Whereas several Persons have within six Months last past come immediately from Europe in Vessells to settle in this Province, Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Assembly And the Authority of the same That all such Persons or any Others that may come from Europe immediately in any Vessell with the same Intent shall and they are hereby declared to be Exempt from paying any Publick County or Parish Taxes for and during the term of four Years next after their arrival any Law to the Contrary Notwithstanding.

And Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that this Act shall be and Continue in force for and during the Term and space of three Years commencing from the first day of June last and from thence to the end of the Next Session of Assembly and no longer.

CO 5/340, f. 23
“Allowed to expire” by the Privy Council, following a report from the Board of Trade. The board thought that “the Encouragement of Exemption from Taxes should . . . have been Extended to all persons, as well as to those, who shall come Immediately from Europe, inasmuch as such Exclusive Encluragement may have a tendency to encrease the migration from [the king’s] European Dominions.” The board also objected to “the prejudice . . . lto the Landed Interests and Manufactures of Great Britain and Ireland from the Emigration of the Inhabitants to [the king’s] American Colonies.” Acts of the Privy Council, 5:336, 340.