Document: Ordinance|Further Burgomasters and Schepenen on the excise on beer and wine

ANOTHER ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE BURGHERS EXCISE OF WINE AND BEER.
The Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of Amsterdam in N.N. have seen and examined the petition and oral request of Paulus van der Beeck as farmer of the burghers excise, presented to their Honors and stating, that the brewers as well as other inhabitants, who brew beer, ought to pay excise on what beer they consume in their families, also, that to prevent all frauds, the brewers should be obliged to report, as soon as the brew is made, their casks of beer, and that merchants and others, who import wines and beer from the Fatherland or from elsewhere should likewise pay burghers excise on what they consume and be subject to inspection. After ripe deliberation and examination of the laws and customs of the Fatherland relating to this matter their Honors ordain and command for the maintenance of the farmer in his privileges:
FIRST.
That the farmer shall be allowed to inspect the breweries of the brewers, whenever he thinks proper.
SECONDLY.
The brewers shall be obliged, to pay 6 fl. to the farmer for each brewing done by them, be it large or small, before it is consumed.
THIRDLY.
If the brewers or a brewer wish to remove any barrels of beer, be they large or small, of good or of small beer, from the brewery into the cellar or the keeping of other people in houses, storehouses or elsewhere, they or he shall be obliged, to obtain from the farmer a permit, whereupon the quantity and quality is noted, for which permit a fee of 4 stivers shall be paid, but for as much as they take into their private houses or cellars for their own consumption they shall procure an excise certificate and pay for it, like other burghers, the usual excise.
FOURTHLY.
It is also ordained, in accordance with the customs and order of the Fatherland, that all, who import any wine or beer from there or from elsewhere, shall be obliged to make a bargain with the farmer about the excise on what they intend to consume in their own houses and if they cannot come to an agreement, it shall be in the discretion of the Court, to issue an absolute order in the case according to the position and circumstances of everybody.
That nobody may plead ignorance, these presents are published from and affixed on the City Hall with the approval of the Director General and Council, December 6, 1656.