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Tonnage (POUNDAGE certain duties)

AND POUNDAGE, certain duties on wine and other merchanin the reign of Edward II. They were at first granted to the crown by the vote in the reign of Edward II. They were at first granted to the crown by the vote of Parliament for a limited number of years, and renewed on their expiry. The object of these imposts was said to be that the king might have ready money in case of a sudden emergency demanding it for the defense of the realm and the guarding of the sea. Charles II. and it for the defense of the realm and the guarding of the sea.

James II. obtained grants of tonnage and for limited periods; and by three statutes of Anne and George I. these imposts were public debt. The Customs Consolidation Act of 1787 swept away tonnage and stituted a new and single duty on each article.

Charles II. and