The North Carolina Biennial Act was passed in 1715 by an assembly of colonial representatives meeting at New River. At the time, England was nurturing a relationship with Carolina for exclusive export of tobacco, cotton, corn and other products from the vast Carolina plantations to England so the Act was virtually ignored. In 1736 Governor Gabriel Johnston wrote the king asking for permission to limit the effectiveness of the Act. It was nearly a year before the king sent his wishy-washy reply. The kings message did, however, limit expansion of colonial assemblies.
Disposition of the North Carolina Biennial Act
1737
By an Act passed in Carolina in the time of the Lords
Proprietors relating to biennial and other assemblies and
regulating elections and members, I observe that there is a
power given to the assembly of this colony to meet with
out the consent of the Crown. The charter to the Lords
Proprietors does not warrant this proceeding. The power
of calling of parliaments is admitted to be an inherent
privilege in the Crown, and I believe this is the first
instance that such an attempt has been made to deprive
the Crown of it. I think you should show your
disapprobation of a law which in so high a degree encroaches
upon the prerogative of the Crown. But I must observe
to you, if the facts are true which are stated in the
memorial of Mr. Smyth the Chief Justice, I think it cannot
be considered as an Act in force, not having received a
due confirmation agreeable to the rules settled by the
Lords Proprietors themselves.