526 Assembly Proceedings, May 10-June g, 1692.

Lib. L. L.
No. 1.

June 2^d 1692 June the 2^d 1692
Assented to by the Councill Board. The house of Assembly
Signed p Ord^r have Assented
John LLewellin Clk. Signed p Ord^r
Hen: Denton Clk.

An Act against Ingrosers
and Regrators.

Forasmuch as hitherto no Law hath been made w^thin this
Province for restraining and prohibiting Ingrosing & Regrat-
ing the undue and too frequent practice whereof hath been
and is still highly oppressive and injurious to the greater part
of the Inhabitants of this Province who by means thereof
deprived and wholy prevented from the benefit of laying out
their Cropps of Tobacco or any part thereof with the Mer-
chant adventurer their factors or others bringing all sorts of
Goods Merchandizes and Servants for the purchase thereof
whilst a Covetous and active sort of People but few in number
of the Inhabitants of this Province do buy and purchase all or
most part of the Goods Merchandizes and Servants yearly

p. 180

brought into this Province (without consignment) for the
Purchase of Tobacco And all be it they have not Tobacco
of their own, whereby to pay for the Goods Merchandizes
and Servants so by them from time to time bought and
purchased, Nevertheless such is the necessity of the Province
that within a few days after such purchase they can regrate
the said Goods Merchandizes and Servants and with small
part of the Tobacco therewith purchased pay and Satisfy
for all the said goods Merchandizes and Servants and be
ready for another Market, thereby not only Enhancing the
price of all Goods Merchandizes and Servants, but making
severall returns in one Shipping Season and in the meantime
the greater number of the Inhabitants of this Province are dis-
abled & totally hindred from selling their cropps of Tobacco
unless it be to and with the aforesaid hucksters or some or
one of them at their own deer rates and prizes for the pre-
vention therefore of so great a mischeif for the future Be it
Enacted by the King and Queens most Excellent Majesties
by and with the advice and consent of this present Generall
Assembly and by the Authority of the same, That whatsoever
person or persons that from and after the Publication hereof
shall Engrose or gett into his her or their hands or possession

p. 181

by buying contracting or promise taking within this Province
any Goods or Merchandize whatsoever, or Servants to the
intent to sell the same again w^thin the space of six months and
the same or any part thereof shall within that time sell again