1790: 30 George 3 c.27: An Act for encouraging new Settlers in his Majesty’s Colonies and Plantations in America.
[Preamble.]
‘WHEREAS it is expedient that Encouragement should be given to Persons that are disposed to come and settle in certain of his Majesty’s Colonies and Plantations in America and the West Indies:’ be it therefore enacted by the King’s most excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same,
[From Aug. 1, 1790, Subjects of the United Slates of America, settling in the Bahama Islands, &c. may import Negroes, &c. Duty-free, to the Value herein specified. &c.]
That, from and after the first Day of August one thousand seven hundred and ninety, if any Person or Persons, being a Subject or Subjects of the Territories or Countries belonging to the United States of America, shall come from thence, together with his or their Family or Families, to any of the Bahama, Bermuda or Somers Islands, or to any Part of the Province of Quebec, or of Nova Scotia, or any of the Territories belonging to his Majesty in North America, for the Purpose of residing and settling there, it shall be lawful for any such Person or Persons, having first obtained a Licence for that Purpose from the Governor, or, in his Absence, the Lieutenant Governor of the said Islands, Colonies, or Provinces respectively, to import into the same, in British Ships owned by his Majesty’s Subjects, and navigated according to Law, any Negroes, Household Furniture, Utensils of Husbandry, or Cloathing, free of Duty: Provided always, That such Household Furniture, Utensils of Husbandry, and Cloathing, shall not in the Whole exceed the Value of fifty Pounds for every White Person that shall belong to such Family; and the Value of forty Shillings for every Negro brought by such White Person; and if any Dispute shall arise as to the Value of such Household Furniture, Utensils of Husbandry, or Cloathing, the same shall be heard and determined by the Arbitration of three British Merchants at the Port where the same shall be imported, one of such British Merchants to be appointed by the Governor, or, in his Absence, the Lieutenant Governor of such Island or Province, one by the Collector of the Customs at such Port, and one by the Person so coming with his Family.
[Sales of Negroes, &c. so imported within 12 Months, to be void.]
II. And be it further enacted, That all Sales or Bargains for the Sale of any Negro, Household Furniture, Utensils of Husbandry, or Cloathing, so imported, which shall be made within twelve Calendar Months after the Importation of the same, (except in Cases of the Bankruptcy or Death of the Owner thereof), shall be null and void to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever.
[All White Persons coming so to reside, to take the Oath of Allegiance, if upwards of 14 Years old.]
III. And be it further enacted, That every White Person so coming to reside, if above the Age of fourteen Years, shall, and he is hereby required, immediately after his Arrival, to take and subscribe the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, before the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Chief Magistrate of the Place where such Person shall arrive, and at the same Time swear that it is his Intention to reside and settle in such Island or Province; for which Oaths such Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Chief Magistrate, shall receive the same Fee, and no more, as is payable by Law on administering the Oath of Allegiance in Cases where the same is now by Law required.