Civitas

BRISTOL.

Tempore PETRI DAY, Ar' Major, XIVº Die Decembris
Anno Regni Dom' GEORGII Decimo Tertio, Annoq;
Domini, MDCCXXVI.

HEREAS there is and hath been, Time
out of Mind, a good, antient, and laudable Custom, had and used
within the late Borough, and now City of BRISTOL, and the Liberties
thereof, That no Person (not being Free of the said late Borough, or
now City) did or could keep any Shop within the late Borough, and
now City of BRISTOL, or the Liberties thereof, for the selling, or ex-
posing to sale therein (either by Wholesale or Retail) any Goods, Wares,
or Merchandizes whatsoever, or therein to use any Trade, Mysfery, or Handicraft what-
foever. And Whereas several good By-Laws have been here made for the confirming,
strengthening and enforcing of the said Custom, but the fame have hitherto proved ineffec-
tual; it is Therefore by the now MAYOR, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the said
City, thereto duely elected, nominated and appointed, and now in Common-Council
duely affsembled, ordained and established, That if any Person or Perſons (not being
Free of the ſaid City of BRISTOL, ſhall after the Five and Twentieth Day of March
next enfuing, by any Colour, Way or Means whatsoever, either directly or indirectly,
by him, her, or themselves, or by any other, keep any Shop or Shops within the
ſaid City of BRISTOL, or Liberties thereof, for the ſelling or exposing to Sale (either
by Wholesale or Retail) any Goods, Wares or Merchandizes, or therein to uſe any
Trade, Mysfery, or Handicraft whatsoever; the ſaid Person and Perſons respectively ſhall
forfeit the Sum of Five Pounds, of lawful Money of Great-Britain, for every Time
wherein ſuch Person or Perſons ſhall offend in the Premifes, or any of them; which
Forfeiture ſhall be levied and recovered by Diftrefs, or by Action of Debt, Bill or
Plaint, to be taken, commenced, ſued and ſprosecuted by the Chamberlain of the ſaid
City for the Time being; and, when recovered, after all Coffs for recovering the fame
deducted, one Moiety or half Part thereof ſhall be paid unto and remain in the Hands
of the MAYOR of this City for the Time being, to and for the Uſe of ſuch Poor as ſhall
cafually pafs through this City to their respective Places of Abode, and be in want of
Subſistance, to be diftributed unto or among them, from Time to Time, in fuer Pro-
portions as the ſaid MAYOR and one or more of the Aldermen of this City ſhall direct
and appoint: And the other Moiety thereof to be paid unto the Person or Perſons who
ſhall Inform of the ſaid Offence or Offences.

CANN.