CCCLXXXVIII. Governor in Virginia. Proclamation
August 31, 1623
Manuscript Records Virginia Company, III, pt. ii, p. 48a
Document in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
List of Records No. 556
A proclamation touching the rates of Comodities.
By the Governor and Captaine generall of Virginia.
Whereas the rates and prices of Comodities here in Virginia haue of late
and by degrees growne to a most exessiue and vnconscionable height, not
only in Tobacco, but in ready mony, to the great greivaunce of this State
and Comon-wealth, the greatest abuse wherein, hath risen by Sackℯ, Strong
waters, and other such Drinkℯ, especially from the com̃on sort of people,
who will giue any rate rather then want them: wch mischeif being likely to
grow and encrease dayly (to the great weakning and impoverishing of this
Colony) if some course be not taken for the p̢sent remedy and future
p̢vention thereof: The Governor, therefore, (wth the advice of the Counse
of State) hath ordered and appointed, and by these p̢sentℯ doth straightly
charg and Com̃and, that no p̱son or p̱sons here in Virginia either Adven-
turer or Planter, shall vent, vtter, barter or sell any of these Comodities
followinge for aboue the prices hereafter in these p̢sentℯ menc̃oned (viz)
|
|
1 s d |
|
1 s d |
|
| Sherry Sack |
|
0—4—0 |
|
0—6—0 |
|
| Canary & Malaga |
|
0—6—0 |
|
0—9—0 |
|
| Allegant & Tent |
p̱ gallon_ |
0—6—0 |
in ready
Mony |
0—9—0 |
|
| Muskadell & Bastard |
|
0—6—0 |
|
0—9—0 |
in Tobacco. |
| Aquavitae |
|
0—4—0 |
|
0—6—0 |
|
| Sallet Oyle |
|
0—6—0 |
|
0—9—0 |
|
| Wyne Vineger |
p̱ gallon_ |
0—3—0 |
in ready
Mony |
0—4—0 |
in Tobacco. |
| Syder & beare vineger |
|
0—2—0 |
|
0—3—0 |
|
| Loafe Sugar |
|
0—2—0 |
|
0—3—0 |
|
| Powder Sugar |
p̱ pound_ |
0—1—8 |
in ready
mony |
0—2—6 |
in Tobacco. |
| Butter & Cheese |
|
0—0—8 |
|
0—1—0 |
|
| Newfound-Land ffifish |
|
0—15—0 |
|
1—4—0 |
|
| Canada ffish |
p̱ Centid_ |
2—0—0 |
in ready
mony |
3—10—0 |
in Tobacco. |
And because it is impossible for them to sett perticuler and certaine rates
and prices vpon all sortℯ of goodℯ, wares, and Comodities by reason of
the differences of kindℯ and degrees in goodnes: It is further Ordered, and
appointed, that no p̱son whatsoever either Adventuror or Planter, shall
vent, vtter, barter or sell, any goodℯ wares, or Com̃odities of what kind or
Condic̃on soeur, for aboue profitt and advantage then ten shillings in the
pound in mony and twentie shillings in Tobacco, according as the said
Comodities are worth the first peny in England: vppon paine of forfeiture
and confiscation of all such mony and Tobacco received, or due for
Comodities so sould (contrary to the aforesaid orders) the one half to the
Informer, the other half to the State. And if any shall buy any goodℯ or
Comodities aboue the aforesaid rates and prices, and shall not wth ten
dayes after such sale (or sooner if such goodℯ were bought of any Shipp
wch is sooner to depart) informe the Governor or some one of the Counsell
of State thereof; that then the said Buyer shall forfeit the valew of the said
goodℯ, the on half to the Informer, and the other half to the State. And
it is further ordered and appointed, that if any Marchaunt or other,
haueing sould his goodℯ shall dislike his Tobacco, and (vppon triall by
sufficient men vppon theire oathes) the said Tobacco shalbe found not
Marchauntable, then it shalbe brought into the Markett place of James
Cittie and there burnt. Given att James Citty the 31
th day of August
1623.
