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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Order of the Privy Council of Great Britain concerning acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, including cover letter from Wills Hill, Marquis of Downshire to Josiah Martin
Great Britain. Privy Council
June 07, 1771
Volume 11, Pages 235-237

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol: 434. p. 90.]


Whitehall. 3rd July 1771.
No 3. Gov: Martin.

Sir,

Inclosed I send you by His Majesty's Command an Order of His Majesty in Council on the 7th of June last disallowing two Laws passed in North Carolina in December 1768. and that you may know the reasons which have induced the Disallowance of these Laws I send you inclosed for your own Information a Copy of the Board of Trades Representation thereupon. I am, etc:

HILLSBOROUGH.

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Inclosure.

At the Court at St James's the 7th Day of June 1771.
Present.
The King's most Excellent Majesty
The Chancellor.
Lord President.
Lord Privy Seal.
Duke of Ancaster.
Duke of Queensberry.
Lord Chamberlain.
Earl of Rochford.
Earl of Bristol.
Earl of Pomfret.
Earl of Hillsborough.
Visct Falmouth.
Lord North.
Hans Stanley Esqre
Richd Rigby Esqre
Geo: Onslow Esqre

Whereas by Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain the Governor Council & Assembly of His Majesty's Colony of North Carolina are authorized and empowered to make constitute and ordain Laws Statutes and Ordinances for the Public Peace Welfare and good Government of the said Colony which Laws Statutes and Ordinances are to be as near as conveniently may be agreeable to the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom and are to be transmitted for His Majesty's Royal approbation or Disallowance; And Whereas in pursuance of the said Powers two Acts were passed in the said Colony in Decber 1768. and transmitted intitled as follows vizt.

1st An Act to encourage the Importation of British Copper Halfpence and for making them a Tender for the payment of small debts.

2d An Act for declaring certain Lots in the Town of Newbern taken up by the Trustees for promoting the public school in the said Town saved and improved according to Law and to impower the said Trustees to collect the subscriptions due to the said School.

Which Acts together with a Representation from the Lords Comrs for Trade and Plantations thereupon having been referred to the Consideration of a Committee of the Lords of His Majtys most Honble Privy Council for Plantation Affairs. The said Lords of the Committee did this Day report to His Majesty as their opinion that the said Acts ought to be disallowed. His Majesty taking the same into consideration was pleased with the advice of His Privy Council to declare His disallowance of the said Acts and pursuant to His Majtys Royal Pleasure thereupon expressed the said Acts are hereby disallowed declared void and of none effect. Whereof the Govr or Commander in Chief of His Majtys said Colony

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of No Carolina for the time being and all others whom it may concern are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.

STEPH: COTTRELL.