WHEREAS several of the most considerable Merchants , residing in , and about this City of Dublin , and other the Cities , Corporations , and Trading-Ports of this Kingdom , have of late , in the behalf of themselves , and other the Merchants thereof , preferred their humble Petition to this Board , thereby setting forth , that Butter being one of the principal Commodities of the product of this Kingdom , and not only of an universal use , and expence at home , but being likewise transported in very great quantities to parts beyond the Seas , from whence , of all others , it makes the greatest return in Moneys , to the manifest advancement of his Majesties Revenue , and enriching of the Subjects of this his Kingdom , is nevertheless , by the fradulent Dealing and Practice of several Farmers , Owners , and Packers of Butter , and by Combination between them , and the Coopers , and makers of Casque , to the great Wrong and Abuse of His Majesty in Victualling of his Navy , of Merchants in Victualling of their Ships , of all Traders in the said Commodity , of all Housholders who buy the same for their Expence , and to the great Dishonour of this Nation , in Parts beyond the Seas , brought into great disrepute abroad , whereby it yields not that price , nor is vented there in such quantities as otherwise it would ; by means whereof , the Petititioners are at great uncertainties as to the returns , & their Agents & Factors abroad oftentimes fined & imprisoned by the Magistrates and Governours in Forreign parts , where the said Butter is by them exposed to sale , as the Petitioners have by divers Letters from their Correspondents , and Proofs , & Testimonies , made appear unto us ; The Coopers and Makers of Casque oftentimes making their Casque , wherein Butter is to be Packed , of green and unseasoned Timber , and the staves , and Bottoms of them so thick , that a Firkin , which ought not to weigh above Ten Pounds , doth commonly weigh from sixteen , to Twenty Pounds ; and the half Barrel , which ought not in weight to exceed Twenty Pounds , doth commonly weigh , from Thirty to Forty ; so that the Merchant is not only defrauded in the weight , but the Butter becomes unfit for common use , and not Merchantable , contracting both a bad taste and smell , from the Sap which cometh from the green and unseasoned Timber of the Casque , ; so that the Trade aforesaid , was in all probability likely to be utterly lost , to the very great lessening of his Majesties Revenue , and the unsufferable prejudice of his Subjects in this his Kingdom , as aforesaid .

And whereas the said Merchants did by their said Petition for preventing the Abuses aforesaid , and avoiding of the mischiefs that may ensue thereon , humbly propose the following Expedients , viz.

1st . That all Butter Casque be made stanch , and tight at both ends , neatly hooped , and of well seasoned Timber , either of Ash or Oake , fit for that purpose .

2. That no Butter Casque be made to contain One Hundred Weight of Butter , and no more , that shall with the Heads and Hoops thereof weigh more than Twenty Pound , and so the Weight to be proportionable of a greater or lesser Casque .

3. That all Butter Casque be made by certain Standards , & to contain as followeth , viz. The Barrel to contain two hundred and twenty four pound ; and the Kilderkin one hundred and twelve pound , and the Ferkin to contain fifty six pounds of neat Butter and no more , besides the Casque .

4. That every Cooper do brand in fair Characters , on the head of all the Butter Casque which he shall make , or cause to be made ( the said Vessels being first seasoned in Water ) the first Letters of his or their Christian name , and his or their Surname at length , with the name of the Corporation , Mannour , Town , or Village where he dwells , before such Casque be exposed to sale .

5. That all Owners , Makers , and Packers of Butter , do make , pack , or sell none , but sound and Merchantable Butter , without mixing the same with Immoderate quantities of Salt .

6. That the first Owner , Maker , or Packer of Butter , do brand in fair Characters on the side of the Casque , wherein he or they shall cause his or their Butter to be Packed , the first Letter of his or their Christian name , with their Sirname , and the name of the Corporation , Mannor , Town or Village , wherein he or they dwell , at the time of his or their making and packing the same .

7. That all Magistrates of Corporations , Iustices of the Peace , and Seneschals of Mannors , be required to give charge at their General Sessions , Courts Leet , and Courts Baron , unto their Iurors to present all Coopers , and all makers and packers of Butter , that shall not conform unto the Rules aforesaid .

Now We the Lords-Iustices , and Council , having taken the premisses into consideration , and well weighing the great hazard the said Trade of Butter is in , of being utterly lost , to the lessening of his Majesties Revenue , and detriment of his Subjects in this his Kingdom , in case the same be not speedily prevented . And having likewise taken into consideration , one Act of Parliament , made and Enacted at Westminster , in the 14th year of the Reign of his late Majesty King Charles the Second of Blessed Memory , Intituled , Abuses committed in the weight and false packing of Butter reformed . And finding lidewise the Expedients , and Rules offered by the Petitioners , for preventing and remedying the Abuses aforesaid , to agree , and be conformable to the Rules and Expedients prescribed and Enacted by the makers of the said Act , in the Body thereof , for the prevention of the abuses aforesaid , and which if duly observed , may tend much to the encrease of the Trade and Traffick of this Realm , and the reputation of the Butter of this Kingdom , that shall be Transported to Forreign Parts . Do think fit hereby to approve of the said Rules and Expedients herein above mentioned , and offered as aforesaid . And We do hereby strictly charge and require that from and after the Nine and Twentieth day of September next the said Rules , and Directions shall be duely observed , and complied with , by all Coopers , and others , who shall hereafter make or sell any Casque for Butter , and also by all other Persons who shall hereafter make up or pack any Butter for Sale , and also by all Merchants , who shall Transport any Butter into Forreign Parts , as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost perils . And We do strictly charge and command all and every the Iustices of the Peace in and throughout the several Counties of this Kingdom , as also all Mayors , Portrives , Soveraigns , Bayliffs , and other Magistrates , and head Officers of all Cities , Burroughs , and Corporrations , and all Seneschals of any Mannors to give the same in charge unto their Iurors , at their general Sessions , and at their Courts Leet , and Courts Baron , and to use their utmost diligence , to have such as shall transgress the said Rules and Directions , after the said nine and twentieth day of September next to be proceeded against as Persons guilty of fraud and deceipt , in their several Trades and Mysteries , contemners of his Majesties Authority , and destroyers of the Trade of this Kingdom .