Circular Instructions from Board of Trade to Governors in North America, 6 June 1764

  • Transcription

Additional Instruction to

6. June 1764

Nova Scotia

New Hampshire

New York

Massachusetts Bay

New Jersey.

Virginia

North Carolina

South Carolina.

Georgia.

Bermuda.

Bahamas

Barbados

Lewd. Islands

Jamaica

 Whereas frequent Complaints have been heretofore made that exorbitant Fees have been demanded and taken in the public Offices in several of Our Colonies & plantations in America for bussiness transacted in such Offices & whereas it hath been represented unto us that there is great reason to apprehend that such unwarrantable demands and exactions are still continued in some of Our Colonies, particularly on the Survey and passing patents for Lands; And where as such shamefull and illegal practices do not only dishonor Our Service but do also operate to the prejudice of the public Interests by obtstructing the speedy Settlement of Our Colonies, It is therefore Our Will and Pleasure and you are hereby strictly enjoin'd and requir'd forthwith upon receiving these Our Instructions to you, to cause fair Tables of all Fees legally established within the province/Islands under your Govt. to be affix'd up in every public Office within your said Govt. and also to publish a proclamation in Our name, under the Seal of Our said Province/Islands setting forth the Complaints & Representations which have been made to us in respect to the exorbitant Fees demanded & taken in the public Offices of several of Our Colonies, expressing Our just Indignation at such unwarrantable & dishonorable Practices and strictly enjoining and requiring all publick Officers whatever in their respective Stations not to demand or receive any other Fees for public Business transacted in their Offices, than what have been established by proper Authority, upon pain of being removed from their said Offices and prosecuted with the utmost Severity of the Law; And it is Our further Will & Pleasure that you do also forthwith transmit to Our Commissioners for Trade & Plantations in order to be laid before us an exact and authentick List or Table of all Fees allow'd to or taken by each Officer respectively within the Province/Islands under your Government signifying ^specifying^ by what authority the Fees allowed to or taken by each Officer are establish'd, and distinguishing such, if any, as are taken without any such Authority.

Mem. In Barbados Instruction, Island.

Plant. General.
Report to the Lords of the Committ. of Council for Plantation Affairs with Dragts. of Additional Instructions to His Majesty's Govrs. in America, respecting Fees.

May 28 1764.

Entered 404