[1644/1/23]¹

Anent the custom of arms

Forasmuch as the estates of parliament convened in June 1640, considering the privilege and exemption enjoyed by the nobility and barons of the kingdom whereby they are exempt of all custom of goods imported to their own use, and that the same might more specially be enjoyed for the arms brought home for defence of the kingdom in the time of the late troubles, did therefore ordain that all ammunition and arms brought home since 1637 should be free of custom; and the estates now convened, finding the necessity of having arms brought home at this time in respect of the present expedition and posture of the kingdom, do therefore, according to the act, ordain that all arms and ammunition to be brought home this year shall be free of custom, and inhibit and discharge all customs officers or receivers of exacting any custom or imposition for any kind of arms or ammunition to be imported during the time aforesaid, and of arresting and detaining the said arms and ammunition or any goods belonging to the merchants, importers thereof, for any custom acclaimed for the same, which the estates find not reasonable to be granted at this time.