service, as to you or the greater number of you shall seem meet; all which are to be chosen and governed as is directed in the Instructions hereunto annexed. And Our further Will and Pleasure is, That you Our said Commissioners, or any of you shall not intermeddle or do any thing in the premises by virtue of these presents, until such time as you and every of you shall take the Oath in the said Instructions set down for the due execution of that Office, before two Iustices of the Peace or more for the said County of Devon; which Oath We do hereby give full power and authority unto the Iustices of the Peace of Our said County of Devon, or any two or more of them, to give and administer unto you and every of you; by virtue of these presents, without further or other Warrant in that behalf, and after such time as you Our said Commissioners have taken the said Oath, We do hereby give full power to you, or the greater number of you to give and administer the like Oath to all every such Substitutes and Deputies as you shall make and appoint as aforesaid, before they or any of them do intermeddle in the execution of the said prem●sses; And do likewise by these presents give full power and authority to you Our said Commissioners, or any two or more of you, and also to such Substitutes and Deputies as you shall make and appoint in manner aforesaid, or any two or more of you, from time to time, to give and administer the several Oaths in the said Instructions specially mentioned to all and every such person and persons as are therein and thereby name and appointed to take the same, in such sort as in the said Instructions is expressed. And further, That you Our said Commissioners, or any one of you, and also the said Substitutes and Deputies, or any one of them shall, and may from time to time give and administer an Oath upon the holy Evangelists to all such persons and Witnesses as may, or will inform or discover unto you any deceit or other abuse touching the said Excise, contrary to the said Instructions, or any of them. And We do further signify and declare to all Our good Subjects, That the said Excise, by virtue of these presents, to be laid and imposed upon the several wears and Commodities in the said Schedule mentioned, is to be paid, and shall continue until the Feast of the Annunciation of our blessed Lady St. Mary the Virgin, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1645. in case that the Excise laid by the Rebels at London shall so long continue, and that the same shall be determined before that time if We shall be advised by the said Lords and Commons sooner to lay down the same. In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents; witness ourself, at Oxford the 8. day of May, in the Twentieth year of Our Reign. In this Schedule is contained the Excise, set and to be set upon several Commodities, as well foreign as Native, as hereafter followeth, viz. THe foreign Commodities following, as well Imported and remaining in the hands of the Merchant, Importer, Retailer, or any other whatsoever, as to be imported, are charged to pay by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant, Retailer, Importer, or other persons as aforesaid, the several Rates here ensuing, over and above all the Contributions paid for the same at the first landing thereof. Spanish and all Tobaccoes, not of the English Plantations, the pound 2. s Tobacco of the English Plantations the pound 4. d Wines of all sorts the Tonne 5. l Strong-Waters, as, Aqua-vitae, Vsquebaugh, and the like, the Gallon 8. d raisins solis the hundred weight 2. s All other raisins the hundred weight 16. d figs the hundred weight 12. d. Almonds, the hundred weight 5. s. Anny seeds, the hundred weight 21 d. Cloves, the pound 4. d. Currans, the hundred weight 6. d. Ginger, the hundred weight 5. d. Licoras, the hundred weight 12. d. Maces, the pound 6. d. Nutmeg, the pound 3. d. Pepper, the pound 2. d. Cinnamon, the pound 4. d. Prunes, the hundred weight 8. d. Sugars Vocat. Sugar-Candy brown or white, the pound 3. d. Punelli and St. Thome● the hundred weight 2. s. 6. d. Muscovadoes, the hundred weight 3. s. 4 d. White, the hundred weight 6. s. 8. d. Refined double or single, the hundred weight 9. s. 4. d. drugs. drugs of all sorts imported, or to be imported, for 20. s. value thereof, and so after that rate for a greater or lesser value to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Mercery. For all sorts of Mercery wears Imported, or to be Imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably for a greater or lesser value, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. silks Imported. For all raw silk imported, or to be imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably for a greater or lesser value, six pence 6. d. For other silks in the gum ready thrown, imported or to be imported, for every 20. shillings value thereof, and so proportionably, nine pence 9. d. For all other silks dyed, imported or to be imported, for every 20. shillings value thereof, and so proportionably the several rates for silks, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant and Importer 12. d. linen Drapery. For all sorts of linen both fine and course, imported and to be imported, for every 20. shillings value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Haberdashery. For all sorts of Haberdashery wears imported or to be imported, for every 20. shillings value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Vpholstery. For all sorts of Vpholstery Ware imported and to be imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Saltery. For all sorts of Saltry wears imported and to be imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant or Importer, six pence. 6 d. soap. For all soap imported or to be imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer, eighteen pence 18. d. Paper. For all Paper bought of the Mercchant, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Hides, skins and Leather. For all Skins, Hides, and Leather imported, or to be imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12. d. Glasses. For all Glasses and Earthen Ware imported, for every 20. s. value thereof, and so proportionably to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, from the Merchant or Importer, twelve pence 12 d. Iron in bars of all sorts the Tonne 10 s. All Cast Iron the hundred weight 10. d. Iron hoops the hundred weight 18. d. Kettle-Bands the hundred weight 2. s. Iron wrought, the pound ob. oil called Linseed and Rape oil, the Tonne 20. s. All sorts of oil Olive, the Tonne 32 s. train oil of all sorts, the Tonne 6. s. 8. d. Salt foreign, the Gallon 1. d. All Lace of what kind soever of silk, Gold, Silver or mixed, or of thread, and all ribbons, imported in every 20. s. value, to pay 2. s. beaver wool the pound 2 s. For every beaver skin 6. d. Sable skins the Timber containing 10. l. skins 30. s. Cotton wool the hundred weight 3. s. Cotton yearn the hundred weight 4. s Irish wool Combed the pound 1. d. Irish wool Combed the hundred weight 2. s. 6. d lambs wool, the hundred weight 2. s. 6. d Polonia wool, the hundred weight 2. s. 6. d Spanish wool for Clothing, the hundred weight 4. s Spanish Felt-Wooll, the hundred weight 3. s read wool, the pound 2 d Iron wire, the hundred weight 5. s Latin wire, the hundred weight 6. s. 8. d steel wire, the pound 2. d steel of all sorts, the pound ob. linen yarn imported, the pound ob. Lace of Gold or Silver, or mixed silk, home made, the ounce 6. d Button of Gold or Silver, or mixed with silk, foreign or home made, in every 20. s. value 2. s Home or Native Commodities 1 For all strong-waters and Aqua-vitae made or distilled within this Realm and Dominion of Wales, to be paid by the Maker or Distiller after the rate of 8 d. the gallon 8. d 2 For every barrel of mead or Metheglin either sold or spent, and so proportionably be the quantity greater or less, to be paid by the first Seller thereof 5. s 3 For every barrel of beer or Ale of eight shillings the barrel and upward, sold to be paid by the Brewer or Maker thereof 2. s 4 For every barrel of beer or Ale of six shillings the barrel and upward, under Eight sold to be paid by the Brewer or Maker thereof 1. s 5 For every barrel of beer or Ale of every value under six shillings to three sold to be paid by the Brewer or Maker thereof, and so after that proportion, be the Cask or vessel greater or lesser, six pence 6. d 6 For every Quarter of Malt, except Oaten Malt, made to be sold, and so proportionably 2. s 7 For every Quarter of Oaten Malt made to be sold 1. s. 4. d. and that every person that makes Malt, and with it brews beer or Ale to sell, shall pay in the same proportion for his Malt, as if it were bought. 8 For every Hogshead of Perry or Cider sold, to be paid by the first retailer thereof, and so after that rate for a greater or lesser proportion of cask, two shillings 2. s 9 For every Hogshead of Perry or Cider bought for private use, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof 12. d. and after the same race for a greater or lesser quantity 12. d 10. For all beer, Ale, Perry or Cider to be necessary used for fishing at Sea by English Subjects, to be orderly laid on Sipboard for that purpose, no Excise to be paid. 11 For all sorts of Wooll●n Cloath, and other Commodities made of or mixed with wool, made or spent within this Realm and the Dominion of Wales, for every twenty shillings value thereof, and so proportionably, to be paid by the first Buyer thereof, twelve pence 12. d 12 For all Salt made within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, to be paid a penny upon every Gallon; and that all Salt upon Salt, that is made of Salt within the said Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, which hath once paid the Excise, shall pay one half penny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the Maker of all such Salt, before such time as the said Salt shall be put to sale. And that all other Salt upon Salt imported, or to be imported into the said Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, shall pay one penny half penny upon every Gallon, to be paid by the first Buyer of such Salt, Provided always, that no Salt expended upon Fishing by English Subjects shall be liable to this Excise. 13 That all beefs, Muttons, veals, porks, Lambs, and other Butchers meat, to be killed for provision of Victuals, shall pay one shilling in every twenty shillings value of the Beast living, by the Butcher, and so after that proport●on. 14 That all Conies or rabbits shall pay an half penny a piece, to be paid by the first Seller. 15 That all Pigeons shall pay after the rate of one penny for every dozen, to be paid by the first Seller thereof. 16 That White-bread made of Wheat, shall pay one penny in every twelve pence value, by the Baker or maker thereof selling the same. 17 That for all beeves, Muttons, veals, porks, Lambs and other Butchers-meat killed for provision of private mens houses, the Excise to be paid, as by the Butcher is appointed. 18 For all soap made within this Realm and Dominion of Wales, for every pound of soap to be paid by the Maker thereof ob. 19 English Iron wire of all sorts in every 20. s. value to be paid by the Maker or first Seller thereof 12. d. 20 English brass wire of all sorts in every 20 s. value to be paid by the Maker or first Seller thereof 12. d. 21 That there shall be imposed by way of Excise, half penny in the pound upon Butter, and a farthing of a penny the pound upon Cheese, to be paid by the first Seller thereof, of all Butter and Cheese sold throughout England, and in the Dominion of Wales, half that proportion. That the Commissioners for Excise shall have power to compound with the Sellers of Butter and Cheese, as in the last Instruction for private Families. All which rates to be paid for any foreign Commodities imported, shall be paid by the first Buyer thereof from the Merchant or Importer, or from the Broker who useth to deal between the Merchant and the Shop-keeper. And for all other Commodities hereby charged with Excise, the Rates to be paid in such manner as in the Schedule or the Articles following is directed. And for the better ordering, Collecting and disposing of the Excise laid and appointed according to the rates aforesaid, the Commissioners hereafter name, and to be name, are to observe and to pursue the Instructions following. 1 That every person and persons who have imported, or shall import, or cause to be imported, any Commodities in the aforegoing Schedule mentioned, for his or their own private use or spending, or for any other purpose, shall pay the rates in the said Schedule set and imposed upon the same Commodities. 2 Item, for all Commodities here ranted, which are or shall be first imported, and after, within six mon●ths, exported beyond the Seas, the Excise thereof being paid, and due proof thereof made by Oath of the Party or Witnesses before the said Commissioners or any two of them, or any two of such as they shall appoint under their Hands and seals, shall be repaid, and the said Commissioners and their Deputies shall have power to repay the same accordingly. And if any Merchant or other Buyer of any Clothes, or other woollen Commodities, made within this Realm or Dominion of Wales, shall buy the same to transport beyond ●he Seas, and shall accordingly transport the same, then no Excise thereof to be paid. 3 Item, that there shall be an Office erected in the City of 〈◇〉 or elsewhere, as shall be appointed by His Majesty, to be called the Office of Excise, and that there shall be five Commissioners to be nominated by His Majesty, to govern the affairs and Service appertaining to this Excise, whereof one to be Treasurer general to receive all the money arising by the said Excise, and one other of them to be controller thereof, the which Commissioners so name are to reside at 〈◇〉 or where else His Majesty shall appoint; and that they the said Commissioners, or the mayor part of them, or their sufficient Deputies, shall have power to execute these Instructions as Commissioners in the 〈◇〉 And shall be authorised from time to time to choose Registers, Collectors, Clerks, Surveyors, Deputies, Searchers, and other subordinate Officers, and them to employ for their assistance in the execution of the said Office and Services, taking good security of them for their diligence and faithful demeanour therein, and also swearing them according to the form of an Oath hereafter prescribed, with like power to displace them, if they find cause, and to place others in their rooms, and to allow and pay unto them such wag●s out of the Receipts of this Excise for their pains and service therein, as the said Commissioners or the greater part of them shall thi●k fit and reasonable, and as shall be approved and allowed by the Lords and Commons of Parliament here assembled, or such others as shall be thereunto authorised by them. 4 Item, That the Commissioners herein after name, shall be, and are her●by nominated and appointed to be chief Commissioners, or Governours of th● affairs of the said Excise, viz. 5 Item, That the said Commissioners, hereby or hereafter to be appointed in the several Cities and Counties, the Treasurer and controller, and all other the inferior Officers, and Ministers shall respectively, before they enter upon their Office or employment assigned unto them, take an Oath hereafter expressed, according as by the Commission is appointed, for the due execution of their several and respective Offices and places. Commissioners. commissioners. Commissioners. and in every County of this Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, now, or hereafter in obedience to His Majesty, or in as many other Towns, Cities, and places as the said Lords and Commons, or such as they shall authorize thereunto, appoint to be nominated by the Kings Majesty. All which Commissioners within the respective places of their charge, shall take care of the Levying, Collecting, and Receiving of the said Excise, and of all the service thereunto a●pertaining, according to the purport of these Instructions. And for the better effecting thereof shall have power to make Coll●ctors, Registers, Clerks, Surveyors, Searchers, and other inferior Officer, fit and conveni●nt thereunto. And that in every of the said Cities and Counties, one of the said Commissioners shall be Treasurer to receive all the Money within that City or County, and one other of them controller thereof. That all the said Commissioners in the said several and respective Cities and Counties, shall have relation unto the said chief Commissioners of the Office of Excise, resident at Oxford, or elsewhere, as His Majesty shall appoint, as well in the due and orderly making up the money and accounts touching the premises, as in observing and performing such further Orders and Directions, as from time to time they shall receive from the said chief Commissioners, for the good of this service, in pursuance of these Instructions; and all and every the respective Treasurers shall return and pay all and every the several Receipts, in their respective Cities and Counties, unto the chief Treasurer and controller resident, as aforesaid, at Oxford, as often as they shall be thereunto required, by order from the said chief Treasurer and controller, whose respective Acquittances shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Treasurers, in the respective Counties in that behalf. 7 Item, That the Collectors, Registers, Clerks, and all other inferior Officers afore mentioned, shall have for the●r pains and service, in and about the said business, such reasonable sum and sums of Money allowed and paid them, as the Commissioners in the several and respective places, or the mayor part of them shall think fit, with the allowance and approbation of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford, or such as shall be thereunto authorised by them. 8 Item, That the said chief Commissioners, Treasurer, or controller, or any of them, or any other Commissioners, Treasurer, or Deputy whatsoever, shall not issue or pay out any Moneys, raised, levied, collected and returned to them for this Excise to any person, or persons whatsoever, but by order of the Lords and Commons of Parliament here at Oxford assembled, or by such as they shall for that purpose nominate, and appoint to give order and directions in the same. 9 Item, That the several Offices for this Excise, in all Cities, Counties, and places where this Office shall be kept upon all the weekdays,( except the Lords-day, and also Holy dayes in the time of Divine Service,) from eight of the clock in the Morning, till twelve at noon: and from two of the clock in the afternoon till six in the Evening, for the entering and registering the names and surnames, as well of the Seller, Buyers and Makers of the said several Commodities in the said Schedule mentioned, and the several quantities and valves thereof, and for receiving of all Moneys which shall be due and payable for the Excise, and for other things necessary to be done touching the said business, which said Entries shall be made accordingly. 10 Item, That all and every the Merchants and Importers of the said foreign Commodities, in the said Schedule mentioned, and all others chargeable with the payment of this Excise for any the Commodities in the said Schedule mentioned, shall weekly cause to be entred in the said respective Offices, a true and perfect List and account of all and every the said Commodities respectively, and shall not deliver any of the said commodities to any of the buyers thereof, or other person or persons( except Flesh for which the Butcher, seller, or spender is to be accountable once a week,) and except such of the said commodities as shall by the Licence of the said respective Commissioners, or the mayor part of them, or such as they shall under their Hands and seals thereunto appoint, be to be transported beyond the Seas) until the same be so entred as aforesaid; And that no person or persons chargeable with the said Excise, shall sell or dispose of any of the said commodities, without first receiving a Ticket or Warrant from the said respective Officer or Officers, that the Excise due for the same is paid or so undertaken, and secured to be paid, as the Commissioners, their deputy or Deputies, or some, or one of them, shall therewith rest satisfied, which forbearance of present payment shall be onely for such reasonable time, or for such special causes as shall be less prejudicial to the expediting of the present service. And if any of the said c●mmodities chargeable with the Excise shall refuse or neglect to make a true entry thereof, as aforesaid, or shall do any thing contrary hereunto, the same being proved by oath of a credible witness, or confession of the party before the said Commissioners, or any one or more of them, shall forfeit the double value of the goods and commodities so by him or them neglected, to be entred or so delivered, sold, or disposed of, contrary to the purport and true intent of the premises to the use of His Majesty to be disposed of, for support of His Majesties Armies, the same to be levied by the said respective Commissioners, or Deputies, or such as they, or the mayor part of them shall appoint, by distress and sa●e of the offenders goods,( if they shall not be redeemed within fourteen dayes) rendering to the party the overplus: and for want of such sufficient distress, all and every the said Commissioners and Deputies, or the mayor part of them respectively, or such as they shall appoint, shall have power to commit such offendor to prison till he pay the said forfeiture. 11 Item, That no Merchant, Denizen, or Stranger, master or other person whatsoever Importer of any goods or Merchandise into any the Ports of this Kingdom, or Dominion of Wales, or shall discharge or land any goods or commodities before they shall have first given notice thereof to the Officers of Excise for that place, by delivery of a Bi●l of Entry under his Hand, specifying the said several goods so imported, their quantities and qualities respectively, under the penalties in the last precedent Article contained, and to be levied in like manner. 12 Item, That the said respective Commissioners, or the mayor part of them, out ot the Forfeitures above mentioned, are to give and allow to any person and persons which shall inform them of any abuse committed by any person or persons contrary to the tenor of these presents, so much money for his and their reward and recompense of his and their pains, as the said Commissioners, or the mayor part of them shall think fit, the same to be allowed unto the Commissioners upon their accounts. 13 Item, That the said Commissioners, or the mayor part of them, shall have power to punish all subordinate Officers and Deputies of what rank soever, belonging to the employment of the Excise respectively, for their Offences in the execution of their services and employments, by the forfeiture of their wages, and dismission out of the service, at their discretion. 14 Item, That all His Maj●sties Customers, controllers, and other Ministers and Officers in the Sea-ports and places, shall from time to time permit and suffer the said respective Commissioners, or any of them, or any of their Deputy or Deputies, or such as they shal appoint to search, view, and examine any Note-book, Book, or Books, or other accounts belonging to the Custom-house, and to take Copies thereof, or of as much thereof as they please: and that the said Commissioners of Excise, or any of their Deputies shall have place to sit in every Custom-house, and shall have power by themselves or their Agents to take Notes or Copies of all Entries of goods and Merchandise imported, or to be imported from time to time. 15 Item, That the said Commissioners and their Deputies, or any one of them respectively, shall at their discretions call before them any person or persons whom they shall think fit to inform and testify touching the premises, and to examine any such person( other then the party himself) upon Oath, for the better discovery of any fraud or guile in the not ●ntring of any the said Commodities, or not paying of the Excise according to the tenor hereof, and the testimony of one credible witness or confession of the party shall be sufficiently in that behalf. 16 Item, That the said respective Commissioners, or the mayor part of them, shall from time to time appoint any Officer or Officers belonging to the Excise, to ent●r into the Sellars, Shops, Ware-houses, Store-houses, or other places of every person or persons, that selleth, buyeth, or spendeth any of the said Commodities in the said Schedule mentioned, to search and see what quantities of the said Commodities every or any such person hath in his hands, or any other person or persons to his use, and for the preventing of all fraud and abuses that may be used or practised to avoid the payment of the said Excise. 17 Item, That all Sheriffes, Majors, Justices of Peace, Bay●●ffes, Constables, and other Officers and Ministers whatsoever, be from time to time aiding and assisting to all and every the said respective Commissioners and other Officers of Excise, and every of them, with due execution thereof, and of the Articles here contained: and that special care be taken as well by the respective Commissioners, as the said Majors, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers whom it shall and may concern, that the Assizes of Beer, Ale, Wine, Bread, and other things be duly kept and observed, and the abuses therein punished, according to the Laws and Statutes in that behalf made; as they will answer the contrary at their perils. 18 Item, That the respective Commissioners hereby appointed, or as many of them as shall execute the same, shall have for th●ir pains and service therein, within their respective limits, six pence in the twenty shilling, that shall be raised and paid to the said Treasurers of Excise resp●ctively, hereby appointed to be amongst them the said Commissioners, Treasurer and controller equally divided, the same to be allowed quarterly upon their accounts, without any further warrant: and the five chief Commissioners for the Excise shall be rewarded over and above the said six pence in the pound, as the Lords and Commons shall think meet, according to the merit of their service. 19 Item, That no Person or Persons whatsoever, selling any Commodities hereby charged with Excise, shall take any more in the price thereof upon the sale or utterance of the said Commodities, then according to the usual rates and prices appointed by Law for the same,( except onely the rate of the Excise) as they will answer the contrary at their perils. And as touching all Woollen Draperies old and new, the Excise for the same is to be paid by the Shop-keeper, who buys the same to sell again. 20 Item, That there be a present and due survey made of all goods whatsoever, charged with this Excise, now remaining in any place whatsoever unsold or unretailed; and that the several Persons in whose possession they are, do pay or give security to pay the Excise set upon them. Provided always, That since the way of this Excise is new, and the mischiefs, inconveniences, and disorders in settling the several rates, levying the same, and imposing penalties in manner and form aforesaid, cannot be well foreseen, and at first prevented; His Majesty, by the advice and consent of the Lords and Commons of Parliament here Assembled at Oxfoxd, or of such Committee of the Members of both Houses, or the mayor number of them as they shall appoint to that purpose, may from time to time, and at all times have Power to revoke or alter any of the Rates or Charges, or any part of them hereby imposed, or any of the Instructions, or any part of them before mentioned, and to add such further Rates, or make such new Instructions, and to increase or diminish allowances, and salaries as by the advice aforesaid shall be thought fit, for the better execution, encouraging, and regulating of the same. And also with the Advice and Consent aforesaid, to take, call for, and examine all accounts, to issue and disburse any sum or sums of Money, to displace or new appoint Commissioners the Deputy or Deputies in the respective Counties, Cities, and places whatsoever, and to settle and decide all such differences, quarrels and debates, and to order, punish and correct all such faults, injuries and misdemeanours as shall happen to be committed in the execution hereof, either in or between the Commissioners themselves, their Deputy or Deputies, or in, and between them or any of them, and all Commissioners and other persons whatsoever, are to be required and enjoined to yield obedience and submission to all such further or other Orders, Directions, and Instructions as they shall receive from His Majesty, by the advice and consent aforesaid in the execution of the premises, and every part thereof in any thing or things that may or shall conduce to the better ordering, government, and execution of the same. Provided also, for the better ease and conveniency of all such of His Majesties Subjects, who are Masters and Governors of private Families, the Commissioners in their respective Counties and places of employment, their Deputy or Deputies, or any two or more of them within their respective Divisions, shall have power to compound and agree with such persons, and every of them, for a weekly payment of a certain sum of Money in gross, in lieu and full satisfaction of all the Rates hereby imposed upon such Commodities as shall be killed, raised, or made in the said private Famil●es, to be spent within the same for their own use, and not for sale, if they desire the same. The form of the OATH. To the Commissioners, their deputy, or Deputies, or all other Officers. YOu shall swear to be faithful and true to Our sovereign Lord the King, His Heirs, and successors, and in your Office or Place as a Commissioner for the Excise, during the time you shall be a Commissioner, you shall according to the authority and directions given you, or to be given you by His majesty, by advice of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford, and according to your best knowledge execute the same diligently and faithfully, having no private respect in prejudice of this present Service; you shall make and deliver a true account of all the Receipts and Disbursements to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford, or to such as they shall appoint. So help you God FINIS.