Plantation Trade Act 1695

IX. Recital that Frauds have been committed in the Plantation Trade by false Certificates of Security, and of having discharged Lading, &c.

Where Governor of Plantation has reasonable Suspicion of false Certificates, &c; Proceedings; Counterfeiting Certificate, Cocket, &c. or using the same; Penalty £500, and Certificate, &c. invalid.

And whereas great Frauds and Abuses have beene committed by Scotch men and others in the Plantation Trade by obtruding false and counterfeite Certificates upon the Governour and Officers in the Plantations appointed by His Majesties Commissioners of the Customes in England of haveing given Security in this Kingdome to bring the Ladings of Plantation Goods to England Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed as alsoe Certificates of haveing discharged theire lading of Plantation Goods in this Kingdome pursuant to Securities taken in the Plantation and also Cocketts or Certificates of haveing taken in their Ladings of European Goods in England Wales or Berwick by meanes whereof they may carry the Goods of Scotland and other Places of Europe without shipping or lading the same in England Wales or Berwick to His Majesties Plantations and also carry the Goods of the Plantations directly to Scotland or to any Markett in Europe without bringing the same into England Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed Itt is hereby further enacted That in such Cases where the Governour or Officers appointed by the Commissioners of the Customes in the Plantations shall have reasonable ground of Suspition that such Certificates are false or couterfeit (that is to say) that the Certificate of having given Security in England is false In such Case the Governour or Officers appointed by the Commissioners of the Customes shall require and take sufficient Security there for the Discharge of the Plantation lading in England Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed And in such Case where there shall bee Cause to suspect that the Certificates of haveing discharged her Lading of Plantation Goods in this Kingdome is false or counterfeit the Governour or Officers aforesaid shall not cancell or vacate the Security given in the Plantation untill hee or they shall bee informed from the Commissioners of the Customes in England that the Matter of the said Certificate is true And if any Person or Persons shall counterfeite rase or falsify any Cockett Certificate Returne or Permit for any Vessell or Goods or shall knowingly or willingly make use thereof such Person or Persons shall forfeite the Summe of Five hundred Pounds to bee recovered and disposed of as aforesaid and the Cockett Certificate Returne or Permit soe counterfeited rased or falsified shall be invalid and of noe effect.