FOREIGN TOBACCO PROHIBITED. fa 



In 1624 King James prohibited the importation of foreign 

 tobacco as well as the planting of tobacco in England or 

 Ireland. The following is a portion of the proclamation : 



"Whereas our commons, in their last sessions of parlia- 

 ment became humble petitioners to us, that, for many weighty 

 reasons, much concerning the interest of our kingdom, and 

 the trade thereof, we would by our royal power utterly pro- 

 hibit the use of all foreign tobacco, which is not of the growth 

 of our own dominions : And whereas we have upon all occa- 

 sions made known our dislike we have ever had of the use of 

 tobacco in general, as tending to the corruption both of the 

 health and manners of our people. 



" Nevertheless because we have been often and earnestly 

 importuned by many of our loving subjects, planters, and 

 adventurers in Virginia and the Somer isles ; that, as those 

 colonies are yet but in their infancy, and cannot be brought 

 to maturity, unless we be pleased, for a time, to tolerate unto 

 them the planting and vending of their own growth; we 

 have condescended to their desires : and do therefore hereby 

 strictly prohibit the importation of any tobacco from beyond 

 sea, or from Scotland, into England or Ireland other than 

 from our colonies before named ; moreover we strictly pro- 

 hibit the planting of any tobacco either in England or 

 Ireland." 



Thus King James by Proclamation and Prohibition set his 

 face sternly against the growth and traffic in the plant, which 

 opposition knew no alteration and continued till his death, 

 which occurred in 1625. James was succeeded by his son 

 Charles I. On ascending the throne Charles manifested the 

 same hostility towards the plant which his father had. He 

 prohibited the importation of all tobacco excepting that 

 grown by the colony, and throughout his reign made no 

 change in the restrictive laws against its growth and sale. 

 He continued its sale, however, as a kingly monopoly, allow- 

 ing only those to engage in it who paid him for the privilege. 

 The Company had now raised a capital of two hundred 

 thousand pounds, but falling into dispute and disagreeing 

 one with another, Charles thought best to establish a royal 

 government. 



Accordingly he dissolved the Company in 1626, "reduc- 

 ing the Country and Government into his own immediate 



