Of the British Colonies in America-the nature of their dependence on the Mother Country, at the breaking out of the Civil War, on the Continent of America---with fuch alterations as have taken place down to the prefent period, Page 1.

CHA P. II.

Of the regulations to which the Commerce of the British American Colonies was fubjected, before the Civil War broke out there---with fuch alterations as bave taken place fince that time, down to the present period,

CHAP. III.

32

Of the Thirteen United States of America, whofe independence bath been lately acknowledged by Great Britain,

43

1

CHA P. IV.

Of the Governor of a Provincial Establishment or

King's Government---and of the powers and autho-

rities with which he is vefted by his commiffions and

inftructions,

CHAP. V.

149

Of the Inferior Courts of Civil Jurifdi&tion,

CHA P. IX.

Of the Superior Courts of Civil Jurifdi&tion,

CHA P. X.

Of the Courts of Criminal Jurifdiétion,

CHAP. XI.

255

256

262

Of the Judges of the Superior Courts in the Colonies,

264.

CHAP. XII.

Of the Counsel and Attornies in the Colonies,

269

CHAP. XIII.

Of the Court of Vice-Admiralty,

CHA P. XIV.

270

The method of authenticating Letters of Attorney,

and Affidavits in Great Britain, for the Recovery

of Debts in the Colonies in America, with Forms

of both forts.

CHA P. XV.

371

The method of authenticating Letters of Attorney,

which are to be tranfmitted without Affidavits of

Debt; together with Forms of Letters of Attorney

adapted to various Cafes,

CHA P. XVI.

394

Of the Negroes in the Colonies-and the Mode of con-

veying and manumitting them,

CHA P. XVII.

413

Of the manner of docking Estates Tail, Reverfions

and Remainders; and of barring Dower in the

Colonies with Directions for authenticating and

registering Deeds there: and Abstracts from feveral

Ats of Affembly relating thereto,

CHA P. XVIII.

443

Conveyances of lands and Negroes in Barbadoes, An-

tigua, St. Chriftopher's, and Jamaica, 464

APPENDIX.

Three Orders of the King in Council (relative to the

Trade between the Subjects of his Majefty's Domi-

nions, and the Inhabitants of the United States of

America), made, in pursuance of the Powers given

to his Majefty, by 23 Geo. III. c. 39. which was

paffed the 12th of May 1783.

550

INTRO

INTRODUCTION.

BEFORE I enter on the immediate fubject of this Compilation, I must intreat the Reader's patience whilft I take notice of the different European powers that have fettlements in America, and amongst whom fuch parts of the New World as do not remain in the hands of the Indians, or in the poffeffion of the United States of America, are at prefent divided; which is the more neceffary, on account of the change of property occafioned by the late Peace. It may not be improper in the first place to premife, that America was difcovered by Chriftopher Columbus, a Genoefe, in the fervice of Spain, on the 16th day of October, 1492, and took its name from Americus Vefputius, a Florentine, who, in the year 1497, was employed by the Spaniards, or, as fome fay, by Emanuel king of Portugal, to make further difcoveries. But the French pretend, that the Bafque fishermen frequented Newfoundland before Chriftopher Columbus found out the New World.

The story mentioned by Poftlethwayt in his Dictionary, of a Welsh prince having discovered America in the year 1109, I take to be altogether fabulous.

On the discovery of America, Pope Alexander the Sixth, by Bull, gave the New World to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Caftile and Arragon, as if he had a right to difpofe there

of.