About the News which was passed in SEPTEMBER, 1680, and which is in effect.

Denmark, Copenhagen:

The Royal Court has worn mourning attire, due to the fatal departure of both Prince-Electors' of Saxony and of The Palatinate. The Queen [Charlotte Amalie]'s mother along with the Electress of The Palatinate arrived here on September 14th. The following Royal Regulations and Royal Decrees have been issued this month:
(1) The forest ordinance in Denmark, which has been renewed and improved in several ways, and contains 38 points of regulation. This is dated August 30th.
(2) A Decree concerning the temporary right to collect sales taxes in many towns across the Denmark Realm will be auctioned by the Crown to the highest bidder.
(3) An Ordinance concerning the Provision-Tax over all Denmark for this coming year. This tax will fund the continuous supply of grain and provisions for the military, the fleet, the maintenance of fortresses, and other necessities.
(4) A Decree of September 4th. His Royal Majesty [Christian V] has decided to establish a Toll-place (under the penalty of confiscating both the ship and its cargo) for the public's good on List, Jutland in Diocese of Ribe. Henceforth, everyone who sails the same course is commanded that they declare their goods and pay correct duty for all ingoing and outgoing passages, strictly according to the Toll-Ordinance. This is to be put into effect by the next fiscal quarter, which falls on September 29th.
(5) Another Decree likewise dated September 4th. The all-highest-mentioned Majesty's authority has been undermined, and royal revenues have lessened due to the great fraud of toll evasion. This act of great deceit has been committed with imports and exports at several large ports, as well as at loading docks in coastal inlets along the sea's edge, rather than at the market towns where the tolls are officially collected. Not only this, but trade and custom revenue has even declined in the market towns. This is especially true for transactions largely conducted by country dwellers within the fjords, who are taking advantage of the great distance to official toll places. They defraud and deceive His Majesty by failing to declare the King's Toll correctly. By selling untaxed goods at a discount in rural areas, these smugglers have been undercutting honest, tax-paying people and merchants in the official market towns; depriving them of their livelihood.

Ports within Denmark and Sweden, which received goods between 1634 and 1700. Link

Because such widespread disparity and fraud have been discovered, this same most gracious Decree forbids all inbound and outgoing shipping at any locations other than the ordinary Royal toll places located along the coast of the Realm of Denmark and its isles, or at the loading places in the fjords situated along the beach outside the proper Royal toll places.

However, for the far east-lying Rudkiøbing, His Majesty has graciously permitted two loading places on Langeland where domestically produced goods may be shipped out in accordance with the Toll Ordinance. Furthermore, for the subjects' benefit and necessity, oxen may be shipped at Jerting and within a half-mile radius on either side of Ringkiøbing. At the remaining loading places in Denmark, only firewood, lime, bricks, and roof tiles may be shipped. Absolutely no other goods shall be.

Furthermore, there are permitted outports on the western edge of Jutland, between Thisted and Hiøring. Namely, Klit-Møllerne, Blackhuuset, and Torenbye Strand. Here, Norwegian building timber may be imported in exchange for grain purchased by the country dwellers. However, these aforementioned goods must be correctly declared at the nearest toll place upon import and export, under penalty of confiscation.

17th Century Light Dragoon of the English Cavalry. The customs officers in Denmark likely looked similar.

To ensure strict compliance and to prevent all smuggling, close observance has been undertaken. His Majesty has graciously appointed certain mounted customs officers who shall maintain close and sharp supervision over the aforementioned matters. These officers shall know how to most submissively answer for their actions, under pain of losing their position or facing other extraordinary penalties should they be found neglecting their duty. Conversely, those who faithfully and diligently execute their inspection duties shall be taken forcefully into His Majesty's most gracious Royal defense against anyone who might presume to hinder or impede them in their inspections and other business. To this end, county governors, land commissaries, mayors, market-town councils, and all others who hold command on His Majesty's behalf, whether through the justice system or otherwise, are earnestly commanded to defend and assist the aforementioned customs officers in all reasonable ways.

Additionally, His Majesty has graciously deemed it expedient to establish a new toll place on Halsnæs (replacing those at Roskilde, Holbeck, Nykiøbing, and Friderichssund), and another on Bandhold (replacing those at Saxkiøbing and Mariboe). These will commence operations on September 29th. Here, ships sailing in and out of the Jisefiord must correctly declare their cargo and pay duty to the toll collector according to the Ordinance.

No one, be they subject or stranger, can plead ignorance as an excuse, this Decree must be most submissively lived up to in all its points starting September 29th. For everyone's information, it shall not only be immediately read and proclaimed at local assemblies and from all church pulpits, but also posted at all custom-houses within our Realm of Denmark, etc.
(6) A Prohibition dated the September 14th. it is earnestly and strictly forbidden for any of His Majesty's subjects in both Realms Denmark and Norway to dare to sail or traffic at any places which are infected with the Bubonic Plague or with this contagious disease, and no Goods should be imported into these Realms and Lands from the plagued towns. Those who act against this order will be punished as Transgressors of Royal Mandates.

In 1653, Friderich III ordered that a third (or the value) of all goods confiscated by Toll-avoiding smuggling within Helsingör, be given to the poor within that town. Link

Sweden: The King's formal state procession continues to be delayed. In the meantime, the King travels to and from Stockholm, Kongsør, and Jacobs-Dal. On August 29th, His Majesty and the Queen's Mother both personally attended the burial of Marshal of the Realm, Johan Steenbuck's Mother. Because of the Royal Marriage, several foreign Envoys have been in Stockholm, and have rendered their Congratulations. Count Gabriel Torßen Oxenstierne travels as Ambassador to the Imperial Court, and the younger Colonel Velling travels as Envoy to Danmarck; Monsieur Snolsky has been residing in Regensburg.