Excise Act 1663

XV. Brewers, &c. bribing Officers;

Penalty £ 10.; Officer receiving Bribe; Penalty £10.; How such Offences to be proved.; Penalties may be levied by Distress.

And be it further enacted by the Authoritie aforesaid That from and after the said First day of September noe Brewer or other person whatsoever shall bribe or corrupt, or give any Money Fee or other Reward whatsoever to any Gager or Gagers or other Officer whatsoever to make any false Returne or Reporte into the office of Excise of any Beere Ale or other Liquors exciseable made or brewed or to be made or brewed within his or their Charge Division or Walke, or to forbeare or omit the doeing or executeing of his or their Places or Imployments upon penalty of Ten pounds for every such Offence, And that noe Sworne Gager or Gagers or other Officer whatsoever shall directly or indirectly take and receive any Bribe Money Fee Gift or other Reward of any Brewer or other person whatsoever for any cause or matter relateing to the Excise upon Penaltie that every such Sworne Gager or other Officer soe offending shall for every such Offence forfeite and loose the summe of Ten pounds, all and every of which said respective offences shall be proved by the Oathes of Two lawfull and credible Witnesses before Two Justices of the Peace or Cheife Magistrate of the place where such offence shall be committed which said Justices or Magistrates respectively have hereby power to administer the said Oathes and alsoe to examine adjudge and determine the same, and to cause such penalties by Warrant under their Hands and Seales to be leavyed by Distresse and Sale of the Offenders Goods, rendring to the party the overplus and for want of such Distresse to committ every such Offender to the common Gaole of such County [X1 or Place] there to remaine by the space of Three Moneths without Baile or Maineprize,

Editorial Information

X1 interlined on the Roll