Importation Act 1667

IV. Ships bringing Cattle, &c. from beyond Sea, to be forfeited, seized and sold.

The Seamen to be apprehended, and allothers concerned, and sent to the Common Gaol.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid That every Shipp or Vessel with all her Tackle and Apparel in which any great Cattel Swine Sheepe Beef Pork or Bacon from and after the Four and twentieth day of March in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and seaven shall be imported from Ireland or any other parts beyond the Seas into the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed and out of which they or any of them shall be put on Shore there shall be forfeited And that it shall and may be lawfull to and for any person or persons within the space of one yeare after such Importation to take and seize the same Shipp or Vessel with all her Tackle and Apparel and to make sale thereof to the best advantage and that one halfe of the Moneys to be raised by such Sale shall be disposed of to the use of the Poor of the Parish where the same shall be so seized the other halfe to be to his or their use that, shall so seize the same And alsoe that it shall and may be lawfull to and for any Justice of Peace of the County or Cheif Officer of the Port Town in or neare the place where such Importation shall be made or where any of the Cattel Sheep Swine Beef Pork or Bacon so imported shall be driven or brought by Warrant under the Hand and Seale of such Justice of Peace or Cheif Officer to cause to be apprehended all and every the Masters Mariners and Seamen having Charge of or belonging to such Ship or Vessel in which such Importation shall be made and all and every other person and persons acting or imployed in the landing driving attending on or taking care or charge of the said Cattel Sheep Swine Beef Pork or Bacon imported as aforesaid and them to commit to the Common Goal of the said County there to remain without Bail or Mainprize for me space of three Moneths