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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Proclamation by Arthur Dobbs concerning the currency issued by James Murray and John Rutherford
Dobbs, Arthur, 1689-1765
December 05, 1757
Volume 05, Page 955


North Carolina.
A Proclamation.

Whereas the honble James Murray and John Rutherford Esqrs have issued a great number of notes for money, and thereby promise that the same shall be accepted from the Bearer in payment of Quit Rents and arrears due to His Majesty in the several Counties in this Province, and have issued the same with intent they should be received as a Currency, without having any lawful Authority for so doing; which undue Practices, if suffered to be carried on, must tend to the depreciating the present paper Currency of this Province as by Law established; notwithstanding the said John Rutherford's remonstrance to the Lords of Trade, shewing that the Paper Currency tho' not very plenty, is calculated to destroy the Credit of the Province abroad, and defraud the Inhabitants at home; for remedy whereof I have, by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, issued this my Proclamation, hereby forbidding the several Receivers of His Majesty's Quit Rents, and the several Sheriffs of the respective Counties in this Province to receive the said notes or Bills in payment of any arrears, sum or sums of money, that now is, or hereafter may become due, for His Majesty's Quit Rents, or any Public Taxes in this Province.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the said Province at Newbern the 5th day of December, in the thirty first year of His Majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven.

ARTHUR DOBBS.
By His Excellcy's Command.
Richard Fenner, Dep: Sec:
God save the King.