SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 391 



mate best with existing statutes. The intricacy of the British 

 custom-house regulations is often injurious to trade ; in nothing 



quence was, that those subjects of Great Britain who would not take the oath, 

 were shipped from the colony like so many criminals. 



Another class of men, whose particular situations as ship-owners precluded 

 them from taking the oath, waited on the governor, and pointed out to him 

 different abstracts in our navigation acts which prevented them from comply- 

 ing with his proclamations. The principal ones of which were as follows, as 

 these facts are not generally known, I have transcribed them. 



In an act for the farther increase and encouragement of shipping and navi- 

 gation, 26 Geo. 3d, c. 60, and in sec. 8th, 9th, and 10th, will be found the 

 following strictures : 



British subjects resident abroad. 



" 8th. — That no subject of his majesty, whose residence is any foreign 

 country, shall be entitled, during the time he shall continue to reside, to be 

 whole or part owner of any British ship or vessel required to be registered by 

 this act, unles he be a member of some British factory, or agent for, or partner 

 in, any house or copartnership carrying on trade in Great Britain or Ireland. 



" 9th and lOth. — Oath to be taken before registry. 

 " The oath, directed, by the 7 and 8 Will. 3, to be taken on registering 

 the ships and vessels therein described, is hereby repealed. But no registry 

 shall be made or certificate granted until the following oath be taken and sub- 

 scribed before the persons herein before authorized to make such registry, and 

 grant such certificate, by the owner of such ship or vessel, if the same belong 

 to one person only ; or in case there shall be two joint owners, then by both of 

 them, if both be resident within twenty miles of the port where such registry 



