[ 2 ]

and the high price of goods, and the necessaries of life, and
for regulation of vendues; have in conjunction with the said
committees, recommended that rates and prices be settled and
affixed, by an act of this State, to the articles herein after enumerated.

Be it therefore enacted by the Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That from and after the TWENTY EIGHTH Day of January One Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-seven, the price of Farming Labour in the summer season shall not exceed 3 s. by the day and found as usual, and to in usual proportion at other seasons of the year, and the labour of Mechanics and Tradesmen and other labour be side what is herein hereafter especially enumerated in proportion thereunto, according to the usages and customs which have heretofore been adopted and practiced in this State when compared with farming labour.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the following articles shall not be sold for a higher price than is herein hereafter settled and affixed to them respectively, viz.

Wheat. Good merchantable Wheat at 7 s. 6 d. per Bushel.

Rye. Good merchantable Rye or Rye Meal at 5 s. a bushel.

Indian Meal. Good Indian Meal or Corn at 4s. a bushel.

Sheeps Wool. Good merchantable Sheeps Wool at 2s. lb.

Pork. Fresh pork well fatted and of a good quality at 4d. 1/2 a lb. and Salt Pork in usual proportion according to the price of Salt.

Beef. Good well fattedGRAFS-FED Beef at 3d. a lb. and Stall-fed Beef well fatted at 4d. a lb. and Beef of an inferior quality in equal proportion.

Hides. Raw Hides at 3d. a lb. Raw Calf Skins at 6d. alb.

Salt. Good merchantable imported Salt at 10s. a bushel, Salt manufactured from sea water within this State at 12s. a bushel.

Rum.

[ 3 ]

Rum. Good merchantable West-India Rum at 6s. 8d. a gallon by the hogshead, including the cask, and 6s. 10d. by the barrel, exclusive of the barrel, and 7s. 8d. by the single gallon, and 2s. by the quart, and so in proportion for a less quantity, according to the former custom and usages for retailing smaller quantities, saving an allowance of one penny a gallon for every ten miles the same shall be carried by land carriage from the first port of delivery.

New-England Rum at 3s. 10d. a gallon by the hogshead or barrel, exclusive of 13s. 4d. for the hogshead, or 4s. for the barrel, and 4s. 6d. by the single gallon, at the town where the same is distilled, and so in like proportion for smaller quantities, according to the old and approved customs for retailing smaller quantities, allowing one penny each ten miles for every gallon that has been or shall be transported by land from the place of distillery,

Sugar. Best Muscovado Sugar at 54s. a hundred by the hogshead, and £3 by the single hundred, and 8d. a lb. by the single pound at the place where it is first landed, and allowing 9d. for the transporting of every cwt. ten miles by land carriage. And Sugars of an inferior quality in the usual proportion.

Molasses, of the best quality at 3s. 4d. a gallon by the hogshead, including the cask, and 3s. 8d. by the barrel exclusive of 3s. for the barrel, and 4s. by the single gallon at the place where it is first landed from the West-Indies, and so in proportion in the country, allowing one penny a gallon for every ten miles transportation by land into the country or from the place where it is so landed.

Cocoa. Best Cocoa at £6 10s. a cwt. American manufactured Chocolate 1s. 8d. a lb.

Cheese manufactured in America 6d. per lb.

Butter at 10d a lb. by the single lb. and 9d. by the skin.

Peas 8s. a bushel. Beans 6s. a bushel.

Potatoes.

[ 4 ]

*Potatoes.* Potatoes commonly called Spanish Potatoes of the best quality at 1s. 4d. a bushel in the fall of the year, and not more than 2s. in any other season, and other Potatoes in usual proportion.

*Stockings.* Men's best Yarn Stockings 6s. a pair, and in that proportion for an inferior quality.

*Shoes.* Men's Shoes made of neat's leather, of the best common sort, 8s. a pair, and for others the like price according to their size and quality.

*Salted Pork* by the barrel 220 lb. in a barrel, £4 12s.

*Beef.* Beef by the barrel, 240 lb in a barrel, £3 14s 6d.

*Cotton.* Cotton 3s. a lb. by the bag, and 3s. and 8d. by the single lb. at the port where it is first landed from the West-Indies, and the like allowance for transportation as for other articles.

*Oats.* Oats, 2s. a bushel.

*Flax.* Good well dressed merchantable Flax, 1s. a lb.

*Coffee.* Good Coffee 1s. 4d. a lb. by the single lb.

Good tried Tallow 7 1½ lb and rough Tallow 5d. lb.

*Tow Cloth.* Good yard wide Tow Cloth, 2s., and 3d. a yard, and other Tow Cloth in proportion, according to its width and quality, and the price of course Linens to be computed after the same rate.

*Flannel.* Good yard wide Striped Flannel, 3s. 6d. a yard, and other Flannels in preportion, according to their widths and qualities; and other woolen Cloth, manufactured in America, according to their widths and qualities.

*Wood.* Green oak Wood brought from the country, and delivered at the door of the buyer in Boston 28 s.

Good Walnut Wood, so delivered 30 s. a cord.

Good Walnut Wood brought from the South Shore and delivered at a wharf in Boston, 28 s.

Good Oak Wood, brought from the South Shore and so delivered 24 s.

*Eastern Wood,* in confusion of the risque in bringing the same 22 s. delivered at the wharfe in Boston.

*Charcoal.* Good Charcoal, 1s. a basket.

Tanned.

[ 5 ]

Tanned Hides, at 1 s. 3 d. a lb. and curried Leather in usual proportion.

Homespun yard wide cotton and linnen cloth of the common sort 3 s. 6 d. and other widths and qualities of cotton and linen in like proportion.

Mutton, Lamb and Veal, at 4 d. a lb.

Flour, imported from the southern States at 30 s. cwt.

Flour, manufactured in this State at 25 s.

Horse-keeping, in Boston for a night, or twenty four hours with English hay 2 s. and in other places in proportion. For keeping a yoke of oxen the same as a horse.

Teaming Work, 1 s. 6 d. for every ton weight a mile, excepting from North-Hampton to the northern army, for which may be taken 2 s. a mile for each ton weight.

Turkeys, Dunhill Fowls and Ducks, to be sold only by the pound, at 5 d. a lb.

Geese, at 4 d. a lb.

Muk, at 2 d. ½ a quart.

Good Refined Iron, at 50 s. cwt.

Bloomery Iron, at 30 s. cwt. at the place of manufacture, and the same allowance to be made for transportation of Iron by land as is allowed for other articles.

Liver-Oyl, by the barrel 4 s. a gallon.

Blubber refined, 30 s. a barrel.

English Hay, of the best quality at 5 s cwt. and so in proportion for a meaner quality or sort of hay.

Good merchantable White Pine Boards, not to exceed 48 s. a thousand in Boston, and other lumber in proportion, and the price in other parts of this State to be in proportion thereunto, according to ancient customs.

And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the prices of all the articles produced in America herein before enumerated, excepting those to which the prices of transportation are affixed, shall be taken and

in Boston, the town of Boston, and that the selectmen and commit-

Tanned.

tees

[ 6 ]

tees of the several towns in this State shall be, and here-
by are impowered to affix and seettle in their respective
towns, what such articles and goods shall be sold for in
their towns respectively, according to the proportion
the price such goods have borne in such towns with the
price they have been at in the town of Boston, accord-
ing to the ancient usage and custom of such towns.
And the said selectmen and committees are in like man-
ner impowered and directed to set and establish the pri-
ces of goods herein not enumerated, according to the
proportion the price of them have usually borne in
their respective towns to those herein enumerated. And
the said selectmen and committees are also required to
make out a fair lift of all the articles to which they shall
affix prices, and to post the same with the prices by
them so affixed, up in some public place or places in the
town where they live, and also to return a lift of such
prices to the clerk of such town, there to remain upon
record, and such prices by them affixed pursuant to the
duty herein enjoined and power hereby given them, shall
be taken and deemed to be the price set and affixed by
this act in such town.

And be it also enacted, That in plantations where
there are no selectmen, the committee shall have such
power and be required to perform the same duties as
selectmen and committees have within their towns re-
spectively.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That
the price of all European and East India goods and
merchandize of all kinds which have been or shall be
imported into this State, as also of all such goods which
have been or shall be brought into this State in any prize
vessel, shall not exceed the following rates, viz.

Woolen Goods, coarse Linens, Duck, Cordage, Ticklen-
barg and Ozenbrigs, shall not be sold by wholesale at a
higher rate than in the proportion of £.275 sterling
for what usually cost £.100 sterling, in that part of
Europe,

[ 7 ]

Europe from whence they are imported; and any other
 goods, wares or merchandize excepting Hemp, warlike
 for in and military stores imported from thence or brought,
 or which shall be brought into any port in this State in
 with the any prize vessel, shall not be sold at a higher rate from
 the prime cost as aforesaid, than in the proportion of 250
towns, sterling for what cost 100 sterling in Europe; and the
 seller by wholesale shall make out a bill of parcels at the
 of the articles sold, with his advance there-
 upon, and deliver the same to the bearer, under penalty
 of the sum at which such articles are so sold by him; and
 the retailers of such goods, wares and merchandize shall
 not sell them at a higher advance than 20 per cent. up-
on the wholesale price, and shall, if requested by the
 buyer give a bill of parcels with the sterling cost and the
 advance.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That
if any person having any article or articles necssary
for the use of the American army or navy, shall withhold
or refuse to sell the same for a reasonable reward, in
such case upon complaint thereof made upon oath to
the council or board of war of this State, or they know-
ing or suspected the same, or either of them are here-
by authorized and impowered to issue their warrant to
any sheriff, deputy sheriff or constable, to impreſs
the same, and for that purpose in the day time, between
funife and sunſet, to break and enter any warehouſe,
ſtore or other places where ſuch goods are deſpoſed,
or suspected to be deſpoſed, and to take and apply the
fame to the use aforesaid, the owner thereof being paid
the price at which ſuch goods are fixed in this act, and
in case the price of the goods ſo taken is not herein ſet-
led and fixed, the owner ſhall be paid for the fame at
a reasonable appraisement to be made of ſuch goods by
three indifferent judicious men under oath for that pur-
pote appointed, one of them by those who ſuſed the
faid warrant, and one by the owner of the ſaid goods,
and

[ 8 ]

and one by the officer directed to execute said warrant; but if the owner shall decline to make such appointment, two of the said appraisers shall be appointed by the sons who shall execute such warrant, and the sum at which the said goods shall be appraised shall be immediately paid as aforesaid.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any vendue matter, or any one for, or under him, shall at any vendue or public sale, sell any article for a greater, or higher price than by this act is limited, he shall forfeit a sum equal to that for which such article shall be sold, and is hereby disqualified from acting at any time as an auctioneer or vendue matter, and in case he, or any one in his behalf, should presume to act in that capacity, he shall forfeit the sum of £.50 for every offence.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every person who shall sell any of the articles above mentioned, at a greater price than is herein settled and fixed for the same, or others not enumerated in a manifest disproportion thereto, upon conviction shall be fined for every article so sold at the price of twenty shillings or under, the sum of twenty shillings, and for every article of a price above twenty shillings, a sum equal to that for which such article shall be sold—and every person who shall take, and receive for his service and labour, a greater sum of money than is settled, and fixed for the same in and by this act, shall forfeit and pay a like sum of money, to that which he shall take and receive for such service and labour.

And be it further enacted, That whoever shall sell any goods, wares or merchandizes, or shall do any service or labour, at a greater price than is settled and fixed there-to, in and by this act upon credit, shall not have or maintain any action for the recovery thereof, but shall be barred therefrom, and the person against whom any action shall be brought for the recovery of such money,

may

[ 9 ]

my plead the general iffue thereto, and give the special
matter in evidence to the jury.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid,
That all the fines and forfeitures mentioned in this act,
shall and may be recovered in any court proper to try
the fame within the county in which the offence shall
have been committed, by action, presentment or indict-
ment, one half thereof to the use of this State, and the
fide to the prosecutor, together with the costs of pro-
ecution. And all grand jurors, are hereby strictly en-
joined to take cognizance of, and to make due present-
ment of all offences against this act which shall come to
their knowledge, or whereof they shall receive due in-
formation.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That
any person shall engrofs, or have in his possession by
purchase or otherwise, more of any article in this act
be Numerated or any other necessary of life than is ne-
cessary in a immediate dependants, and which he holds with an appa-
n shall be the part in the judgment of the major part of the
twenty four electors of the town where he lives, or where such
every article shall be to sell, trade upon and not for his own
that consumption as aforesaid, and shall refuse to sell and
by reason of the fame for the common currency of this
about, a state or the united states of America, and at the
cities affixed and settled by this act, or by the select-
board for the forming of a committee in pursuance of it, and complaint
eing thereof made to the major part of said electors,
by or in the behalf of any person who is in want of

shall sell such article or articles for his own immediate support,
any service the support of his family or immediate dependants ;
fixed on the said electors or a major part of them, belie-
not having the fame to be true, shall demand of such person
of, but do refusing, to sell such article or articles for such price
that is affixed by this act, or by the electors or com-
mittee in pursuance of it; and if such person shall re-

fuse

[ 10 ]

FUSE to comply therewith, or cannot be found to have
such demand made of him, the major part of said select-
men shall apply to some justice of the peace within the
fame county, for a warrant to open any store, ware-
house or granary, in which such article or articles may
be, or otherwise to take possession of the fame: And
the said justice shall without delay, make out his war-
rant directed to some sheriff, deputy-sheriff or constable,
in form following, viz.

SUFFOLK ff.

SEAL.

To

Greeting.

WHEREAS complaint is this day made to
me, by A, B, C, D and E, a major part
of the selectmen of L, in the said county of S,
that I K, of said L, (addition) hath now in
his possession
with design to sell
and trade upon the same, and which is not by him designed for
the consumption of his family or immediate dependants; and
that the said I K, does, though requested thereunto by the said
selectmen, refuse to sell
thereof to N, O, of R,
within this State, who is in great necessity therefor, (for the
support of his family and immediate dependants) for the price
set and affixed by a law of this State, entitled "An Act to
prevent monopoly and oppression." You are therefore here-
by required in the name of the Government and People of the
Massachusetts-Bay in New England, taking with you a
major part of the selectmen of said L, in the day time, between
the rising and setting of the sun, to open the store of the said
I K, or as the case may be, to take possession of the said
and the same deliver to the said selectmen, to the
intent that the said selectmen may sell and deliver to the said
N, O, the afresh
or so much of that article as the
said N, O, has absolute necessity for; and you are to make true
return of this warrant to me as soon as may be, with your
doings therein.

Given under my hand and seal the
in the year of our LORD, 177.

day of

And

[ II ]

And the said Selectmen, or the major part of them,
having possession of such article or articles in manner
aforeaid, shall sell and deliver to such necessitous per-
son named in such warrant, so much of the article
therein mentioned, as he stands in need of for the sup-
port of his family and immediate dependants, at the
price affixed as aforesaid, and after deducting out of
the money received therefor, the pay for their own ser-
vice, at the rate of four shillings a day, the officers
legal fees, and two shillings for the justices warrant,
shall pay the overplus, if any there be, to the person
who owned, or possessed such goods. Provided never-
thelesſs, that the said Selectmen shall not be obliged or
impowered, in pursuance of this act, to supply any
person as aforesaid, who has by him, to their know-
ledge, any of the articles in this act enumerated, or
any other necessary of life more than he stands in
need of for his own consumption, and refuses to expose
them to sale for the prices set and affixed in this act, or
that shall neglect, or refuse to bring them to market ac-
cording to his usual custom.

And be it further enacted, That when any action shall
be brought against any officer, who has a duty assigned
him by this act, he may plead the general issue, and
give the special matter in evidence for his justification.