ye custom and importing of tobacco to
9d. per pound: And last of all we are to signifie unto you
that their Lordships have ordered that all the Tobacco shall
be brought in from both Plantations as by their Lordship
order whereof we send you a copy, you may perceive."

In 1624 King James prohibited the importation of foreign tobacco as
well as the planting of tobacco in England or Ireland. The following
is a portion of the proclamation:--

"Whereas our commons, in their last sessions of parliament
became humble petitioners to us, that, for many weighty
reasons, much concerning the interest of our kingdom, and
the trade thereof, we would by our royal power utterly
prohibit the use of all foreign tobacco, which is not of the
growth of our own dominions: And whereas we have upon all
occasions made known our dislike we have ever had of the use
of tobacco in general, as tending to the corruption both of
the health and manners of our people.

"Nevertheless because we have been often and earnestly
importuned by many of our loving subjects, planters, and
adventurers in Virginia and the Somer isles; that, as those
colonies are yet but in their infancy, and cannot be brought
to maturity, unless we be pleased, for a time, to tolerate
unto them the planting and vending of their own growth; we
have condescended to their desires: and do therefore hereby
strictly prohibit the importation of any tobacco from beyond
sea, or from Scotland, into England or Ireland other than
from our colonies before named; moreover we strictly
prohibit the planting of any tobacco either in England or
Ireland."

Thus King James by Proclamation and Prohibition set his face sternly
against the growth and traffic in the plant, which opposition knew no
alteration and continued till his death, which occurred in 1625. James
was succeeded by his son Charles I. On ascending the throne Charles
manifested the same hostility towards the plant which his father had.
He prohibited the importation of all tobacco excepting that grown by
the colony, and throughout his reign made no change in the restrictive
laws against its growth and sale. He continued its sale, however, as a
kingly monopoly, allowing only those to engage in it who paid him for
the privilege. The Company had now raised a capital of two hundred
thousand pounds, but falling into