Customs Act 1662

VI. Recital that Officers of the Customs have been abused, &c.

Persons abusing, &c. Officers.; Imprisonment, till next Quarter Sessions, and Penalty not exceeding £100, and to remain till discharged by Exchequer.

And whereas of late some of the persons appointed by His Majesty for managing the Customes and the Officers of the Customes and theire Deputies have been hindred affronted abused beaten and wounded to the hazard of theire lives in the due execution of theire several trusts & services in theire respective places by armed companies and multitudes of men and goods prohibited and uncustomed have by force and violence as well by Land as by Water been forcibly carried and conveyed away Bee it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That where any Officer or Officers shall be by any person or persons armed with Club or any manner of Weapon forcibly hindred affronted abused beaten or wounded as aforesaid either on board any Ship or Vessel or upon the Land or Water in the due execution of theire Office all and every person and persons so resisting affronting abusing beating or wounding the said Officer or Officers or theire Deputies or such as shall act in theire aid or assistance shall by the next Justice of Peace or other Magistrate be committed to Prison there to remain till the next Quarter Sessions And the Justices of the Peace of the said Quarter Sessions shall and are hereby impowered to punish the Offender by Fine not exceeding One hundred pounds and the Offender is to remaine in Prison till he be discharged by Order of the Exchequer both of the Fine and of the Imprisonment or discover the person that set him on worke to the end he may be legally proceeded against.