35. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That, from and after the first day of _January_ one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, the customs and other duties which now are or hereafter may be due and payable upon any goods or merchandizes brought or imported into, or exported or carried from, the island of _Newfoundland_, by virtue of this or any act or acts of Parliament, and the officers of his Majesty’s customs appointed for executing and carrying into execution the several laws relating to the trade and revenue there, shall be under the management and direction of the commissioners of his Majesty’s customs in _England_ for the time being, under the authority and direction of the high treasurer of _Great Britain_, or the commissioners of the treasury for the time being, any law, patent, custom, or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding. [Sidenote: Deputations granted by the commissioners for _North America_ before _Jan. 1, 1776_, to any officers for _Newfoundland_ to be in force.] 36. Provided always, and it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all deputations and other authorities granted by the commissioners of the customs for _North America_, before the said first day of _January_ one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, to any officer or officers acting in and for the said island of _Newfoundland_, shall continue in force, as fully to all intents and purposes as if this act had not been made, until the deputations or other authorities so granted to such officer or officers respectively shall be revoked, annulled, or made void, by the high treasurer of _Great Britain_, or commissioners of the treasury for the time being. [Sidenote: Persons sued for any thing done in pursuance of this act may plead the general issue, and recover treble costs.] 37. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any action or suit shall be commenced against any person or persons for any thing done in pursuance of this act of parliament, the defendant or defendants in such action or suit may plead the general issue, and give this act and the special matter in evidence at any trial to be had thereupon, and that the same was done in pursuance of and by the authority of this act: And if it shall appear so to have been done, the jury shall find for the defendant or defendants; and if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or discontinue his action after the defendant or defendants have appeared, or if judgement shall be given upon any verdict or demurrer against the plaintiff, the defendant or defendants shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy for the same as defendants have in other cases by law. 26 GEO. III. Cap. 26.