TONNAGE and POUNDAGE, an ancient duty on wine and other goods. The origin of tonnage and poundage seems to have been this. About the 21st of Edward III. complaint was made, that merchants were robbed and murdered on the seas. The king thereupon, with the consent of the peers, levied a duty of 2s. on every ton of wine, and 6d. in the pound on all goods imported; which was treated as illegal by the commons. About 25 years after, the king, when the knights of shires were returned home, obtained a like grant from the citizens and burghesses, and the year after it was regularly granted in parliament. These duties were diminished sometimes, and sometimes increased; at length they seem to have been fixed at 3s. tonnage and 1s. poundage. In old times these were distinguished from customs, which were considered as duties on staple commodities, though they have been long since blended together. The fixing of staple towns had its advantages and disadvantages; and even the great staple at Calais, which rendered the loss of that place so much regretted, cramped our navigation. By successive acts of the legislature, the liberty and property of the subjects of all ranks being better secured, promoted domestic industry, and thereby the welfare and happiness of the people.