Not more than 6 per cent. interest to be received for loan of Monies, Wares, &c.
Bonds, &c. securing more than 6 per cent. interest to be void.
Persons who shall on any contract, bond, &c. take more than 6 per cent. interest shall forfeit the value of the principal sum, &c. one half to the King and the other to the Prosecutor.
This Act not to extend to bottomry, to damages on protested Bills, or forfeitures for non-fulfilling contracts, &c.
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I. BE it enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly, That no person or persons whatsoever, upon any contract which may be made, shall directly or indirectly accept or receive for loan of any monies, wares, merchandize, or other commodities whatsoever, above the value of six pounds for the forbearance of one hundred pounds for the term of one year, and so after that rate for a greater or less sum, or for a longer or shorter time; and that all Bonds, Contracts, Obligations and Assurances whatsoever, for payment of any principal or money, to be lent, or covenanted to be performed, whereupon, or whereby there shall be reserved, taken, or received above the rate of six pounds for one hundred pounds as aforesaid, shall be utterly void; and that all and every person or persons whatsoever, who shall, upon any Contract, Bond, Obligation or Assurance to be made, take, accept or receive by way or means of any corrupt bargain, loan, exchange, shift or transfer of any wares, merchandize or other thing or things whatsoever, by covin, or by any deceitful way or mean whatsoever, for the forbearing, or giving day of payment, beyond one whole year, of and for their money, wares, merchandize or other things, above the sum of six pounds for the forbearing of one hundred pounds for one year, and so after that rate, for a greater or less sum, or for a longer or shorter time, shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, the full value of the principal sum or sums of money, wares, merchandize or other things so lent, bargained, exchanged or shifted; together with all interest, and other emoluments accruing thereon, one moiety thereof to be to the King's most excellent Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, for the public use of this Province, and the support of the Government thereof; and the other half or moiety to him or them that shall sue for the same, to be recovered by action of debt, bill, plaint or information in the Supreme Court or in any of his Majesty's Courts of Record, in the County where the offence shall be committed. Provided, That nothing in this Act shall extend, or be construed to extend to, or affect any specialty, obligation, instrument or agreement in writing, that shall be made, entered into or executed for any money lent, or advanced upon the bottom of any ship or vessel; or to prevent the full recovery of damages on protested Bills as by Law established; or against the recovery of any penalty incurred or forfeited by the non-fulfilling of any contract or agreement entered into for the performance of certain things and conditions where the penaly therein expressed becomes mutually binding, any thing to the contrary notwithstanding.
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