active promotion than was to be obtained through such a plan. In the session of 1656, all ships owned exclusively by persons residing in the Colony were exempted from the payment of castle duties.[1] A still more valuable exception in their favor was granted in 1659. By a law passed in the course of that year, the merchants, shipowners, and masters engaged in the colonial trade were ordered, whenever the cargo was not destined for the English dominions in Europe, to pay upon each hogshead of tobacco a duty of ten shillings in the form of coin, bills of exchange, or commodities at an advance of twenty-five per cent on the original cost. All persons transporting their cargoes in bottoms which were the property of Virginians alone, whether native or resident, were relieved from the burden of this imposition.[2] It was stated in the text of the statute that one of its objects was to induce the planters to purchase an interest in vessels. It is obvious that if it had had this effect, it would also have created to some extent a tendency to build ships in Virginia. In March, 1661, fifty pounds of tobacco a ton were granted to every person in the Colony who should construct a vessel large enough to make a sea voyage.[3] More detailed provisions were subsequently added. If the burden of the ship exceeded fifty tons but fell short of one hundred, the builder was to receive one hundred pounds of tobacco a ton, and if in excess of one hundred tons, the reward was to be two hundred pounds of tobacco a ton. These public encouragements were made conditional upon the assurance by the builder of the vessel that he would not part with his ownership until three years had passed, unless he disposed of his interest to a citizen of Virginia.[4]
