Section III Recital of 12 Car. II. c. 18. § 2.

Governors, &c. of Plantations to take Oaths to observe Acts for securing Plantation Trade; before whom such Oath to be taken; neglecting to take such Oath or neglect in their Duty; Removal and Penalty £1,000.

And whereas by One Clause in the said Act passed in the Twelfth Yeare of the Reigne of the late King Charles the Second intituled An Act for the encourageing and increaseing of Shipping and Navigation all Governours of His Majesties Colonies or Plantations in Asia Africa or America are required to take a solemne Oath to doe theire utmost that every the Clauses therein before mencoined and all the Matters and Things therein contained shall bee punctually and bona fide observed according to the true intent and meaneing thereof soe that the said Governours are not strictly obliged by that Oath to putt in Execution the subsequent Clauses of the said Act although some of the Clauses following are of great Importance and tend greatly to the Security of the Plantation Trade And whereas divers other good Lawes have beene made for the better regulating and secureing the Plantation Trade since the said last mentioned Act bee itt further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all the present Governors or Commanders in Chiefe of any English Colonies or Plantations shall before the Five and twentieth Day of March One thousand six hundred ninety seaven and all who hereafter shall bee made Governours or Commanders in Chiefe of the said Colonies or Plantations or any of them before their Entrance into their Government shall take a solemne Oath to doe theire utmost that all the Clauses Matters and Things contained in the before recited Acts of Parliament heretofore passed and now in force relateing to the said Colonies and Plantations and that all and every the Clauses contained in this present Act bee punctually and bona fide observed according to the true intent and meaneing thereof (which Oath shall bee taken before such Person or Persons as shall bee appointed by His Majesty His Heires and Successors who are hereby authorized to administer the same) soe farr as appertaines unto the said Governours or Co[m]manders in Chiefe respectively And upon Complaint and Proofe made before His Majesty His Heires and Successors or such as shall bee by him or them thereunto authorized and appointed by the Oath of Two or more credible Witnesses That any the said Governours or Commanders in Chiefe have neglected to take the said Oath att the Tymes aforesaid or have beene wittingly or willingly negligent in doeing theire Duety accordingly the said Governour soe neglecting or offending shall bee removed from his Government and forfeite the Summe of One thousand Pounds Sterling.