East India Company Act 1697

XXI. Refiners of Rock Salt having before paid the Duty, to have an additional Abatement of 2s. 4d. per Bushel. Salt weighed in the Presence of Officer, and Oath taken as herein mentioned.

And to the Intent that Salt made by melting and refining of Rock-Salt may not contrary to the true Intent and Meaning of this Act be charged more than other English Salt Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That where any such Rock-Salt shall be melted and refined which had before paid the Duty imposed by this Act according to the Direction of the same the Person who shall make such Salt by refining shall (over and above his Allowance by any former Act) receive by virtue of this Act an Allowance and Abatement of the Duty on the Salt by him so made after the Rate and Proportion of Two Shillings and Four Pence for every Bushel of such Rock-Salt so melted and refined which had paid the Duty as aforesaid And being weighed in the Presence of the Officer before melted down and Oath being first made before some Justice of the Peace near adjoyning to such Salt-works of the particular Quantities of the said Rock-Salt so by him imployed in making the said Salt by refining which Oath the said Justice of the Peace is hereby impowred to administer and upon due Proof by Oath or otherwise made of the Payment of the Duty imposed by this Act.