a body of constitutions, consisting of eighteen articles : probably founded on the old Norman laws, and existing usages. Two great privileges are therein granted-one, that no process, in either of the Islands, commenced before any magistrate of that Island, can be transferred out of it, but must be decided there. The other, that no person, convicted, out of the said Islands, of felony, is to forfeit the inheritances he may have in them, so as to deprive his heirs of their lawful possession. This does not, however, extend to crimes committed in either Island, and decided there. The two foregoing articles seem to have been inserted to show how completely independent these Islands always were of the English courts of judica

ture.

Another most important privilege is, they are exempted from the jurisdiction of the British courts, except that of the Admiralty, which, by an order in council, issued during the last war, comprehended the Channel Islands: even acts of parliament passed by the British legislature have no force here, unless the Islands are especially named: and it was even contended formerly, that it was necessary to have the sanction of the Royal Court, and to be registered by it, before they were binding on them; this however will not now be urged, as an order in council, which is admitted to be imperative, has decided that this registration is not necessary.

The Islanders enjoy the double privilege of being governed by their own, that is, the old Norman laws; and have also the privileges of British born subjects: yet, in the administration of their own laws, a British subject is, in many respects, considered as an alien, and subject to disabilities as such. This relates principally to the appointment, or the privilege of electing, to offices: the remark

applies equally to both Islands:* but British subjects being freeholders, that is, possessing lands or rents, have all the privileges of natives. British residents, in general, are not taxed to the poor rates, as an inducement to their continuing in the Island: after a residence of a year and a day, they may claim to be rated, and then they have a right of voting as well as natives.

From what has been observed it will be understood, that writs issued by the courts in Westminster, with the exception already noticed, cannot be served in these Islands; as Lord Coke observed, "the King's writs runneth not into these Islands."t

The charter of Elizabeth confirmed all those granted by former sovereigns in their fullest extent, and she freed the Islanders from all tribute or toll of every kind whatsoever, that may be imposed throughout England: and even by a declaratory clause acknowledged that singular privilege, the neutrality of the Islands, even with nations. with which England may be at war.‡

The Royal Courts of the respective Islands try all causes originating in them, whether civil or criminal, except those for treason, coining, or such other as would

* Mr. Berry, in his history of Guernsey, has complained of this, and considers it an injustice; it should, however, be remembered that the Islanders have deserved the privileges by their unshaken loyalty, and constant attachment to the British government, as well as by their situation; and it should not be forgotten, that the British government attaches great importance to the possession of the Islands: therefore are the privileges continued to secure their attachment, and the English, as a nation, partake of the benefit..

+ It is thus that the same eminent lawyer makes the distinction in reference to them, "though they are parcel of the CROWN of England, they are not parcel of the REALM of England."

This fell into disuse soon after the reign of Elizabeth, and was finally annulled by William the Third.

A particular account of this very remarkable privilege will be found in Chapter XV. 0 on Ancient Privileges."

affect the Royal prerogative, nor can an appeal be made to any superior court in England-the queen in council is the only appeal. Commissioners have sometimes been appointed under the great seal, and have had extensive power in the Islands; yet even the commissioners must decide according to the existing laws-they have no legislative power. While exercising their jurisdiction, the ordinary forms of justice are suspended.

The Islanders elect their own magistrates, with the exception of the bailiff.

One of the ecclesiastical privileges is, the Islanders have the preference of being appointed to vacant benefices: thus no Englishman can hold a living in Jersey, while an inhabitant, in orders, prefers a claim.

Another ecclesiastical privilege is, as it respects benefices, pluralities are not allowed-no person can hold two livings.

No stamps are required either for bills, receipts, or conveyances of property.

The Island is protected from the impress service.

Jersey till lately enjoyed the privilege of being a free port: there were, until the late peace, only a few duties on the imports, but no prohibitions.

There are not any taxes, except the parochial rates for the indigent, and for the highways, and some small duties on wines and spirits. Levies are, however, sometimes made, for the purpose of defraying any extraordinary expenses; but not large in amount.

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CHAPTER IX.

Revenue, Coins and Pecuniary Substitutes.

THE average annual amount of revenue, received by the States, for the years 1810, 1811, and 1812, was somewhat more than 110,000 livres, French currency, which is about £4,600 British sterling.

This revenue, partaking of the general prosperity of the Island, has greatly increased; for a report made to parliament for the year 1821, gives the following result:

leaving near £5,5000 to be expended on improvements in the Island; and taking an average of four years, ending December 31st, 1836, the last period to which, at this time, the accounts have been made up, gives the amount of £14,632 38. 1d. per annum, which, it will be observed, is an advance of nearly 50 per cent. in fifteen years.

The revenue arises from licenses granted to tavernkeepers, rents in the market, duties on wines and spirits, harbour dues, &c.; and when an additional sum is required, and especially when it is for any particular object, a rate is levied on the inhabitants: the States formerly

had recourse to lotteries: they were conducted more soberly than in England-there was no fluctuation in the price of tickets, and no insurance on them was allowed; so that the gambling mania which formerly prevailed in England, and which led to their suppression, did not exist in Jersey notwithstanding they were abolished by an order in council, issued in 1837.

The duty on Spanish and Portuguese wines is £2 10s. per pipe; on French and Rhenish £1 10s. per pipe; on spirits one shilling per gallon: a publican pays £5 for his license. The following statement may be considered an average of the different items to make up the total amount, as reported to parliament:

The import duty on wines, liquors, &c., was granted by Charles the Second, for the purpose of endowing a college, building a workhouse, erecting a pier at St. Aubin, and providing a magazine of arms: but the sum produced not being sufficient to accomplish all these objects, the whole was applied to the construction of the two piers at St. Helier and St. Aubin: but the duties now being consolidated, they are applied to the public works, and the general improvement of the Island, after the current expences, and the interest of the debt, have been paid.

No part of the revenue of either Island is applied to its defence; the British government defraying the whole of this expenditure, which, including that for the militia,