WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. Ill.] 
2 3 9 
OF the commercial regulations of this kingdom, 
the memorable law which was passed in the 12th 
year of king Charles II. chap. 18 , commonly called, 
by way of eminence, The Navigation Act, 
may be considered as the foundation. By this law 
it is, among other provisions, declared. 
First, That no goods or commodities should be 
imported into, or exported out of, any of his ma¬ 
jesty’s plantations or territories in Asia, Africa, or 
America, but in ships belonging to the subjects 
of England, Ireland, Wales, or Berwick, or in 
.such as are of the built of, and belonging to, such 
plantations, and whereof three-fourths of the ma¬ 
riners and the master are English subjects, on pain 
of the forfeiture of ship and cargo j and all admi¬ 
rals and commanders of king’s ships are authorised 
to make seizure of ships offending herein. 
Secondly, That no person bom out of the allegi¬ 
ance of his majesty, who is not naturalized, or 
made a free denizen, shall act as a merchant or 
factor in any of the said places, upon pain of for¬ 
feiting all his goods and chattels. 
Thirdly, That all governors, before they enter 
into the exercise of their office, shall take an oath 
“ taxation of them.” So says Mr. Jefferson, the American secretary of 
state, in his admirable report to the congress of the United Slates, dated 
?6 December 1793 ; wherein the reader will find many deep and import, 
ant observations on the subject of free commerce, which apply to all 
the maritime powers of Europe as well as to the states of America. 
