Encouragement of Trade Act 1663

Reasons for passing this Act.

Prices at which Corn may be exported; paying Rates for the same as under 12 Car. II. c. 4.

Forasmuch as the encourageing of Tillage ought to be in an especiall manner regaurded and endeavoured and the surest and effectualest meanes of promoting and advanceing any Trade Occupation or Mistery being by rendring it proffitable to the users thereof, And great quantities of Land within this Kingdome for the present lyeing in a manner waste and yeilding litle which might thereby be improved to considerable Proffitt and Advantage (if sufficient incouragement were given for the laying out of cost and labour on the same) and thereby much more Corne produced, greater numbers of People Horses and Catle imployed and other Land alsoe rendred more valueable Be it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majestie with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authoritie thereof, And it is hereby enacted That from and after the First day of September in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and three and from thenceforward when the prices of Corne and Graine Winchester measure doe not exceed the rates hereafter following at the Havens or Places where the same shall be shipped or loaden (viz) The Quarter of Wheate Eight and forty Shillings, the Quarter of Barly or Malt Eight and twenty Shillings, The Quarter of Bucke wheate Eight and twenty shillings, The Quarter of Oates Thirteene Shillings and fower pence, The Quarter of Rye Two and Thirty Shillings The Quarter of Pease or Beanes Two and Thirty Shillings currant English Money That then it shall be lawfull for all and every person and persons to shipp load carry and transport any of the said Corns or Graines from the Havens or Places where they shall be of such Prices unto any parts beyond the Seas as Merchandice, Any Law Statute or Usage to the contrary notwithstanding paying such Rates for the same and none other as are to be paid when the same might have beene transported by one Act passed this present Parliament entituled A Subsidy granted to the King of Tonnage and Poundage,