GREAT BRITAIN. 



STATUTES. 



ACT OF 1699. 



(10 and 11 Wm. Ill, cap. 25.) 

 AN ACT To encourage the trade to Newfoundland. 



Whereas the trade of and fishing at Newfoundland is a beneficial 

 trade to this kingdom, not only in the employing great numbers of 

 seamen and ships, and exporting and consuming great quantities of 

 provisions and manufactures of this realm, whereby many tradesmen 

 and poor artificers are kept at work, but also in bringing into this 

 nation, by returns of the cll'ects of the said fishery from other coun- 

 tries, great quantities of wine, oil, plate, iron, wool, and sundr} 7- other 

 useful commodities, to the increase of his Majesty's revenue, and the 

 encouragement of trade and navigation; be it enacted by the King's 

 most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the 

 lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament 

 assembled, and by the authority of the same, That from henceforth 

 it -hall and may he lawful for all his Majesty's subjects residing within 

 this his realm of England, or the dominions thereunto belonging, 

 trading or that shall trade to Newfoundland, and the seas, rivers, 

 lakes, creeks, harbours in or about Newfoundland, or any of the 

 islands adjoining or adjacent thereunto, to have, use, and enjoy the 

 free trade and tramck, and art of merchandize and fishery, to and 

 from Newfoundland, and peaceably to have, use, and enjoy, the 

 freedom of taking bail and fishing in any of the rivers, lakes, creeks, 

 harbours, or roads, in or about Newfoundland, and the said seas, 

 or any of the islands adjacent thereunto, and liberty to go on shore on 

 any part of Newfoundland, or any of the said islands, for the curing, 

 satting, drying, and husbanding of their fish, and for making of oil, 

 and to (lit down wood iiml trees there for building and making or 

 repairing of . ship-rooms, trainfats, hurdles, ships, boats, and 



other necessaries for themselves and their servants, seamen and 

 fishermen, and all other things which may he useful or advantageous 

 t,, their fishing trade, a- fully and freely as at any time heretofore 

 hath been used or enjoyed there by any or the subjects of his Majesty's 

 royal predecessoi . withoul any hindrance, interruption, denial, 

 or disturbance of or from any person or persons whatsoever; and 

 th.it te. alien or gtranger whatsoever (no1 residing within the king- 

 dom of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Tweed i 



shall at an\ time hereafter take any halt, or use an\ sort of trade or 



fishing whatsoever in Newfoundland, or in anj of the said islands or 



places aho\ .■ mentioned. 



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