Lace Act 1697

II. Such Importation, &c. a common Nuisance,

and the Goods may be seized; and any Person, with a Constable, &c. may enter in the Daytime to search, &c.; Justice to grant Warrant.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Importation Selling Bartering offering to sale or Barter or knowingly keeping for that purpose any Forreigne Bone-lace Needle-work Point or Cutt-work shall be and is hereby declared to be a co[m]mon Nusance and shall be so adjudged and taken to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever And that the said prohibited Goods or any part thereof shall and may be seized and the Offenders prosecuted by any Person whatsoever And further that it shall and may be lawfull for any Person or Persons with a Constable or Tythingman with a Warrant from a Justice of Peace in the Day time to enter and goe into any House Shopp Cellar Warehouse or Room or other Place whatsoever to search for and seize any of the prohibited Goods before mentioned and in case of Resistance to break open Doors Chests Trunks and other Package whatsoever there to seize and from thence to bring any of the Goods prohibited by this Act And every Justice of the Peace is hereby authorized and impowered to grant such Warrant to any credible Person or Persons making Oath that hee or they have reason to suspect or beleive that there are some of the said prohibited Goods in the Place or Places where hee or they intend to search.