1697, April 21st. "An Act to Enable the City and County of Albany To defray Their necessary Charge." "Whereas there was an act of Generall Assembly made in the seveneth year of His Majesties Reigne intitled an act to Enable the City and County of Albany to defray their necessary charge for two years from the publication thereof which act doth Terminate by its own limitation upon the ffirst day of July next And the Representatives of the said City and County of Albany humbly praying That the said act may be Reveived and continued ffor two years Longer after the Expiration of the Said act Bee it therefore Enacted by His Excellency the Governour and Councill and Representatives convened in Generall Assembly And it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same, the Imposition or rate of two per Cent shall be raised and Levyed upon all Indian goods that are Brought up to that City and County of Albany and there sold and Consumed, also that the Impost of Three pence be raised and Levyed upon each gallon of rum that is sold and consumed within that City and County and for the due and orderly collecting of the Respective Imposts and Rates the Treasurer of the Said City for the time being or any appointed by him and the Mayor of the Said City under the publick seale of the said City are hereby Impowered and authorized to appoint constitute and Establish a Collector or Receiver of the rates and Imposts aforesaid who shall have Power to Receive the same and to Enter In a fair Booke kept for that purpose all Such Sume and Sums of money as shall be so entered, and record for the respective dutys aforesaid. The said Collector or Receiver appointing certaine convenient Times and plans for the keeping of the Office as shall be directed by the Court of Mayor and Aldermen and Assistants of the said City & all persons that trade and bring up to the said City and County the aforementioned Indian goods and rum are hereby Required to make a report of the quantity and value of Such goods and rum they so bring up and all Sell in the City and County aforesaid and pay the duties and Imposts Hereby Established without being at any ffurther charge then the said duty and in Default hereof it shall be lawfull for the Mayor Treasurer or any other officer hereby authorized to Issue out his or their Warrants under his or their hand and Seale for the seizing of all Such goods & rum as shall be Embezeled and not pay the dutyes aforesaid, one third to the Informer and one third to the said City and County of Albany and one third to his Excellency the Governour or Commander in chiefe for the time being provided that all the sume and sumes of money that are hereby Received shall be only appropriated and applyed to the defraying of the necessary charges of the City and County aforesaid and that the Treasurer Collector or Receiver for the time being shall not pay any of the money received as aforesaid but by warrant from the Mayor of the said City and Approved by the Justices of the peace of the County Provided that this act shall only remain in force for the space of Two years and no longer and to Commence upon the expiration of the former acts any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof notwithstanding." 1699, April 22nd. "A Bill for the Comitting of Ebenezer Willson and Samuel Burt ffarmers of the Excise of the Island of Nassau for their Contemptuous Refusing to render an Account of what they farmed the same for to the Respective Counties Towns and Mannors on the said Island for the Last Yeare." "WHEREAS all just Improvement of his Majesties Revenue in this province is not only highly Important to his Majesties Service but tends to the good Wellfare Benefitt and behoof of all the Inhabitants therein, and his Excellency the Governor, and Councell mett in Generall Assembly having the same under their consideration upon a due Inspection into the severall Branches thereof doe find that the Excise for severall yeares last past lett to ffarme either by fraud Colusion or great Negligence in those who have been Impowered to lett it has Rendred this last yeare in one County much lesse, than in former yeares it has been lett for, and that the Excise of the Island of Nassau has not produced what might Reasonably be Expected in proportion to the other parts of this province That in order to Discover the truth of such management past as well as to Enable them how best to Improve the same for the future, have thought fitt to Require such ffarmers of the said Excise of Nassau Island to lay before this house upon oath the most plain and perfect Account they are able to give of what they have lett the Excise of the SEVERALL Towns Mannors and Jurisdictions within the said Island of Nassau the last yeare of their ffarm aforesaid, and Mr. Samuell Burt and Captain Ebenezer Willson of this City having owne they did ffarm the same and being often Required for the Reasons aforesaid to Render to this house such Account soe necessary for his Majesties Service and in order to Detect all fraud and Negligence in all those who have lett the same as well as for the Better Improvement of that branch of his Majesties Revenue for the future The said Burt and Willson without giving any sufficient Reason, in Contempt of his Majesties authority with which this house in the Quality they are now Sitting is Invested willfully and Stubbornly have done and doe refuse to give any such account as Required Be it THEREFORE ENACTED by his Excellency the Governor and Councill and Representatives Convened in Generall Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same That the said Samuell Burt and Ebenezer Willson be and Stand Committed into safe Custody without Baile or Mainprize untill they shall Exhibit under their hands upon oath the most plain and perfect Account they are able to give of what they have lett the Excise of the severall Towns Mannors and Jurisdictions within the said Island of Nassau for the last yeare of their ffarm aforesaid as in duty they ought to do any Law or Statute to the Contrary hereof Notwithstanding." 1699, May 16th. "A Bill for ye raiseing of an Additional Duty for ye defraying ye Debts of ye Govermt." "The Representatives Convened in General Assembly haveing under their Considera con how much ye Credit of ye Goverm't has been Exhausted for ye want of haveing ye Debts of ye Goverm't paid and Sattisfied as in Justice they ought to be & being willing that ye Creditt of ye Governm't should not Sinke but ye Same may be Supported & those who have been forward to Credit & Assist ye Goverm't upon Sundry Emergencies may be Lawfully recompensed and Sattisfied for such their Service and y't ye Contingent charge of ye Goverm't may be sustained have agreed y't ye additional Dutys & Rates hereinafter menconed should be Levyed Collected and paid. And pray that that it may be ENACTED Bee it therefore ENACTED by his Excel and Council and Representatives Convened in Generall Assembly and be it ENACTED by ye Authority of ye Same That there shall be raised Levyed Collected and paid into his Ma'ty for and Dureing the Space and terme of two yeares from and after ye publication of this act and no longer the Severall rates and Duties hereinafter menconed over and above all other Duties Charges Impositions rates and Customes by any former Act & Acts Sett Established and Imposed That is to say ye rate duty and Custome of Six p Cent upon all goods wares and merchandize of ye Growth production or manufacture of Europe that shall from and after ye publication hereof be Imported into this province and Dependencies from any other part or place than his Ma'tys Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales & town of Barwick upon tweed And also ye rate Duty and Custome of Tenn per Cent upon all Woollen manufactures made in our neighbouring Colonies w'ch shall be Imported into this province and Dependencies from and after ye publication hereof And also ye rate and Duty of tenn Shillings Currant mony aforesaid for each pipe of wine, that shall be Imported as aforesaid and So in proportion for a greater & Lesser quantity and the Sume of Thirty Shillings Currant mony aforesaid for each pipe of wine that shall be Imported as aforesaid from any other part or place than ye part and place where the Said wine was made and So in proportion for a greater and Lesser quantity and the Sum of one halfe penny Currant mony aforesaid for each gallon of Rum Imported as aforesaid And ye Sum of two pence Currant mony aforesaid for each gallon of Rum yt shall be Imported as aforesaid from any other part or place than ye part and place where ye Said Rum is made and Distilled And the Sum of three shillings Currant mony aforesaid for each barrell of Beer that shall be Imported as aforesaid, and So in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity And be it further ENACTED by ye authority aforesaid that ye Severall Rates and Duties hereby Imposed on ye goods wares merchandizes and Liquors aforesaid shall be raised Levyed Collected recovered & paid unto his ma'tys Collector and Receiver Generall for ye time being dureing ye terme before menconed in ye Same manner and forme and by Such allowances wayes and meanes and under Such penalties fines and forfeitures as are menconed Expressed and Directed in and by an act of Generall Assembly made in this present Session of Assembly Intitled an Act for granting unto his ma'ty Severall Duties for ye Defraying ye publick Charge of ye Goverm't after ye time Lymitted in an act Confirmeing & Continuing unto their Ma'tys ye Revenue Established by an Act of Generall Assembly for defraying ye publick & necessary Charges of ye Goverm❜t is Expired in as full and ample manner as if ye Same were perticularly recited in this said Act any thing to ye Contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding." 1699, May 16th. "An Act to Enable ye City & County of Albany to Defray their necessary Charge." "WHEREAS there was an Act of Generall Assembly made in ye Nineth yeare of his Ma'tys Reign Entituled an Act to Enable the Citty and County of Albany to defray their necessary Charge for two yeares from the publication thereof, which Act Doth Terminate by its owne Limittacon upon ye first day of July next, and ye Representatives of ye said Citty and County of Albany humbly praying that ye Said Act may be Renewed & Continued for two yeares Longer, after ye Expiracon of ye said Act BEE it therefore ENACTED by his Excellency the Governor & Council & Representatives Convened in Generall Assembly And it is hereby ENACTED by ye authority of ye Same, That ye Imposition or rate of two per Cent shall be raised & Levyed upon all Indian Goods that are brought up to ye Said Citty & County of Albany and there Sold and Consumed and also y't ye Impost of three pence be raised and Levyed upon each Gallon of Rum that is Sold and Consumed within yt Citty and County and for ye due and orderly Collecting of ye respective Imposts and Rates, The treasurer of ye Said Citty for ye time being or any appointed by him & ye May'r of ye said Citty under ye publick Seal of ye Said City are hereby Impowered and authorized to appoint Constitute and Establish a Collector or Receiver of ye Rates & Imposts aforesaid who shall have power to receive the Same, & to enter in a faire book kept for y't purpose all Such Sum and Sumes of mony as shall so entred & rece'd for ye respective Dutyes aforesaid ye said Collector or Receiver apointing Certain Convenient times & places for ye keeping of ye office as shall be Directed by ye Court of May'r & Aldermen and Assistants of ye said Citty and all persons that trade & bring up to ye said Citty & County ye aforemenconed Indian goods & Rum are hereby required to make a report of ye quantity & vallue of Such goods & Rum they so bring up & sell, in ye Citty & County aforesaid & pay ye Duties and Imposts hereby Established w'thout being at any further Charge than ye said Duty and in Default hereof it shall be Lawfull for ye May'r treasurer or any other officer hereby Authorized to Issue out his or their warrant under his or their hand & Seal for ye Seizing of all Such goods & Rum as shall be Imbezzled & not pay ye Duties aforesaid one third to the Informer one third to ye s'd Citty & County of Albany and one third to his Excel the Gov'r Comander in Cheif for ye time being provided that all ye Sum & Sums of mony that are hereby rece'd shall be only appropriated & applyed to ye defraying of ye necessary Charge of ye Citty & County aforesaid and y't the treasurer Collector or Receiver for ye time being Shall not pay any of ye mony rece'd as aforesaid but by warrant from ye May'r of ye said Citty and approved by ye Justices of ye peace of ye said County, provided that this act shall only remaine in force for ye Space of two Yeares & no Longer and to Comence upon the Expiracon of ye former Act anything Contained herein to ye Contrary hereof notwithstanding." 1699, May 15th. "An Act for Granting unto his Majesty Several Duties for the defraying the publick Charge of the Government after the time limitted in an Act, entituled, AN Act Confirming and Continuing unto their Majesties the Revenue Established by an Act of General Assembly for Defraying the Publick and Necessary Charge of the Government, is expired." "WHEREAS the Act of Assembly, entituled An Act confirming and continuing unto their Majesties the Revenue established by an Act of General Assembly made in the fourth Year of their Majesties Reign, for defraying the Publick and Necessary Charges of the Government, five years longer than the Term therein mentioned, doth expire by its own Limitation upon the 18th day of MAY, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1700. And Whereas the great Happiness which hath attended this Province since his Majesties auspicious Reign, doth call for the grateful Acknowledgment of all the good Subjects of this his Majesties Province, for so great a blessing, which by the goodness of Almighty God this and all his Majesties Kingdoms, and other Dominions, do enjoy under his gracious and vigilent Government. In most humble sence whereof, the Representatives convened in General Assembly, having also in their Consideration the extraordinary Care which his Majesty hath at all times taken for the Safety and Welfare of this Province; and being willing to give such fresh Demonstrations and Assurances of their constant and unshaken Loyalty, and most dutiful Affec tions unto his most Excellent Majesty, do therefore freely and heartily give and grant unto his most Excellent Majesty, for and during the time, term and space of six years, from and after the 18th day of MAY, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1700 the Rates, Duties, Excise and Sums of Money herein after mentioned, for the defraying the necessary Charge of the Government. And do must humbly pray that it may be Enacted and be it therefore Enacted by his Excellency, the Governour, and Councill and Representatives convened in General Assembly. AND IT IS HEREBY ENACTED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SAME. That there shall be raised levyed, Collected paid and satisfied unto his Majesty for the time, term and space of six years, from and after the said 18th day of May which shall be in the year of our Lord 1700 for the use aforesaid the Rates, Duties, Impositions & Excise upon the Goods, Wares, Merchandizes, Furs, Wines and other Liquors hereinafter mentioned, in manner and Form following, that is to say. "For every Gallon of Rum, Brandy and distilled Liquors, that shall be Imported into this Province and Dependencies aforesaid, the Sum of Four Pence current Money of this Province, And for every pipe of Madera, Malmsey, Fyal, St. Georges, Passedo, Canary, Mallego, Sherry and all other sort of Sweet Wines the Sum of Forty Shillings current money ANNUAL REPORT OF THE aforesaid; and so in proportion for greater and smaller Quantities Imported as aforesaid. * * * * "And for every Hogshead of Red, White and Rhenish Wines the Sum of Twenty Shillings current money aforesaid and so in Proportion for all greater and smaller Quantities, Imported as aforesaid. ** * * * * * * "And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That there be also given and granted unto his said Majesty, for the purpose aforesaid, the Duty of Excise upon all Liquors retailed throughout the Province and Dependencies aforesaid, under the Quantity of five Gallons, the sum of twelve Pence, current Money aforesaid, for each Gallon so retailed (Beer and Syder only excepted) and likewise the sum of six shillings for each Barrel of Beer and Syder sold by Retail through out this Province. * * * * * * * "And for the due and orderly collecting of all Duties of Excise hereby given and granted, Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that all Retailers of Wine, Rum, Brandy, or any other Strong Liquors, within this Province or Dependencies, shall, upon there purchase and receipt of all such Liquor or Liquors, before Expressed and Excisable, come to the Office or Offices of the Excise, and there, or with him make Entry of all such Liquor or Liquors as they shall buy or receive, and pay such Duties as are hereby appointed, within twenty four hours, or at such convenient time as the Officer of Excise shall appoint; and on Default thereof, all such Liquors as shall be found in any Retailers House, or Ware-house, Cellar, or other place belonging unto him, within this Province or Dependencies, and have not been duely entered, and paid the Duties of Excise, as aforesaid, then and in such case, upon Conviction by Oath of one or more credible Witnesses, before any Justice of the Peace within this Province & Dependencies, the said Retailer or Retailers so offending in the premises shall forfeit all such Liquors & three times the value thereof, one third to his Majesty, one third to the Governor and one third to the Informer who shall prosecute the same before any Justice of the Peace throughout this Province and Dependencies, who are hereby Authorized and Impowered to hear and determine the same, and if need be, to issue out their Warrant for the seizing and condemning of all such Liquors forfeited as aforesaid, and for committing to Goal all such Retailers of Liquors who have not entered and paid the Duties of Excise in manner aforesaid, there to remain without Bail or Main prize until they shall satisfie and make payment of three times the value of such Liquors seized and forfeited as aforesaid. Provided, That he or they have liberty to appeal to the next Sessions of the Peace, giving Security to answer the same. "And be it further Enacted by Authority aforesaid, That if any Person or Persons within this Province & Dependencies, not being duly licensed, shall at any time here after presume to sell by Retail any the Liquors aforesaid that is to say, a less quantity, at one time than five Gallons, the Persons so offending shall forfeit and pay the sum on five Pounds, current Money aforesaid, for every such Offence, being thereof convict by the Oath of one or more credible Witnesses, to be sued aforesaid before any Justice of the Peace throughout the Province, and to be imployed in such manner and proportion as aforesaid. 66 Alwayes provided, and it is the true intent and meaning of this Act, That no Retailers of Liquors, under five Gallons, or any other that shall sell any Liquor or Strong Liquors, shall take any such Liquor into their Houses, Cellers or Ware-houses, or into any other place belonging unto them, in New-York and Albany, but by the hands of the sworn Porters, under the Penalty aforesaid, to be sued and recovered, for the Uses aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid. Alwayes provided, and it is hereby understood, That there shall no Duty be paid, nor forfeiture made upon any Goods or Merchandize that are not sold or landed within this Province and Dependencies. Always provided, That all Merchants qualified to Trade, by Acts of Navigation and Regulating the Plantation Trade, coming into this Province, or any part thereof, be well and honestly treated and demeaned for |