1781: 21 George 3 c.28: An Act to permit, during the present Hostilities, the Importation of Goods, the Produce of the Plantations of the Crown of Portugal, into Great Britain or Ireland, in Portuguese Vessels; and the Importation of certain other Goods, therein enumerated, in any Neutral Ships and Vessels.

[Preamble.]

‘WHEREAS several Articles cannot, by reason of the present Hostilities, be imported in British Shipping, navigated according to the Laws now in Force, without great Hazard and Expence to the Importers thereof: And whereas it will tend to the general Accommodation and Advantage of the Trade and Manufactures of this Kingdom, if some temporary Relief be given in the Premises;’ for Remedy whereof, may it please your Majesty that it may be enacted; and 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,

[From May 21, 1781, Portuguese Goods may be imported into Great Britain or Ireland in Portuguese Vessels.]

That, from and after the twenty-first Day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and during the Continuance of this Act, it shall and may be lawful for any Person or Persons to import any Goods or Commodities, of the Growth, Production, or Manufacture of any Island, Colony, or Plantation, belonging to, or under the Dominion of, the Crown of Portugal, into Great Britain or Ireland, in any Ship or Vessel belonging to any of the Subjects of the Crown of Portugal, from any Port or Place in Portugal, or the Western Islands, commonly called The Azores or Madeira Islands; any Law, Custom, or Usage, to the contrary notwithstanding.

[Certain Goods may be imported in any Neutral Vessels.]

II. And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That, from and after the said twenty-first Day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and during the Continuance of this Act, it shall and may be lawful for any Person or Persons to import into Great Britain or Ireland all Sorts of Wool and Barilla, and Jesuits Bark and Linen Yarn, from any Country or Place whatsoever, in any Ship or Vessel belonging to any Kingdom or State in Amity with his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, navigated by foreign Seamen; any Law, Custom, or Usage, to the contrary notwithstanding.

[Goods imported in foreign Vessels liable to Aliens Duties.]

III. Provided always, and it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That such Goods as are, in pursuance of this Act, imported into Great Britain, in any foreign Ship or Vessel, shall be subject and liable to the Aliens and all other Duties, in the same Manner as they would be liable to by Law if such Ships were of the Built of the Country of which the Goods are the Growth, Production, or Manufacture.

[Continuance of this Act.]

IV. And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That this Act shall have Continuance during the present Hostilities with France, Spain, and the United Provinces, or either of them, and no longer.

Source: Ruffhead, Statutes at Large, Vol. 14.