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Acts Table of Contents | Chronological Index

Commercial Laws

These Acts of Parliament relate to laws concerning commercial transactions: duties and bounties, imports and exports, the manufacturing of goods, and all related subjects. To ease your search for specific topics, keywords in each act are highlighted in red. By simply scanning through the chronological list, you should easily be able to narrow in on desired items. Through the reign of George II, acts are listed by the year in which the Parliamentary session ends ; from George III on they are by date of passage . Some subjects, though, attracted such extensive legislation that the numerous acts relating to them can be found on seperate pages. Select from the links below for laws concerning: Fish and Fisheries Beer, Wine and Spirits Wool, Cotton, Fibers and Fabrics

For other related material contained within legislation filed elsewhere, see also: Transportation Laws Agricultural and Rural Laws Social Laws Scottish Laws

The Acts are arranged according to the reigns of the British Kings and Queens.
Select from below to view a particular era.

William and Mary 1689-1702

Anne 1702-1714

George I 1714-1727

George II 1727-1760

George III 1760-1820

George IV 1820-1830

William IV 1830-1837

Victoria 1837-1901

Reign of William and Mary
(Later William III)

• [Anno5&6. p.291-92]. ... for the Importation of Salt-Petre for one Year. $30

Reign of George I

• [Anno 5, p.457-60]. ... to Prevent ... Seducing Artificers in the Manufactures of Great Britain into Foreign Parts. $25

• [Anno 9, p.661-64]. ... for preventing Journeymen Shoemakers selling, exchanging or pawning Boots, Shoes, Slippers ... or other Materials for making Boots ... and for better Regulating said Journeymen. $35

• [Anno 1, p.15-27]. ... to enable His Majesty to be Governor of the South Sea Company. $30

Reign of George II

• [Anno 2, p.223-24]. ... repeal a Clause ... which prohibits the Importation of Tobacco stript from Stalk or Stem. $15
• [Anno 2, p.311-14]. ... to explain and amend ... An Act to prevent Abuses in the Making of Bricks and Tiles ... and to prevent all unlawful Combinations ... in order to advance or enhance the Price of Bricks or Tiles. $20
• [Anno 2. p.351-63]. ... to ascertain the Custom payable for Corn and Grain imported; ... and for giving further time for Clerks and Apprentices ... Duties omitted to be paid for their Indentures and Contracts. $15

• [Anno 3, p.435-54]. ... for taking off certain Duties on Salt ...; and for charging the reduced Annuity, payable to the East India Company, on the Aggregate Fund, and for the Relief of Matthew Lyon .. in respect of the Duty for Salt, lost by the Overflowing of the River Mercy ... $20
• [Anno 3, p.479-81]. ... for amending the Acts ... relating to the making of Bricks. $15
• [Anno 3, p.535-46]. ... for the better Regulation of the Coal Trade. $22
• [Anno 3, p.567-75]. ... continuing and amending and Act for regulating the Price and Assize of Bread; for Relief of Bankrupts .. for allowing further Time for Inrollment of Deeds or Wills made by Papists ... $18
• [Anno 3, p.583-87]. ...for the Admission and Regulation of Brokers within the City of Bristol. $15

• [Anno 5, p.195-215]. ... reviving the Duties on Salt ... $18

• [Anno 8, p.195-210]. ... continuing the Duties upon Salt, and upon Red and White Herrings ... and for giving further Time for the Payment of Duties ... for the Indentures and Contracts of Clerks and Apprentices. $22
• [Anno 8, p.291-94]. ... Regulation and Government of Seamen in the Merchant Service; for the regulating of pilots of Dover, Deal and the Isle of Thanet; for preventing Frauds in the Customs, and ... Clandestine Running of Goods; and for making Copper Ores ... an enumerated commodity. $25

• [Anno 9, p.475-79]. ... Duties upon stamped Vellum, Parchment, and Paper ... $18

• [Anno 12, p.307-10]. ... for continuing the Act ... to regulate the Price and Assize of Bread; and for continuing, explaining and amending the Act ... for the better regulation of Attornies and Solicitors. $15

• [Anno 18, p.195-214]. ... continuing the Duties upon Salt, and upon red and white Herrings ... $22
• [Anno 18, p.615-26]. ... repealing the present Inland Duty ... upon all Tea ...; and for better securing the Duty upon Tea ... $25

• [Anno 19, p.243-94]. ... granting ... several Rates and Duties upon Glass, and upon Spirituous Liquors; and for raising a certain Sum of Monies by Annuities, and a Lottery ...; and for obviating some Doubts ... upon the Credit of the Salt Duties ... $20

• [Anno 20, p.943-54]. ... to continue several laws relating to the Manufacture of Sail-cloth and Silk; ... for the Indentures or Contracts of Clerks and Apprentices ...; and declaring that Prize Ships ... shall be deemed British built Ships; and for allowing Prize Goods to be landed and secured ... $20

• [Anno 22, p.767-70]. ... securing His Majesty's Duties arising upon Coal, Culm, and Cinders, exported beyond the Sea. $12

• [Anno 23, p.283-90]. ... for the effectual punishing of Persons convicted of seducing Artificers ... out of the Dominions of the Crown ...; and to prevent Exportation of Utensils made use of in the Wollen and Silk Manufactures ... $20
• [Anno 23, p.403-30]. ... granting His Majesty the Sum of Nine hundred thousand Pounds out of the Sinking Fund ... ; and for the Application of sertain Savings in the Hands of the Paymaster General; and ...for transferring the Bounties now payable upon Exportation of British Sail Cloth ...; and for enforcing the Laws against the clandestine Importation of Soaps, Candles, and Starch ...[etc., etc.]. $22
• [Anno 23, p.435-47]. ... giving further Time to ... Annuities ... to subscribe ... and for redeeming such ... as shall not be subscribed; and for impowering the East India Company to raise certain Sums by transferable Annuities. $18

• [Anno 24, p.1143-46]. ... for ascertaining the Admeasurement of Wheat, Meal, or other Corn or Grain ground ...; and for making Allowances to the East India Company, for their ... reduced Annuities. $22

• [Anno 28, p.447-50]. ... making more effectual the Laws prohibiting the Importation of Spirituous Liquors in Casks ... not containing Sixty Gallons, and of Tea above the Quantity of Six Pounds, found on Board any British Ship ..., not belonging to ... the East India Company. $18

Reign of George III

• [Anno 5, cap.37]. ... laying certain duties upon Gum Senega and Gum Arabic ... and for confining the Exportation of Gum Senega from Africa to Great Britain only. $18

• [Anno 24, cap.2]. ...to continue ... an Act for preventing certain Instruments from being required from Ships belonging to the United States of America ... for the better carrying on [of] Trade and Commerce ... $20

• [Anno 28, Cap.5]. ...to continue the Laws ... regulating the Trade betwen ... His Majesty's Dominions and ... the United States of America ... (Dusty overall). $20

• [Anno 30, Cap.4]. ... for taking off the Duties upon unwrought Tin exported to any Country beyond the Cape of Good Hope. $18

• [Anno 38, Cap.9]. ... to continue [acts] ... relating to the Admission of certain Articles of Merchandize in Neutral Ships ... [and] respecting the Trade and Commerce to and from the Cape of Good Hope. $15

• [Anno 39, Cap.12]. ... to continue [acts] ... relating to the Admission of certain Articles of Merchandize in Neutral Ships ... [and] respecting the Trade and Commerce to and from the Cape of Good Hope. $15

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.38]. ... for repealing so much of ... An Act for permitting certain Goods imported from the East Indies to be warehoused ... as relates to Saltpetre. $12

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.43]. ... to confirm an Agreement ... with the Most Noble Charles Duke of Richmond, for the Absolute Purchase of the Property ... in a certain Duty of Twelve-pence per Chaldron on Coals shipped in the River Tyne ... $20
• [Anno 39&40, Cap.47]. ... repealing the Rates and Fares taken by licensed Hackney Coachmen ... and amending several Laws relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs. $25
• [Anno 39&40, Cap.48]. ... repeal Duties on Sugar and Coffee exported ... $15

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.51]. ... to permit Blubber from the Greenland [Whale] Fishery and Davis's Streights to be boiled into Oil ... Convoy Duty now payable on the Importation of Opium ... Oil of Turpentine and Tar ... obliging Masters of Ships laden with Tobacco ... $20

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.59]. ... to remove Doubts arising from ... An Act for permitting certain Goods imported from the East Indies to be warehoused ... $12
• [Anno 39&40, Cap.63]. ... the Duties and Drawbacks of Customs on Kid Skins imported ... $12
• [Anno 39&40, Cap.66]. to repeal so much of an Act ... as prohibits the Use of Horse Hides in making Boots and Shoes ... $20

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.70]. ... to exempt from Duty Waste Paper imported ... for the Purpose of being re-manufactured ... $20

• [Anno 39&40, Cap.95]. ... idemnify all Persons who have printed, published or dispersed ... any Papers ... from all Penalties incurred by Reason of the Name and Place of Abode of the Printer ... not being printed thereon. $15

• [Anno 41, Cap.20]. ... to revive and continue [acts] ... reducing and better collection the Duties payable on the Importation of Starch; ... to permit Goods to be imported ... in Neutral Ships; ... respecting the Trade to the Cape of Good Hope; and to the preventing Offences in obstructing, destroying, or damaging Ships, and in obstructing Seamen ... $18

• [Anno 41, Cap.12]. ... to amend ... An Act to permit Bakers to make and sell certain Sorts of Bread. $15

• [Anno 41, Cap.53]. ... to explain and amend ... an Act ... as prohibits the Use of Horse Hides in making Boots and Shoes, and for better preventing the damaging of Raw Hides and Skins in the Flaying thereof. $15

• [Anno 42, Cap.4]. ... to repeal ... An Act to prohibit ... selling any Bread which shall not have been baked Twenty-four Hours ... $15

• [Anno 42, Cap 39]. ... extending the Time for the Payment of ... Money advanced by way of Loan to several paersons connected with ... Grenada and Saint Vincent. $18

• [Anno 42, Cap.94]. ... repealing certain Duties on Paper, Pasteboards, Millboards [etc.] ... imported into or made in Great Britain ... $20
• [Anno 42, Cap.97]. ... to continue .. two Acts ... for the further Encouragement of the Trade and Manufactures of the Isle of Man ... $12

• [Anno 44, Cap.85]. ... further continuing, for Seven Years ... an Act ... for encouraging the manufacture of Leather, by lowering the Duty payable upon the Importation of Oak Bark ... $15

• [Anno 46, Cap.152]. ... to stay ... An Act concerning Tanners, Curriers, Shoemakers ... occupying the cutting of Leather, so far as relates to the buying of Oak Bark and rough Hides and Calve Skins in the Hair. $12

• [Anno 47, Cap.53]. to suspend ... An Act concerning Tanners, Curriers, Shoemakers ... occupying the cutting of Leather, as prohibits the regrating and ingrossing of Oaken Bark. $15

• [Anno 48, Cap.60]. ... for repealing an Act ... concerning Tanners, Curriers, Shoemakers ... occupying the cutting of Leather ... $18

• [Anno 49, Cap.60]. ... allowing the Importation from any Port in Europe or Africa, of Goods and Commodities ... until Six Months after the Ratification of a Definitive Treaty of Peace. $18

• [Anno 53, Cap.109]. ... to continue ... several Laws relating to the Duties on Glass made in Great Britain. $12
• [Anno 53, Cap.116]. ... to amend Two Acts ... as relates to the Price and Assize of Bread to be sold out of London and the Liberties thereof ... (24 pp) $18

• [Anno 55, Cap.3]. ... for continuing ... certain Duties on Malt, Sugar, Tobacco and Snuff, in Great Britain; and on Pensions, Offices and Personal Estates in England ... (20 pp.) $15
• [Anno 55, Cap.11]. ... to continue, until Six Months after the Ratification of a Definitive Treaty of Peace, an Act ... for granting to Foreign Ships put under His Majesty's Protection, the Priveleges of Prize Ships; and for allowing Aliens in Foreign Colonies to exercise the Occupations of Merchants or Factors ... $20

• [Anno 55, Cap 29]. ... to regulate the Trade between Malta ... and Plantations in America; and ... the United Kingdom. $22

• [Anno 55, Cap.141]. ... to amend an Act ... to repeal former Acts granting exclusive Privileges of Trade to the South Sea Company ... $18
• [Anno 55, Cap.146]. ... to regulate ... the Trade with any French Colony which may come into His Majesty's Possession or remain Neutral. $15

• [Anno 55, Cap.159]. ... to amend several Acts relating to Hackney Carriages; for authorizing the licensing of an additional number of Hackney Chariots; and for licensing Carriages drawn by One Horse. $18
• [Anno 55, Cap.162]. ... to repeal the Excise Duties and Drawbacks on Epsom Salt. $12
• [Anno 55, Cap.174]. ... to extend the Exemption ... on Coals and Culm for which the Coast Duties have been duly paid. $15
• [Anno 55, Cap.175]. ... allowing the bringing of Coals and Culm, and Cinders, to London and Westminster, by Inland Navigation. $15
• [Anno 55, Cap.176]. ... for allowing certain Tiles to be made Duty free to serve for Draining. $12
• [Anno 55, Cap.177]. ... for the further Prevention of Frauds in the Manufacture of Sweets (corner torn, p. 3/4). $15

• [Anno 56, Cap.1]. ... to revive ... several Laws relating to the Duties on Glass made in Great Briatin. $12

• [Anno 56, Cap.3]. ... for continuing ... certain Duties on Malt, Sugar, Tobacco, and Snuff ... and on Pensions and Personal Estates ... (20 pp.) $15

• [Anno 56, Cap.18]. ...to suspend ... the Duty on Lead exported ... $12
• [Anno 56, Cap.19]. ... to continue ... granting an additional Bounty on double refined Sugar exported. $15

• [Anno 56, Cap.34]. ... to charge an additional Duty on Corks, ready made, imported ... $12
• [Anno 56, Cap.36]. ... to repeal Two acts ... which prohibit the Importation of Wrought Goods ... $12

• [Anno 56, Cap.69]. to continue ... repealing the Duties of Customs on Madder ... $12

• [Anno 59, Cap.7]. ... to regulate the Cutlery Trade in England. $30

Reign of Victoria

• [Anno 9&10, Cap.36]. ... to continue ... an Act for establishing an Office for the Benefit of Coalwhippers of the Port of London (19 pp). $22

• [Anno 10, Cap.14]. ... consolidating in One Act certain Provisions ... for constructing or regulating Markets and Fairs (16 pp). $30

• [Anno 10&11, Cap.95]. ... amend the Laws relating to the Protection in the Colonies of Works entitled to Copyright ... $15

• [Anno 14, Cap.8]. ... to extend the Provisions of the Design Act, 1850, and to give Protection from Piracy to Persons exhibiting new Inventions in the Exhibition of Works of Industry of all Nations ... $25

• [Anno14&15, Cap.59]. ... to continue certain certain of the Allowances of the Duty of Excise on Soap used in Manufactures. $12

• [Anno 19&20, Cap.27]. ... to amend the Acts relating to Pawnbrokers. $12

• [Anno 22&23, Cap.14]. ... to amend an Act ... for better regulating the Business of Pawnbrokers. $10

• [Anno 23, Cap.21]. ... to amend an Act for better regulating the Business of Pawnbrokers. $10

• [Anno 24&25, Cap.110]. ... for regulating the Business of Dealers in old Metals. $20

• [Anno 27&28, Cap.37]. ... to amend and extend the Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers. $20

• [Anno37&38, Cap.67]. ... to regulate ... Slaughter-houses and certain other Businesses in the Metropolis. $25

Acts Table of Contents | Chronological Index

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