“...Great abuses are daily committed
to the prejudice of the English navigation, and the loss of a great
part of the plantation trade to this kingdom, by the artifice and
cunning of ill-disposed persons...For the more effectual preventing
of frauds, and regulating abuses in the plantation trade in America,
be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all ships
coming into, or going out of, any of the said plantations, and lading
or unlading any goods of commodities...shall be subject and liable to
the same rules, visitations, searches, penalties, and forfeitures, as
to the entering, lading or discharging their respective ships...the
officers for collecting and managing his Majesty's revenue, and
inspecting the plantation trade, in any of the said plantations,
shall have the samepowers and authorities, for visiting and searching
of ships, and taking these entries, and for seizing or securing or
bringing on shore any of the goods, prohibited to be imported or
exported...to enter houses or warehouses, to search for and seize any
such goods...”
William III, April 10, 1696
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