FOREIGN TOBACCO PROHIBITED. 61 
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, “redue- 
ing the Country and Government into his own immediate 
