EXCHEQUER Bills. By statute 5 Ann. c. 13. the lord
treasurers may cause exchequer bills to be made of any
sums not exceeding 1,500,000. for the use of the war;
and the duties upon houses were made chargeable with
4l. 10s. per cent. per annum to the bank for circulating
them. The bank not paying the bills, actions to be
brought against the Company, and the money and da-
mages recovered; and if any exchequer bills be lost,
upon affidavit of it before a baron of the exchequer, and
certificate from such baron, and security to pay the same
if found, duplicates are to be made out: also when bills
are defaced, new ones shall be delivered. The king,
or his officers in the exchequer, by former statutes,
might borrow money upon the credit of bills, payable
on demand, with interest after the rate of 3d. per diem
for every 100l. bill. And by 8 and 9 W. III. c. 20.
an interest of 5d. a day was allowed for every 100l.
But 12 W. III. c. 1. lowered the interest on these bills
to 4d. a day per cent. And by 12 Ann. c. 11. it is
sunk to 2d. a day. Forging exchequer bills, or the in-
dorsements thereof, is felony.