Navigation Acts

(1) Navigation Act of 1660

            For the increase of shipping and encouragement of the navigation of this nation, wherein, under the good providence and protection of God, the wealth, safety, and strength of the kingdom is so much concerned; (2) be it enacted by the king’s most excellent Majesty, and by the Lords and Commons of this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority thereof, that from and after the first day of December, 1660, and from thence forward, no goods or commodities whatsoever shall be imported into or exported out of any lands, islands, plantations, or territories to his Majesty belonging or in his possession, or which may hereafter belong unto or be in the possession of his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, in Asia, African, or America, in any other ship or ships, vessel or vessels whatsoever, but in such ships or vessels as do truly and without fraud belong only to the people of England or Ireland, dominion of Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed, or are of the built of and belonging to any of the said lands, islands, plantations, or territories, as the proprietors and right owners thereof, and whereof the master and ¾ of the mariners at least are English…………. 

(2) The Hat Act of 1732

            Whereas the art and mystery of making hats in Great Britain hath arrived to great perfection, and considerable quantities of hats manufactured in this kingdom have heretofore been exported to his Majesty’s plantations or colonies in America, who have been wholly supplied with hats from Great Britain; and whereas great quantities of hats have of late years been made, and the said manufacture is daily increasing in the British plantations in America, and is from thence exported to foreign markets, which were heretofore supplied from Great Britain, and the hatmakers in the said plantations take many apprentices for very small terms, to the discouragement of the said trade, and debasing of said manufacture; wherefore for preventing the said ill practices in the future, and for promoting and encouraging the trade of making hats in Great Britain, be it enacted….no hats or felts whatsoever, dyed or undyed, finished or unfinished, shall be shipt, loaden, or put on board any ship or vessel in any place or parts within any of the British plantations… to be exported……… 

Source: Merrill Jensen ed. English Historical Documents (1962) v.9