which was made a fund for payment of the 3 per cent. annuities, granted in respect of the sum of 12 millions borrowed by virtue of an act 1 Geo. 3, towards the supply of the year 1761, and also of the annuities for a certain term of 99 years, granted in respect of the same sum, be carried to, and made part of, the sinking fund. 22. That, towards raising the supply granted to his Majesty, there be issued and applied the sum of 2 millions, out of such monies, as shall or may arise of the surplusses, excesses, or overplus monies, and other revenues, composing the fund commonly called the Sinking Fund, 2,000,000l. March 13. 1. That an additional duty of 11. 2s. per cwt. be laid upon all white or clayed sugars, of the produce or manufacture of any foreign American colony or plantation imported into any British colony or plantation in America. 2. That the produce of the said additional duty be paid into the receipt of his Majesty's exchequer, and there reserved to be, from time to time, disposed of by parliament, towards defraying the necessary expences of defending, protecting, and securing, the British colonies and plantations in America. 3. That upon all wines (except French wines) exported as merchandize, from this kingdom, to the British colonies and plantations in America, a drawback be al lowed of all the duties paid on the importation of such wines, except 3. 10s. per ton, part of the additional duty of 4l. per ton, granted by an act made in the last session of parliament; and also except such part of the duties paid upon wines, imported by strangers or aliens, or in foreign ships, as exceeds what would have been payable upon such wines, if the same had been imported by British subjects and in British ships. 4. That no allowance be made for leakage, upon the importation of any wines into this kingdom, unless such wines be imported directly from the place of their growth, or from the usual place of their first shipping, except only Madeira wines, imported from any of the British colonies or plantations in America, or from the East Indies. 5. That any person, or persons, be permitted to import, in ships belonging to his Majesty's subjects, whale fins, taken from whales caught, by any of his Majesty's subjects, in the gulph or river of St. Lawrence, or in any seas on the coasts of any of his Majesty's colonies in America, without paying any custom, subsidy, or duty, for the same (other than and except the rate or duty commonly called the old subsidy) for the term of 7 years, from the 25th Dec. 1763. March 15. 1. That the persons interested in, or entitled unto, all or any of the bills payable in course of the navy or victualling offices, or for transports, made out on or before the 31st Dec. 1762, which in pursuance of a resolution of this House of the 6th Feb. last, have been delivered to the treasurer of his Majesty's navy, in order to be converted into annuities, as mentioned in the said resolution, and who, instead of such annuities, shall chuse to receive the principal and interest due on such bills to the time of the payment thereof, and shall, in books to be opened for that purpose, at the office of the said treasurer, express their consent thereunto, on or before the 31st of this present instant March, shall be entitled to receive such principal and interest in discharge of the said bills, out of the money granted to his Majesty in this session of parliament, towards paying off and discharging the debt of the navy, upon their delivering up the notes or receipts issued for the same, in like manner as if they had not delivered the said bills to the treasurer of his Majesty's navy, according to the resolution of this House of the 6th February last; and that such of the said bills for and in respect whereof such consent shall not be so expressed on or before the 31st of this present instant March, be converted into annuities as mentioned in the said resolution, and consolidated with the annuities granted by an act of the last session of parliament, to satisfy certain navy, victualling and transport bills, and ordnance debentures. 2. That the duties now payable upon beaver skins imported into Great Britain. from his Majesty's dominions in America, do cease, determine, and be no longer paid. 3. That, in lieu of the said former duties there be granted to his Majesty a duty of one penny, to be paid upon the importation of every beaver skin into Great Britain, from his Majesty's dominions in. America. 4. That there be granted to his Majesty a duty of 7d. upon each beaver skin, or piece of such skin, exported from Great Britain. 5. That there be granted to his Majesty a duty of Is. 6d. per pound, for all beaver wool exported from Great Britain. the continuance of peace abroad; and the firm and temperate exertion of your authority, joined to the constitutional and public spirited conduct which you have manifested on every occasion during the present session, will, I trust, establish at home due obedience to the laws, reverence to the legislature, and domestic union. "The assurances which I have received of the pacific disposition of the several 6. That the said duties be made appli-powers with whom we were lately at war, cable to the same purposes, to which the and of their resolution to adhere inviolaformer duties upon beaver skins were ap-bly to the terms of the late treaty, promise plied. 7. That no drawback be allowed upon beaver skins exported from Great Britain. March 22. i. That there be raised by lans or exchequer bills, to be charged on the first aids to be granted in the next session, and such exchequer bills, if not discharged, with interest thereupon, on or before the 5th of April, 1765, to be exchanged and received in payment, in such manner as exchequer bills have usually been exchanged, and received in payment, the sum of 800,000l. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I thank you for the Supplies which you have so cheerfully and unanimously granted. The ample provision you have made for the several services recommend2. That the sum of 3,4971. 9s. 9d. re-ed to you, and especially for maintaining maining in the receipt of the exchequer, my fleet in a respectable state, will, I am being the surplus of the several duties confident, preserve to this nation its proupon beer and ale, granted by an act of per weight and influence, and give strength the 1st of his Majesty's reign, after satis-and security to all my dominions. fying all charges and incumbrances thereupon, to the 5th Jan. 1764, be issued and applied, towards making good the supply granted in this session. 3. That such part of the sum of 150,000. granted in the last session for defraying the charge of the pay and clothing of the militia for one year, beginning the 25th March, 1763, as shall remain in the receipt of the exchequer, after the said charge is satisfied, be issued and applied, towards raising the supply grant ed in this session. "The wise regulations which have been established to augment the public revenues, to unite the interests of the most distant possessions of my crown, and to encourage and secure their commerce with Great Britain, call for my hearty approbation. "Your regard to public credit in discharging a part of the heavy debt contracted and unprovided for during the late war, without imposing on this kingdom the burden of any new taxes, is particu larly pleasing to me, from the tender concern which I feel for my people. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "It is the proper employment of this season of tranquillity, to consider of the most effectual means for perfecting those works of peace, and plans of public utility which have been so wisely and happily begun. "I recommend these important objects to your consideration, during the recess: you may depend on my constant endeavours for the success of these good purposes: as I shall ever esteem it my truest glory to employ that power with which the constitution hath entrusted me, in promoting your real interests and lasting happiness." The Parliament was then prorogued to the 21st of June; and was afterwards further prorogued to the 10th of January 1765. END OF VOL, XV, |