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216 ACTS RELATING Part. II. fary to retrieve the credit formerly given by the inhabitants of Great Britain to the inhabitants of the plantations ‘l. From this preamble alone we might fairly have concluded, that the fubordinate legiflatures in America mull have been apprifed of thefe inconveniences, and had either refufed, or at leafi neglected to provide an adequate remedy. Sci}. IX. TO THE CoLONms. 21 7 \Vhat the provincial legiflatures would not, or at lead did not do, parliament did for them. To facilitate the proof of debts, it enaé‘ted, that an aflidavit taken before the mayor, or other chief magillrate of any town in England, and properly authenti- eated, fhould be received as legal evidence in all the courts in the plantations, and But, indeed, we have more pofitive proof have the fame force, and effect, as the that this was really the cafe. The bill was brought in, in confequence of repeated petitions from the merchants of lingland. They fet forth, that by the finer then in force in the plantations, the Britilh {objects had none, or at lCZlPi but a pre- carious remedy for the recovery of their juf't debts. They fet forth, that the fame laws had laid partial duties on the liritifh fubjeé‘ts trading there; duties higher than thofe paid by the inhabitants of the colo- nies i. perfonal oath of the plaintiff made More in open court. To facilitate the recovery, and levying of debts, itenac'ts, "that lands, houfes, " negroes, other hereditarnents, and all " rm/ellates whatever, {hould be [fa/Mu to, " charger/Me with, all debts due either to " the king, or any of his fubjeci's, and be " {gfli‘ts for the fatisfaction thereof; in the " fame manner, as, by the law of Eng- " land, real ellatcs are liable to the fatig" firflion of debts, due by bond, or other " fpeeiality." + 5 Geo. II. c. 7. In 1 Sec Comm. Journ. vol, xxi. p. 734. \Vha't |
