George, R.
Additional Instruction to our Trusty and wellbeloved Josiah Martin Esquire, Our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over Our Province of North Carolina in America, Given at our Court at St James's the fourth day of February 1772, in the twelfth year of Our Reign.
Whereas Laws have been passed in some of our Colonies and Plantations in America, by which the Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of persons who have never resided within the colonies where such Laws have been passed, have been made liable to be attached for the recovery of Debts in a manner different from that allowed by the Laws of England in like cases,
And Whereas it hath been represented unto Us, that such Laws may have the consequence to prejudice and obstruct the commerce between this Kingdom and Our said Colonies and to affect Public Credit. It is therefore Our Will and Pleasure that you do not on any pretence whatever, give your assent to, or pass any Bill or Bills in Our Province under your Government, by which the Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of Persons who have never resided within Our said Province shall be made liable to be attached for the recovery of Debts due from such Persons, otherwise than is allowed by Law, in cases of the like nature within this Our Kingdom of Great Britain, until you shall have first transmitted unto us, by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, the draught of such Bill or Bills, and shall have received our Royal Pleasure thereupon unless you take care in the passing of such Bill or Bills that a Clause or Clauses be inserted therein, suspending and deferring the Execution thereof until Our Royal Will and Pleasure shall be known thereupon.