A PROCLAMATION TO RESTRAINE THE PLANTING OF TOBACCO IN ENGLAND AND
WALES.
It is not unknowen what dislike Wee have ever had of the use of
Tobacco, as tending to a generall and new corruption, both of mens
bodies and maners: Neverthelesse it is of the two, more tolerable,
that the same should be imported amongst many other vanities and
superfluities which come from beyond the Seas, then permitted to be
planted here within this Realme, thereby to abuse and misimploy the
soile of this fruitfull Kingdome: For which purpose by Our direction,
Letters of late have beene addressed from our Councell of State,
prohibiting the plantation thereof within a certaine distance of Our
City of London: But entring into further consideration of the manifold
inconveniences of suffering this nourishment of vice, (and nothing
else) as a noysome and running Weede, to multiply and overspread within
this Our Kingdome, Wee are resolved upon many and weightie reasons of
State, to make the said Prohibition generall.
For first, Wee are informed, That whereas the use of forreine Tobacco
was chiefly vented, and received in Cities and great Townes, where ryot
and excesse useth to take place, it is now by the Inland plantation
become promiscuous, and begun to be taken in every meane Village, even
amongst the basest people.
Secondly, Wee are given to understand from divers persons of skill and
experience, That the English Tobacco, howsoever some doe presume or
imagine by industrie and experience to rectifie it, and make it good
(wherein it is easie for opinion to doe mischiefe) yet it is certeinly
in it selfe more crude, poysonous and dangerous for the bodies and
healths of Our Subjects, then that that comes from hotter Climates; So
that the medicinall use of Tobacco (which it is that that is onely good
in it, and to be approoved) is in this kind also corrupted and infected.
Thirdly, Whereas Our Colonies and Plantations in Virginia and the
Sommer Islands, (being proper and naturall Climates for that plant,
and the true temper thereof) receive much comfort by the Importation
thereof into this Kingdome, (which it is to be respected at least in
the Interim, untill Our said Colonies may grow to yeeld better and more
solide commodities) Now the said Trading from thence is and will be by
the Plantation within this Realme, choaked and overthrowen.
Fourthly, Wee doe find also, that the reason that mooved Us to
interdict the planting thereof neere the Citie of London, (which was in
regard of the conversions of garden grounds, and rich soyled grounds
from divers Roots and Herbes, fit for victuall and sustenance, unto
this harmefull vanitie) extendeth likewise unto all Cities, Townes and
Villages, and rather more, by how much the povertie is greater there,
then here above.
And lastly, for that it doeth manifestly tend to the diminution of Our
Customes, which is a thing, that although in case of good Manufactures,
and necessary commodities Wee doe little esteeme; Yet where it shall
be taken from Us, and no good but rather hurt thereby redound to Our
people, Wee have reason to preserve.
Wee therefore intending in time to provide a remedie for this spreading
evill, which hath in a very few yeeres dispersed it selfe into most
parts of Our Kingdomes, doe hereby straightly charge and command all
and every person and persons of what degree or condition soever,
That they or any of them, by themselves, their servants, workemen or
labourers, doe not from and after the second day of Februarie next,
presume to sow, set, or plant, or cause to be sowen, set or planted,
within this Our Realme of England, or Dominion of Wales, any sort or
kinde of Tobacco whatsoever, And that they or any of them, shall not,
or doe not hereafter maintaine, or continue any olde stockes, or plants
of Tobacco, formerly sowen or planted, but shall foorthwith utterly
destroy and roote up the same, converting and imploying the ground and
soyle thereof to some other lawfull uses and purposes, as to them shall
seeme best, upon paine of contempt of Our Royall commandement, to be
proceeded with according to Our Lawes, and Prerogative Royall with all
severitie.
And therefore, for the more due execution of the premisses, Wee doe
further will, require and command all Mayors, Sheriffes, Justices of
Peace, Bayliffes, Constables, and other Officers and ministers, to
whom it shall or may appertaine, That they and every of them, shall
from time to time diligently and carefully intend the due and exact
observation of this Our Royall pleasure, And that they permit not, nor
suffer any thing to be done, contrary to the true intent and meaning of
this Our Proclamation, but withstand the same to their uttermost power,
as they tender Our service: And further that they take order that such
offenders, labourers, or workemen, as shal persist in the sowing or
planting of Tobacco, in this Our Realme or Dominion of Wales, or in the
maintaining or continuing any old stocks, or former plantations thereof
hereafter, may be called before them, and be bound in Recognizances
of good summes to Our use, to appeare in Our Court of Starrechamber,
there to be prosecuted by Our Attourney generall, as contemners of Our
expresse Commandement, Proclamation, and Prerogative Royall; wherein
(especially in a cause of this nature) Wee will expect, and require of
all Our Subjects, their due conformitie and obedience.
Given at Our Palace of Westminster the thirtieth day of December, in
the seventeenth yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine, France and
Ireland.