STATUTES, PROCLAMATIONS, RULES, ORDERS, ETC. 927 



tituled, an Act to restrain the trade and commerce of the colonies of 

 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, 

 to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British islands in the West Indies, 

 under certain conditions and limitations} : and whereas the prohibi- 

 tions and restraints imposed by the said Acts will be rendered un- 

 necessary by the provisions of this Act:" be it therefore enacted by 

 the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of January 

 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, the said Acts shall be, 

 and the same are hereby repealed. 



XLIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That 

 this Act, so far as the same relates to the capture and forfeiture of 

 ships and vessels belonging to the inhabitants of the above-mentioned 

 colonies, shall, except in the cases herein before mentioned, commence 

 and be in force from and after the first day of January one thousand 

 seven hundred and seventy-six; and so far as the same relates to the 

 capture and forfeiture of all other ships and vessels that shall be 

 found going to trade in or at any of the said colonies, from and after 

 the first day of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 

 six; and so far as the same relates to the capture and forfeiture of all 

 other ships and vessels that shall be found trading in or at any of the 

 said colonies, or bound and trading from any port or place in the 

 same, from and after the twenty-fifth day of March one thousand 

 seven hundred and seventy-six; and shall continue to be in force so 

 long as the said colonies respectively shall remain in a state of 



rebellion. 

 552 XLIV. Provided always nevertheless, and it is hereby 



enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in order to encourage 

 all well-affected persons in any of the said colonies to exert themselves 

 in suppressing the rebellion therein, and to afford a speedy protection 

 to those who are disposed to return to their duty, it shall and may 

 be lawful to and for any person or persons, appointed and authorised 

 by His Majesty, to grant a pardon or pardons to any number or de- 

 scription of persons, by proclamation, in His Majesty's name, to 

 declare any colony or province, colonies or provinces, or any county, 

 town, port, district, or place, in any colony or province, to be at the 

 peace of His Majesty; and from and after the issuing of any such 

 proclamation in any of the aforesaid colonies or provinces, or if His 

 Majesty shall be graciously pleased to signify the same by his royal 

 proclamation, then, from and after the issuing of such proclamation, 

 this Act, with respect to such colony or province, colonies or prov- 

 inces, county, town, port, district, or place, shall cease, determine, 

 and be utterly void ; and if any captures shall be made, after the date 

 and issuing of such proclamations, of any ships or vessels, and their 

 cargoes, belonging to the inhabitants of any such colony or province, 

 colonies or provinces, county, town, port, district, or place, or of any 

 ships trading to or from such colony or province, colonies or prov- 

 inces respectively, the same shall be restored to the owners of such 

 ships or vessels upon claim being entered, and due proof made, of 

 their property therein, and the captors shall not be liable to any action 

 for seizing or detaining the said ships or vessels, or their cargoes, 

 without proof being made that they had actual notice of such procla- 

 mation having been issued. 



