[SECT. 9.]
That all bargains and contracts, debts and dues
whatsoever which shall be agreed, contracted or made after the
thirty-first day of March, one thousand seven hundred and fifty, shall be
understood
and are hereby declared to be in silver at six shillings and
eightpence per ounce, and all Spanish mill'd pieces of eight, of full
weight, shall be accounted taken and paid at the rate of six shillings
per piece, for the discharge of any contracts or bargains to be made
after the said thirty-first day of March, one thousand seven hundred and
fifty, the half's quarters and other less pieces of the same coin, to be
accounted received taken or paid in the same proportion; and if any
person shall for the discharge of any such contracts or bargains account
receive, take or pay any silver coin, or any of the said pieces at any
greater or higher rate than that at which the same is hereby regulated
and allowed, every such person so accounting, receiving, taking or paying
the same, shall forfeit the sum of fifty pounds for every offence, one
moiety thereof to his majesty, his heirs and successors, to and for the
use of this government, the other moiety to him or them that shall sue
for the same, to be recovered with full costs of suit, by action of debt,
bill, plaint, or information, in any of his majesty's courts of record
within this province, or by presentment of the grand jury; and all
persons whatsoever are hereby required to conform their books and
accounts according to the regulation aforesaid, any former usage to the
contrary notwithstanding; and any books and accounts which shall not be
made to conform to the said regulation, shall not be admitted or allowed
to be produced in evidence for the recovery of any debt in any of his
majesty's courts within this province.
And whereas bills of credit have been the only medium of
trade within this government for many years past, and the bills of
Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, have passed promiscuously
with the bills of this government, and the inhabitants of this
government will be liable to greater evils than they have ever yet
suffered if the bills of those governments continue current within this
province,—
Be it further enacted,
