The resolutions of the judges upon the several statutes of bankrupts as also, the like resolutions upon 13 Eliz. and 27 Eliz. touching fraudulent conveyances / by T.B., Esq.

Case of Customes, Subsidies, and Impositions.

Upon Conference between Popham, chief Justice, and my self, upon a judgment lately given in the Exchequer, and upon Consideration of our Books and Statutes. It appeared, That the Rule of the Common-Law is the the Register; Title ad quod dampnum & F. N. B. 222. a. quod patria magis solito non o••eretur nec gravetur. Also another Rule, That the King may Charge his People to a thing which may be to their Profit, without assent of the Commons, but not to their Charge. As is held in 13 H. 4. 16. & Statutum de Tallagio non conce∣dendo, & Mag. Chart. cap. 30. which hath been con∣firmed above 30 times, Vide le Stat. 25 Ed. 1. 3 Ed. 1. in turri, 9 Ed. 3. cap. 1. 2. 14 Ed. 3. 2. 25 Ed. 3. cap. 2. Queen May put an Imposition upon Cloaths, which 1 ••liz. Dyer, 165. was moved, but not Resolved: Vide 31 H. 8. Dyer, fol. 43. & 1 Eliz. Dyer, 165. Magna Custuma, & Parva Custuma: Vide 9 H. 12. & 35.

Upon all which, and divers Records by us seen, it appeared to us, That the King cannot at his Pleasure put any Imposition upon any Merchandize to be Impor∣ted or Exported, unless for advancement of Trade, the life of the Island, Pro bono publico. As if in For••aign Parts any Imposition is put upon the Merchandize of our Merchants non pro bono publico; to make equality, and advance Trade, the King may put an Imposition upon their Merchandiz••s, for this is not against any of the said Statutes; which was the Case of Currants lately adjudge in the Exchequer. And also of Customer Smith in Queen Elizabeth's time.

And it was clearly Resolved, That such Imposition, so put, cannot be demised or granted to any Subject, be∣cause it is to augment and decrease, or be quite taken away upon occasion.

And though the King may prohibite any person, in some Cases, with some Commodities, to pass out of the Realm, yet this cannot be where the end is Private, but where it is publick; because Quam plurima nobis et Co∣ronae prejudicialia in partibus exteris prosequi intendit; and to restrain in time of Dearth or War for Necessitas est lex temporis.

It appeared to us also, That at Common Law no Custom was paid, but only for Woolls, Woollfells, and Leather, which is called in Magna Charta, Recta consue∣tudo, all others are called, Mala Tolneta; which in the Statute de Tallagio non concedendo, is called Male. And it hath of long time been used by Parliament, to Grant to the Kings, at the beginnings of their Reigns, certain Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage for term of Life, which began 2 & 3 H. 5. 31 H. 6. cap. 8. and 12 Ed. 4. cap. 3. which proves the King, by his own Power, cannot impose it; and this may be granted by the King, but the other no••. Vide 31 H. 8. Dyer 43. 1 Ma. D. 92. 1. Eliz. D. 165. 2 and 3 P. and M. D. 128. 12 Eliz. D 296. 23 Eliz. D. 375. 45 Ed. 3. cap. 4. 27 Ass. pl. 44. Register 192, &c.

Vide magna Charta, cap. 10. They are called Consuetu∣dines; Et per vocabulum artis; they are called, Cu••uma: Vide Lestat. 51 H. 3. Titl. Exchequer in Rastall. and 9 Ed. 3. cap. 2.

Vide Fortescue de laud. leg. Ang. cap. 36. fol. 48. & fol. 13. cap. 9.

And note, for the benefit of the Subject, the King may lay Imposition within the Realm, ••o repair High∣wayes, Bridges, and Walls for defence. But the sum must be proportioned to the benefit. And this appears, 13 H. 4. 16. See also Charta mercatoria ex Rot. mercator. 31 Ed. 1. n. 42. Patents, 3 Ed. 1. n. 1. & 9. de sacco lanae dim. marcae lasta Coriorum 1 Marke, &c. Fines 3 Ed. 1. n. 24. intus et non in dorso: Vide Rot. Parl. an. 13 Ed. 3. And 22 Ed. ••. n. 8. And 8 H. 6. n. 29. 28 H. 6. n. 35. 9 R. 2. n. 30. 29 Ed. 3. 11. n. ex Rot. Parliam. 5 Ed. 3. n. 17, 18, 19. 22 Ed. 3. n. 31. 5 Ed. 3. n. 163. 5 Ed. 3 n. 191. 38 Ed. 3. n. 26 Rot. Parl. 7 R. 2. n. 35. 36. 9 R. 2. n. 30. 2 R. 2. Parl. apud Glocestri∣am. Act. 25. 1 R. 2. Parl. accord. 1 R. 3. against Bene∣volence. Vide Claus. 4 Ed. 3. n. 22. bis.