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Vessels found within certain Limits, having Goods concealed liable to Duty or prohibited, such Goods and Vessels forfeited.
Proviso for Stress of Weather, &c.
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X. And be it further enacted, That if any Ship or Vessel (not being square rigged), or any Boat, shall arrive in any of the Ports of that Part of the United Kingdom called Great Britain, or shall be found at anchor or hovering within the Limits of any of the Ports thereof, or within Four Leagues of that Part of the Coast thereof which is between the North Foreland on the Coast of Kent, and Beachy Head on the Coast of Sussex, or within Eight Leagues of any other Part of the Coast of that Part of the United Kingdom called Great Britain, or shall have been discovered to have been within the said Limits or Distances, and not proceeding on her Voyage, Wind and Weather permitting, unless in case of unavoidable Necessity and Distress of Weather, of which Necessity and Distress the Master or other Person having or taking the Charge or Command of such Ship, Vessel or Boat, shall give Notice and make proof before the Collector or other Chief Officer of the Customs of any Port within the Limits of which such Ship, Vessel or Boat shall be found, immediately after the Arrival of such Ship, Vessel or Boat within the Limits of such Port, having on board any Goods liable to the Payment of Customs or other Duties, or any Goods prohibited to be imported into this Kingdom, concealed between false Bulk Heads, real or false Linings, or in any Concealment in the Construction and Fitment of the Vessel, obviously for the purpose of Concealment, in any Part of such Ship, Vessel or Boat, or in or amongst any Package of other Goods on board such Ship, Vessel or Boat, then not only the said Goods so concealed shall be forfeited, but also the Ship or Vessel (not being square rigged) or Boat, on board which they shall be found as aforesaid, with all her Guns, Furniture, Ammunition, Tackle and Apparel, shall be forfeited, and shall and may be seized by any Officer or Officers of His Majesty’s Army, Navy or Marines, or of the Customs or Excise.
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