THE DUKE OF YORK’S RELEASE TO JOHN LORD BERKELEY, AND SIR GEORGE CARTERET, 24TH OF JUNE, 1664a

This indenture made the four and twentieth day of June, in the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c., Annoq. Domini, 1664. Between His Royal Highness, James Duke of York, and Albany, Earl of Ulster, Lord High Admiral of England, and Ireland, Constable of Dover Castle, Lord Warden of the Cinque ports, and Governor of Portsmouth, of the one part: John Lord Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, and one of His Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council, and Sir, George Carteret of Saltrum, in the County of Devon, Knight and one of His Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council of the other part: Whereas his said Majesty King Charles the Second, by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, bearing date on or about the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, did for the consideration therein mentioned, give and grant unto his said Royal Highness James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix next adjoining to New Scotland in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast unto a certain place called Pemaquie or Pemaquid, and so by the river thereof to the furthest head of the same as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river of Kenebeque, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river Canady northwards; and also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers there, called or known by the several names of Connecticut, and Hudson’s river; together also with the said river called Hudson’s river, and all the land from the west side of the Connecticut river to the east side of the Delaware Edition: current; Page: [2534] Bay: and also several other islands and lands in said Letters Patents mentioned, together with the rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fishing, hawkings, huntings, and fowling, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and heriditaments to the said several islands lands and premises belonging and appertaining, to have and to hold the said lands, islands, hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, unto his said Royal Hiness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns for ever; to be holden of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, as of the manner of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common soccage, yielding and rendering unto his said Majesty his heirs and successors of and for the same, yearly and every year, forty beaver skins, when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days after; with divers other grants, clauses, provisos, and agreements, in the said recited Letters Patents contain’d, as by the said Letters Patents, relation being thereunto had, it doth and may more plainly and at large appear. Now this Indenture witnesseth, that his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, for and in consideration of a competent sum of good and lawful money of England to his said Royal Highness James Duke of York in hand paid by the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof the said James Duke of York, doth hereby acknowledge, and thereof doth acquit and discharge the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret forever by these presents hath granted, bargained, sold, released and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island, and Manhitas Island and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson’s river, and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of the Delaware bay; and to the northward as far as the northermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude, and crosseth over thence in a strait line to Hudson’s river in forty-one degrees of latitude; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of New Caeserea or New Jersey: and also all rivers, mines, mineralls, woods, fishings, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, profits, commodities, and hereditaments whatever, to the said lands and premises belonging or in any wise appertaining; with their and every of their appurtenances, in as full and ample manner as the same is granted to the said Duke of York by the before-recited Letters Patents; and all the estate, title, interest, benefit advantage, claim and demand of the said James Duke of York, of in or to the said and premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof: All of which said tract of land and premises were by indenture, bearing date the day before the date hereof, bargain’d and sold by the said James Duke of York, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, for the term of one whole year to commence from the first day of May last past, before the date thereof, under the rent of a peper corn, payable as therein is mentioned as by the said deed more plainly may appear: by force Edition: current; Page: [2535] and virtue of which said indenture of bargain and sale, and of the statute for transferring of uses into possession, the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, are in actual possession of the said tract of land and premises, and enabled to take a grant and release thereof, the said lease being made to that end and purpose, to have and to hold all and singular the said tract of land and premises; with their, and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret their heirs and assigns for ever; yielding and rendering therefore unto the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, for the said tract of land and premises, yearly and every year the sum of twenty nobles of lawful money of England, if the same shall be lawfully demanded at or in the Inner Temple Hall, London, at the Feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel yearly. And the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret for themselves and their heirs, covenant and grant to and with the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns by these presents, that they the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns, shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, the said yearly rent of twenty nobles at such time and place, and in such manner and form as before in these presents is expressed and delivered. In witness whereof the parties a foresaid to these presents have interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

THE CONCESSION AND AGREEMENT OF THE LORDS PROPRIETORS OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW CAESAREA, OR NEW JERSEY, TO AND WITH ALL AND EVERY THE ADVENTURERS AND ALL SUCH AS SHALL SETTLE OR PLANT THERE—1664a

Imprimus. We do consent and agree, that the Governor of the said Province hath power, by the advice of his Council, to depute one in his place and authority, in case of death or removal, to continue until our further order, unless we have commissionated one before.

Item. That he hath likewise power to make choice of and to take to him six councellors at least, or twelve at most, or any even number between six and twelve, with whose advice and consent, or with at least three of the six, or four of a greater number (all being summon’d) he is to govern according to the limitations and instructions following, during our pleasure.

Item. That the chief Secretary or register which we have chosen, or shall choose, (we failing) that he shall choose, shall keep exact entries in fair books of all publick affairs: and to avoid deceits and lawsuits, shall record and enter all grants of land from the lords to Edition: current; Page: [2536] the planters; and all conveyances of land, house or houses from man to man, as also all leases for land, house or houses, made or to be made by the landlord to any tenant for more than one year; which conveyance or lease shall be first acknowledged by the grantor or leasor, or proved by the oath of two witnesses to the lease or conveyance, before the Governor or some chief judge of a court for the time being, who shall under his hand on the backside of the said deed or lease, attest the acknowledgment or proof as aforesaid; which shall be a warrant for the register to record the same: which conveyance so recorded shall be good and effectual in law, notwithstanding any other conveyance, deed or lease for the said land, house or houses, or for any part thereof, altho’ dated before the conveyance, deed or lease, recorded as aforesaid: And the said register shall do all other thing or things that we by our instructions shall direct, and the Governor, Council and General Assembly shall ordain for the good and welfare of the said Province.

Item. That the Surveyor General, that we have chosen or shall choose, (we failing that the Governor shall choose) shall have power by himself or deputy, to survey, lay out and bound all such lands as shall be granted from the lords to the planters; and all other lands within the said Province which may concern particular men as he shall be desired to do, and a particular thereof certify to the register to be recorded as aforesaid. Provided, that if the said register and surveyor, or either of them, shall misbehave themselves, as that the Governor and Council or Deputy Governor and Council, or the major part of them, shall find it reasonable to suspend their actings in their respective employments, it shall be lawful for them so to do, until further orders from us.

Item. That the Governor, Councellors, Assembly Men, Secretary, Surveyor, and all other officers of trust, shall swear or subscribe (in a book to be provided for that purpose) that they will bear true allegiance to the King of England, his heirs and successors; and that they will be faithful to the interests of the Lords Proprietors of the said Province and their heirs, executors and assigns; and endeavour the peace and welfare of the said Province; and that they will truly and faithfully discharge their respective trust in their respective offices, and do equal justice to all men, according to their best skill and judgment, without corruption, favour or affection; and the names of all that have sworn or subscribed, to be entered in a book. And whosoever shall subscribe and not swear, and shall violate his promise in that subscription, shall be liable to the same punishment that the persons are or may be that have sworn and broken their oaths.

Item. That all persons that are or shall become subjects of the King of England, and swear, or subscribe allegiance to the King, and faithfulness to the lords, shall be admitted to plant and become freemen of the said Province, and enjoy the freedoms and immunities hereafter express’d, until some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords, or else the Governor, Council and Assembly, which shall be in force until the Lords see cause to the contrary: provided that such stop shall not any ways prejudice the right or continuance of any person that have been receiv’d before such stop or orders come from the General Assembly.

Item. That no person qualified as aforesaid within the said Province, at any time shall be any ways molested, punished, disquieted or called in question for any difference in opinion or practice in matter of religious concernments, who do not actually disturb the civil peace of the said Province; but that all and every such person and persons may from time to time, and at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences in matters of religion throughout the said Province they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance of others; any law, statute or clause contained, or to be contained, usuage or custom of this realm of England, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

Item. That no pretence may be taken by our heirs or assigns for or by reason of our right of patronage and power of advouson, granted by his Majesty’s Letter’s Patents, unto his Royal Highness James Duke of York, and by his said Royal Highness unto us, thereby to infringe the general clause of liberty of conscience, aforementioned: we do hereby grant unto the General Assembly of the said Province, power by act to constitute and appoint such and so many ministers or preachers as they shall think fit, and to establish their maintenance, giving liberty beside to any person or persons to keep and maintain what preachers or ministers they please.

Item. That the inhabitants being freemen, or chief agents to others of the Province aforesaid; do as soon as this our commission shall arrive, by virtue of a writ in our names by the Governor to be for the present (until our seal comes) sealed and signed, make choice of twelve deputies or representatives from amongst themselves; who being chosen are to join with the said Governor and council for the making of such laws, ordinances and constitution as shall be necessary for the present good and welfare of the said Province. But so soon as parishes, divisions, tribes and other distinctions are made, that then the inhabitants or freeholders of the several respective parishes, tribes, divisions and distinctions aforesaid, do by our writts, under our seals, (which we ingage, shall be in due time issued) annually meet on the first day of January, and choose freeholders for each respective division, tribe or parish to be the deputies or representatives of the same: which body of representatives or the major part of them, shall, with the Governor and council aforesaid, be the General Assembly of the said Province, the Governor or his deputy being present, unless they shall wilfully refuse, in which case they may appoint themselves a president, during the absence of the Governor or the deputy Governor.

A DECLARATION OF THE TRUE INTENT AND MEANING OF US THE LORDS PROPRIETORS, AND EXPLANATION OF THERE CONCESSIONS MADE TO THE ADVENTURERS AND PLANTERS OF NEW CAESAREA OR NEW JERSEY—1672a

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS’S GRANT TO THE LORDS PROPRIETORS, SIR GEORGE CARTERET, 29TH JULY, 1674a

This Indenture made the ninth and twentieth day of July, in the twenty and sixth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Anno Domini, one thousand six hundred seventy-four. Albany, Earl of Ulster, Lord High Admiral of Scotland and Ireland, of the one part, and Sir George Carteret of Saltrum in the County of Devon, Knight, Vice Chamberlain of his Majesty’s household of the other part. Whereas his Majesty King Charles the Second, by his Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of England, bearing date the twenty-ninth day of June, in the twenty-sixth year of his said Majesty’s reign, did for the consideration therein mentioned, give and grant unto his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix next adjoining to New Scotland, in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast unto a certain place called Pemaquine or Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to the furthest head of the same as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river Kenebeque, and so upwards by the shortest course to the same commonly called by the several name or names of Mattowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers there, called or known by the several names of Connecticutt, and Hudson’s river; together also with the said river called Hudson’s river, and all the lands from the west side of Connecticutt river to the east side of Delaware bay: And also several other islands and lands, in the said Letters Patent mentioned, together with the rivers, harbors, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, fishing, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, proffits, commodities and hereditaments to the said several islands, lands and premises belonging or appertaining, to have and to hold the said lands, islands, hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, unto his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns for ever; to be holden of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors as of the manner of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, in free and common soccage, yielding and paying to his said Majesty his heirs and successors of and for the same, yearly and every year, forty beaver skins, when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days after; with divers other grants, clauses, provisoes, and agreements in the said Edition: current; Page: [2547] recited Letters Patents contain’d, as by the said Letters Patents, relation being thereunto had, it doth and may more plainly appear. Now this indenture witnesseth, that his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, for and in consideration of a competent sum of good and lawful money of England to his Royal Highness in hand paid by the said Sir George Carteret, before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, doth hereby acknowledge, and thereof doth acquit and discharge the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns for ever by these presents, hath granted, bargained, sold, released and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns for ever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and Manhitas Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson’s river, and extends southward as far as a certain creek called Barnegatt, being about the middle, between Sandy Point and Cape May, and bounded on the west in a strait line from the said creek called Barnegat, to a certain Creek in Delaware river, next adjoining to and below a certain creek in Delaware river called Renkokus Kill, and from thence up the said Delaware river to the northermost branch thereof, which is forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude; and on the north, crosseth over thence in a strait line to Hudson’s river, in forty-one degrees of latitude; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of New Caeserea or New Jersey: And also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all royalties, proffits, commodities, and hereditaments whatsoever, to the said lands, and premises belonging or appertaining; with their and every of their appurtenances, in as full and ample manner as the same is granted unto the said James Duke of York, by the before recited Letters Patents; and all the estate, right, title, interest benefit, advantage, claim and demand of the said James Duke of York of in and to the said lands and premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof: All which said tract of land and premises were by indenture, bearing date the day before the date hereof, bargain’d and sold by the said James Duke of York, unto Sir George Carteret, for the term of one whole year to commence from the eighth and twentieth day of July next before the date hereof, under the rent of one peper corn, payable as therein is mentioned as by the said deed more plainly may appear: By force and virtue of which said indenture of bargain and sale, and of the statute made for transferring of usses into possession, the said Sir George Carteret, is in actual possession of the said tract of land and premises, and enabled to take a grant and release thereof, the said lease being made to that end and purpose, to have and to hold all and singular the said tract of land and premises; with their, and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof, unto the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns to the only behoof of the said Sir George Carteret his heirs and assigns for ever; yielding and paying therefore unto the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, for the tract of land and premises, yearly the sum of twenty nobles of lawful money of England, if the same shall be lawfully demanded at or in the Edition: current; Page: [2548] Inner Temple Hall, London, at the feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel yearly. And the said Sir George Carteret for himself, his heirs, and assigns, doth covenant and grant to and with the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns by these presents, that he the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto his said Royal Hiness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, the said yearly rent of twenty nobles at such time and place, and in such manner and form as before in these presents is express’d and declared. Provided always and upon this condition, that the said Sir George Carteret do cause a copy of this grant and demise to be entered with the auditor of his said Royal Highness, within one month next after the execution of this present grant and demise. In witness whereof the parties to these presents have interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written. Sign’d.

THE CHARTER OR FUNDAMENTAL LAWS, OF WEST NEW JERSEY, AGREED UPON—1676a

QUINTIPARTITE DEED OF REVISION, BETWEEN E. AND W. JERSEY: JULY 1st, 1676a

This indenture, quintipartite, made the first day of July, Anno Domini 1676, and in the eighth and twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King Charles, the Second, over England, &c. Edition: current; Page: [2552] Between Sir George Carteret, of Saltrum, in the County of Devon, knight and baronet, and one of his Majesty’s most honourable privy Council, of the first part: William Penn of Ricksmansworth, in the county of Hertford, Esq; of the second part: Gawn Lawry of London, merchant, of the third part: Nicholas Lucas of Hertford, in the county of Hertford, malster, of the fourth part: and Edward Billinge of Wisminster, in the county of Middlesex, gent. of the fifth part. Whereas our said Sovereign Lord the king’s Majesty, in and by his Letters Patents under the great seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, for the consideration therein mentioned, did give and grant unto his dearest brother James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix, next adjoining to New Scotland, in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast to a certain place called Pemaquine or Pemaquid, and so up the river to the furthest head of the same as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river of Kenebeque, and so upwards to the river Canada northward. And also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers there, commonly called or known by the several names of Connecticutt, and Hudson’s river; together also with the said river called Hudson’s river, and all the lands from the west side of Connecticutt river to the east side of Delaware bay: and also all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin’s Vineyard or Nantukes, otherwise Nantucket; together with all the lands, islands, soils, rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, proflits, commodities and hereditaments to the said several islands, lands and premises belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances; and all his said Majesty’s estate, right title, and interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand of, in, or to the said land and premises, or any part thereof; and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders; together with the yearly and other rents, revenues, and profits of all and singular the said premisses, and every part and parcel thereof; to have and to hold unto his said Majesty’s said dear brother, the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns for ever; to be holden of the King’s Majesty, his heirs and successors, as of his majesty’s mannor of East Greenwich, in his Majesty’s county of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite or by knight service, under the yearly rent of forty beaver skins, to be paid unto his said Majesty his heirs and successors, when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days after, as by the said Letters Patent, relation being thereunto had, it may appear: in and by which said Letters Patent his said Majesty did likewise give and grant unto his said dearest brother James Duke of York, his heirs, deputies, agents, commissioners and assigns, full and absolute power and authority for the correcting, punishing, pardoning, governing and ruling such of the subjects of his said Majesty, of his heirs and successors, as shall at any time adventure themselves into the said port and places, or inhabit there, according to such laws, orders, ordinances, directions and instructions, as by his said Majesty’s said Edition: current; Page: [2553] dearest brother, or his assigns, shall be established; and in defect thereof, in case of necessity, according to the good discretions of his deputies, commissioners, officers or assigns respectively, as well in all causes and matters capital and criminal, as civil, both marine and others, in such manner, and under such restrictions as is therein specified; and to do, exercise and execute all and every others the powers and authorities therein mentioned, as by the same Letters Patent, and by the several powers and authorities thereby given and granted, and therein specified, it doth and may appear. And whereas in and by two several indentures, the one being an indenture of bargain and sale for the term of one whole year, and bearing date the three and twentieth day of June, Anno Domini 1664: and the other being an indenture of grant, release or confirmation, and bearing date the four and twentieth day of the same month of June, Anno Domini 1664, and both of them made between his said Majesty’s said dearest brother, the said James Duke of York by the name of his Royal Highness James Duke of York and Albany, Earl of Ulster, Lord High Admiral of England and Ireland, Constable of Dover Castle, Lord Warden of the Cinque Forts, and Governor of Portsmouth, of the one part: John Lord Berkley, Baron of Stratton, and one of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, and Sir George Carteret of the other part: And by other good and sufficient conveyances and assurances in the law duly executed, reciting the said Letters Patents herein before recited, and the several and respective premises thereby granted; his Royal Highness he the said James Duke of York, for the considerations therein mentioned, did grant, convey and assure to John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and Manhatan Island, part of the said main land of New England, beginning at St. Croix, mentioned to be granted to his said Royal Highness by the said therein and herein before recited Letters Patent, bounded on the east, part by the main sea and part by Hudson’s river; and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delaware bay and to the northward as far as the northermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is in forty one degrees and forty minutes of lattitude, and crosseth over thence in a strait line to Hudson’s river in forty one degrees of lattitude; which said tract of land was then afterwards to be called by the name or names of New Caesarea or New Jersey; and also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever to the said land and premises belonging, or in anywise appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances, in as full and ample manner as the same was or were granted to his said Royal Highness the said Duke of York, in and by the said therein and herein before recited Letters Patents; and all the estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand of the said James Duke of York, of, in, or to the said lands and premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof, to have and to hold unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, under the yearly rent or sum of twenty nobles, payable unto his said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, in manner as the same is Edition: current; Page: [2554] aforesaid therein to be paid, as in and by the said last recited indentures and conveyances, relation being thereunto had, may appear. And whereas in and by one certain indenture of bargain and sale dated the eighteenth day of March Anno Domini 1673, and in the six and twentieth year of his said Majesty’s reign, made between the said John Lord Berkeley of the one part, and John Fenwick, of Binfield, in the county of Berks, Esq; of the other part, and duly enrolled in his Majesty’s High Court of Chancery in England, reciting the said herein before recited Letters Patents, indentures and conveyances, the said John Lord Berkeley for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand pounds therein mentioned, to have been paid unto him by the said John Fenwick, and for other the consideration therein mentioned, did grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said John Fenwick, his heirs and assigns, all that the moiety or half part of him the said John Berkeley of and in the said tract of land and premises so to be or then called by the names of New Caesarea or New Jersey: And also all that his moiety or half part of all rivers, reivelets, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings, fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, forts, franchises, liberties, governments, powers, priviledges, commodities, hereditaments and immunities whatsoever, to the said land and premises belonging; with their and every of their appurtenances, in as full, ample and beneficial manner to all intents and purposes as the same was granted to the said John Lord Berkley and the said Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns, by him his said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, and all the estate, right, title interest, benefit, property, claim and demand whatsoever, unto the said John Lord Berkeley, of, in, or to the said moiety or half part of the said lands and premises or any part or parcel thereof, by force, virtue or means of the said therein and herein before recited Letters Patents or conveyances, or either or any of them, or otherwise, howsoever, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, to have and to hold unto the said John Fenwick, his heirs and assigns forever, to the only use and behoof of the said John Fenwick his heirs and assigns forever, as by the said last recited indentures of bargain and sale, relation being thereunto had, it may appear. And whereas in and by two other indentures, the one being an indenture of bargain and sale for the term of one whole year, and bearing date the ninth day of February which was in the year of our Lord 1674, and made between the said John Fenwick and Edward Billinge, of the one part, and the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas of the other part. And the other being an indenture tripartite of grant, release or confirmation, bearing date the tenth day of the same month of February, Anno Domini 1674, and made between the said John Fenwick of the first part: The said Edward Billinge of the second part: And the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas of the third part; and by several other good and sufficient conveyances and assurances in the law duly executed, the said moiety or half part of the said tract of land, and the said moiety or half part of all and every other the said several and respective premises so convey’d unto the said John Fenwick as aforesaid, with all and every the right, members and appurtenances of the same, were convey’d unto, and remains now vested in the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Edition: current; Page: [2555] Lucas, and their heirs, to the use of them and their heirs and assigns for ever, (in which nevertheless the said Edward Billinge, claimeth to have equitable interest) so as the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, do now actually stand seized of, and in one undivided moiety or half part of all and every the said premises so granted unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret as aforesaid, as jointenants between themselves; and do now hold the same to them and their heirs, as tenants in common with the said Sir George Carteret, who is now actually seiz’d of the other undivided moiety or half part of all and every the same premises, and doth now hold the same to him and his heirs as tenant in common with the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas. And Whereas they the said Sir George Carteret, William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas and Edward Billinge; have agreed to make a partition between them of the said tract of land, and of the said several and respective premises whereof they now stand so seized as tenants in common as aforesaid, and it hath been agreed between them, that the said Sir George Carteret shall have for his share and part of the said tract of land, and of the said several and respective premises to be holden by him the said Sir George Carteret his heirs and assigns for ever, in severalty as his lawful and equal part, share and proportion tract of land, and of all and every the said several and respective premises, and to be from henceforth called, known and distinguish’d by the name of East New Jersey, all that easterly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises, lying on the east side and eastward of a strait and direct line drawn thro’ the said premises from north to south, from the dividing and making a partition or separation of the said eastern part, share and portion from the westerly part, share and portion of the same tract of land and premises, as is herein after particularly described. And that the said William Penn, Gawn Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, shall have their share and part of the said tract of land, and of the said several and respective premises to be holden by them the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns, in severalty as their full and equal part, share and portion of the said tract of land; and all and every the said several and respective premises, subject to the same trust for the benefit of the said Edward Billinge, as the said undivided moiety was subject, and to be from henceforth called and distinguished by the name of West New Jersey, all that westerly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premisses, lying on the west side and westward of the aforesaid strait and direct line drawn thro’ the said premises from north to south as aforesaid, as is hereafter also particularly described. Now these presents witness, that in pursuance and performance of the said before recited agreement, and for the better perfecting of the said conditions are agreed to be made as aforesaid; and for and in consideration of five shillings to them the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas and Edward Billinge in hand paid by the said Sir George Carteret, the receipt whereof they do hereby respectively acknowledge, the said Edward Billinge and they the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, by and with the consent, direction and appointment of the said Edward Billinge, testified by his being a party hereunto, and by his sealing and executing of these presents, Edition: current; Page: [2556] have and each of them hath bargained, sold, released, and confirmed and conveyed; and do, and each of them doth, bargain, sell, release, confirm and convey unto the said Sir George Carteret his heirs and assigns forever, all that easterly part, share and portion, and all those easterly parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises so granted and conveyed by his said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret as aforesaid, extending eastward and northward along the sea coast and the said river called Hudson’s river, from the east side of a certain place or harbour lying on the southern part of the same tract of land, and commonly called or known in a map of the said tract of land, by the name of Little Egg Harbour, to that part of the said river called Hudson’s river, which is in forty-one degrees of latitude, being the furthermost part of the said tract of land and premises which is bounded by the said river, and crossing over from thence in a strait line, extending from that part of Hudson’s river aforesaid to the northermost branch, or part of the before mentioned river called Delaware river, and to the most northerly point or boundary of the said tract of land and premises, so granted by his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, unto the said Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret, now by the consent and agreement of the said parties to these presents, called and agreed to be called the north partition point, and from thence, that is to say, from the said north partition point extending southward by a strait and direct line, drawn from the north partition southward, thro’ the said tract of land, unto the most southwardly point of the east side of Little Egg Harbour aforesaid; which said most southwardly point of the east side of Little Egg Harbour is now by the consent and agreement of the said parties to these presents, called and agreed to be from henceforth called, the south partition point: and which said strait and direct line drawn from the said north partition point, thro’ the said tract of land, unto the said south partition point, is now by the consent and agreement of the said parties to these presents, called and agreed to be called, the line of partition, which is the line herein before mentioned to be intended, by the said consent and agreement of the said parties, for the dividing and making a partition or separation of the said easterly part, share and portion, from the westerly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises, so conveyed by his said Royal Highness aforesaid, in and by these presents intended to be bargain’d, sold and convey’d by the said Sir George Carteret unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, and all and every the isles, islands, rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishing, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings; and all other royalties, governments, powers, forts, franchises, harbours, profits, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, unto the said easterly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises belonging, or in any wise appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances, and all the estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in equity, of them the said Edward Billinge, William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, and each and every of them, of, in, unto, and out of the said easterly part, share and portion, easterly parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises, and of, in, unto and out of every part and Edition: current; Page: [2557] parcel of the same, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, and of every part and parcel of the same, and all rents, duties and services reserv’d upon any estates or grants heretofore made or granted by the said Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, or by any persons claiming any estate, interest or authority from, by or under either of them, of any part of the premises hereby convey’d to the said Sir George Carteret; which said rents, duties and services reserved upon, which said estates and grants made of any part of the premisses hereby conveyed to the said Sir George Carteret, shall be from henceforth due and payable unto the said Sir George Carteret and his heirs, of whom all such estates so made and granted as aforesaid, are to be from henceforth holden according to the true intent of these presents; which said easterly part, share and portion, parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises is now by the consent and agreement of the said parties to these presents, called and agreed from henceforth to be called, by the name of East New Jersey; and is all that, and only all that part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises so convey’d by his said royal highness as aforesaid; as lyeth extended from the east side of the said line of partition before mentioned, to have and to hold unto the said Sir George Carteret his heirs and assigns in severalty, to the sole and only use of the said Sir George Carteret, and of his heirs and assigns forever. And each of them the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Billinge for himself, severally and respectively, and for his several respective heirs, executors and administrators, and for his several and respective own acts only, and not jointly, nor the one for the other, or for the heirs, executors, administrators, or acts of the other, doth covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, by these presents, that he hath not at any time heretofore done, or suffered any act, matter or thing whatsoever, whereby, or by reason whereof, the said premises hereby bargained, sold, released, confirmed or conveyed by the said Edward Billinge, William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, unto the said Sir George Carteret, or herein or hereby meant, mentioned or intended so to be or any part or parcel of the same, is, are, shall or may be any ways charged, burthened or incumbered in title, charge, estate or otherwise howsoever, other than such arrears (if any be) which now at the day of the date of these presents are due and unpaid, upon any the restrictions, contained in the said herein before recited Letters Patents, herein before recited conveyances, herein before recited to have been made by his said royal highness James Duke of York, or either or any of them. And these presents further witness that in further pursuance and performance of the said herein before recited agreement, and for the further perfecting the said partition so agreed to be aforesaid, and in consideration of five shillings to him the said Sir George Carteret in hand paid, by the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge, the said Sir George Carteret hath bargained, sold, released, confirm’d and conveyed, and doth by these presents, bargain, sell, release, confirm and convey unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all that westerly part, share and portion, and all that and those other part Edition: current; Page: [2558] and parts, share and shares, portion and portions, of the said tract of land and premises so granted by his said Royal Highness, the said James Duke of York, unto the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, as aforesaid; and which said westerly part, share and portion, and which said other parts, shares and portions, is and are extending southward and westward, and northward along the sea coast, and the before mentioned bay and river commonly called and known by the name or names of Delaware bay and Delaware river, from the said south partition point before mentioned, to be on the east side of Little Egg Harbour, unto the said north partition point herein before mentioned, to be on the before mentioned northermost branch or part of Delaware river aforesaid; and from thence, that is to say, from the said north partition point, extending southward unto the said south partition point before mentioned, by the said before mentioned strait and direct line called the line of partition, drawn thro’ the said tract of land from the said north partition point unto the said south partition, by the consent and agreement before mentioned, intended for the dividing and making a partition or separation of the said westerly part, share and portion from the before mentioned easterly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises so conveyed by his said Royal Highness as aforesaid, and herein before bargain’d, sold and conveyed by the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Billinge, unto the said Sir George Carteret as aforesaid, and all and every the isles, islands, rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings, and all other royalties, governments, powers, forts, franchises, harbours, profits, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, unto the said westernly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises, hereby bargained by the said Sir George Carteret, belonging or in any ways appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances, and all the estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand, whatsoever, as well in law as in equity of him the said Sir George Carteret, of, in, unto and out of the same, and of, in, unto and out of every part and parcel of the same, together with the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, and of every part and parcel of the same, and all rents, duties and services upon any estates or grants heretofore made or granted by the said Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, or either of them, of any part or parts of the said premises hereby convey’d to the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, or herein or hereby mentioned, or intended so to be; all which said westerly part, share and portion, parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises are now by the consent and agreement of the parties to these presents, called and agreed from henceforth to be called by the name of West Jersey, and is all that and only all that part, share and portion, and all those parts, shares and portions, of the said tract of land and premises so conveyed by his said Royal Highness as aforesaid, as lyeth extended westward, or southward from the west side of the said line of partition, before mentioned, to have and to hold unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns in severalty, to the only use of the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, and of their heirs and assigns forever. And the said Sir Edition: current; Page: [2559] George Carteret for him, his heirs, executors, and administrators, doth by these presents covenant, grant and agree to, and with the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, and also to and with the said Gawn Lawry his heirs and assigns, and likewise to and with the said Nicholas Lucas, his heirs and assigns, and also to and with the said Edward Billinge, his heirs and assigns, that he the said Sir George Carteret hath not at any time heretofore done or suffer’d any act, matter or thing whatsoever, whereby or by reason whereof the said premises hereby bargain’d, sold, released and confirm’d or convey’d by him the said Sir George Carteret unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, or herein or hereby meant, mention’d or intended so to be, or any part or parcel of the same, is, are, shall or may be any ways charged, burthened or incumbered in title, charge or estate, or otherwise howsoever, other than such arrears (if any be) which now at the day of the date of these presents are due and unpaid, upon any the reservations contain’d in the said herein before recited Letters Patent, and herein before recited conveyances, herein before recited to have been made by his said Royal Highness the said Duke of York, or either or any of them, and other than such lawful estates and grants of land and plantations, part of the said premises, as have been at any time heretofore by him the said Sir George Carteret, either within themselves, together with the said Lord Berkeley, or by authority lawfully derived from him, or from him and the said Lord Berkeley, made and granted to any planter or planters now in actual possession of the same lands and plantations, and which have been made and granted according to the rules and laws of plantations now in force in the said country, under the usual and accustom’d rents, duties and services by the said rules and laws appointed and directed to be observed upon grants of themselves there: All and singular which said rents, duties and services reserved upon which said estates and grants, shall be from hence forth due and payable unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns; of whom all such estates so made and granted as aforesaid, are to be from henceforth holden according to the true intent of these presents, and of all the respective parties hereunto: And it is hereby declared and agreed, by all the respective parties to these presents, to be the true intent and meaning of these presents, and of all the respective parties hereunto, that the aforesaid rent of twenty nobles herein before mentioned, to be reserved due and payable unto his said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, and his heirs, shall from henceforth be equally paid and borne in manner following, that is to say one equal moiety or half part thereof by the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, and to be issuing out of, and charged and chargeable upon that part and share of the said premises which is hereby conveyed unto the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns; and the other equal moiety or half part thereof by the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, their Heirs and assigns, and to be issuing out of, and charged and chargeable upon that part and share of the said premises which is hereby conveyed unto the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns. In witness whereof all the said respective parties to these presents, have to each part of these presents Edition: current; Page: [2560] set their respective hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

DUKE OF YORK’S SECOND GRANT TO WILLIAM PENN, GAWN LAWRY, NICHOLAS LUCAS, JOHN ELDRIDGE, EDMUND WARNER, AND EDWARD BYLLYNGE, FOR THE SOIL AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST NEW JERSEY—AUGUST 6, 1680a

This indenture made the sixth day of August, Anno Domini, 1680, and in the two and thirtieth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, over England, &c. between his Royal Highness, James Duke of York, and Albany, Earl of Ulster, &c. and brother to our Sovereign Lord the King, of the one part; Edward Byllynge of Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman; William Penn, late of Rickmansworth, in the county of Hertford, and now of Warminghurst, in the county Sussex, Esq; Gawen Lawry, of London, merchant; Nicholas Lucas, of Hertford, in the said county of Hertford, maulster, John Eldridge, of St. Pauls Shadwell, in the County of Middlesex, tanner, and Edmond Warner, citizen of London, of the other part. Whereas our Sovereign Lord the King’s Majesty in and by his Letters Patent, under the great seal of England, bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, did (amongst several other things therein mentioned) give and grant unto his said Royal Highness, the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, in the parts of America, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island, and Manhattas Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson river, and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward, to the main ocean, as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delaware bay, and to the northward, as far as the northermost branch of said bay or river of Delaware, which is in one and forty degrees, and forty minutes of lattitude, and crossing over thence in a straight line to Hudson’s river, in one and forty degrees of lattitude. Which said tract of land, was then after to be called by the name of New Caesarea, or New Jersey, with all the lands, island, soiles, rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters lakes, Edition: current; Page: [2561] fishings, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, commodities, and hereditaments, unto the said premises belonging and appertaining; with their and every of their appurtenances, and all his said Majesty’s estate, right, titles, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand of, in and to the same premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder, and remainders, together with the yearly and other rents, revenues and profits of the same, and of every part and parcel thereof, to hold unto his said Royal Highness, the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns for ever, to be holden of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, amongst other things therein granted, as of his Majesty’s mannor of East Greenwich, in his Majesty’s county of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, by knight service, and under the yearly rent therein mentioned. And whereas his Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, did heretofore by several good and sufficient conveyances and assurances, under his hand and seal, duly executed, and dated the three and twentieth and four and twentieth days of June, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, for the consideration therein mentioned, grant and convey the said tract of land, and premises before mentioned, unto John Lord Berkley, Baron of Stratton, and one of his Majesty’s most honourable privy Council, and Sir George Carteret of Saltrum, in the county of Devon, knight, and baronet, and one of his Majesty’s most honourable privy Council, and their heirs, the said tract of land and premises before particularly mentioned, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, to hold unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns forever, under the yearly rent of twenty nobles sterling, payable as the same is therein reserved to be paid. And whereas the said John Lord Berkley, did afterwards convey all his full and undivided moiety of all and singular the same premises, unto John Fenwick, Esq; his heirs and assigns for ever, in trust, and by the said John Fenwick owned to be in trust for the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns for ever. And the said John Fenwick, afterwards by the consent and direction of the said Edward Byllynge, and also the said Edward Byllynge did convey the said undivided moiety of the premises, unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, and their heirs, to the uses following, (that is to say) as to ten equal and undivided hundred parts thereof to the use of the said John Fenwick, and of his heirs and assigns forever; and as to the other ninety equal and undivided parts being the residue of the said undivided moiety, to the use of the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns forever, in trust for the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns forever. After which the said John Fenwick, conveyed all his said ten equal and undivided hundred parts, of the said undivided moiety, unto John Eldridge, and Edmund Warner their heirs and assigns forever. And the said John Eldridge, and Edmond Warner, did convey the same ten equal and undivided hundred parts, unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas their heirs and assigns forever, the better to enable them the said Edward Byllynge, William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Edition: current; Page: [2562] Nicholas Lucas, to make a partition of the said intire premisses, with the said Sir George Carteret. And whereas afterwards upon a partition made of the said whole and intire premisses, between the said Sir George Carteret, and the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, Edward Byllynge, the said Sir George Carteret, did bargain, sell, release, and confirmed unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns forever, all that westerly part, share and portion of the said whole and intire tract of land and premisses as before mentioned, which is extending southward, and westward, and northward, along the sea coasts, and the before mentioned bay, or river, called Delaware bay and Delaware river, unto a certain point there, now called the south partition point, being the most southerly point of the east side of a certain place, or harbour, lying on the southern part of the said tract of land and premises, called or known in the map of the said premisses, by the name of Little Egg Harbour, unto a certain other point there, now called the north partition point, being the most northerly point, branch, or part of the said river, called Delaware river; and from thence, that is to say, from the said north partition point, extending southward unto the said south partition point, by a streight and direct line drawn through the said tract of land, from the said north partition point, unto the said south partition point, by the consent and agreement of the said parties, now called the line of partition, and by them intended for the dividing and making a partition of the said westerly part, share and portion, from the easterly part, share and portion, from the easterly part, share and portion, of the said tract of land and premises. And all and every the isles, islands, rivers, mines, minerals, fishings, hawkings, huntings, fowlings, and all other royalties, powers, franchises, harbours, proffits, commodities, and heriditaments, whatsoever unto the said westerly part, share and portion, belonging or appertaining. And all the estate, right, title, and interest, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Sir George Carteret, of, in, unto and out of the same, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, and of every part and parcel: All which said westerly part, share and portion, was then and now is by the consent and agreement of the said parties, the said Sir George Carteret, William Penn, Gawen Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Byllynge, called and agreed from thenceforth to be called by the name of West New Jersey, and all that and only all that part, share and portion, and all those parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises, so conveyed by the said James Duke of York, unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret as aforesaid, as lyeth, and lye extended westward and southword, from the west side of the said line of partition before mentioned, To hold unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns, in severalty to the use of them, their heirs and assigns forever. Upon which partition so made, they the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, became seized of all that westerly part of the said premises as now called West New Jersey, with the appurtenances in severalty. And being so seized pursuant to a trust for that purpose reposed in them, they conveyed ten full equal undivided hundred parts of the said westerly Edition: current; Page: [2563] part of the said premises, called West New Jersey, unto the said John Eldridge, and Edmund Warner, and their heirs, to hold unto them and their heirs, to the use of them and their heirs forever. And the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, remaining still seized of the other ninety equal and undivided hundred parts of the said westernly part of the said premises called West New Jersey, to them and to their heirs forever, but always in trust for the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns forever. And whereas since the making and executing of the said conveyance so made by his Royal Highness unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, as aforesaid, and in the times of the late war, between his said Majesty and the States of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, the armies and subjects of the said States General gained the possession not only of the said premises, so by his said Royal Highness, conveyed unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, as aforesaid, but also of other the lands and hereditaments, which were originally granted unto his said Royal Highness, by his said Majesty’s said Letters Patents hereinbefore recited. All which were afterwards regained from the said States, or by them delivered up unto his said Majesty. And whereas his said Majesty did by other his Letters Patents, dated the twenty-ninth day of June, in the six and twentieth of his Majesty’s reign, grant and convey unto his said Royal Highness and his heirs forever, as well the said tract of land and premises herein before recited to have been granted and conveyed by his said Royal Highness, unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, as aforesaid, as all other the lands and hereditaments in and by the said herein first before recited Letters Patents granted or mentioned to be granted. And whereas by the said several grants so made by his said Majesty unto his said Royal Highness as aforesaid, several powers and authority are and were given and granted unto his said Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns to be executed by his said Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns, or by the deputies, agents or commissioners of his said Royal Highness, his heirs or assigns, which, are necessary as well for the planting, peopling and improving of all and every the respective lands, places and territories thereby granted, and for the transporting thither from time to time, such of his Majesty’s subjects as should be willing to go or be transported into those parts, or any of them; as for the defending, guarding and keeping of the same; as also for the well governing of the same, and of all such as are or shall be inhabitting in the same, and for the making, ordaining, and executing of necessary and convenient laws and constitutions, in order to such government, and the punishing and pardoning offences, and offenders, as occasion shall require; and to nominate, make, ordain, constitute and confirm, and also to revoke, discharge, change and alter all and singular governors, officers, and ministers, which by his said Royal Highness, his heirs or assigns, shall be from time to time, thought fit or needful to be made, ordained, appointed or used in the said parts or places, or any of them. And to do all other things needful, and useful, and necessary for the well governing, keeping, defending and preserving the said respective places and territories and of every of them and all such as are and shall be inhabitants thereof. Now these presents witness, that for Edition: current; Page: [2564] and in consideration of a competent sum of lawful English money, unto his said Royal Highness in hand paid, and for the better extinguishing all such claims, and demands, as his said Royal Highness may any ways have of or in the premises aforesaid, now called West New Jersey, or any part of them; and for the further and better settling, conveying, assuring, and confirming of the same and of every part thereof, according to the purport and true meaning of these presents, his said Royal Highness, the said James Duke of York, hath granted, bargained, sold, and confirmed, and by these presents, doth grant, bargain, sell, and confirm unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, John Eldridge, and Edmund Warner, all that part, share and portion, and all those parts, shares and portions of all that entire tract of land, and all those entire premises so granted by his said Royal Highness unto the said John Lord Berkley, and Sir George Carteret, and their heirs as aforesaid, as in, by, and upon the said partition aforesaid, was and were vested in the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, and their heirs, and then agreed to be called by the name of West New Jersey, together with all islands, bays, rivers, waters, forts, mines, quarries, royalties, franchises, and appurtenances whatsoever, to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining. And all the estate, right, title, interest, reversion, remainder, claim and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in equity, of him the said James Duke of York, of, into, and out of the same, or any part or parcel of the same; as also the free use of all bays, rivers and waters, leading unto or lying between the said premises, or any of them in the said parts of America, for navigation, free trade, fishing or otherwise, to have and to hold, unto the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, John Eldridge, and Edmond Warner, their heirs and assigns forever, to the uses following, (that is to say) as to ten equal and undivided hundred parts thereof, to the use of the said John Eldridge and Edmund Warner, and of their heirs, and assigns forever. And as to the other ninety equal and undivided hundred parts thereof, to the use of the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, and of their heirs and assigns forever; in trust nevertheless for the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns forever. Yielding and paying therefore yearly for the said whole entire premises, unto his Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns, the yearly rent of ten nobles of lawful English money, at or in the Middle Temple Hall London, at or upon the feast day of St. Michael the Arch Angel. And these further witness, that for the better enabling the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns, to improve and plant the said premises with people, and to exercise all necessary government there, whereby the said premises may be the better improved and made more useful to him, his heirs and assigns, and to the King’s Majesty, his said Royal Highness hath likewise given, granted, assigned and transferred, and doth by these presents give, grant, assign, and transfer unto the said Edward Byllynge, all and every such the same powers, authorities, jurisdictions, governments, and other matters and things whatsoever, which by the said respective Letters Patents, or either of them, are and were granted, or intended to be granted, to be exercised by his said Royal Highness, his heirs, assigns, deputies, officers, or agents, in, upon, or in relation unto the said premises Edition: current; Page: [2565] hereby confirmed, or intended to be confirmed, and every of them, in case the same were now in the actual seizen of his said Royal Highness, to be held, enjoyed, exercised and executed by him the said Edward Byllynge, his heirs and assigns, and by his deputies, officers, agents and commissioners, as fully and amply to all intents, constructions and purposes as his said Royal Highness, or his heirs, might, could or ought to hold, enjoy, use, exercise or execute the same, by force and virtue of the said several and respective and before recited Letters Patents, or either of them, or of any thing in them, or either or any of them conteyned or otherways however. In witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seal, the day and year first above written,

Signed, sealed and delivered by his Royal Highness James Duke of York, within named, in the presence of

Thomas Heywood maketh oath, that the day and year within written, saw his Highness the Duke of York, sign, seal, and as his act, and deed, deliver this indenture to the use within mentioned, and afterwards subscribed his name as a witness, Thomas Heywood.

The foregoing is a true copy taken from and compared with the record in the Secretary’s office at Burlington, in Lib. M. of deeds, folio, 318. &c.

Examined per.

PROVINCE OF WEST NEW-JERSEY, IN AMERICA, THE 25TH OF THE NINTH MONTH CALLED NOVEMBER, 1681a

Forasmuch as it hath pleased God, to bring us into this Province of West New Jersey, and settle us here in safety, that we may be a people to the praise and honour of his name, who hath so dealt with us, and for the good and welfare of our posterity to come, we the Governor and Proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of West New Jersey, by mutual consent and agreement, for the prevention of innovasion and oppression, either upon us or our posterity, and for the preservation of the peace and tranquility of the same; and that all may be encouraged to go on chearfully in their several places: We do make and constitute these our agreements to be as fundamentals to us and our posterity, to be held inviolable, and that no person or persons whatsoever, shall or may make void or disanul the same upon any pretence whatsoever.

I. That there shall be a General Free Assembly for the Province aforesaid, yearly and every year, at a day certain, chosen by the free Edition: current; Page: [2566] people of the said Province, whereon all the representatives for the said Province, shall be summoned to appear, to consider of the affairs of the said Province, and to make and ordain such acts, and laws, as shall be requisite and necessary for the good government and prosperity of the free people of the said Province; and (if necessity shall require) the Governor for the time being, with the consent of his Council, may and shall issue out writts to convene the Assembly sooner, to consider and answer the necessities of the people of the said Province.

II. That the Governor of the Province aforesaid, his heirs or successors for the time being, shall not suspend or defer the signing, sealing and confirming of such acts and laws as the General Assembly (from time to time to be elected by the free people of the Province aforesaid) shall make or act for the securing of the liberties and properties of the said free people of the Province aforesaid.

III. That it shall not be lawful for the Governor of the said Province, his heirs or successors for the time being, and Council, or any of them, at any time or times hereafter, to make or raise war upon any accounts or pretence whatsoever, or to raise any military forces within the Province aforesaid, without the consent of the General Free Assembly for the time being.

IV. That it shall not be lawful for the Governor of the said Province, his heirs or successors for the time being, and Council, or any of them, at any time or times hereafter, to make or enact any law or laws for the said Province, without the consent, act and concurrence of the General Assembly; and if the Governor for the time being, his heirs or successors and Council, or any of them, shall attempt to make or enact any such law or laws of him or themselves without the consent, act and concurrence of the General Assembly; that from thenceforth, he, they, or so many of them as shall be guilty thereof, shall, upon legal conviction, be deemed and taken for enemies to the free people of the said Province; and such act so attempted to be made, to be of no force.

V. That the General Free Assembly from time to time to be chosen as aforesaid, as the representatives of the people, shall not be prorogued or dissolved (before the expirance of one whole year, to commence from the day of their election) without their own free consent.

VI. That it shall not be lawful for the Governor of the said Province, his heirs or successors for the time being, and Council, or any of them, to levy or raise any sum or sums of money, or any other tax whatsoever, without the act, consent and concurrence of the General Assembly.

VII. That all officers of State, or trust, relating to the said Province, shall be nominated and elected by the General Free Assembly for the time being, or by their appointment; which officer and officers shall be accountable to the General Free Assembly, or to such as the said Assembly shall appoint.

VIII. That the Governor or the Province aforesaid, his heirs or successor for the time being, or any of them, shall not send ambassadors, or make treaties, or enter into an alliance upon the publick account of the said Province, without the consent of the said General Free Assembly.

IX. That no General Free Assembly hereafter to be chosen by the free people of the Province aforesaid, shall give to the Governor of Edition: current; Page: [2567] the said Province for the time being, his heirs or successors, any tax, or custom for a longer time than for one whole year.

X. That liberty of conscience in matters of faith and worship towards God, shall be granted to all people within the Province aforesaid; who shall live peaceably and quietly therein; and that none of the free people of the said Province, shall be rendered uncapable of office in respect of their faith and worship.

Upon the Governors acceptance and performance of the proposals herein before expressed, we the General Free Assembly Proprietors and freeholders of the Province of West New Jersey aforesaid, do accept and receive Samuel Jenings as Deputy Governor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal, the day and year above written.

Thomas Ollive, Speaker, to the General Free Assembly per order and in the name of the whole Assembly.

The fundamentals aforesaid being signed and sealed by the Deputy Governor, were ordered and appointed by the said Deputy Governor, and General Free Assembly, to be recorded the day and year first aforesaid, by me Thomas Revell, clerk to the General Assembly.

DUKE OF YORK’S CONFIRMATION TO THE 24 PROPRIETORS: 14TH OF MARCH, 1682a

This indenture made the fourteenth day of March, in the five and thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, by the Grace of God of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Anno Domini 1682. Between his Royal Highness the most illustrious Prince James, Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster, &c. only brother to our Sovereign Lord the King, of the one part, and the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth, of the kingdom of Scotland; the Honourable John Drummond, of Lundy, in the said kingdom of Scotland, Esq.; Robert Barckly, of Eury, in the said kingdom of Scotland, Esq.; David Barckly, jun. of Eury, aforesaid, Esq.; Robert Gordon, of Cluny, in the kingdom of Scotland, Esq.; Arent Sonmans, of Wallingford, in the kingdom of Scotland, Esq; William Penn, of Worminghurst, in the County of Sussex, Esq; Robert West, of the Middle Temple, London, Esq; Thomas Rudyard, of London, gentleman; Samuel Groome, of the parish of Stepney, in the county of Middlesex, marriner; Thomas Hart, of Enfield, in the said county of Middlesex, merchant; Richard Mew, of Stepney, aforesaid, merchant; Ambrose Rigg of Catton Place, in the county of Surry, gentleman; Thomas Cooper, citizen and merchant taylor, of London; Gawn Lawry, of London, merchant; Edward Billinge, of the city of Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman; James Braine, of London, merchant; William Gibson, citizen and haberdasher, of London; John Haywood, citizen and skinner, of London; Hugh Hartshorn, citizen Edition: current; Page: [2568] and skinner, of London; Clement Plumstead, citizen and draper, of London; Thomas Barker, of London, merchant; Robert Turner, of the city of Dublin, in the kingdom of Ireland, merchant; and Thomas Warne, of Dublin, aforesaid, in the said kingdom of Ireland, merchant, of the other part. Whereas our said Sovereign Lord the King’s Majesty, in and by his Letters Patent, under the great seal of England, bearing date the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, did amongst other things therein mentioned, give and grant unto his Royal Highness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, in the parts of America, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and Manhattas Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea; and east by Hudson’s river; and extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of the Delaware bay; and to the northward as far as the nothermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is in one and forty degrees and forty minutes of lattitude, and crossing over thence in a straight line to Hudson’s river, in one and forty degrees of lattitude; which said tract of land was then after to be called by the name of New Caesarea or New Jersey, with all the lands, islands, soils, rivers, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fishings, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and hereditaments, unto the said premises belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances: and all his said Majesty’s estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand of, in and to the same premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, together with the yearly and other rents, revenues and profits of the same, and of every part and parcel thereof, to hold unto his said Royal Highness the said James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns forever; to be holden of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, amongst other the things therein granted, as of his Majesty’s mannor of East Greenwich, in his Majesty’s county of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite or knight service, under the yearly rent therein mentioned. And whereas his said Royal Highness James, Duke of York, did heretofore by several good and sufficient conveyances and assurances under his hand and seal duly executed, the twenty-third and twenty-fourth days of June, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty’s reign, for the consideration therein mentioned, grant and convey the said tract of land and premises before mentioned, to John Lord Berlkley, baron of Stratton, and one of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, and Sir George Carteret, of Salterem, in the county of Devon, knight and baronet, and one other of his Majesty’s most honourable Privil Council, and their heirs, the said tract and premises before particularly mentioned, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, to hold unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, under the yearly rent of twenty nobles sterling, payable as the same is therein reserved to be paid. And whereas his said Majesty did by other his Letters Patents, dated the twenty-ninth day of June in the six and twentieth year of his said Majesty’s reign, grant and convey unto his said Royal Highness, and his heirs forever, as well the said tract of land and Edition: current; Page: [2569] premises hereinbefore recited to have been granted and conveyed by his said Royal Highness, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret as aforesaid, as all other the lands and hereditaments in and by the said herein first before recited Letters Patents granted, or mentioned to be granted. And whereas his said Royal Highness by his indenture of lease and release, bearing date the of July, in the six and twentieth year of his Majesty’s reign, did grant and convey the said tract of land and premises, to the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, as by the said indenture, relation being thereunto had, may appear. And whereas upon a partition made of the whole and entire premises, between the said Sir George Carteret and William Penn, of Worminghurst, in the county of Sussex, Esq; Gawn Lawry, of London, merchant; Nicholas Lucas, of Hertford, in the county of Hertford, malster; and Edward Bullynge, of Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman; in whom the fee simple of the said Lord Berkeley’s, undivided moyety, of all and singular the premises, by good and sufficient conveyances, was then vested the said William Penn, Gawen Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Byllnge, did bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, all that easterly part, share and portion, and all those easterly parts, shares and portions of the said whole and entire tract of land and premises before mentioned, extending eastward and northward along the sea coasts, and the said river called Hudson’s river, from the east side of a certain place or harbour, lying on the southerly part of the same tract of land, and commonly called or known in a map of the said tract of land, by the name of Little Egg Harbour, to that part of the said river called Hudson’s river, which is in forty-one degrees of lattitude, being the northermost part of the said tract of land and premises, which is bounded by the said river; and crossing over from thence in a straight line, extending from that part of Hudson’s river aforesaid, to the nothermost branch of the aforementioned river called Delaware river, and to the most northerly point or boundary of the said entire tract of land and premises, now called the north partition point; and from thence, that is to say, from the north partition point, extending southward, unto the more southerly point, by a straight and direct line drawn through the said tract of land, from the said north partition point unto the said south partition point, by the consent and agreement of the said parties, now called the line of partition, and by them intended for the dividing and making a partition of the easterly part, share and portion, from the westerly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises; and all and every the isles, islands, rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings and fowlings, and all other royalties, governments, powers, forts, franchises, harbours, profits, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, unto the said easterly part, share and portion, of the said tract of land and premises, belonging or in any wise appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances; and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of them the said William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas and Edward Byllynge, and of each and every of them, of, into and out of the said easterly part, share and portion of the said tract of land and premises, and every part and parcel Edition: current; Page: [2570] thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the same, and every part and parcel of the same; All which said easterly part, share and portion, parts, shares and portions, was and were then, and now is, and are by the consent and agreement of the said parties to the said partition, called and agreed from thenceforth to be called by the name of East New Jersey; and is all that, and only all that part, share and portion, and all those parts, shares and portions of the said tract of land and premises, so conveyed by his said Royal Highness as aforesaid, as lyeth extended eastward from the east side of the said line of partition before mentioned, to hold to the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns, in severalty, to the use of him the said Sir George Carteret, his heirs and assigns forever; upon which partition so made, and such conveyance so executed as aforesaid, he the said Sir George Carteret became seized of all that easterly part of the premises, now called East New Jersey, with the appurtenances in severalty. And whereas the said Sir George Carteret being by virtue of the said assurances and partition aforesaid, become sole seized to him and his heirs, of the said premises called East New Jersey, by his last will and testament in writing, bearing date on or about the fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred seventy and eight, did devise the same, and all his estate therein, amongst other things, to the right honourable Edward, Earl of Sandwich, the right honourable John Earl of Bath; the right honourable Thomas, Lord Crew, Baron Crew, of Steane the honourable Bernard Greenville, Esq; brother of the said Earl of Bath; the honourable Sir Robert Atkins, knight of the Bath; the honourable Sir Edward Atkins, knight, one of the barons of his Majesty’s Court of Exchequer, and their heirs in trust, to sell the same for the payment of his debts and legacies, as in and by the said will, relation being thereunto had, may appear, and shortly after dyed. And whereas the said John, Earl of Bath; Thomas, Lord Crew; Bernard Greenville; Sir Robert Atkins; and Sir Edward Atkins, by indentures of lease and release, bearing date the fifth and sixth days of March, in the two and thirtieth year of his Majesty’s reign conveyed the said premises, amongst other things, to Thomas Cremer, of the Parish of St. Andrews, Holbourne, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman, and Thomas Pocock of the same, gentleman, as by the said indentures, relation being thereunto had, it may appear. And whereas the said Earl of Sandwich, by his indenture bearing date the twentieth day of February last past, hath released all his estate, interest and trust in the said premises, to the said Earl of Bath, Lord Crew, Bernard Greenville, Sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins, and their heirs, as by the said indenture, relation being thereunto had, may appear. And whereas the said Earl of Bath, Lord Crew, Bernard Greenville, Sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins, by the consent and direction of dame Elizabeth Carteret, relick and executrix of the said Sir George Carteret; and the said Thomas Cremer and Thomas Pocock, by the consent and direction of the said dame Elizabeth Carteret, Earl of Bath, Lord Crew, Bernard Greenville, Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins, have by indentures of lease and release, bearing date the first and second days of February last past, granted and conveyed to the said William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Edition: current; Page: [2571] Thomas Wilcox, of London goldsmith, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, and Thomas Cooper, their heirs and assigns, all the said premises called East New Jersey, together with all isles, islands, rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings, fowlings, and all other royalties, privileges, franchises, forts, harbours, profits, commodities, and hereditaments whatsoever, thereunto belonging, as in and by the said indentures, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear. And whereas the said William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Wilcox, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement Plumstead, and Thomas Cooper, have since conveyed one moyety of the said tract of land called East New Jersey, and of all other the premises to the said James, Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, who are thereby become tenants in common of the said premises called East New Jersey, which with the said William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Willcox, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, and Thomas Cooper. And whereas the said Thomas Wilcox hath conveyed all his share, estate, and interest in the said premises, to the said David Barckly and his heirs: And whereas by the said several recited Letters Patents, made by his said Majesty unto his said Royal Highness as aforesaid, several powers and authorities are and were given and granted unto his said Royal Highness, his heirs or assigns, or by the deputies, agents or commissioners of his said Royal Highness, his heirs or assigns, which are necessary as well for the planting, peopleing and improving of all and every the respective lands, places and territories thereof granted; and for the transporting thither from time to time such of his Majesty’s subjects as should be willing to go or be transported into those parts, or any of them, as for the defending, guarding and keeping of the same; as also for the well governing of the same, and of all such as shall be inhabiting the same, and for the making, ordaining and executing of necessary and convenient laws and constitutions, in order to such government; and the punishing and pardoning offences and offenders, as occasion shall require; and to make, ordain, constitute, and confirm, and also to revoke, discharge and alter all and singular Governors, officers and magistrates, which by his said Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns, shall be from time to time thought fit and needful to be made, ordained, appointed or used in the said parts or places, or any of them; and to do all other things needful, useful and necessary, for the well governing, keeping, defending and preserving the said respective places and territories, and of every of them and all such as are and shall be inhabiting there. Now these presents witness, that for and in consideration of a competent sum of lawful English money, unto his said Royal Highness in hand paid, and for the better extinguishing all such claims and demands as his said Royal Highness, or his heirs, may any wise have of or in the premises aforesaid, now called East New Jersey, or any part of them, and for the further and better settling and conveying, assuring and confirming of the same, and of every part thereof, according to the purport and true meaning of Edition: current; Page: [2572] these presents, his said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York, hath granted, bargained, sold, released and confirmed, and by these presents, as far as in him lyeth, doth grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said James, Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns, all that part, share and portion, and all those parts, shares and portions, of all that entire tract of land, and all those entire premises so granted by his said Royal Highness, unto the said John Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret, and their heirs, as in and by and upon the said partition was and were vested in the said George Carteret and his heirs, and there agreed to be called by the name of East New Jersey, together with all islands, bays, rivers, waters, forts, mines, minerals, quarries, royalties, franchises, and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining; and all the estate, right, title, interest, reversion, remainder, claim and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in equity, of his said Royal Highness James, Duke of York, of, in, unto or out of the same, or any part or parcel of the same: as also the free use of all bays, rivers, and waters, leading unto or lying between the said premises, or any of them, in the said parts of East New Jersey, for navigation, free trade, fishing or otherwise, to have and to hold unto the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner, and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns forever, to the only use and behoof of them the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns forever, yielding and paying therefor yearly for the said whole entire premises, unto his Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns, the yearly rent of ten nobles of lawful English money, at or in the middle Temple Hall, London, at or upon the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, yearly. And the said James, Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, do for themselves severally, and for their several and respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenant, promise and agree to and with his said Royal Highness, his heirs and assigns, to pay, or cause to be paid, the said annual rent of ten nobles, on the days and times herein before limited for payment thereof. And these presents further witness, that for Edition: current; Page: [2573] the better enabling the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns, to improve and plant the said premises with people, and to exercise all necessary government there, whereby the said premises may be the better improved, and made more useful to them, their heirs and assigns, and to the King’s Majesty, his said Royal Highness hath likewise given and granted, assigned and transferred, and doth by these presents give, grant, assign and transfer unto the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barclay, David Barclay, Robert Gorden, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Billinge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner, and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns, proprietors of the said Province of East New Jersey aforesaid, for the time being, all and every such and the same powers, authorities, jurisdictions, governments, and other matters and things whatsoever, which by the said respective recited Letters Patents, or either of them, are or were granted, or intended to be granted, to be exercised by his said Royal Highness, his heirs, assigns, deputies, officers, or agents, in or upon, or in relation unto the said premises, hereby confirmed, or intended to be hereby confirmed, and every of them, in case the same were now in the actual seisen of his Royal Highness, to be held, enjoyed, exercised and executed by them the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barckly, David Barckly, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, Gawn Lawry, Edward Byllynge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner and Thomas Warne, their heirs and assigns, Proprietors of the said Province of East New Jersey, for the time being, as fully and amply to all intents, constructions and purposes, as his said Royal Highness, or his heirs, might, could or ought to hold, enjoy, use, exercise or execute the same by force and virtue of the said several and respective before recited Letters Patents, or either of them, or any thing in them, or either or any of them, contained or otherwise howsoever. Provided always, that these presents be entered with the Auditor General of his said Royal Highness within two months next after the date hereof. In witness whereof the parties above mentioned to these present indentures, interchangeably have set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

THE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROVINCE OF EAST NEW JERSEY IN AMERICA, ANNO DOMINI 1683a

Since the right of government, as well as soil, is in the four and twenty Proprietors, and that the same is confirmed to them a new by a late patent from James Duke of York, pursuant to patent granted to him from the King; the Proprietors for the well ordering and governing of the said Province, according to the powers conveyed to them, do grant and declare, that the government thereof shall be as followeth, viz.

I. That altho’ the four and twenty Proprietors have formerly made choice of Robert Barclay, Esq; for Governor, during his natural life, and to serve by a deputy to be approved of by sixteen of the Proprietors, until he himself be upon the place, which is by these presents ratified and confirmed, to all intents and purposes: Yet after the decease of the said Robert Barclay, or by reason of his malverstation, the Proprietors shall find cause to divest him of the government, the four and twenty Proprietors shall choose a Governor; in order to which it shall be in the power of each of them to name one, and sixteen of the four and twenty shall determine it: which Governor shall be obliged to serve and reside upon the place, and shall only continue for three years; and if any shall directly or indirectly propound or advise the continuance for any longer time, or of new to choose him again, or his son, within the three years, it shall be esteemed a betraying of the publick liberty of the Province; and the actors shall be esteemed as publick enemies; and the said Governor that shall be so continued, shall be reputed guilty of the same, not only by reason of his acceptance of that continuation, but also by reason of any kind of solicitation which he may directly or indirectly have endeavoured. If the Governor so do die before the three years be expired, the Proprietors shall choose one to supply his place, for the time the other should held it, and no longer. Provided, that this limitation of three years above mentioned, do not extend to the Deputy Governor of Robert Barclay, for seven years after that passing of those constitutions, who may be for a longer time than three years, if the proprietors see meet.

II. That for the government of the Province, there shall be a great Council, to consist of the four and twenty proprietors, or their proxies in their absence, and one hundred forty-four to be chosen by the freemen of the Province. But forasmuch as there are not at present so many towns built as there may be hereafter, nor the Province divided into such counties as it may be hereafter divided into, and that consequently no certain division can be made how many shall be chosen for each town and county; at present four and twenty shall be chosen for the eight towns that are at present in being, and eight and forty for the county, making together seventy-two, and with the four and twenty Proprietors, ninety-six persons, till such times as the great council shall see meet to call the above mentioned number of one hundred forty-four, and then shall be determined by the great council, how many shall come out of each town and county; Edition: current; Page: [2575] but every year shall choose one-third, and the first chosen shall remain for three years, and they that go out shall not be capable to come in again for two years after, and therefore they shall not be put in the ballot in elections for that year; and in order to this election, they shall in course meet in their several boroughs and counties the six and twentieth day of March, beginning in the year one thousand six hundred eighty-four, and choose their several representatives; whose first day of meeting shall be the twentieth of April afterwards; and they shall sit upon their own adjournments, if they see meet, till the twentieth of July following, and then to be dissolved till the next year, unless the Governor and common council think fit to continue them longer, or call them in the intervail; but if any of those days fall on the first day of the week, it shall be deferred until the next day.

III. The persons qualified to be freemen, that are capable to choose and be chosen in the great Council, shall be every planter and inhabitant dwelling and residing within the Province, who hath acquired rights to and is in possesion of fifty acres of ground, and hath cultivated ten acres of it; or in boroughs, who have a house and three acres; or have a house and land only hired, if he can prove he have fifty pounds in stock of his own: and all elections must be free and voluntary, but were any bribe or indirect means can be proved to have been used, both the giver and acquirer shall forfeit their priviledge of electing and being elected forever; and for the full preventing of all indirect means, the election shall be after this manner, the names of all the persons qualified in each county, shall be put in equal pieces of parchment, and prepared by the sheriff and his clerk the day before, and at the day of election shall be put in a box, and fifty shall be taken out by a boy under ten years of age; these fifty shall be put into the box again, and the first five and twenty then taken out shall be those who shall be capable to be chosen for that time; the other five and twenty shall by plurality of votes, name (of the aforesaid twenty-five) twelve, if there be three to be chosen, and eight if there be two to stand for it; these nominators first solemnly declaring before the sheriff, that they shall not name any known to them to be guilty for the time, or to have been guilty for a year before, of adultery, whoredom, drunkeness, or any such immorality, or who is insolvent or a fool; and then out of the twelve or eight so nominated, three or two shall be taken by the ballot as above said.

IV. It shall be the priviledge of every member of the great Council, to propose any bill in order to a law, which being admitted to be debated, shall be determined by the vote, wherein two parts of three shall only conclude; but of this, twelve of the Proprietors, or their proxies, must be assenting; which shall also be requisite after the number of freemen are double: Nor shall any law be made or enacted to have force in the Province, which any ways touches upon the goods or liberties of any in it, but what thus passeth in the great Council; and whoever shall levy, collect or pay any money or goods without a law thus passed, shall be held a publick enemy to the Province, and a betrayer of the publick liberty thereof: also the quorum of this great Council shall be half of the Proprietors, or their proxies, and half of the freemen at least; and in determination, the proportionable assent of both Proprietors and freemen must agree, viz. two Edition: current; Page: [2576] parts of whatever number of freemen, and one half of whatever number of Proprietors are present.

V. For the constant government of the Province there shall be with the Governor a common Council, consisting of the four and twenty Proprietors, of their proxies, and twelve of the freemen, which shall be chosen by the ballot out of the freemen of the great Council, and shall successively go off each year as they do; which common Council will thus consist of six and thirty, whereof they shall be three committees; twelve for the public policy, and to look to manners, education and arts; twelve for trade and management of the publick Treasury; and twelve for plantations and regulating of all things, as well as deciding all controversies relating to them: in each committee eight shall be of the Proprietors, or their proxies, and four of the freemen; each of these committees shall meet at least once a week, and all the thirty six once in two months, and oftener, in such places and at such times as they shall find most convenient. And if it happen the number of freemen in the great Council to be doubled, there shall be twelve more of them be added to the common Council; in this common Council and those several committees the one half shall be a quorum, as in the former article.

VI. All laws shall be published and run in the name of the Governor, Proprietors and representatives of the freemen of the Province, and shall be signed by two of the Proprietors, two of the freemen, the Secretary and the Governor for the time being, who shall preside in all meetings, and have two votes, but shall no ways pretend to any negative vote: but if he or they refuse to do his or their duty, or be accused of malversation, he shall be liable to the censure of the Proprietors, and if turned out, there shall be another chosen to fulfil his time as is abovesaid.

VII. Forasmuch as by the Concessions and agreements of the former Proprietors, (to wit) the Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, to and with all and every the adventurers and all such as shall settle and plant in the Province in Anno 1664, it is consented and agreed by the six and seven articles, that the great Assembly should have power, by act confirmed as there expressed, to erect, raise and build within the said Province, or any part thereof, such and so many forts, castles, cities and other places of defence, and the same, or any of them, to fortify and furnish with such provisions and proportions of ordnance, powder, shot, armour and all other weapons, ammunition and abilments of war, both offensive and defensive, as shall be thought necessary and convenient for the safety and welfare of the said Province; as also to constitute train bands and companies, with the number of the soldiers, for the safety, strength and defence of the aforesaid Province; to suppress all mutinies and rebellions; to make war offensive and defensive, against all and every one that shall infest the said Province, not only to keep the enemy out of their limits, but also, in case of necessity, the enemy by sea and land to pursue out of the limits and jurisdiction of the said Province. And that amongst the present Proprietors there are several that declare, that they have no freedom to defend themselves with arms, and others who judge it their duty to defend themselves, wives and children, with arms; it is therefore agreed and consented to, and they the said Proprietors do by these presents agree and consent, that they Edition: current; Page: [2577] will not in this case force each other against their respective judgments and consciences; in order whereunto it is Resolved, that on the one side, no man that declares he cannot for conscience sake bear arms, whether Proprietor or planter, shall be at any time put upon so doing in his own person, nor yet upon sending any to serve in his stead. And on the other side, those who do judge it their duty to bear arms for the publick defence, shall have their liberty to do in a legal way. In pursuance whereof, there shall be a fourth committee erected, consisting of six proprietors, or their proxies, and three of the freemen, that are to set in the other three committees, which shall be such as to understand it their duty to use arms for the publick defence; which committee shall provide for the publick defence without and peace within, against all enemies whatsoever; and shall therefore be stiled the committee for the preservation of the publick peace: And that all things may proceed in good order, the said committee shall propound to the great Council what they judge convenient and necessary for the keeping the peace within the said Province, and for publick defence without, by the said great Council to be approved and corrected, as they, according to exigence of affairs, shall judge fit; the execution of which resolutions of the great Council shall be committed to the care of the said committee. But because through the scruples of such of the Proprietors, or their proxies, as have no freedom to use arms, the resolutions of the great Council may be in this point obstructed, it is resolved and agreed, and it is by these presents resolved and agreed, that in things of this nature, the votes of these Proprietors shall only be of weight at such time or times as one of these two points are under deliberation, which shall not be concluded where twelve of the Proprietors and two thirds of the whole Council, as in other cases, are not consenting, (that is to say) first, whether, to speak after the manner of men, (and abstractly from a man’s perswasion in matters of religion) it be convenient and suitable to the present condition or capacity of the inhabitants, to build any forts, castles or any other places of defence? If yea; where and in what places (to speak as men) they ought to be erected. Secondly, whether there be any present or future foreseen danger, that may, (to speak as men without respect to one’s particular perswasion in matters of religion) require the putting the Province into a posture of defence, or to make use of those means which we at present have, or which, from time to time as occasion may require, according to the capacity of the inhabitants, we may have; which ability and conveniency of those means of defence, and (to speak as men without respect to any man’s judgment in matters of religion) the necessity of the actual use thereof, being once resolved upon; all further deliberations about it, as the raising of men, giving of commissions both by sea and land, making Governors of forts, and providing money necessary for maintaining the same, shall belong only to those members of the great Council who judge themselves in duty bound to make use of arms for the defence of them and theirs. Provided, that they shall not conclude any thing but by the consent of at least five parts out of six of their number; and that none of the Proprietors and other inhabitants may be forced to contribute any money for the use of arms, to which for conscience Edition: current; Page: [2578] sake they have not freedom, that which is necessary for the publick defence, shall be borne by such as judge themselves in duty bound to use arms. Provided, that the other, that for conscience sake do oppose the bearing of arms, shall on the other hand bear so much in other charges, as may make up that portion in the general charge of the Province. And as the refusing to subscribe such acts concerning the use and exercise of arms abovesaid, in the Governor and Secretary, if scrupulous in conscience so to do, shall not be esteemed in them an omission or neglect of duty, so the wanting thereof shall not make such acts invalid, they being in lieu thereof, subscribed by the major part of the six Proprietors of the committees for the preservation of the publick peace.

VIII. The choosing the great and publick officers, as Secretary, Register, Treasurer, Surveyor General, Marshal, and after death of turning out of those now first to be nominated, shall be in the Governor and Common Council; as also of all sheriffs, judges and justices of the peace. But upon any malversation or accusation, they shall be liable to the examination and censure of the great Council, and if condemn’d by them, the Governor and Common Council must name others in their places.

IX. Provided, That all boroughs shall choose their own magistrates, and the hundreds in the county, their constables or under officers, in such manner as shall be agreed to by the great Council.

X. Forasmuch as by the Patent, the power of pardoning in capital offences, is vested in the four and twenty Proprietors; it is hereby declared, that the said power of pardoning shall never be made use of but by the consent of eighteen of the Proprietors, or their proxies: Nevertheless, it shall be in the power of the Governor, in conjunction with four Proprietors, who for the time are judges of the Court of Appeals, to reprieve any person after the day of execution appointed, for some time, not exceeding a month.

XI. The four and twenty Proprietors, in their absence, may vote in the great and common Council by their proxies; one Proprietor may be proxy for another, yet so as not but for one, so that none can have above two votes: The proxies of the Proprietors must be such as has shares in properties not under a twentieth part.

XII. That whoever has any place of publick trust in another Province, tho’ a Proprietor, shall not sit in the great or common Council, but by their proxies, unless thereunto particularly called by the one or other Council.

XIII. Whatever Proprietor doth not retain at least one fourth part of his propriety, viz: one ninety sixth part of the country, shall lose the right of government, and it shall pass to him who has the greatest share of that propriety, exceeding the above mentioned proportion: But if two or three has each one ninety sixth part, they shall have it successively year about, like as when a propriety is in two hands, he who is upon the place, if the other be absent, sick or under age, shall still have it; but if both there, then by turns as abovesaid; and if in a provided propriety all be absent, the proxies must be constituted by both; if but two or the greater number if there be more. And if any who sells a part of his propriety, and retains one ninety sixth part and the title of the government portion be absent, whoever has shares for him, not under one Edition: current; Page: [2579] ninety sixth part, being present, shall set for him, whether having a proxy or not; and if there be more than one, it shall go by turns as above. But because after sometime by division among children, it may happen that some one twenty fourth part may be so divided, that not any one may have one fourth part of a propriety, or one ninety sixth part of the whole, in that case the Proprietors shall elect one having not under one ninety sixth part, to bear the character of the government for that propriety: But if the county shall fall to be so divided, that there shall not be found four and twenty persons who have one ninety sixth part each; then whoever has five thousand acres, shall be capable to be chosen to be one of the four and twenty, and that by the rest of the Proprietors, by the ballot, each having priviledge to lift one; but this not to take place till forty years after the settlement of these constitutions: And if twenty years after the expiration of the forty years above mentioned, it shall fall out that four and twenty persons cannot be found who have each five thousand acres, it shall be then in the power of the great Council to make a less number of acres sufficient to carry the character of the government, provided they bring it not under three thousand acres (the Proprietors being always electors as abovesaid) no Proprietor under one and twenty years shall be admitted to vote, but during nonage there shall be a proxy appointed by the tutor, and failing that, by the other Proprietors.

XIV. In all civil and ordinary actions, the Proprietors shall be judged after the same manner, and lyable to the same censure with any other; but in all cases that are capital, or may inferr for forfeiture of their trust or Proprietorship, they shall be adjudged by a jury of twelve of the Proprietors, or their proxies, or such as has share in a propriety not under one twentieth part; the bill being first found relievant against them by a grand jury of twelve Proprietors and twelve free men to be chosen by the ballot, as in article nineteen.

XV. For preserving a right balance, no Proprietor shall at any time require or purchase more than his one four and twentieth part of the county; but if by any accident, more fall into the hands of the Proprietors, he may be allowed to dispose of it to his children, tho’ under age, yet not so as to acquire to himself more than one vote besides his own; but if such an acquirer have no children he shall be obliged to sell it within one year after he has acquired it, nor shall he evade this by putting in another’s name in trust for him; but shall upon his assignment solemnly declare himself to be realy and effectually divested of it for the proper use of him it is assign’d to: And if within three years he find not a merchant, he shall be obliged to dispose of it at the current rate to the rest of the Proprietors, to be holden in common by them, who shall appoint one to bear that character in the government, untill such a share of it fall in one hand, by a former article may render him capable, by the consent of two parts of the other Proprietors, to have the power devolved in him; and if by this or any other accident one or more votes be wanting in the interem, the Proprietors shall name others quallified as above to supply their places.

XVI. All persons living in the Province who confess and acknowledge the one Almighty and Eternal God, and holds themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and quietly in a civil society, Edition: current; Page: [2580] shall in no way be molested or prejudged for their religious perswasions and exercise in matters of faith and worship; nor shall they be compelled to frequent and maintain any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever: Yet it is also hereby provided, that no man shall be admitted a member of the great or common Council, or any other place of publick trust, who shall not profaith in Christ Jesus, and solemnly declare that he doth no ways hold himself obliged in conscience to endeavour alteration in the government, or seeks the turning out of any in it or their ruin or prejudice, either in person or estate, because they are in his opinion hereticks, or differ in their judgment from him: Nor by this article is it intended, that any under the notion of this liberty shall allow themselves to avow atheism, irreligiousness, or to practice cursing, swearing, drunkenness, prophaness, whoring, adultery, murdering or any kind of violence, or indulging themselves in stage plays, masks, revells or such like abuses; for restraining such and preserving of the people in deligence and in good order, the great Council is to make more particular laws, which are punctually to be put in execution.

XVII. To the end that all officers chosen to serve within the Province, may with the more care and deligence answer the trust reposed in them; it is agreed, that no such person shall enjoy more than one public office at one time: But least at first before the country be well planted, there might be in this some inconveniency, it is declared, that this shall not necessarily take place till after the year 1685.

XVIII. All chart, rights, grants and conveyances of land (except leases for three years and under) and all bonds, wills, and letters of administration and specialties above fifty pounds, and not under six months, shall be registered in a publick register in each county, else be void in law; also there is to be a register in each county for births, marriages, burials and servants, where their names, times, wages and days of payment shall be registered; but the method and order of settling those registers is recommended to the great Council; as also the fees which are to be moderate and certain, that the taking of more in any office, directly or indirectly by himself or any other, shall forfeit his office.

XIX. That no person or persons within the said Province shall be taken and imprisoned, or be devised of his freehold, free custom or liberty, or be outlawed or exiled, or any other way destroyed; nor shall they be condemn’d or judgment pass’d upon them, but by lawful judgment of their peers: neither shall justice nor right be bought or sold, defered or delayed, to any person whatsoever: in order to which by the laws of the land, all tryals shall be by twelve men, and as near as it may be, peers and equals, and of the neighborhood, and men without just exception. In cases of life there shall be at first twenty-four returned by the sheriff for a grand inquest, of whom twelve at least shall be to find the complaint to be true; and then the twelve men or peers to be likewise returned, shall have the final judgment; but reasonable challanges shall be always admitted against the twelve men, or any of them: but the manner of returning juries shall be thus, the names of all the freemen above five and twenty years of age, within the district or boroughs out of which the jury is to be returned, shall be written on equal pieces of parchment and put into a box, and then the number of the jury shall be drawn out by a child under Edition: current; Page: [2581] ten years of age. And in all courts persons of all perswasions may freely appear in their own way, and according to their own manner, and there personally plead their own causes themselves, or if unable, by their friends, no person being allowed to take money for pleading or advice in such cases: and the first process shall be the exhibition of the complaint in court fourteen days before the tryal, and the party complain’d against may be fitted for the same, he or she shall be summoned ten days before, and a copy of the complaint delivered at their dwelling house: But before the complaint of any person be received, he shall solemnly declare in court, that he believes in his conscience his cause is just. Moreover, every man shall be first cited before the court for the place where he dwells nor shall the cause be brought before any other court but by way of appeal from sentence of the first court, for receiving of which appeals, there shall be a court consisting of eight persons, and the Governor (protempore) president thereof, (to wit) four Proprietors and four freemen, to be chosen out of the great Council in the following manner, viz. the names of sixteen of the Proprietors shall be written on small pieces of parchment and put into a box, out of which by a lad under ten years of age, shall be drawn eight of them, the eight remaining in the box shall choose four; and in like manner shall be done for the choosing of four of the freemen.

XX. That all marriages not forbidden in the law of God, shall be esteemed lawful, where the parents or guardians being first acquainted, the marriage is publickly intimated in such places and manner as is agreeable to mens different perswasions in religion, being afterwards still solemnized before creditable witnesses, by taking one another as husband and wife, and a certificate of the whole, under the parties and witnesses hands, being brought to the proper register for that end, under a penalty if neglected.

XXI. That all witnesses coming or called to testify their knowledge in or to any matter or thing in any court or before any lawful authority within the Province, shall there give and deliver in their evidence by solemnly promissing to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the matter in question. And in case any person so doing shall be afterwards convict of willful falsehood, both such persons as also those who have proved to have suborn, shall undergo the damage and punishment both in criminal and in civil; the person against whom they did or should have incurred, which if it reach not his life, he shall be publickly exposed as a false witness, never afterwards to be credited before any court; the like punishment in cases of forgery, and both criminals to be stigmatized.

XXII. Fourteen years quiet possession shall give an unquestionable right, except in cases of infants, lunaticks or married women, or persons beyond sea or in prison. And whoever forfeits his estate to the government by committing treason against the Crown of England, or in this Province, or by any other capital crime, the nearest of kin may redeem it within two months after the criminals death, by paying to the public treasury not above one hundred pounds, and not under five pounds sterling, which proportion the common Council shall determine, according to the value of the criminals estate, and to the nature of the offence; reparation to any who have suffered by him, and payment of all just debts being always allowed.

XXIII. For avoiding innumerable multitude of statutes, no act to be made by the great Council shall be in force above fifty years after it is enacted; but as it is then de novo confirmed, allways excepting these four and twenty fundamental articles, which, as the primitive charter, is forever to remain in force, not to be repealed at any time by the great Council, tho’ two parts of the Council should agree to it, unless two and twenty of the four and twenty Proprietors do expressly also agree, and sixty six of seventy two freemen; and when they are one hundred forty four, one hundred thirty two of them; and also this assent of the Proprietors must be either by their being present in their own persons, or giving actually their votes under their hands and seals (if elsewhere) and not by proxies; which solemn and express assent must also be had in the opening of mines of gold and silver; and if such be opened, one third part of the profit is to go to the publick Treasury; one third to be divided among the four and twenty Proprietors, and one third to Proprietor or planter in whose ground it is; the charges by each proportionably borne.

XXIV. It is finally agreed, that both the Governor and the members of the great and common Council, the great officers, judges, sheriffs and justices of the peace, and all other persons of public trust, shall before they enter actually upon the exercise of any of the employs of the Province, solemnly promise and subscribe to be true and faithful to the king of England, his heirs and successors, and to the Proprietors, and he shall well and faithfully discharge his office in all things according to his commission, as by these fundamental constitutions is confirmed, the true right of liberty and property, as well as the just ballance both of the Proprietors among themselves, and betwixt them and the people: it’s therefore understood, that here is included whatever is necessary to be retained in the first Concessions, so that henceforward there is nothing further to be proceeded upon from them, that which relates to the securing of every man’s land taken up upon them, being allways excepted. And provided also, that all judicial and legal proceedings heretofore done according to them, be held, approved and confirmed.

THE KING’S LETTER RECOGNIZING THE PROPRIETORS’ RIGHT TO THE SOIL AND GOVERNMENT—1683a

THE QUEEN’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE SURRENDER OF GOVERNMENTa

At the Court of St. James’s the 17th day of April, 1702

• PRESENT

• The Queen’s most Excellent Majesty.
• His Royal Highness, Prince George of Denmark,
• Lord Keeper,
• Lord President,
• Lord Steward,
• Duke of Bolton,
• Duke of Schonberg,
• Duke of Leeds,
• Lord Great Chamberlain,
• Earl Marshall,
• Lord High Admiral,
• Lord Chamberlain,
• Earl of Dorset,
• Earl of Manchester,
• Earl of Stamford,
• Earl of Burlington,
• Earl of Radnor,
• Earl of Barkeley,
• Earl of Rochester,
• Earl of Marlborough,
• Earl of Bradford,
• Earl of Romney,
• Earl of Renalagh,
• Lord Ferrers,
• Lord Godolphin,
• Mr. Comptroller,
• Mr. Vice Chamberlain,
• Mr. Secretary Vernon,
• Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer,
• Lord Chief Justice,
• Sir Charles Hedges,
• Mr. Smith,

This day the several Proprietors of East and West New Jersey in America, did in person present a deed of surrender by them executed under their hands and seals, to her Majesty in Council, and did acknowledge the same to be their act and deed, and humbly desire her Majesty accept the same, that it might be enrolled in the Court of Chancery, whereby they did surrender their power of the Government of those plantations: Which her Majesty graciously accepted, and was pleased to order as it is hereby ordered, that the same be enrolled in her Majesty’s said High Court of Chancery, whereby they did surrender their power of the Government of those plantations which her Majesty graciously accepted and was pleased to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the same be enrolled in her Majesty’s said High Court of Chancery, and the said instruments are to be delivered to Mr. Attorney General, who is to take care that the same be enrolled accordingly.

A true copy.

Be it remembered, that on the tenth day of September, 1748, John Waddell of the city of New York, merchant, appeared before Robert Hunter Morris, Esq; Chief Justice of the Province of New Jersey, and being duly sworn on the holy evangelists, on his oath declared, that the name of John Waddell, signed to the preceding certificate of the 7th of October, 1747, is the proper hand writing of the declarant, and that the matter contained in the said certificate is true,

Agrees with an attested copy, being carefully examined and corrected by me,

SURRENDER FROM THE PROPRIETORS OF EAST AND WEST NEW JERSEY, OF THEIR PRETENDED RIGHT OF GOVERNMENT TO HER MAJESTY—1702a

Whereas his late Majesty King Charles the Second, by his Letters Patents under the great seal of England, bearing date at Westminster on or about the 12th day of March, in the sixteenth year of his reign, did give and grant to James then Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of Saint Croix, next adjoining to New Scotland in America, and from thence extending along the sea-coast unto a certain place called Pemaquod or Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to the furthest head of the same, as it tends northward, and extending from thence to the river of Kenibique, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river Canada, northward: and also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Manowacks, or Long Island, situate, lying and being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narrohigansets, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers there, called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson’s river; together also with the said river called Hudson’s river, and all the lands from the west side of Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware bay. And also all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin’s Vinyard, and Nantucks or Nantucket, together with all the lands, islands, soils, rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fishings, hawkings, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and hereditaments to the several islands, lands, and premises, Edition: current; Page: [2586] belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances, to hare and to hold all and singular the said lands, islands, hereditaments, with their and every of their appurtenances, to the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns forever, to be held of the said King, his heirs and successors as of his manor of East Greenwich in Kent, in free and common soccage and not in capite or by knight’s service, yielding and rendering therefore yearly and every year, forty beaver skins when demanded, or within ninety days after: And by the same Letters Patents the late King Charles the Second, for himself, his heirs and successors, did give and grant to the said James Duke of York, his heirs, deputies, agents, commissioners and assigns, full and absolute power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, govern and rule all such subjects of the said King, his heirs and successors, as should from time to time adventure themselves into the parts and places aforesaid, or that should at any time then after inhabit within the same, according to such laws, orders, ordinances, directions and instructions as by the said Duke of York, or his assigns, should be established; and in defect thereof, in case of necessity, according to the good directions of his deputies, commissioners, officers or assigns respectively, as well in all causes and matters as well capital and criminal as civil, both marine and others, so always as the said statutes, ordinances and proceedings were not contrary, but as near as might be agreeable to the laws and statutes and government of the realm of England, saving and reserving to his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, the receiving, hearing and determining, of the appeal and appeals of all or any other person or persons of, in or belonging to the territories or islands aforesaid, in or touching any judgment or sentence to be there made or given; and further that it should and might be lawful to and for the said Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, from time to time to nominate, constitute, ordain and confirm such laws as aforesaid, by such name or names or stiles as to him or them shall seem good; and likewise to revoke, discharge, change and alter as well all and singular Governors, officers and ministers, which then after should be by him or them thought fit or needful to be made or used within the aforesaid parts and islands; and also to make, ordain and establish, all manner of orders, laws, directions, instructions, forms and ceremonies of government and magistracy, fit and necessary for and concerning the government of the Territories and islands aforesaid, so always as the same were not contrary to the laws and statutes of the realm of England, but as near as might be agreeable thereunto; and the same at all times then after to put in execution or abrogate, revoke or change, not only within the precinct of the said Territories or islands, but also upon the seas in going and coming to and from the same, as he and they in their good direction should think to be fittest for the good of the adventurers and inhabitants there. And the late King did thereby grant, ordain and declare, that such Governors, officers, ministers as from time to time should be authorized and appointed in manner and form aforesaid, should and might have full power and authority to use and exercise martial law in cases of rebellion, insurrection and mutiny, in as large and ample manner as the lieutenants of his said Majesty in his counties of the realm of England had, or ought to have, by their commissions of lieutenancy, or any law or statute of the said realm of England. And the said late King did Edition: current; Page: [2587] thereby also for himself, heirs and successors, grant to the said James Duke of York, that it should and might be lawful for him, his heirs and assigns, in his or their discretions, from time to time, to admit such and so many person or persons to trade and traffick unto and within the Territories and islands aforesaid, and into every or any part or parcel thereof, and to have process and enjoy any lands and hereditaments in the parts and places aforesaid, as they should think fit, according to the laws, orders, constitutions and ordinances by the said James Duke of York, his heirs, deputies, commissioners and assigns from time to time to be made and established, by virtue of and according to the true intent and meaning of the said Letters Patents, and under such conditions, reservations and agreements as the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns should set down, order, direct and appoint, and not otherwise. And by the said Letters Patents the said King did for himself his heirs, and successors, grant to the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, and to all and every such Governor and Governors or other officers or ministers as by the said James Duke of York, his heirs or assigns, should be appointed, with power and authority of government and command in or over the inhabitants of the said Territories or islands, that they and every of them should, or lawfully might, from time to time, and at all times then after or for ever, for their several defence and safety, encounter, expulse, repel and resist by force of arms, as well by sea as by land, and all ways and means whatsoever, all such person or persons as without the especial licence of the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, should attempt to inhabit within the several precincts and limits of the said territories and islands; and also all and every such person and persons whatsoever as should enterprize, or attempt at any time then after, the destruction or invasion, detriment or annoyance to the parts, places or islands aforesaid, or any part thereof; as by the said recited Letters Patents duly enrolled, relation thereunto had, more at large may appear. And whereas the estate, interest, right and title of the said James Duke of York, in and to the Provinces of East Jersey and West Jersey, part of the premises by the said recited Letters granted, are by mean conveyances and assurances in the law, come unto and vested in or claimed amongst others by Sir Thomas Lane, Paul Dominique, Robert Mitchell, Joseph Brooksbank, Michael Watts, Edward Richier, John Norton, Ebenezer Jones, John Whiting, John Willcocks, John Bridges, Thomas Skinner, Benjamin Steell, Obediah Burnett, Joseph Micklethwait, Elizabeth Miller, Benjamin Levy, Francis Minshall, Joseph Collier, Thomas Lewis, Jo. Bennet, John Booker, Benjamin Nelson, James Wassee, Richard Harrison, John Jurin, Richard Greenaway, Charles Mitchell, Francis Mitchell, Tracy Paunceford, William Hamond, Ferdinando Holland, William Dockwra, Peter Sonmans, Joseph Grimston, Charles Ormston, Edward Antill, George Willocks, Francis Handcock, Thomas Barker, Thomas Cooper, Robert Burnet, Miles Forster, John Johnstone, David Lyell, Michael Hawdon, Thomas Warne, Thomas Gordon, John Barclay, Clement Plumstead, Gilbert Mollison, and Richard Hasel, the present Proprietors thereof, and they also have claimed, by virtue of the said Letters Patents and mean conveyances to exercise within the said Provinces for the governing the inhabitants thereof, all the powers and authorities for government granted by the said Letters Patents Edition: current; Page: [2588] to the said Duke and his heirs and assigns; but her Majesty hath been advised, that they have no right nor can legally execute any of the said powers, but that it belongeth to her Majesty in right of her Crown of England to constitute Governors of the said Provinces, and to give directions for governing of the inhabitants thereof, as her Majesty shall think fit. And the said Proprietors being desirous to submit themselves to her Majesty, are willing to surrender all their pretences to the said powers of government, to the intent her Majesty may be pleased to constitute a Governor or Governors of the same Provinces, with such powers, privileges and authorities for the government thereof, and making of such laws there with the consent of the Assembly of the said Provinces, and her Majesty’s subsequent approbation thereof, as her Majesty in her great wisdom shall think fit and convenient. We therefore the said Sir Thomas Lane, Paul Dominique, Robert Mitchell, Joseph Brooksbanke, Machael Watts, Ed. Richier, John Norton, Ebenezer Jones, John Whiting, Clement Plumstead, John Wilcocks, John Bridges, Thomas Skinner, Benjamin Steele, Obadiah Burnet, Joseph Michlethwait, Elizabeth Miller, Benjamin Levy, Francis Minshall, Joseph Collier, Thomas Lewes, Jo. Bennet, John Booker, Benjamin Nelson, James Wasse, Richard Harrison, John Jurin, Richard Greenaway, Charles Mitchell, Francis Mitchell, Tracy Paunceford, William Hamond, Ferdinando Holland, William Docwra, Peter Sonmans, Joseph Grinston, Charles Ormston, Edward Anthill, George Wilcoks, Francis Hancock, Thomas Barker, Thomas Cooper, Robert Burnett, Miles Forster, John Johnston, David Lyell, Michael Hawdon, Thomas Warne, Thomas Gordon, John Barclay, Gilbert Molleson, and Richard Hasell, &c. the present Proprietors of the said Provinces of East Jersey, and West Jersey, for the consideration and to the intent aforesaid, have surrendered and yielded up, and by these presents for us and our heirs, do surrender and yield up unto our Sovereign Lady ANNE by the grace of God Queen of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. her heirs and successors, all these the said powers and authorities to correct, punish, pardon, govern and rule all or any of her Majesty’s subjects or others, who now are or inhabit or hereafter shall adventure into or inhabit within the said Provinces of East Jersey, and West Jersey, or either of them; and also to nominate, make, constitute, ordain and confirm any laws, orders, ordinances and directions and instruments for those purposes or any of them; and to nominate, constitute or appoint, revoke, discharge, change or alter any Governor or Governors, officers or ministers which are or shall be appointed, made or used within the said Provinces or either of them; and to make, ordain and establish any orders, laws, directions, instruments, forms or ceremonies of government and magistracy, for or concerning the government of the Provinces aforesaid or either of them, or on the sea in going and coming to or from thence, or to put in execution, or abrogate, revoke or change such as are already made for or concerning such government, or any of them; and also all those the said powers and authorities to use and exercise martial law in the places aforesaid, or either of them, and to admit any person or persons to trade or traffick there, and of encountering, repelling and resisting by force of arms any person or persons attempting to inhabit there without the licence of us the said Proprietors, our heirs and assigns, and all other the Edition: current; Page: [2589] powers, authorities and privileges of or concerning the government of the Provinces aforesaid, or either of them to the inhabitants thereof, which were granted or mentioned to be granted by the said recited Letters Patents, and every of them. In witness whereof the persons above named have hereunto set their hands and seals this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and two, and in the first year of her Majesty’s reign.

• For the Eastern Division

• L. Morris, in behalf of Robert Burnett,
• Miles Forster,
• John Johnstone,
• Michael Hawdon,
• John Barclay,
• David Lyell,
• Thomas Warne,
• Thomas Gordon,
• Thomas Barker,
• Thomas Cooper,
• Gilbert Mollison,
• Henry Adderly, for Richard Hasel of Barbados,
• William Dockwra,
• Peter Sonmans,
• Joseph Ormston, for myself, and as proxy for Charles Ormston, Edward Anthill, and George Willocks, and Representative of Francis Hancock,
• Thomas Lane,
• Paul Dominique,
• Robert Mitchell,
• Joseph Brooksbank,
• E. Richier,
• Michael Watts,
• Clement Plumstead.

• For the Western Division

• Benjamin Nellson,
• James Wasse,
• Richard Harrison,
• John Jurin,
• Richard Greenaway,
• Charles Michell,
• Francis Michell,
• Francis Paunceford,
• Wm. Hamond,
• Ferd. Holland,
• Elizabeth Miller,
• Benjamin Levy,
• Francis Minshall,
• Joseph Collin,
• Thomas Lewis,
• Jo. Bennet,
• John Booker,
• John Whiting,
• John Wilcocks,
• John Bridges,
• Thomas Skinner,
• Benjamin Steel,
• Obadiah Burnett,
• Jos. Micklethwait,
• Thomas Lamb,
• Paul Dominique,
• Robert Michell,
• Jos. Brooksbanks,
• Michael Watts,
• E. Richier,
• John Norton,
• Eben. Jones.

Sealed and delivered by Thomas Lane, Paul Domininque, Robert Mitchell, Joseph Brooksbanks, Michael Watts, Edward Richier, John Norton, Ebenezer Jones, John Whiting, John Willcocks, John Bridges, Thomas Skinner, Benjamin Steel, Obadiah Burnett, Joseph Micklethwait, Elizabeth Miller, Benjamin Levy, Francis Minshall, Joseph Collier, Thomas Lewis, John Bennett, John Booker, Benjamin Nelson, James Wasse, Richard Harrison, John Jurin, Richard Greenaway, Charles Mitchell, Francis Mitchell, Tracy Pauncefort, William Hamond, Ferdinando Holland. And for the interest the Edition: current; Page: [2590] Proprietors of West Jersey, have in East Jersey, Thomas Lane, Paul Dominique, Robert Mitchel, Joseph Brooksbank, Edward Richier and Michael Watts.

Sealed and delivered by the aforesaid persons in the presence of us.

Sealed and delivered by William Docwra, Peter Sonmans, Joseph Ormston, Thomas Barker and Thomas Cooper, Proprietors of East Jersey, in the presence of us.

Sealed and delivered by Gilbert Mollesson, in presence of us.

Sealed and delivered by Clement Plumstead, in presence of us.

Sealed and delivered by Henry Adderly, in presence of us.

Sealed and delivered by Lewis Morris, in presence of

I do hereby certify that this is a true copy from the books in the plantation office.

Whitehall, January 17, 1752.

CHARLES II’S GRANT OF NEW ENGLAND TO THE DUKE OF YORK, 1676—EXEMPLIFIED BY QUEEN ANNE, 1712a

Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these our present letters shall come greeting: Know ye, that among the records remaining in our Secretary’s Office of our Province of New York, in America, at our fort at New York, We have inspected certain Letters Patents granted unto his late Royal Hiness James, Duke of York, deceased, which followeth in these words.

Charles the Second, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting: Know ye, that we for divers good causes and considerations us thereunto moving, have of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto our dearest brother James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix, next adjoining to New Scotland in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast unto a certain place called Petuaquine Edition: current; Page: [2591] or Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to the farthest head of the same as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river of Kenebeque, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river of Canada northward. And also all that Island or Islands, commonly called by the several name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, scituate, lying and being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers there, called or known by the several names of Conecticut or Hudsons river; together also with the said river called Hudsons river, and all the lands from the west side of Conecticut, to the east side of Delaware Bay. And also all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin’s Vineyard and Nantukes or otherwise Nantukett; together with all the lands, islands, soiles, rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes waters, lakes, fishings, hawkings, huntings and fowling; and all other royalty’s, profits, commodities and hereditaments to said several islands, lands and premises belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their apurtenances; and all our estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim and demand of, in or to the said lands and premises, or any part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders; together with the yearly and other the rents, revenues and profits of all and singular the said premises, and of every part and parcel thereof; to have and to hold all and singular the said lands, islands, heriditaments, and premisses, with their and every of their appurtenances, hereby given and granted, or herein before mentioned to be given and granted unto our dearest brother James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns forever; to the only proper use and behoof of the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns forever; to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our mannor of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capitie, nor by night service yielding and rendering. And the said James Duke of York, doth for himself, his heirs and assigns, covenant and promise to yield and render unto our heirs and successors, of and for the same and every year, forty beaver skins when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days after. And we do further of our special grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto our said dearest brother James Duke of York, his heirs, deputies, agents, commissioners and assigns, by these presents, full and absolute power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, govern and rule all such the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, as shall from time to time adventure themselves into any the parts or places aforesaid; or that shall or do at any time hereafter inhabit within the same, according to such laws, orders, ordinances, directions and instruments as by our said dearest brother, or his assigns, shall be established; and in defect thereof, in case of necessity, according to the good discretions of his deputy’s, commissioners, officers or assigns respectively; as well in all causes and matters capital and criminal, as civil both marine and others; so always as the said statutes, ordinances and proceedings be not contrary to, but as near as conveniently may be, agreeable to the laws, statutes and government of this our realm of England; and saving and reserving to us, our heirs and successors, the receiving, hearing, and determining of the appeal and appeals of all or any person or persons of, in or belonging to the territories or islands Edition: current; Page: [2592] aforesaid, in or touching any judgment or sentence to be there made or given. And further, that it shall and may be lawful to and for our said dearest brother, his heirs and assigns, by these presents from time to time, to nominate, make, constitute, ordain and confirm, by such name or names, stile or stiles, as to him or them shall seem good, and likewise to revoke discharge, change and alter as well all and singular governor’s, officers and ministers which hereafter shall be by him or them thought fit and needful to be made or used within the aforesaid parts and islands: And also to make, ordain and establish all manner of orders, laws, directions, instructions, forms and ceremonies of government and magistracy fit and necessary for and concerning the government of the territories and islands aforesaid; so always that the same be not contrary to the laws and statutes of this our realm of England, but as near as may be agreeable thereunto; and the same at all times hereafter to put in execution or abrogate, revoke or change, not only within the precincts of the said territories or islands, but also upon the seas in going and coming to and from the same, as he or they in their good discretions shall think to be fitest for the good of the adventurers and inhabitants there. And we do further of our special grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, grant, ordain and declare, that such governors, officers, and ministers as from time to time shall be authorized and appointed in manner and form aforesaid, shall and may have full power and authority to use and exercise marshall law in cases of rebellion, insurrection and mutiny, in as large and ample manner as our lieutenants in our counties within our realm of England have or ought to have, by force of their commission of lieutenancy, or any law or statute of this our realm. And we do further by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant unto our said dearest brother James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, in his or their discretion from time to time, to admit such and so many person or persons to trade and traffique unto and within the said territories and islands aforesaid, and into every or any part and parcel thereof; and to have, possess and enjoy any lands or hereditaments in the parts and places aforesaid, as they shall think fit, according to the laws, orders, constitutions and ordinances by our said brother, his heirs, deputies, commissioners and assigns from time to time to be made and established by virtue of, and according to the true intent and meaning of these presents; and under such conditions, preservations and agreements as our said brother, his heirs or assigns shall set down, order, direct and appoint and not otherwise as aforesaid. And we do further of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto our said dearest brother, his heirs and assigns, by these presents, that it shall and may be lawful to and for him, them or any of them, at all and every time and times hereafter, out of any our realms or dominions whatsoever, to take, lead, carry and transport in and into their voyages, and for and towards the plantations of our said territories and islands, all such and so many of our loving subjects, or any other strangers, being not prohibited or under restraint, that will become our loving subjects and live under our allegiance, as shall willingly accompany them in the said voyages; together with all such cloathing, implements, furniture and other things usually transported, and Edition: current; Page: [2593] not prohibited, as shall be necessary for the inhabitants of the said islands and territories, and for their use and defence thereof, and managing and carrying on the trade with the people there; and in passing and returning to and fro, yielding and paying to us, our heirs and successors, the customs and duties therefor due and payable, according to the laws and customs of this our realm. And we do also for us, our heirs and successors, grant to our said dearest brother James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, and to all and every such governor or governors, or other officers or ministers as by our said brother, his heirs or assigns, shall be appointed; to have power and authority of government and command in or over the inhabitants of the said territories or islands, that they and every of them shall and lawfully may from time to time, and at all times hereafter for ever, for their several defence and safety, encounter, expulse, repell, and resist, by force of arms as well by sea as by land, and all ways and means whatsoever, all such person and persons as without the special license of our said dearest brother, his heirs and assigns, shall attempt to inhabit within the several precincts and limits of our said territories and islands. And also, all and every such person and persons whatsoever, as shall enterprize or attempt at any time hereafter the destruction, invasion, detriment or annoyance to the parts, places or islands aforesaid or any part thereof. And lastly, our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby declare and grant, that these our letters patents, or the inrollment thereof, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents and purposes whatsoever, notwithstanding the not reciting or mentioning of the premises or any part thereof, or the meets or bounds thereof, or of any former or other letters patents or grants heretofore made or granted of the premises, or of any part thereof, by us or of any of our progenitors, unto any other person or persons whatsoever, bodies politick or corporate, or any act, law or other restraint, incertainty, or imperfection whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding; altho’ express mention of the yearly value or certainty of the premises, or any of them, or of any other gifts or grants by us, or by any of our progenitors or predecessors heretofore made to the said James Duke of York, in these presents is not made, or any statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation or restriction, heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained or provided, or any other matter, cause or thing whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of our reign. By the King, Howard.

All which by the tennor of these presents we have caused to be exemplyfied. In testimony whereof we have caused our seal of our said Province of New York to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq.; our Captain General and Governor in Chief of our Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, and at our Fort at New York, this thirtieth day of October, in the tenth year of our reign.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW JERSEY—1776*a

WHEREAS all the constitutional authority ever possessed by the kings of Great Britain over these colonies,b or their other dominions, was, by compact, derived from the people, and held of them, for the common interest of the whole society; allegiance and protection are, in the nature of things, reciprocal ties, each equally depending upon the other, and liable to be dissolved by the others being refused or withdrawn. And whereas George the Third, king of Great Britain, has refused protection to the good people of these colonies; and, by assenting to sundry acts of the British parliament, attempted to subject them to the absolute dominion of that body; and has also made war upon them, in the most cruel and unnatural manner, for no other cause, than asserting their just rights—all civil authority under him is necessarily at an end, and a dissolution of government in each colony has consequently taken place.

And whereas, in the present deplorable situation of these colonies, exposed to the fury of a cruel and relentless enemy, some form of government is absolutely necessary, not only for the preservation of good order, but also the more effectually to unite the people, and enable them to exert their whole force in their own necessary defence: and as the honorable the continental congress, the supreme council of the American colonies, has advised such of the colonies as have not yet gone into measures, to adopt for themselves, respectively, such government as shall best conduce to their own happiness and safety, and Edition: current; Page: [2595] the well-being of America in general:—We, the representatives of the colony of New Jersey, having been elected by all the counties, in the freest manner, and in congress assembled, have, after mature deliberations, agreed upon a set of charter rights and the form of a Constitution, in manner following, viz.

I. That the government of this Province shall be vested in a Governor, Legislative Council, and General Assembly.

II. That the Legislative Council, and General Assembly, shall be chosen, for the first time, on the second Tuesday in August next; the members whereof shall be the same in number and qualifications as are herein after mentioned; and shall be and remain vested with all the powers and authority to be held by any future Legislative Council and Assembly of this Colony, until the second Tuesday in October, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven.

III. That on the second Tuesday in October yearly, and every year forever (with the privilege of adjourning from day to day as occasion may require) the counties shall severally choose one person, to be a member of the Legislative Council of this Colony, who shall be, and have been, for one whole year next before the election, an inhabitant and freeholder in the county in which he is chosen, and worth at least one thousand pounds proclamation money, of real and personal estate, within the same county; that, at the same time, each county shall also choose three members of Assembly; provided that no person shall be entitled to a seat in the said Assembly unless he be, and have been, for one whole year next before the election, an inhabitant of the county he is to represent, and worth five hundred pounds proclamation money, in real and personal estate, in the same county: that on the second Tuesday next after the day of election, the Council and Assembly shall separately meet; and that the consent of both Houses shall be necessary to every law; provided, that seven shall be a quorum of the Council, for doing business, and that no law shall pass, unless there be a majority of all the Representatives of each body personally present, and agreeing thereto. Provided always, that if a majority of the representatives of this Province, in Council and General Assembly convened, shall, at any time or times hereafter, judge it equitable and proper, to add to or diminish the number or proportion of the members of Assembly for any county or counties in this Colony, then, and in such case, the same may, on the principles of more equal representation, be lawfully done; anything in this Charter to the contrary notwithstanding: so that the whole number of Representatives in Assembly shall not, at any time, be less than thirty-nine.

IV. That all inhabitants of this Colony, of full age, who are worth fifty pounds proclamation money, clear estate in the same, and have resided within the county in which they claim a vote for twelve months immediately preceding the election, shall be entitled to vote for Representatives in Council and Assembly; and also for all other public officers, that shall be elected by the people of the county at large.

V. That the Assembly, when met, shall have power to choose a Speaker, and other their officers: to be judges of the qualifications and elections of their own members; sit upon their own adjournments; prepare bills, to be passed into laws; and to empower their Speaker to Edition: current; Page: [2596] convene them, whenever any extraordinary occurrence shall render it necessary.

VI. That the Council shall also have power to prepare bills to pass into laws, and have other like powers as the Assembly, and in all respects be a free and independent branch of the Legislature of this Colony; save only, that they shall not prepare or alter any money bill—which shall be the privilege of the Assembly; that the Council shall, from time to time, be convened by the Governor or Vice-President, but must be convened, at all times, when the Assembly sits; for which purpose the Speaker of the House of Assembly shall always, immediately after an adjournment, give notice to the Governor, or Vice-President, of the time and place to which the House is adjourned.

VII. That the Council and Assembly jointly, at their first meeting after each annual election, shall, by a majority of votes, elect some fit person within the Colony, to be Governor for one year, who shall be constant President of the Council, and have a casting vote in their proceedings; and that the Council themselves shall choose a Vice-President who shall act as such in the absence of the Governor.

VIII. That the Governor, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Council, shall have the supreme executive power, be Chancellor of the Colony, and act as captain-general and commander in chief of all the militia, and other military force in this Colony; and that any three or more of the Council shall, at all times, be a privy-council, to consult them; and that the Governor be ordinary or surrogate-general.

IX. That the Governor and Council, (seven whereof shall be a quorum) be the Court of Appeals, in the last resort, in all clauses of law, as heretofore; and that they possess the power of granting pardons to criminals, after condemnation, in all cases of treason, felony, or other offences.

X. That captains, and all other inferior officers of the militia, shall be chosen by the companies, in the respective counties; but field and general officers, by the Council and Assembly.

XI. That the Council and Assembly shall have power to make the Great Seal of this Colony, which shall be kept by the Governor, or, in his absence, by the Vice-President of the Council, to be used by them as occasion may require: and it shall be called, The Great Seal of the Colony of New-Jersey.

XII. That the Judges of the Supreme Court shall continue in office for seven years: the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in the several counties, Justices of the Peace, Clerks of the Supreme Court, Clerks of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, the Attorney-General, and Provincial Secretary, shall continue in office for five years: and the Provincial Treasurer shall continue in office for one year; and that they shall be severally appointed by the Council and Assembly, in manner aforesaid, and commissioned by the Governor, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Council. Provided always, that the said officers, severally, shall be capable of being re-appointed, at the end of the terms severally before limited; and that any of the said officers shall be liable to be dismissed, when adjudged guilty of misbehaviour, by the Council, on an impeachment of the Assembly.

XIII. That the inhabitants of each county, qualified to vote as aforesaid, shall at the time and place of electing their Representatives, annually elect one Sheriff, and one or more Coroners; and that they may re-elect the same person to such offices, until he shall have served three years, but no longer; after which, three years must elapse before the same person is capable of being elected again. When the election is certified to the Governor, or Vice-President, under the hands of six freeholders of the county for which they were elected, they shall be immediately commissioned to serve in their respective offices.

XIV. That the townships, at their annual town meetings for electing other officers, shall choose constables for the districts respectively; and also three or more judicious freeholders of good character, to hear and finally determine all appeals, relative to unjust assessments, in cases of public taxation; which commissioners of appeal shall, for that purpose, sit at some suitable time or times, to be by them appointed, and made known to the people by advertisements.

XV. That the laws of the Colony shall begin in the following style, viz. “Be it enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this Colony, and it is hereby enacted by authority of the same:” that all commissions, granted by the Governor or Vice-President, shall run thus—“The Colony of New-Jersey to A. B. &c. greeting:” and that all writs shall likewise run in the name of the Colony: and that all indictments shall conclude in the following manner, viz. “Against the peace of this Colony, the government and dignity of the same.”

XVI. That all criminals shall be admitted to the same privileges of witnesses and counsel, as their prosecutors are or shall be entitled to.

XVII. That the estates of such persons as shall destroy their own lives, shall not, for that offence, be forfeited; but shall descend in the same manner, as they would have done, had such persons died in the natural way; nor shall any article, which may occasion accidentally the death of any one, be henceforth deemed a deodand, or in anywise forfeited, on account of such misfortune.

XVIII. That no person shall ever, within this Colony, be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; nor, under any pretence whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgment; nor shall any person, within this Colony, ever be obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates, for the purpose of building or repairing any other church or churches, place or places of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or ministry, contrary to what he believes to be right, or has deliberately or voluntarily engaged himself to perform.

XIX. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect in this Province, in preference to another; and that no Protestant inhabitant of this Colony shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but that all persons, professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect. who shall demean themselves peaceably under the government, as hereby established, shall be capable of being elected into any office of profit Edition: current; Page: [2598] or trust, or being a member of either branch of the Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by others their fellow subjects.

XX. That the legislative department of this government may, as much as possible, be preserved from all suspicion of corruption, none of the Judges of the Supreme or other Courts, Sheriffs, or any other person or persons possessed of any post of profit under the government, other than Justices of the Peace, shall be entitled to a seat in the Assembly: but that, on his being elected, and taking his seat, his office or post shall be considered as vacant.

XXI. That all the laws of this Province, contained in the edition lately published by Mr. Allinson, shall be and remain in full force, until altered by the Legislature of this Colony (such only excepted, as are incompatible with this Charter) and shall be, according as heretofore, regarded in all respects, by all civil officers, and others, the good people of this Province.

XXII. That the common law of England, as well as so much of the statute law, as have been heretofore practised in this Colony, shall still remain in force, until they shall be altered by a future law of the Legislature; such parts only excepted, as are repugnant to the rights and privileges contained in this Charter; and that the inestimable right of trial by jury shall remain confirmed as a part of the law of this Colony, without repeal, forever.

XXIII. That every person, who shall be elected as aforesaid to be a member of the Legislative Council, or House of Assembly, shall, previous to his taking his seat in Council or Assembly, take the following oath or affirmation, viz:

“I, A. B., do solemnly declare, that, as a member of the Legislative Council, [or Assembly, as the case may be,] of the Colony of New-Jersey, I will not assent to any law, vote or proceeding, which shall appear to me injurious to the public welfare of said Colony, nor that shall annul or repeal that part of the third section in the Charter of this Colony, which establishes, that the elections of members of the Legislative Council and Assembly shall be annual; nor that part of the twenty-second section in said Charter, respecting the trial by jury, nor that shall annual, repeal, or alter any part or parts of the eighteenth or nineteenth sections of the same.”

And any person or persons, who shall be elected as aforesaid, is hereby empowered to administer to the said members the said oath or affirmation.

Provided always, and it is the true intent and meaning of this Congress, that if a reconciliation between Great-Britain and these Colonies should take place, and the latter be taken again under the protection and government of the crown of Britain, this Charter shall be null and void—otherwise to remain firm and inviolable.

In Provincial Congress, New Jersey,

Burlington, July 2, 1776.

By order of Congress.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW JERSEY—1844*a

We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution:

TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT OF NEW MEXICO—1850a

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatires of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following propositions shall be, and the same hereby are, offered to the State of Texas, which, when agreed to by the said State, in an act passed by the general assembly, shall be binding and obligatory upon the United States, and upon the said State of Texas: Provided, The said agreement by the said general assembly shall be given on or before the first day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty:

First. The State of Texas will agree that her boundary on the north shall commence at the point at which the meridian of one hundred degrees west from Greenwich is intersected by the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, and shall run from said point due west to the meridian of one hundred and three degrees west from Greenwich; thence her boundary shall run due south to the thirty-second degree of north latitude; thence on the said parallel of thirty-two degrees of north latitude to the Rio Bravo del Norte, and thence with the channel of said river to the Gulf of Mexico.

Second. The state of Texas cedes to the United States all her claim to territory exterior to the limits and boundaries which she agrees to establish by the first article of this agreement.

Third. The State of Texas relinquishes all claim upon the United States for liability of the debts of Texas, and for compensation or indemnity for the surrender to the United States of her ships, forts, arsenals, custom-houses, custom-house revenue, arms and munitions of war, and public buildings with their sites, which became the property of the United States at the time of the annexation.

Fourth. The United States, in consideration of said establishment of boundaries, cession of claim to territory, and relinquishment of claims, will pay to the State of Texas the sum of ten millions of dollars in a stock bearing five per cent. interest, and redeemable at the end of fourteen years, the interest payable half-yearly at the treasury of the United States.

Fifth. Immediately after the President of the United States shall have been furnished with an authentic copy of the act of the general assembly of Texas accepting these propositions, he shall cause the stock to be issued in favor of the State of Texas, as provided for in the fourth article of this agreement: Provided, also, That no more than five millions of said stock shall be issued until the creditors of the State holding bonds and other certificates of stock of Texas for which duties on imports were specially pledged, shall first file at the treasury of the United States releases of all claim against the United States for or on account of said bonds or certificates in such form as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and approved by the President of the United States: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to impair or qualify anything contained in the third article of the second section of the “joint resolution for annexing Texas to the United States,” approved March first, eighteen hundred and forty-five, either as regards the number of States that may hereafter be formed out of the State of Texas, or otherwise.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all that portion of the Territory of the United States bounded as follows: Beginning at a point in the Colorado River where the boundary line with the republic of Mexico crosses the same; thence eastwardly with the said boundary line to the Rio Grande; thence following the main channel of said river to the parallel of the thirty-second degree of north latitude; thence east with said degree to its intersection with the one hundred and third degree of longitude west of Greenwich; thence north with said degree of longitude to the parallel of thirty-eighth degree of north latitude; thence west with said parallel to the summit of the Sierra Madre; thence south with the crest of said mountains Edition: current; Page: [2617] to the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude; thence west with said parallel to its intersection with the boundary line of the State of California; thence with said boundary line to the place of beginning—be, and the same is hereby, erected into a temporary government, by the name of the Territory of New Mexico; Provided, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to inhibit the government of the United States from dividing said Territory into two or more Territories, in such manner and at such times as Congress shall deem convenient and proper, or from attaching any portion thereof to any other Territory or State: And provided, further, That, when admitted as a State, the said Territory, or any portion of the same, shall be received into the Union, with or without slavery, as their constitution may prescribe at the time of their admission.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the executive power and authority in and over said Territory of New Mexico shall be vested in a governor, who shall hold his office for four years, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the President of the United States. The governor shall reside within said Territory, shall be commander-in-chief of the militia thereof, shall perform the duties and receive the emoluments of superintendent of Indian affairs, and shall approve all laws passed by the legislative assembly before they shall take effect; he may grant pardons for offenses against the laws of said Territory, and reprieves for offences against the laws of the United States, until the decision of the President can be made known thereon; he shall commission all officers who shall be appointed to office under the laws of the said Territory, and shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That there shall be a secretary of said Territory, who shall reside therein, and hold his office for four years, unless sooner removed by the President of the United States; he shall record and preserve all the laws and proceedings of the legislative assembly hereinafter constituted, and all the acts and proceedings of the governor in his executive department; he shall transmit one copy of the laws and one copy of the executive proceedings, on or before the first day of December in each year, to the President of the United States, and, at the same time, two copies of the laws to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, for the use of Congress. And, in case of the death, removal, resignation, or other necessary absence of the governor from the Territory, the secretary shall have, and he is hereby authorized and required to execute and perform all the powers and duties of the governor during such vacancy or necessary absence, or until another governor shall be duly appointed to fill such vacancy.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the legislative power and authority of said Territory shall be vested in the governor and a legislative assembly. The legislative assembly shall consist of a Council and House of Representatives. The Council shall consist of thirteen members, having the qualifications of voters as hereinafter prescribed, whose term of service shall continue two years. The House of Representatives shall consist of twenty-six members, possessing the same qualifications as prescribed for members of the Council, and whose term of service shall continue one year. An apportionment shall be made, as nearly equal as practicable, among the Edition: current; Page: [2618] several counties or districts, for the election of the Council and House of Representatives, giving to each section of the Territory representation in the ratio of its population, (Indians excepted,) as nearly as may be. And the members of the Council and of the House of Representatives shall reside in, and be inhabitants of, the district for which they may be elected respectively. Previous to the first election, the governor shall cause a census or enumeration of the inhabitants of the several counties and districts of the Territory to be taken, and the first election shall be held at such time and places, and be conducted in such manner, as the governor shall appoint and direct; and he shall, at the same time, declare the number of the members of the Council and House of Representatives to which each of the counties or districts shall be entitled under this act. The number of persons authorized to be elected having the highest number of votes in each of said Council districts, for members of the Council, shall be declared by the governor to be duly elected to the Council; and the person or persons authorized to be elected having the greatest number of votes for the House of Representatives, equal to the number to which each county or district shall be entitled, shall be declared by the governor to be duly elected members of the House of Representatives: Provided, That in case of a tie between two or more persons voted for, the governor shall order a new election to supply the vacancy made by such tie. And the persons thus elected to the legislative assembly shall meet at such place and on such day as the governor shall appoint; but thereafter, the time, place, and manner of holding and conducting all elections by the people, and the apportioning the representation in the several counties or districts to the Council and House of Representatives according to the population, shall be prescribed by law, as well as the day of the commencement of the regular sessions of the legislative assembly: Provided, That no one session shall exceed the term of forty days.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That every free white male inhabitant, above the age of twenty-one years, who shall have been a resident of said Territory at the time of the passage of this act, shall be entitled to vote at the first election, and shall be eligible to any office within the said Territory; but the qualifications of voters and of holding office, at all subsequent elections, shall be such as shall be prescribed by the legislative assembly: Provided, That the right of suffrage, and of holding office, shall be exercised only by citizens of the United States, including those recognized as citizens by the treaty with the republic of Mexico, concluded February second, eighteen hundred and forty-eight.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the legislative power of the Territory shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation, consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the provisions of this act; but no law shall be passed interfering with the primary disposal of the soil; no tax shall be imposed upon the property of the United States; nor shall the lands or other property of nonresidents be taxed higher than the lands or other property of residents. All the laws passed by the legislative assembly and governor shall be submitted to the Congress of the United States, and, if disapproved, shall be null and of no effect.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That all township, district, and county officers, not herein otherwise provided for, shall be appointed Edition: current; Page: [2619] or elected, as the case may be, in such manner as shall be provided by the governor and legislative assembly of the Territory of New Mexico. The governor shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the legislative Council, appoint, all officers not herein otherwise provided for; and in the first instance the governor alone may appoint all said officers, who shall hold their offices until the end of the first session of the legislative assembly, and shall lay off the necessary districts for members of the Council and House of Representatives, and all other officers.

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That the judicial power of said Territory shall be vested in a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts, and in justices of the peace. The Supreme Court shall consist of a chief justice and two associate justices, any two of whom shall constitute a quorum, and who shall hold a term at the seat of government of said Territory annually, and they shall hold their offices during the period of four years. The said Territory shall be divided into three judicial districts, and a District Court shall be held in each of said districts by one of the justices of the Supreme Court, at such time and place as may be prescribed by law; and the said judges shall, after their appointments, respectively, reside in the districts which shall be asigned them. The jurisdiction of the several courts herein provided for, both appellate and original, and that of the Probate Courts and of justices of the peace, shall be as limited by law: Provided, That justices of the peace shall not have jurisdiction of any matter in controversy when the title or boundaries of land may be in dispute, or where the debt or sum claimed shall exceed one hundred dollars; and the said Supreme and Districts Courts, respectively, shall possess chancery as well as common law jurisdiction. Each District Court, or the judge thereof, shall appoint its clerk, who shall also be the register in chancery, and shall keep his office at the place where the court may be held. Writs of error, bills of exception, and appeals, shall be allowed in all cases from the final decisions of said District Courts to the Supreme Court, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, but in no case removed to the Supreme Court shall trial by jury be allowed in said court. The Supreme Court, or the justices thereof, shall appoint its own clerk, and every clerk shall hold his office at the pleasure of the court for which he shall have been appointed. Writs of error and appeals from the final decisions of said Supreme Court shall be allowed, and may be taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, in the same manner and under the same regulations as from the Circuit Courts of the United States, where the value of the property or the amount in controversy, to be ascertained by the oath or affirmation of either party, or other competent witness, shall exceed one thousand dollars; except only that all cases involving title to slaves, the said writs of error or appeals shall be allowed and decided by the said Supreme Court without regard to the value of the matter, property, or title in controversy; and except also that a writ of error or appeal shall also be allowed to the Supreme Court of the United States from the decision of the said Supreme Court created by this act, or of any judge thereof, or of the District Courts created by this act, or of any judge thereof, upon any writ of habeas corpus involving the question of personal freedom; and each of the said District Courts shall have and exercise the same jurisdiction in all cases arising under the Constitution Edition: current; Page: [2620] and laws of the United States as is vested in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States; and the said Supreme and District Courts of the said Territory, and the respective judges thereof, shall and may grant writs of habeas corpus in all cases in which the same are grantable by the judges of the United States in the District of Columbia; and the first six days of every term of said courts, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, shall be appropriated to the trial of causes arising under the said Constitution and laws; and writs of error and appeals in all such cases shall be made to the Supreme Court of said Territory, the same as in other cases. The said clerk shall receive in all such cases the same fees which the clerks of the District Courts of Oregon Territory now receive for similar services.

Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That there shall be appointed an attorney for said Territory, who shall continue in office for four years, unless sooner removed by the President, and who shall execute all processes issuing from the said courts when exercising their jurisdiction as Circuit and District Courts of the United States; he shall perform the duties, be subject to the same regulation and penalties, and be entitled to the same fees as the marshal of the District Court of the United States for the present Territory of Oregon, and shall, in addition, be paid two hundred (dollars) annually as a compensation for extra services.

Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That the governor, secretary, chief justice and associate justices, attorney and marshal, shall be nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed by the President of the United States. The governor and secretary, to be appointed as aforesaid, shall, before they act as such, respectively take an oath or affirmation, before the district judge, or some justice of the peace in the limits of said Territory, duly authorized to administer oaths and affirmations by the laws now in force therein, or before the chief justice or some associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, to support the Constitution of the United States, and faithfully to discharge the duties of their respective offices; which said oaths, when so taken, shall be certified by the person by whom the same shall have been taken, and such certificates shall be received and recorded by the said secretary among the executive proceedings; and the chief justice and associate justices, and all other civil officers in said Territory, before they act as such, shall take a like oath or affirmation, before the said governor or secretary, or some judge or justice of the peace of the Territory, who may be duly commissioned and qualified, which said oath or affirmation shall be certified and transmitted, by the person taking the same, to the secretary, to be by him recorded as aforesaid; and afterwards, the like oath or affirmation shall be taken, certified, and recorded, in such manner and form as may be prescribed by law. The governor shall receive an annual salary of fifteen hundred dollars as governor, and one thousand dollars as superintendent of Indian affairs. The chief justice and associate justices shall each receive an annual salary of eighteen hundred dollars. The secretary shall receive an annual salary of eighteen hundred dollars. The said salaries shall be paid quarter-yearly, at the treasury of the United States. The members of the legislative assembly shall be entitled Edition: current; Page: [2621] to receive three dollars each per day during their attendance at the sessions thereof, and three dollars each for every twenty miles’ travel in going to and returning from the said sessions, estimated according to the nearest usually travelled route. There shall be appropriated annually the sum of one thousand dollars, to be expended by the governor, to defray the contingent expenses of the Territory; there shall also be appropriated annually a sufficient sum to be expended by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, to defray the expenses of the legislative assembly, the printing of the laws, and other incidental expenses; and the secretary of the Territory shall annually account to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States for the manner in which the aforesaid sum shall have been expended.

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That the legislative assembly of the Territory of New Mexico shall hold its first session at such time and place in said Territory as the Governor thereof shall appoint and direct; and at said first session, or as soon thereafter as they shall deem expedient, the governor and legislative assembly shall proceed to locate and establish the seat of government for said Territory at such place as they may deem eligible; which place, however, shall thereafter be subject to be changed by the said governor and legislative assembly.

Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That a delegate to the House of Representatives of the United States, to serve during each Congress of the United States, may be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly, who shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as are exercised and enjoyed by the delegates from the several other Territories of the United States to the said House of Representatives. The first election shall be held at such time and places, and be conducted in such manner, as the governor shall appoint and direct; and at all subsequent elections, the times, places, and manner of holding the elections shall be prescribed by law. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be declared by the governor to be duly elected, and a certificate thereof shall be given accordingly: Provided, That such delegate shall receive no higher sum for mileage than is allowed by law to the delegate from Oregon.

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That when the lands in said Territory shall be surveyed under the direction of the government of the United States, preparatory to bringing the same into market, sections numbered sixteen and thirty-six in each township in said Territory shall be, and the same are hereby, reserved for the purpose of being applied to schools in said Territory, and in the States and Territories hereafter to be erected out of the same.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That temporarily and until otherwise provided by law, the governor of said Territory may define the judicial districts of said Territory, and assign the judges who may be appointed for said Territory to the several districts, and also appoint the times and places for holding courts in the several counties or subdivisions in each of said judicial districts, by proclamation to be issued by him; but the legislative assembly, at their first or any subsequent session, may organize, alter, or modify such judicial districts, and assign the judges, and alter the times and places of holding the courts, as to them shall seem proper and convenient.

Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, That the Constitution, and all laws of the United States which are not locally inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect within the said Territory of New Mexico as elsewhere within the United States.

Sec. 18. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of this act be, and they are hereby, suspended until the boundary between the United States and the State of Texas shall be adjusted; and when such adjustment shall have been effected, the President of the United States shall issue his proclamation, declaring this act to be in full force and operation, and shall proceed to appoint the officers herein provided to be appointed in and for said Territory.

Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That no citizen of the United States shall be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, in said Territory, except by the judgment of his peers and the laws of the land.

ENABLING ACT FOR NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA—1906

(See Oklahoma, p. 2960)

CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK—1777*

Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees, as temporary expedients, and to exist no longer than the grievances of the people should remain without redress; And whereas the congress of the colony of New York did, on the thirty-first day of May now last past, resolve as follows, viz:

“Whereas the present government of this colony, by congress and committees, was instituted while the former government, under the Edition: current; Page: [2624] Crown of Great Britain, existed in full force, and was established for the sole purpose of opposing the usurpation of the British Parliament, and was intended to expire on a reconciliation with Great Britain, which it was then apprehended would soon take place, but is now considered as remote and uncertain;

“And whereas many and great inconveniences attend the said mode of government by congress and committees, as of necessity, in many instances, legislative, judicial, and executive powers have been vested therein, especially since the dissolution of the former government by the abdication of the late governor and the exclusion of this colony from the protection of the King of Great Britain;

“And whereas the Continental Congress did resolve as followeth, to wit:

“ ‘Whereas His Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of his Crown; and whereas no answers whatever to the humble petition of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain has been, or is likely to be, given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies; and whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the Crown of Great Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defense of our lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of our enemies: Therefore,

“ ‘Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the united colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.’

“And whereas doubts have arisen whether this congress are invested with sufficient power and authority to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction, dominion, and control whatever; and whereas it appertains of right solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubts: Therefore,

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the electors in the several counties in this colony, by election, in the manner and form prescribed for the election of the present congress, either to authorize (in addition to the powers vested in this congress) their present deputies, or others in the stead of their present deputies, or either of them, to take into consideration the necessity and propriety of instituting such new government as in and by the said resolution of the Continental Congress is described and recommended; and if the majority of the counties, by their deputies in provincial congress, shall be of opinion that such new government ought to be instituted and established, then to institute and establish such a government as they shall deem best calculated to secure the rights, liberties, and happiness of the good people of this colony; and to continue in force until a future peace with Great Britain shall render the same unnecessary; and

“Resolved, That the said elections in the several counties ought to be had on such day, and at such place or places, as by the committee of each county respectively shall be determined. And it is recommended to the said committees to fix such early days for the said elections as that all the deputies to be elected have sufficient time to repair to the city of New York by the second Monday in July next; on which day all the said deputies ought punctually to give their attendance.

“And whereas the object of the aforegoing resolutions is of the utmost importance to the good people of this colony:

“Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby, earnestly recommended to the committees, freeholders, and other electors in the different counties in this colony diligently to carry the same into execution.”

And whereas the good people of the said colony, in pursuance of the said resolution, and reposing special trust and confidence in the members of this convention, have appointed, authorized, and empowered them for the purposes, and in the manner, and with the powers in and by the said resolve specified, declared, and mentioned.

And whereas the Delegates of the United American States, in general Congress convened, did, on the fourth day of July now last past, solemnly publish and declare, in the words following, viz:

“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted Edition: current; Page: [2626] among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former system of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

“He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

“He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

“He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature; a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

“He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

“He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

“He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large, for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

“He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

“He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

“He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

“He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

“He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.

“He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.

“He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

“For quartering large bodies of troops among us:

“For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders they should commit on the inhabitants of these States:

“For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

“For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

“For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

“For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offences:

“For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies:

“For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

“For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

“He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us.

“He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

“He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the work of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

“He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

“In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

“Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connection and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war; in peace, friends.

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as free and independent States they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

And whereas this convention, having taken this declaration into their most serious consideration, did, on the ninth day of July last past, unanimously resolve that the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the united colonies free and independent States are cogent and conclusive; and that while we lament the cruel necessity which has rendered that measure unavoidable, we approve the same, and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join with the other colonies in supporting it.

By virtue of which several acts, declarations, and proceedings mentioned and contained in the afore-cited resolves or resolutions of the general Congress of the United American States, and of the congresses or conventions of this State, all power whatever therein hath reverted to the people thereof, and this convention hath by their suffrages and free choice been appointed, and among other things authorized to institute and establish such a government as they shall deem best calculated to secure the rights and liberties of the good people of this State, most conducive of the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and of America in general.

I. This convention, therefore, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, doth ordain, determine, and declare that no authority shall, on any pretence whatever, be exercised over the people or members of this State but such as shall be derived from and granted by them.

II. This convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare that the supreme legislative power within this State shall be vested in two separate and distinct bodies of men; the one to be called the assembly of the State of New York, the other to be called the senate of the State of New York; who together shall form the legislature, and meet once at least in every year for the despatch of business.

III. And whereas laws inconsistent with the spirit of this constitution, or with the public good, may be hastily and unadvisedly passed: Be it ordained, that the governor for the time being, the chancellor, and the judges of the supreme court, or any two of them, together with the governor, shall be, and hereby are, constituted a council to revise all bills about to be passed into laws by the legislature; and for that purpose shall assemble themselves from time to time, when the legislature shall be convened; for which, nevertheless, they shall not Edition: current; Page: [2629] receive any salary or consideration, under any pretence whatever. And that all bills which have passed the senate and assembly shall, before they become laws, be presented to the said council for their revisal and consideration; and if, upon such revision and consideration, it should appear improper to the said council, or a majority of them, that the said bill should become a law of this State, that they return the same, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the senate or house of assembly (in which soever the same shall have originated) who shall enter the objection sent down by the council at large in their minutes, and proceed to reconsider the said bill. But if, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the said senate or house of assembly shall, notwithstanding the said objections, agree to pass the same, it shall, together with the objections, be sent to the other branch of the legislature, where it shall also be reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of the members present, shall be a law.

And in order to prevent any unnecessary delays, be it further ordained, that if any bill shall not be returned by the council within ten days after it shall have been presented, the same shall be a law, unless the legislature shall, by their adjournment, render a return of the said bill within ten days impracticable; in which case the bill shall be returned on the first day of the meeting of the legislature after the expiration of the said ten days.a

IV. That the assembly shall consist of at least seventy members, to be annually chosen in the several counties, in the proportions following, viz:

• For the city and county of New York, nine.
• The city and county of Albany, ten.
• The county of Dutchess, seven.
• The county of Westchester, six.
• The county of Ulster, six.
• The county of Suffolk, five.
• The county of Queens, four.
• The county of Orange, four.
• The county of Kings, two.
• The county of Richmond, two.
• Tryon County,b six.
• Charlotte County,c four.
• Cumberland County,d three.
• Gloucester County,d two.

V. That as soon after the expiration of seven years (subsequent to the termination of the present war) as may be a census of the electors and inhabitants in this State be taken, under the direction of the legislature.e And if, on such census, it shall appear that the number of representatives in assembly from the said counties is not justly proportioned to the number of electors in the said counties respectively, Edition: current; Page: [2630] that the legislature do adjust and apportion the same by that rule. And further, that once in ever seven years, after the taking of the said first census, a just account of the electors resident in each county shall be taken, and if it shall thereupon appear that the number of electors in any county shall have increased or diminished one or more seventieth parts of the whole number of electors, which, on the said first census, shall be found in this State, the number of representatives for such county shall be increased or diminished accordingly, that is to say, one representative for every seventieth part as aforesaid.a

VI. And whereas an opinion hath long prevailed among divers of the good people of this State that voting at elections by ballot would tend more to preserve the liberty and equal freedom of the people than voting viva voce: To the end, therefore, that a fair experiment be made, which of those two methods of voting is to be preferred—

Be it ordained, That as soon as may be after the termination of the present war between the United States of America and Great Britain, an act or acts be passed by the legislature of this State for causing all elections thereafter to be held in this State for senators and representatives in assembly to be by ballot, and directing the manner in which the same shall be conducted.b And whereas it is possible that, after all the care of the legislature in framing the said act or acts, certain inconveniences and mischiefs, unforseen at this day, may be found to attend the said mode of electing by ballot:

It is further ordained, That if, after a full and fair experiment shall be made of voting by ballot aforesaid, the same shall be found less conducive to the safety or interest of the State than the method of voting viva voce, it shall be lawful and constitutional for the legislature to abolish the same, provided two-thirds of the members present in each house, respectively, shall concur therein. And further, that, during the continuance of the present war, and until the legislature of this State shall provide for the election of senators and representatives in assembly by ballot, the said election shall be made viva voce.

VII. That every male inhabitant of full age, who shall have personally resided within one of the counties of this State for six months immediately preceding the day of election, shall, at such election, be entitled to vote for representatives of the said county in assembly; if, during the time aforesaid, he shall have been a freeholder, possessing a freehold of the value of twenty pounds, within the said county, or have rented a tenement therein of the yearly value of forty shillings, and been rated and actually paid taxes to this State: Provided always, That every person who now is a freeman of the city of Albany, or who was made a freeman of the city of New York on or before the fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one Edition: current; Page: [2631] thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and shall be actually and usually resident in the said cities, respectively, shall be entitled to vote for representatives in assembly within his said place of residence.

VIII. That every elector, before he is admitted to vote, shall, if required by the returning-officer or either of the inspectors, take an oath, or, if of the people called Quakers, an affirmation, of allegiance to the State.

IX. That the assembly, thus constituted, shall choose their own speaker, be judges of their own members, and enjoy the same privileges, and proceed in doing business in like manner as the assemblies of the colony of New York of right formerly did; and that a majority of the said members shall, from time to time, constitute a house, to proceed upon business.

X. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that the senate of the State of New York shall consist of twenty-four freeholders to be chosen out of the body of the freeholders; and that they be chosen by the freeholders of this State, possessed of freeholds of the value of one hundred pounds, over and above all debts charged thereon.

XI. That the members of the senate be elected for four years; and, immediately after the first election, they be divided by lot into four classes, six in each class, and numbered one, two, three, and four; that the seats of the members of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, the second class the second year, and so on continually; to the end that the fourth part of the senate, as nearly as possible, may be annually chosen.

XII. That the election of senators shall be after this manner: That so much of this State as is now parcelled into counties be divided into four great districts; the southern district to comprehend the city and county of New York, Suffolk, Westchester, Kings, Queens, and Richmond Counties; the middle district to comprehend the counties of Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange; the western district, the city and county of Albany, and Tryon County; and the eastern district, the counties of Charlotte, Cumberland, and Gloucester. That the senators shall be elected by the freeholders of the said districts, qualified as aforesaid, in the proportions following, to wit: in the southern district, nine; in the middle district, six; in the western district, six; and in the eastern district, three. And be it ordained, that a census shall be taken, as soon as may be after the expiration of seven years from the termination of the present war, under the direction of the legislature; and if, on such census, it shall appear that the number of senators is not justly proportioned to the several districts, that the legislature adjust the proportion, as near as may be, to the number of freeholders, qualified as aforesaid, in each district.a That when the number of electors, within any of the said districts, shall have increased one twenty-fourth part of the whole number of electors, which, by the said census, shall be found to be in this State, an additional senator shall be chosen by the electors of such district. That a majority of the number of senators to be chosen aforesaid shall be necessary to constitute a senate sufficient to proceed upon business; Edition: current; Page: [2632] and that the senate shall, in like manner with the assembly, be the judges of its own members. And be it ordained, that it shall be in the power of the future legislatures of this State, for the convenience and advantage of the good people thereof, to divide the same into such further and other counties and districts as shall to them appear necessary.

XIII. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that no member of this State shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any the rights or privileges secured to the subjects of this State by this constitution, unless by the law of the land, or the judgment of his peers.

XIV. That neither the assembly or the senate shall have the power to adjourn themselves, for any longer time than two days, without the mutual consent of both.

XV. That whenever the assembly and senate disagree, a conference shall be held, in the preference of both, and be managed by committees, to be by them respectively chosen by ballot. That the doors, both of the senate and assembly, shall at all times be kept open to all persons, except when the welfare of the State shall require their debates to be kept secret. And the journals of all their proceedings shall be kept in the manner heretofore accustomed by the general assembly of the colony of New York; and except such parts as they shall, as aforesaid, respectively determine not to make public be from day to day (if the business of the legislature will permit) published.

XVI. It is nevertheless provided, that the number of senators shall never exceed one hundred, nor the number of the assembly three hundred; but that whenever the number of senators shall amount to one hundred, or of the assembly to three hundred, then and in such case the legislature shall, from time to time thereafter, by laws for that purpose, apportion and distribute the said one hundred senators and three hundred representatives among the great districts and counties of this State, in proportion to the number of their respective electors; so that the representation of the good people of this State, both in the senate and assembly, shall forever remain proportionate and adequate.a

XVII. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare that the supreme executive power and authority of this State shall be vested in a governor; and that statedly, once in every three years, and as often as the seat of government shall become vacant, a wise and descreet freeholder of this State shall be, by ballot, elected governor, by the freeholders of this State, qualified, as before described, to elect senators; which elections shall be always held at the times and places of choosing representatives in assembly for each respective county; and that the person who hath the greatest number of votes within the said State shall be governor thereof.

XVIII. That the governor shall continue in office three years, and shall, by virtue of his office, be general and commander-in-chief of all the militia, and admiral of the navy of this State; that he shall have power to convene the assembly and senate on extraordinary occasions; to prorogue them from time to time, provided such prorogations shall Edition: current; Page: [2633] not exceed sixty days in the space of any one year; and, at his discretion, to grant reprieves and pardons to persons convicted of crimes, other than treason or murder, in which he may suspend the execution of the sentence, until it shall be reported to the legislature at their subsequent meeting; and they shall either pardon or direct the execution of the criminal, or grant a further reprieve.

XIX. That it shall be the duty of the governor to inform the legislature, at every session, of the condition of the State, so far as may respect his department; to recommend such matters to their consideration as shall appear to him to concern its good government, welfare, and prosperity; to correspond with the Continental Congress, and other States; to transact all necessary business with the officers of government, civil and military; to take care that the laws are faithfully executed to the best of his ability; and to expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature.

XX. That a lieutenant-governor shall, at every election of a governor, and as often as the lieutenant-governor shall die, resign, or be removed from office, be elected in the same manner with the governor, to continue in office until the next election of a governor; and such lieutenant-governor shall, by virtue of his office, be president of the senate, and, upon an equal division, have a casting voice in their decisions, but not vote on any other occasion. And in case of the impeachment of the governor, or his removal from office, death, resignation, or absence from the State, the lieutenant-governor shall exercise all the power and authority appertaining to the office of governor until another be chosen, or the governor absent or impeached shall return or be acquitted: Provided, That where the governor shall, with the consent of the legislature, be out of the State, in time of war, at the head of a military force thereof, he shall still continue in his command of all the military force of this State both by sea and land.

XXI. That whenever the government shall be administered by the lieutenant-governor, or he shall be unable to attend as president of the senate, the senators shall have power to elect one of their own members to the office of president of the senate, which he shall exercise pro hac vice. And if, during such vacancy of the office of governor, the lieutenant-governor shall be impeached, displaced, resign, die, or be absent from the State, the president of the senate shall, in like manner as the lieutenant-governor, administer the government, until others shall be elected by the suffrage of the people, at the succeeding election.

XXII. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that the treasurer of this State shall be appointed by act of the legislature, to originate with the assembly: Provided, that he shall not be elected out of either branch of the legislature.

XXIII. That all officers, other than those who, by this constitution, are directed to be otherwise appointed, shall be appointed in the manner following, to wit: The assembly shall, once in every year, openly nominate and appoint one of the senators from each great district, which senators shall form a council for the appointment of the said officers, of which the governor for the time being, or the lieutenant-governor, or the president of the senate, when they shall respectively administer the government, shall be president and have a casting voice, but no other vote; and with the advice and consent of the said Edition: current; Page: [2634] council, shall appoint all the said officers; and that a majority of the said council be a quorum.a And further, the said senators shall not be eligible to the said council for two years successively.

XXIV. That all military officers be appointed during pleasure; that all commissioned officers, civil and military, be commissioned by the governor; and that the chancellor, the judges of the supreme court, and first judge of the county court in every county, hold their offices during good behavior or until they shall have respectively attained the age of sixty years.

XXV. That the chancellor and judges of the supreme court shall not, at the same time, hold any other office, excepting that of Delegate to the general Congress, upon special occasions; and that the first judges of the county courts, in the several counties, shall not, at the same time, hold any other office, excepting that of Senator or Delegate to the general Congress. But if the chancellor, or either of the said judges, be elected or appointed to any other office, excepting as is before excepted, it shall be at his option in which to serve.

XXVI. That sheriffs and coroners be annually appointed; and that no person shall be capable of holding either of the said offices more than four years successively; nor the sheriff of holding any other office at the same time.

XXVII. And be it further ordained, That the register and clerks in chancery be appointed by the chancellor; the clerks of the supreme court, by the judges of the said court; the clerk of the court of probate, by the judge of the said court; and the register and marshal of the court of admiralty, by the judge of the admiralty. The said marshal, registers, and clerks to continue in office during the pleasure of those by whom they are appointed as aforesaid.

And that all attorneys, solicitors, and counsellors at law hereafter to be appointed, be appointed by the court, and licensed by the first judge of the court in which they shall respectively plead or practise, and be regulated by the rules and orders of the said courts.

XXVIII. And be it further ordained, That where, by this convention, the duration of any office shall not be ascertained, such office shall be construed to be held during the pleasure of the council of appointment: Provided, That new commissions shall be issued to judges of the county courts (other than to the first judge) and to justices of the peace, once at the least in every three years.

XXIX. That town clerks, supervisors, assessors, constables, and collectors, and all other officers, heretofore eligible by the people, shall always continue to be so eligible, in the manner directed by the present or future acts of legislature.

That loan officers, county treasurers, and clerks of the supervisors, continue to be appointed in the manner directed by the present or future acts of the legislature.

XXX. That Delegates to represent this State in the general Congress of the United States of America be annually appointed as follows, to wit: The senate and assembly shall each openly nominate as many persons as shall be equal to the whole number of Delegates to be appointed; after which nomination they shall meet together, and those persons named in both lists shall be Delegates; and out of Edition: current; Page: [2635] those persons whose names are not on both lists, one-half shall be chosen by the joint ballot of the senators and members of assembly so met together as aforesaid.

XXXI. That the style of all laws shall be as follows, to wit: “Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly;” and that all writs and other proceedings shall run in the name of “The people of the State of New York,” and be tested in the name of the chancellor, or chief judge of the court from whence they shall issue.

XXXII. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that a court shall be instituted for the trial of impeachments, and the correction of errors, under the regulations which shall be established by the legislature; and to consist of the president of the senate, for the time being, and the senators, chancellor, and judges of the supreme court, or the major part of them; except that when an impeachment shall be prosecuted against the chancellor, or either of the judges of the supreme court, the person so impeached shall be suspended from exercising his office until his acquittal; and, in like manner, when an appeal from a decree in equity shall be heard, the chancellor shall inform the court of the reasons of his decree, but shall not have a voice in the final sentence. And if the cause to be determined shall be brought up by writ of error, on a question of law, on a judgment in the supreme court, the judges of that court shall assign the reasons of such their judgment, but shall not have a voice for its affirmance or reversal.

XXXIII. That the power of impeaching all officers of the State, for mal and corrupt conduct in their respective offices, be vested in the representatives of the people in assembly; but that it shall always be necessary that two third parts of the members present shall consent to and agree in such impeachment. That previous to the trial of every impeachment, the members of the said court shall respectively be sworn truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in question, according to evidence; and that no judgment of the said court shall be valid unless it be assented to by two third parts of the members then present; nor shall it extend farther than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold or enjoy any place of honor, trust, or profit under this State. But the party so convicted shall be, nevertheless, liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to the laws of the land.

XXXIV. And it is further ordained, That in every trial on impeachment, or indictment for crimes or misdemeanors, the party impeached or indicted shall be allowed counsel, as in civil actions.

XXXV. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare that such parts of the common law of England, and of the statute law of England and Great Britain, and of the acts of the legislature of the colony of New York, as together did form the law of the said colony on the 19th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, shall be and continue the law of this State, subject to such alterations and provisions as the legislature of this State shall, from time to time, make concerning the same. That such of the said acts, as are temporary, Edition: current; Page: [2636] shall expire at the times limited for their duration, respectively. That all such parts of the said common law, and all such of the said statutes and acts aforesaid, or parts thereof, as may be construed to establish or maintain any particular denomination of Christians or their ministers, or concern the allegiance heretofore yielded to, and the supremacy, sovereignty, government, or prerogatives claimed or exercised by, the King of Great Britain and his predecessors, over the colony of New York and its inhabitants, or are repugnant to this constitution, be, and they hereby are, abrogated and rejected. And this convention doth further ordain, that the resolves or resolutions of the congresses of the colony of New York, and of the convention of the State of New York, now in force, and not repugnant to the government established by this constitution, shall be considered as making part of the laws of this State; subject, nevertheless, to such alterations and provisions as the legislature of this State may, from time to time, make concerning the same.

XXXVI. And be it further ordained, That all grants of lands within this State, made by the King of Great Britain, or persons acting under his authority, after the fourteenth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, shall be null and void; but that nothing in this constitution contained shall be construed to affect any grants of land within this State, made by the authority of the said King or his predecessors, or to annul any charters to bodies-politic by him or them, or any of them, made prior to that day. And that none of the said charters shall be adjudged to be void by reason of any non-user or misuser of any of their respective rights or privileges between the nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five and the publication of this constitution. And further, that all such of the officers described in the said charters respectively as, by the terms of the said charters, were to be appointed by the governor of the colony of New York, with or without the advice and consent of the council of the said King, in the said colony, shall henceforth be appointed by the council established by this constitution for the appointment of officers in this State, until otherwise directed by the legislature.

XXXVII. And whereas it is of great importance to the safety of this State that peace and amity with the Indians within the same be at all times supported and maintained; and whereas the frauds too often practised towards the said Indians, in contracts made for their lands, have, in divers instances, been productive of dangerous discontents and animosities: Be it ordained, that no purchases or contracts for the sale of lands, made since the fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, or which may hereafter be made with or of the said Indians, within the limits of this State, shall be binding on the said Indians, or deemed valid, unless made under the authority and with the consent of the legislature of this State.

XXXVIII. And whereas we are required, by the benevolent principles of rational liberty, not only to expel civil tyranny, but also to guard against that spiritual oppression and intolerance wherewith the bigotry and ambition of weak and wicked priests and princes have scourged mankind, this convention doth further, in the name Edition: current; Page: [2637] and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever hereafter be allowed, within this State, to all mankind: Provided, That the liberty of conscience, hereby granted, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of this State.

XXXIX. And whereas the ministers of the gospel are, by their profession, dedicated to the service of God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their function; therefore, no minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall, at any time hereafter, under any pretence or description whatever, be eligible to, or capable of holding, any civil or military office or place within this State.

XL. And whereas it is of the utmost importance to the safety of every State that it should always be in a condition of defence; and it is the duty of every man who enjoys the protection of society to be prepared and willing to defend it; this convention therefore, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, doth ordain, determine, and declare that the militia of this State, at all times hereafter, as well in peace as in war, shall be armed and disciplined, and in readiness for service. That all such of the inhabitants of this State being of the people called Quakers as, from scruples of conscience, may be averse to the bearing of arms, be therefrom excused by the legislature; and do pay to the State such sums of money, in lieu of their personal service, as the same may, in the judgment of the legislature, be worth.a And that a proper magazine of warlike stores, proportionate to the number of inhabitants, be, forever hereafter, at the expense of this State, and by acts of the legislature, established, maintained, and continued in every county in this State.

XLI. And this convention doth further ordain, determine, and declare, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, that trial by jury, in all cases in which it hath heretofore been used in the colony of New York, shall be established and remain inviolate forever. And that no acts of attainder shall be passed by the legislature of this State for crimes, other than those committed before the termination of the present war; and that such acts shall not work a corruption of blood.b And further, that the legislature of this State shall, at no time hereafter, institute any new court or courts, but such as shall proceed according to the course of the common law.

XLII. And this convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare that it shall be in the discretion of the legislature to naturalize all such persons, and in such manner, as they shall think proper: Provided, All such of the persons so to be by them naturalized, as being born in parts beyond sea, and out of the United States of America, shall come to settle in and become subjects of this State, Edition: current; Page: [2638] shall take an oath of allegiance to this State, and abjure and renounce all allegiance and subjection to all and every foreign king, prince, potentate, and State in all matters, ecclesiastical as well as civil.a

By order.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF 1777*b

CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK—1821*a

We, the people of the State of New York, acknowledging with gratitude the grace and beneficence of God in permitting us to make choice of our form of government, do establish this constitution.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF 1821*

(Ratified September 6, 7, 8, 1826)

I. That the people of this State in their several towns shall, at their annual election, and in such manner as the legislature shall direct, elect by ballot their justices of the peace, and the justices so elected in any town shall immediately thereafter meet together, and, in presence of the supervisor and town clerk of the said town, be divided by lot into four classes, of one in each class, and be numbered one, two, three, and four, and the office of number one shall expire at the end of the first year, of number two at the end of the second year, of number three at the end of the third year, and of number four at the end of the fourth year, in order that one justice may thereafter be annually eelcted, and that so much of the seventh section of the fourth article of the constitution of this State as is inconsistent with this amendment be abrogated.

II. That so much of the first section of the second article of the constitution as prescribes the qualifications of voters, other than persons of color, be, and the same is hereby, abolished, and that the following be substituted in the place thereof: “Every male citizen of the age of twenty-one years, who shall have been an inhabitant of this State one year next preceding any election, and for the last six months a resident of the county where he may offer his vote, shall be entitled to vote in the town or ward where he actually resides, and not elsewhere, for all officers that now are or hereafter may be elective by the people.”

(Ratified 1833)

III. That the duties on the manufacture of salt, as established by the act of the fifteenth of April, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and by the tenth section of the seventh article of the constitution of this State, may, at any time hereafter, be reduced by an act of the legislature of this State, but shall not, while the same is appropriated and pledged by the said section, be reduced below the sum of six cents upon each and every bushel, and the said duties shall remain inviolably appropriated and applied as is provided by the said tenth section. And that so much of the said tenth section of the seventh article of the constitution of this State as is incinsistent with this amendment be abrogated.

IV. At the end of the tenth section of the fourth article of the said constitution add the following words: “Except in the city of New York, in which city the mayor shall be chosen annually by the electors thereof qualified to vote for the other charter officers of the said city, and at the time of the election of such officers.”

(Ratified November, 1835)

V. Whenever a sufficient amount of money shall be collected and safely invested for the reimbursement of such part as may then be unpaid of the money borrowed for the construction of the Erie and Champlain Canals, the tenth section of the seventh article of the constitution of this State, as far as it relates to the amount of duties on the manufacture of salt and the amount of duties on goods sold at auction, shall cease and determine, and thereafter the duties on goods sold at auction, excepting therefrom the sum of thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars, otherwise appropriated by the act of the fifteenth of April, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and the duties on the manufacture of salt shall be restored to the general fund.

(Ratified November, 1839)

VI. Mayors of the several cities in this State may be elected annually by the male inhabitants entitled to vote for members of the common councils of such cities respectively, in such manner as the legislature shall by law provide, and the legislature may, from time to time, make such provision by law for the election of any one or more such mayors; but until such provision be made by law, such mayors (excepting the mayor of the city of New York) shall be appointed in the manner now provided by the constitution of this State; Edition: current; Page: [2653] and so much of the tenth section of article fourth of the constitution of this State as is inconsistent with this amendment is hereby abrogated.

(Ratified November, 1845)

VII. No property qualification shall be required to render a person eligible to or capable of holding any public office or public trust in this State.

VIII. No judicial officer shall be removed by the joint resolution of the two houses of the legislature, or by the senate, on the recommendation of the governor, unless the cause of such removal shall be entered on the journal of both houses or of the senate, as the case may be, and such officer, against whom the legislature or the senate may be about to proceed, shall be served with notice thereof, accompanied with a copy of the causes alleged for his removal, at least twenty days before the day on which either house shall act thereupon, and shall have an opportunity to be heard in his defence before any question shall be taken upon such removal; and the yeas and nays shall be entered upon the journals of the senate or house, as the case may be.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK—1846ab

We the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom: in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION OF 1846*

VOTE OF THE PEOPLE UPON THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS AMENDMENTS—1845-1886.

THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK—1894*a

CHARTER OF CAROLINA—1663*a

Charles the Second, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To all to whom these present shall come: Greeting:

1st. Whereas our right trusty, and right well beloved cousins and counsellors, Edward Earl of Clarendon, our high chancellor of England, and George Duke of Albemarle, master of our horse and captain general of all our forces, our right trusty and well beloved William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, our right trusty and well beloved counsellor, Anthony Lord Ashley, chancellor of our exchequer, Sir George Carteret, knight and baronet, vice chamberlain of our household, and our trusty and well beloved Sir William Berkley, knight, and Sir John Colleton, knight and baronet, being excited with a laudable and pious zeal for the propagation of the Christian faith, and the enlargement of our empire and dominions, have humbly besought leave of us, by their industry and charge, to transport and make an ample colony of our subjects, natives of our kingdom of England, and elsewhere within our dominions, unto a certain country hereafter described, in the parts of America not yet cultivated or planted, and only inhabited by some barbarous people, who have no knowledge of Almighty God.

2d. And whereas the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, have humbly besought us to give, grant and confirm unto them and their heirs, the said country, with priviledges and jurisdictions requisite for the good government and safety thereof: Know Edition: current; Page: [2744] ye, therefore, that we, favouring the pious and noble purpose of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, of our special grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, have given, granted and confirmed, and by this our present charter, for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant and confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, all that territory or tract of ground, scituate, lying and being within our dominions of America, extending from the north end of the island called Lucke island, which lieth in the southern Virginia seas, and within six and thirty degrees of the northern latitude, and to the west as far as the south seas, and so southerly as far as the river St. Matthias, which bordereth upon the coast of Florida, and within one and thirty degrees of northern latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south seas aforesaid; together with all and singular ports, harbours, bays, rivers, isles and islets belonging to the country aforesaid; and also all the soil, lands, fields, woods, mountains, fields, lakes, rivers, bays and islets, scituate or being within the bounds or limits aforesaid, with the fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeons, and all other royal fishes in the sea, bays, islets and rivers within the premises, and the fish therein taken; and moreover all veins, mines, quarries, as well discovered as not discovered, of gold, silver, gems, precious stones, and all other whatsoever, be it of stones, metals, or any other thing whatsoever, found or to be found within the countries, isles and limits aforesaid.

3d. And furthermore, the patronage and advowsons of all the churches and chappels, which as Christian religion shall increase within the country, isles, islets and limits aforesaid, shall happen hereafter to be erected, together with license and power to build and found churches, chappels and oratories, in convenient and fit places, within the said bounds and limits, and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated according to the ecclesiastical laws of our kingdom of England, together with all and singular the like, and as ample rights, jurisdictions, priviledges, prerogatives, royalties, liberties, immunities and franchises of what kind soever, within the countries, isles, islets and limits aforesaid.

4th. To have, use, exercise and enjoy, and in as ample manner as any bishop of Durham in our kingdom of England, ever heretofore have held, used or enjoyed, or of right ought or could have, use, or enjoy. And them, the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, make, create and constitute the true and absolute Lords Proprietors of the country aforesaid, and of all other the premises; saving always the faith, allegiance and sovereign dominion due to us, our heirs and successors, for the same, and saving also the right, title and interest of all and every our subjects of the English nation, which are now planted within the limits and bounds aforesaid (if any be). To have, hold, possess and enjoy the said country, isles, islets, and all and singular other the premises, to them Edition: current; Page: [2745] the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns forever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manner of East Greenwich in our county of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, or by knight service; yielding and paying yearly to us, our heirs and successors, for the same, the yearly rent of twenty marks of lawful money of England, at the feast of All Saints, yearly forever, the first payment thereof to begin and to be made on the feast of All Saints, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and sixty-five, and also the fourth part of all gold or silver ore, which, within the limits aforesaid, shall from time to time happen to be found.

5th. And that the country, thus by us granted and described, may be dignified by us with as large titles and priviledges as any other part of our dominions and territories in that region, Know ye, that we of our further grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, have thought fit to erect the same tract of ground, county, and island, into a province, and out of the fulness of our royal power and prerogative, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, erect, incorporate and ordain the same into a province, and call it the Province of Carolina, and so from henceforth will have it called; and forasmuch as we have hereby made and ordained the aforesaid Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, the true lords and proprietors of all the province aforesaid; Know ye, therefore moreover that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in their fidelity, wisdom, justice and provident circumspection, for us, our heirs and successors, do grant full and absolute power, by virtue of these presents, to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, and their heirs, for the good and happy government of the said province, to ordain, make, enact, and under their seals to publish any laws whatsoever, either appertaining to the publick state of the said province, or to the private utility of particular persons, according to their best discretion, of and with the advice, assent and approbation of the freemen of the said province, or of the greater part of them, or of their delegates or deputies, whom for enacting of the said laws, when and as often as need shall require, we will that the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, and their heirs, shall from time to time assemble in such manner and form as to them shall seem best, and the same laws duly to execute upon all people within the said province and limits thereof, for the time being, or which shall be constituted under the power and government of them or any of them, either sailing towards the said province of Carolina, or returning from thence towards England, or any other of our, or foreign dominions, by imposition of penalties, imprisonment or any other punishment; yea, if it shall be needfull, and the quality of the offence requires it, by taking away member and life, either by them, the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke Edition: current; Page: [2746] of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, and their heirs, or by them or their deputies, lieutenants, judges, justices, magistrates, officers and members to be ordained or appointed according to the tenor and true intention of these presents; and likewise to appoint and establish any judges or justices, magistrates or officers whatsoever, within the said province, at sea or land, in such manner and form as unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton and their heirs shall seem most convenient; also, to remit, release, pardon and abolish (whether before judgment or after) all crimes and offences whatsoever, against the said laws, and to do all and every other thing and things, which unto the compleat establishment of justice unto courts, sessions, and forms of judicature and manners of proceedings therein do belong, although in these presents express mention be not made thereof; and by judges and by him or them delegated, to award process, hold pleas, and determine in all the said courts, and places of judicature, all actions, suits and causes whatsoever, as well criminal or civil, real, mixt, personal, or of any other kind or nature whatsoever; which laws, so as aforesaid to be published, our pleasure is, and we do require, enjoin and command, shall be absolute, firm and available in law, and that all the liege people of us, our heirs and successors, within the said province of Carolina, do observe and keep the same inviolably in those parts, so far as they concern them, under the pains and penalties therein expressed, or to be expressed: Provided nevertheless, that the said laws be consonant to reason, and as near as may be conveniently, agreeable to the laws and customs of this our kingdom of England.

6th. And because such assemblies of freeholders cannot be so conveniently called, as there may be occasion to require the same, we do, therefore, by these presents, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, by themselves or their magistrates, in that behalf lawfully authorized, full power and authority from time to time to make and ordain fit and wholesome orders and ordinances, within the province aforesaid, to be kept and observed as well for the keeping of the peace, as for the better government of the people there abiding, and to publish the same to all to whom it may concern; which ordinances, we do by these presents streightly charge and command to be inviolably observed within the said province, under the penalties therein expressed, so as such ordinances be reasonable, and not repugnant or contrary, but as near as may be, agreeable to the laws and statutes of this our kingdom of England, and so as the same ordinances do not extend to the binding, charging, or taking away of the right or interest of any person or persons, in their freehold, goods or chattels whatsoever.

7th. And to the end the said province may be more happily increased, by the multitude of people resorting thither, and may likewise be the more strongly defended from the incursions of salvages and other enemies, pirates and robbers, therefore we, for us, our heirs Edition: current; Page: [2747] and successors, do give and grant by these presents, power, license and liberty unto all the liege people of us, our heirs and successors in our kingdom of England or elsewhere, within any other our dominions, islands, colonies or plantations, (excepting those who shall be especially forbidden,) to transport themselves and families unto the said province, with convenient shipping and fitting provisions, and there to settle themselves, dwell and inhabit, any law, statute, act, ordinance, or other thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. And we will also, and of our more special grace, for us, our heirs and successors, do streightly enjoin, ordain, constitute and command, that the said province of Carolina, shall be of our allegiance, and that all and singular the subjects and liege people of us, our heirs and successors, transported or to be transported into the said province, and the children of them and of such as shall descend from them, there born or hereafter to be born, be and shall be denizons and lieges of us, our heirs and successors of this our kingdom of England, and be in all things held, treated, and reputed as the liege faithful people of us, our heirs and successors, born within this our said kingdom, or any other of our dominions, and may inherit or otherwise purchase and receive, take, hold, buy and possess any lands, tenements or hereditaments within the same places, and them may occupy, possess and enjoy, give, sell, aliene and bequeathe; as likewise all liberties, franchises and priviledges of this our kingdom of England, and of other our dominions aforesaid, and may freely and quietly have, possess and enjoy, as our liege people born within the same, without the least molestation, vexation, trouble or grievance of us, our heirs and successors, any statute, act, ordinance, or provision to the contrary notwithstanding.

8th. And furthermore, that our subjects of this our said kingdom of England, and other our dominions, may be the rather encouraged to undertake this expedition with ready and chearful minds, know ye, that we of our special grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, do give and grant by virtue of these presents, as well to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, and their heirs, as unto all others as shall from time to time repair unto the said province, with a purpose to inhabit there, or to trade with the natives of the said province, full liberty and license to lade and freight in any port whatsoever, of us, our heirs and successors, and into the said province of Carolina, by them, their servants or assigns, to transport all and singular their goods, wares and merchandises, as likewise all sorts of grain whatsoever, and any other things whatsoever, necessary for the food and clothing, not prohibited by the laws and statutes of our kingdoms and dominions, to be carried out of the same, without any let or molestation of us, our heirs and successors, or of any other of our officers, or ministers whatsoever, saving also to us, our heirs and successors, the customs and other duties and payments, due for the said wares and merchandises, according to the several rates of the places from whence the same shall be transported. We will also, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant license by this our charter, unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, Edition: current; Page: [2748] John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, and to all the inhabitants and dwellers in the province aforesaid, both present and to come, full power and absolute authority to import or unlade by themselves or their servants, factors or assigns, all merchandises and goods whatsoever, that shall arise of the fruits and commodities of the said province, either by land or by sea, into any of the ports of us, our heirs and successors, in our kingdom of England, Scotland or Ireland, or otherwise to dispose of the said goods, in the said ports; and if need be, within one year next after the unlading, to lade the said merchandises and goods again into the same or other ships, and to export the same into any other countries either of our dominions, or foreign, being in amity with us, our heirs and successors, so as they pay such customs, subsidies, and other duties for the same, to us, our heirs and successors, as the rest of our subjects of this our kingdom, for the time being, shall be bound to pay, beyond which we will not, that the inhabitants of the said province of Carolina, shall be any ways charged.

9th. Provided nevertheless, and our will and pleasure is, and we have further for the consideration aforesaid, of our more especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full and free license, liberty and authority, at any time or times, from and after the feast of St. Michael the archangel, which shall be in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand six hundred sixty and seven, as well to import, and bring into any of our dominions from the said province of Carolina, or any part thereof, the several goods and commodities, hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, silks, wines, currants, raisins, capers, wax, almonds, oyl and olives, without paying or answering to us, our heirs or successors, any custom, import, or other duty, for and in respect thereof, for and during the term and space of seven years, to commence and be accompted, from and after the first importation of four tons of any the said goods, in any one bottom, ship or vessel from the said province, into any of our dominions, as also to export and carry out of any of our dominions, into the said province of Carolina, custom free, all sorts of tools which shall be usefull or necessary for the planters there, in the accommodation and improvement of the premises, any thing before, in these presents contained, or any law, act, statute, prohibition or other matter, or anything heretofore had, made, enacted or provided, or hereafter to be had, made, enacted or provided, to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.

10th. And furthermore, of our own ample and especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full and absolute power and authority, to make, erect and constitute, within the said province of Edition: current; Page: [2749] Carolina, and the isles and islets aforesaid, such and so many seaports, harbours, creeks and other places, for discharge and unlading of goods and merchandises, out of ships, boats and other vessels, and for lading of them, in such and so many places, and with such jurisdiction, priviledges and franchises unto the said ports belonging, as to them shall seem most expedient, and that all and singular the ships, boats and other vessels, which shall come for merchandises and trade into the said province, or shall depart out of the same, shall be laden and unladen at such ports only, as shall be erected and constituted by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, and not elsewhere, any use, custom or any other thing to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.

11th. And we do furthermore will, appoint and ordain, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, that they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, may from time to time forever, have and enjoy, the customs and subsidies in the ports, harbors, creeks and other places within the province aforesaid, payable for goods, merchandise and wares, there laded or to be laded, or unladed, the said customs to be reasonably assessed, upon any occasion, by themselves, and by and with the consent of the free people there, or the greater part of them as aforesaid; to whom we give power by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, upon just cause and in a due proportion, to assess and impose the same.

12th. And further, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we have given, granted and confirmed, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant and confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full and absolute license, power and authority, that the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, from time to time, hereafter, forever, at his and their will and pleasure, may assign, alien, grant, demise or enfeof the premises, or any part or parcels thereof, to him or them that shall be willing to purchase the same, and to such person or persons as they shall think fit, to have and to hold, to them the said person or persons, their heirs or assigns, in fee simple or fee tayle, or for term for life, or lives, or years, to be held of them, the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, by such rents, services and customs, as shall seem meet to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Edition: current; Page: [2750] Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, and not immediately of us, our heirs and successors, and to the same person and persons, and to all and every of them, we do give and grant by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, license, authority and power, that such person or persons, may have or take the premises, or any parcel thereof, of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, and the same to hold, to themselves, their heirs or assigns, in what estate of inheritance whatsoever, in fee simple, or fee tayle, or otherwise, as to them and the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, shall seem expedient; the statute made in the parliament of Edward, son of King Henry, heretofore king of England, our predecessor, commonly called the statutea of “quia emptores terrarum;” or any other statute, act, ordinance, use, law, custom or any other matter, cause or thing heretofore published, or provided to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.

13th. And because many persons born, or inhabiting in the said province, for their deserts and services, may expect and be capable of marks of honor and favor, which, in respect of the great distance, cannot be conveniently conferred by us; our will and pleasure therefore is, and we do by these presents, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full power and authority, to give and confer, unto and upon, such of the inhabitants of the said province, as they shall think do or shall merit the same, such marks of favour and titles of honour as they shall think fit, so as these titles of honour be not the same as are enjoyed by, or conferred upon any the subjects of this our kingdom of England.

14th. And further also, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant license to them, the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full power, liberty and license to erect, raise and build within the said province and places aforesaid, or any part or parts thereof, such and so many forts, fortresses, castles, cities, buroughs, towns, villages and other fortifications whatsoever, and the same or any of them to fortify and furnish with ordinance, powder, shot, armory, and all other weapons, ammunition, habilements of war, both offensive and defensive, as shall be thought fit and convenient for the safety and welfare of the said province and places, or any part thereof, and the same, or any of them from time to time, as occasion shall require, to dismantle, disfurnish, demolish and pull down, and also to place, constitute and appoint in and over all or any of the castles, forts, fortifications, cities, Edition: current; Page: [2751] towns and places aforesaid, governors, deputy governors, magistrates, sheriffs and other officers, civil and military, as to them shall seem meet, and to the said cities, buroughs, towns, villages, or any other place or places within the said province, to grant “letters or charters of incorporation,” with all liberties, franchises and priviledges, requisite and usefull, or to or within any corporations, within this our kingdom of England, granted or belonging; and in the same cities, buroughs, towns and other places, to constitute, erect and appoint such and so many markets, marts and fairs, as shall in that behalf be thought fit and necessary; and further also to erect and make in the province aforesaid, or any part thereof, so many mannors as to them shall seem meet and convenient, and in every of the said mannors to have and to hold a court baron, with all things whatsoever which to a court baron do belong, and to have and to hold views of “frank pledge” and “court leet,” for the conservation of the peace and better government of those parts within such limits, jurisdictions, and precincts, as by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, or their heirs, shall be appointed for that purpose, with all things whatsoever, which to a court leet, or view of frank pledge do belong, the said court to be holden by stewards, to be deputed and authorized by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, or their heirs, or by the lords of other mannors and leets, for the time being, when the same shall be erected.

15th. And because that in so remote a country, and scituate among so many barbarous nations, and the invasions as well of salvages as of other enemies, pirates and robbers, may probably be feared; therefore we have given, and for us, our heirs and successors, do give power, by these presents, unto the said Edward, Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, by themselves, or their captains, or other their officers, to levy, muster and train all sorts of men, of what condition or wheresoever born, in the said province for the time being, and to make war and pursue the enemies aforesaid, as well by sea as by land, yea, even without the limits of the said province, and by God’s assistance to vanquish and take them, and being taken to put them to death by the law of war, or to save them at their pleasure; and to do all and every other thing, which unto the charge of a captain general of an army belongeth, or hath accustomed to belong, as fully and freely as any captain general of an army hath or ever had the same.

16th. Also our will and pleasure is, and by this our charter we give unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full power, liberty and authority, in case of rebellion, tumult or sedition, (if any should happen,) which God forbid, either upon the land within the province aforesaid, or upon the main sea, in making a voyage thither, or returning from thence, by him or Edition: current; Page: [2752] themselves, their captains, deputies and officers, to be authorized under his or their seals for that purpose, to whom also, for us, our heirs and successors, we do give and grant by these presents, full power and authority, to exercise martial law against mutinous and seditious persons of those parts, such as shall refuse to submit themselves to their government, or shall refuse to serve in the wars, or shall fly to the enemy, or forsake their colours or ensigns, or be loyterers or straglers, or otherwise howsoever offending against law, custom or discipline military, as freely and in as ample manner and form as any captain general of an army by vertue of his office, might or hath accustomed to use the same.

17th. And our further pleasure is, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, and to all the tenants and inhabitants of the said province of Carolina, both present and to come, and to every of them, that the said province and the tenants and inhabitants thereof, shall not from henceforth be held or reputed a member or part of any colony whatsoever in America, or elsewhere, now transported or made, or hereafter to be transported or made; nor shall be depending on, or subject to their government in anything, but be absolutely seperated and divided from the same; and our pleasure is, by these presents, that they be seperated, and that they be subject immediately to our crown of England, as depending thereof forever; and that the inhabitants of the said Province, nor any of them, shall at any time hereafter be compelled or compellable, or be any ways subject or liable to appear or answer to any matter, suit, cause or plaint whatsoever, out of the Province aforesaid, in any other of our islands, colonies, or dominions in America or elsewhere, other than in our realm of England, and dominion of Wales.

18th. And because it may happen that some of the people and inhabitants of the said province, cannot in their private opinions, conform to the publick exercise of religion, according to the liturgy, form and ceremonies of the church of England, or take and subscribe the oaths and articles, made and established in that behalf, and for that the same, by reason of the remote distances of these places, will, we hope be no breach of the unity and uniformity established in this nation; our will and pleasure therefore is, and we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, full and free license, liberty and authority, by such legal ways and means as they shall think fit, to give and grant unto such person or persons, inhabiting and being within the said province, or any part thereof, who really in their judgments, and for conscience sake, cannot or shall not conform to the said liturgy and ceremonies, and take and subscribe the oaths and articles aforesaid, or any of them, such indulgencies and dispensations in that behalf, for and during such time and times, and with such limitations and restrictions as they, the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Edition: current; Page: [2753] Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs or assigns, shall in their discretion think fit and reasonable; and with this express proviso, and limitation also, that such person and persons, to whom such indulgencies and dispensations shall be granted as aforesaid, do and shall from time to time declare and continue, all fidelity, loyalty and obedience to us, our heirs and successors, and be subject and obedient to all other the laws, ordinances, and constitutions of the said province, in all matters whatsoever, as well ecclesiastical as civil, and do not in any wise disturb the peace and safety thereof, or scandalize or reproach the said liturgy, forms and ceremonies, or anything relating thereunto, or any person or persons whatsoever, for or in respect of his or their use or exercise thereof, or his or their obedience and conformity, thereunto.

19th. And in case it shall happen, that any doubts or questions should arise, concerning the true sense and understanding of any word, clause or sentence contained in this our present charter, we will, ordain and command, that at all times, and in all things, such interpretation be made thereof, and allowed in all and every of our courts whatsoever, as lawfully may be adjudged most advantageous and favourable to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their heirs and assigns, although express mention be not made in these presents, of the true yearly value and certainty of the premises, or any part thereof, or of any other gifts and grants made by us, our ancestors, or predecessors, to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, or any other person or persons whatsoever, or any statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation or restraint, heretofore had, made, published, ordained or provided, or any other thing, cause or matter, whatsoever, to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.

In Witness, &c.

Witness the King, at Westminster, the four and twentieth day of March, in the fifteenth year of our reign, (1663.)

A DECLARATION AND PROPOSALS OF THE LORD PROPRIETOR OF CAROLINA, AUG. 25-SEPT. 4, 1663a

His majesty having been graciously pleased, by his charter bearing date the 24th of March, in the 15th year of his reign, out of a pious and good intention for the propagation of the Christian faith amongst the barbarous and ignorant Indians, the enlargement of his empire and dominions, and enriching of his subjects, to grant and confirm to us, Edward, earl of Clarendon, high chancellor of England, George, duke of Albemarle, master of his majesty’s horse and captain-general of all his forces, William, Lord Craven, John, Lord Berkeley, Edition: current; Page: [2754] Anthony, Lord Ashley, chancellor of his majesty’s exchequer, Sir George Carteret, knight and baronet, vice-chamberlain of his majesty’s household, William Berkley, knight, and Sir John Colleton, knight and baronet, and all that territory or tract of ground with the islands and islets situate, lying, and being in his dominions in America, extending from the north end of the island called Lucke Island, which lieth in the Southern Virginia sea, and within 36 degrees of the northern latitude, and to the west as far as the South seas, and so southwardly as far as the river St. Matthias, which bordereth upon the coast of Florida, and within —— degrees of the northern latitude; in pursuance of which grant, and with a clear and good intention to make those parts useful and advantageous to his majesty and his people; we do hereby declare and propose to all his majesty’s loving subjects wheresoever abiding or residing, and do hereby engage inviolably to perform and make good those ensuing proposals in such manner as the first undertakers of the first settlement shall reasonable desire.

1. If the first colony will settle on Charles River near Cape Fear, which seems to be desired, it shall be free for them to do so on the larboard side entering [south side]. If in any other of the territory, then to choose either side, if by a river; we reserving to ourselves twenty thousand acres of land, to be bounded and laid out by our agents in each settlement, in such places as they shall see fit, and in such manner that the colony shall not be thereby incommoded or weakened; which we intend by our agents or assignees in due time to settle and plant, they submitting to the government of that colony.

2. That the first colony may have power, when desired, at their own charge to fortify the entrance of the river, as also the sea-coast and island; they engaging to be true and faithful to his majesty, his heirs and successors, by some oath or engagement of their own framing.

3. That the undertakers of that settlement do, before they or any of them repair thither to settle, present to us thirteen persons of those that intend to go, of which number we shall commissionate one to be Governor, for three years from the date of his commission, and six more of the thirteen to be of his council, the major part of which number, the Governor or his deputy to be one, to govern for the time aforesaid; and will also nominate successors to the Governor, who shall be of the six councillors aforesaid, to succeed in the government, in case of death or removal; and likewise councillors out of the remaining six of the thirteen to succeed in case of death or removal of any of the councillors, and after the expiration of the first three years, and so successively for every three years. Upon or before the 25th day of March, before the expiration of the time of the Governor in, being a new presentment by the freeholders of the colony, or by such persons as they shall constitute, to be made of the thirteen persons, four of which shall consist of those that shall be in the government at the time of the election of the thirteen, out of which we will, upon or before the 10th day of April following declare and commissionate a Governor and six councillors with their respective successors in case and manner as aforesaid.

4. We shall, as far as our charter permits us, empower the major part of the freeholders, or their deputies or assembly-men, to be Edition: current; Page: [2755] by them chosen out of themselves, viz: two out of every tribe, division, or parish, in such manner as shall be agreed on, to make their own laws, by and with the advise and consent of the Governor and council, so as they be not repugnant to the laws of England, but, as near as may be, agreeing with them in all civil affairs, with submission to a superintendency of a general council, to be chosen out of every government of the province, in manner as shall be agreed on for the common defence of the whole; which laws shall, within one year after publication, be presented to us to receive our ratification, and to be in force until said ratification be desired and by us certified; but if once ratified, to continue until repealed by the same power, or by time expired.

5. We will grant, in as ample manner as the undertakers shall desire, freedom and liberty of conscience in all religious or spiritual things, and to be kept inviolably with them, we having power in our charter so to do.

6. We will grant the full benefit of these immunities to the undertakers and settlers which, by the charter, is granted to us (for our services to his majesty) in relation to freedom of customs, of tools of all sorts useful there, to be exported from England for the planters’ use; and of certain growths of the plantations, as wine, oil, raisins of all sorts, olivers, capers, wax, currants, almonds, and silks, to be imported into any of his majesty’s dominions for seven years for each commodity, after four tons of every respective species is imported as aforesaid in one bottom.

7. We will grant to every present undertaker for his own head, one hundred acres of land, to him and his heires forever, to be held in free and common soccage; and for every man-servant that he shall bring or sent thither, that is fit to bear arms, armed with a good firelock musket, performed bore, twelve bullets to the pound, and with twenty pounds of powder and twenty pounds of bullets, fifty acres of land; and for every woman-servant thirty acres; and to every man-servant that shall come within that time, ten acres after the expiration of his time; and to every woman-servant six acres after the expiration of her time.

Note that we intend not hereby to be obliged to give the proportions of lands above mentioned to masters and servants, longer than in the first five years, to commence at the beginning of the first settlement.

8. We will enjoin the Governor and council to take care that there be always one man armed and provided as aforesaid in the colony, for every fifty acres which we shall grant, and that there be a supply to make up the number in case of death or quitting the colony by the owners of said lands within twelve months after giving notice of the defect.

In consideration of the premises, we do expect by way of acknowledgment, and towards the charge we have been and shall be at, one halp-penny for every acre that shall be granted as aforesaid, within the time before limited and expressed; and that the court-houses and houses for public meetings be erected by the public moneys of the colony on the lands taken up by us; but to be and continue to the country’s use forever, they paying some small acknowledgement.

Given under our hands this twenty-fifth day of August, Anno Domini, 1663.

CONCESSIONS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE LORDS PROPRIETORS OF THE PROVINCE OF CAROLINA, 1665a

The Concessions and Agreement of the Lords Propryators of the Province of Carolina to and with the adventurers of the Island of Barbados and their associates of England New England the Carribbia Islands and Barmothos to the Province of Carolina and all that shall plant there In order to the setling and planting of the Countye of Clarendine the County of Albermarle and the County which latter is to bee to the southward or westward of Cape Romania all within the Province aforesaid.

1. Imp^ris Wee doe consent and agree that the Governor of each County hath power by the advise of his Councill to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removall to continue untill our further order unless wee have commissionated one before.

2. Item That he hath likewayes power to choyce of and to take to him six Councillors at least or twelve at moast or any even Number between six and twelve with whose advise and consent or with at least three of the six or fower of a greater Number all being summoned he is to govern according to the Lymitacons and Instructions following during our pleasure;

3. Item That the chiefe Registers or Secretarys which wee have chosen or shall chuse wee fayling that hee shall chuse shall keepe exact entereyes in faire bookes of all publicke affaires of the said Countyes and to avoyde deceiptes and lawsuits shall record and enter all Graunts of Land from the Lords to the planter and all conveyances of Land howse or howses from man to man, As alsoe all leases for Land howse or howses made or to be made by the Landlord to any tenant for more than one yeare, which conveyance or Lease shalbe first acknowledged by the Grant^r or Leasor or proved by the oath of two witnesses to the conveyance or Lease before the Governor or some Cheife Judge of a Court for the time being whoe shall under our hand us grant upon the backside of the said deeds or Lease attest the acknowledgement or proofe as aforesaid which shalbe our grant for the Registers to record the same which Conveyance or Lease soe recorded shalbe good and effectual in Law notwithstanding any other conveyance deede or Lease for the said Land howse or howses or for any part there although dated before the Conveyance deede or Lease soe recorded as aforesaid And the said Registers shall doe all other thing or things that wee by our instructions shall direct and y^e Governors Councell and Assembly shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Countyes;

4. Item That the surveyor Gen^ll that wee have chosen or shall chuse wee fayling that the Governor shall chuse, shall have power by himself or Deputy to survey ley out and bound all such Lands as shalbe granted from the Lords to the Planters (and all other Lands within the said Countyes &c which may concerne particular men as he shalbe desired to doe) And a particular thereof certifie to the Registers and Surveyors or either of them shall soe misbehave themselves as that the Governor and Councill or Deputy Governor Edition: current; Page: [2757] and Councill or the maj^r pte of them shall finde it reasonable to suspend their Actings in their respective Imployments it shalbe lawful for them soe to doe untill further order from us;

5. Item That all choise of officers made by the Governor shalbe for noe longer time then during our pleasure;

6. Item That the Governors Councillors Assemblymen Secretarys Surveyors and all other officers of trust shall sware or subscribe (in a booke to be provided for that purpose) that they will bare trew allegance to the King of England his heires and successors and that they wilbe faithfull to the Interest of the Lords Propryat^rs of the said Province and their heires executors and assignes and evdeavor the peace and wellfaire of the said Province and that they will trewly and faithfully discharge their respective trusts in their respective offices and doe equall justice to all men according to their best skill and judg^mt without corruption favor or affection, and the names of all that have sworne or subscribed to be entred in a booke; And whosoever shall subscribe and not sware, and shall vyolate his promis in that Subscription shalbe lyable to the same punishm^t that the persons are or may be that have sworne and broken their oathes;

7. Item That all persons that are or shalbecome subjects to the King of England and sware or subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords as above shalbe admitted to plant and become freemen of the Province and enjoy the freedomes and Immunityes hereafter exprest until some stop or Contradicc̄on be made by us the Lords or else by the Governor Councill and Assembly w^ch shalbe in force untill the Lords see Cause to the Contrary provided y^t such stop shall not anywayes prejudice y^e right or Continewance of any person that hath beene rec^d before such stop or order come from the Lords or Gen^ll Assembly.

8. Item That noe person or persons quallifyed as aforesaid within the Province or all or any of the Countyes before exprest at any time shalbe anywayes molested punished disquieted or called in question for any differences in opinion or practice in matters of religious concernment whoe doe not actually disturbe the civill peace of the said Province or Countyes byt that all and every such person and persons from to time and at all times freely and fully have and enjoye his and their judgements and continences in matt^rs of religion throughout all the s^d Province they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly and not using this Liberty to Lycentiousness nor to the Civill Injury or outward disturbance of others, any Law statute or clause conteyned or to be conteyned usuage or custom of this realme of England to the contrary hereof in anywise notwithstanding.

9. Item That noe pretence may be taken by us our heries or assignes for or by reason of o^r right of patronage and pow^r of advowson graunted unto us by his Maj^ties Letters pattents aforesaid to infringe thereby y^e Gen^ll clause of Liberty of Contience aforemenc̄oned We doe hereby graunt unto the Gen^ll assemblyes of y^e sev^ll Countyes power by act to constitute and appoint such and soe many Ministers or preach^rs as they shall thinke fitt, and to establish their maintenance Giving Liberty besides to any person or persons to keepe and mainteyne w^t preachers or Ministers they please.

10. Item That the inhabitants being freemen or chiefe agents to others of y^e Countyes afores^d doe as soone as this our Comission shall arrive by virtue of a writt in our names by the Governor to be for y^e Edition: current; Page: [2758] present (untill our seale comes) sealed and syned make choice of twelve Deputyes or representatives from amongst themselves whoe being chosen are to joyne with him the s^d Governor and Councill for the makeing of such Lawes Ordinances and Constitutions as shalbe necessary for the present good and welfare of the severall Countyes afores^d but as soone as Parishes Divisions tribes or districc̄ons of y^e said Countyes are made that then y^e Inhabitants or Freeholders of the sev^ll and respective Parishes Tribes Divisions or Districc̄ons of the Countyes afores^d doe (by our writts under our Seale w^ch wee Ingage shalbe in due time issued) annually meete on y^e first day of January and chuse freeholders for each respective denizon Tribe or parish to be y^e Deputyes or representatives of y^e same, which body of Representatives or y^e Maj^r parte of them shall w^th the Governor and Councill afores^d by y^e Gen^ll Assembly of the County for which they shalbe chosen, the Governor or his Deputy being present unless they shall wilfully refuse in w^ch case they may appoint themselves a president during the absence of the Governor or his Deputy Governor.

Which Assemblyes are to have power.

1. Item To appoint their own times of meeting and to adjorne their sessions from time to time to such times and places as they shall thinke Convenient as alsoe to ascertaine y^e Number of their Quorum Provided that such members be not less than y^e third p^te of the whole in whome or more shalbe y^e full power of the Generall Assembly (viz^t)

2. Item To enact and make all such Lawes Acts and Constitutions as shalbe necessary for the well Government of y^e County for w^ch they shalbe chosen and them to repeale provided that the same be consonant to reason and as near as they may be conveniently agreable to the Lawes and Customes of his Maj^ties Kingdom of England provided alsoe that they be not against y^e Interest of us the Lords Propryators our heires or assignes nor any of these our present concessions Espetially that they be not against the Article for Liberty of Contience abovemenc̄oned, which Lawes &c soe made shall receave publication from the Governor and Councill (but as the Lawes of us and our Gen^ll Assembly) and be in force for the space of one yeare and a halfe and noe more; Unless contradicted by the Lords Propryators within which time thay are to be presented to us our heries, &c, for our ratification and being confirmed by us they shalbe in continuall force till expired by their owne Limitac̄on or by Act of Repeale in like manner as afores^d to be passed and confirmed;

3. Item by act as afores^d to constitute all Courts for their respective Countyes, together w^th y^e Lymitts powers and jurisdicc̄ons of y^e said Courts as also y^e severall offices & Number of Officers belonging to each of the s^d respective Courts together with their severall and respective salleryes fees and perquisites Theire appellations and dignities with the penalltyes that shalbe due to them for breach of their severall and respective dutyes and Trusts.

4. Item by act as afores^d to ley equall taxes and assessments equally to rayse Moneyes or goods upon all Lands (excepting the lands of us the Lords Propryators before setling) or persons within the severall precincts Hundreds Parishes Manōrs or whatsoever other denizons shall hereafter be made and established in y^e said Countyes as oft as necessity shall require and in such manner as to them shall seeme most equall and easye for y^e s^d Inhabitants in order to the better Edition: current; Page: [2759] supporting of the publicke Charge of the said Government, and for the mutuaall safety defense and security of y^e Countyes.

5. Item by act as afores^d to erect within y^e said Countyes such soe many Baronyes and Manōrs with their necessary Courts, jurisdicc̄ons freedomes and priviledges as to them shall seeme convenient, as alsoe to devide y^e s^d Countyes into Hundreds Parishes Tribes or such other denizons and districc̄ons as they shall thinke fitt and the said Divisions to distinguish by what names we shall order or direct, and in default thereof by such names as they please As also within any part of y^e said Countyes to create and appoint such and soe many harbours Creekes and other places for y^e convenient ladeing and unlading of goods and merchandize out of shipps, boates and other vessells as they shall see expedient with such jurisdicc̄ons priveledges and francheses to such ports &c belonging as they shall judge most convenient to the gen^l good of y^e said plantac̄on or Countyes.

6. Item by these enacting to be confirmed as afores^d to erect rayse and build within the s^d Countyes or any part thereof such and soe many Forts Fortresses Castles Cittyes Corporac̄ons Borroughs Townes Villages and other places of strenkt and defence and them or any of them to incorporate with such Charters and priveledges as to them shall seeme good and our Charter will permit and the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such Proportions of ordinance powder shott Armor and all other Weapons Ammunition and Habillaments of warr both offensive and defensive as shalbe thought necessary and convenient for the safety and welfare of y^e s^d Countyes, but they may not at any time demolish dismantle or disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governor and the Major parte of the Councill of the County where such Forts Fortresses &c. shalbe erected and built.

7. Item by act as afores^d to constitute trayne bands and Companys with the number of souldiers for the safety strength and defence of the said Countyes and Province and of the Forts Castles Cityes &c to suppress all meutinyes and Rebellions. To make warr offensive and defensive with all Indians Strangers and Foraigners as they shall see cause and to persue any Enemy by sea as well as by land if need be out of y^e Lymitts and Jurisdicc̄ons of y^e s^d County with the perticculer consent of the Governor and under the Conduct of our Leut: Gen: or Commander in Cheife or whome he shall appoint.

8. Item by act as afores^d to give unto all strangers as to them shall seeme meete a Naturalizion and all such freedomes and priveledges within the s^d Countyes as to his Maj^ties subjects doe of right belong they swearing or subscribing as afores^d w^ch said strangers soe naturallized and priveledged shall alsoe have the same Imunityes from Customes as is granted by the Kinge to us and by us to y^e said Countyes and shall not be lyable to any other Customes then the rest of his Maj^ties subjects in the s^d Counties are but be in all respects accompted in the Province and Countyes aforesaid as the King’s naturall subjects.

9. Item by act as afores^d to prescribe y^e quantities of land which shalbe from time to time alotted to eavery free or Sarv^t male or female and to make and ordaine Rules for the casting of Lotts for Land and leying out of y^e same provided y^t these doe not their said prescriptions exceed y^e severall proportions which are hereby graunted Edition: current; Page: [2760] by us to all persons arriveing in the said Countyes or adventuring theither;

10. Item the Gen^ll Assembly by act as afores^d shall make provision for the maintenance and Support of the Governor and for the defraying for all necessary Charges of the Government as alsoe that the Cunstables of the respective Countyes shall collect the halfe penny per acre payable to y^e Lords in theire Countyes and pay y^e same to y^e receavor y^t y^e Lords shall appoint to receave the same unless y^e s^d Generall Assembly shall prescribe some other way whereby the Lords may have their rents duely collected w^thout charge or trouble to them.

11. Lastly to enact constitute and ordaine all such other Lawes actes and constitutions as shall or may be necessary for the good prosperity and setlement of y^e said Countyes excepting w^t by these pesents are excepted and conformeing to Limitacons herein exprest,

The Governors are with the Councill before exprest:

1. Item to see that all Courts established by the Lawes of y^e Gen^ll Assembly and all Ministers and offices Civill or Military doe and execute their severall dutyes and offices respectively according to the Lawes in force and to punish them from swerveing from the Lawes or acting contrary to their trust as the nature of their offence shall require.

2. Item according to the constitutions of the Gen^ll Assembly to nominate and comissionate the severall Judges, Members and Officers of Courts wheither Majistraticall or Ministeriall and all other civill officers as Justices Coroners &c the Commissions and powers and Privrledges to revoake at pleasure provided that they appoint none but such as are freeholders in the Countyes afores^d unless the Generall Assembly consent;

3. Item according to the constitutions of the Gen^ll Assembly to appoint Courts and officers in Cases Cryminall and to impower them to inflict penaltyes upon offenders against any of y^e said Lawes in force in y^e said Countyes as y^e said Lawes shall ordaine wheither by fine Imprisonment Banishm^t corporall punishm^t or to y^e taking away of member of or Life itselfe if there be cause for it.

4. Item to place officers and soldiers for the safety strenkt and defence of the Forts Castles Cittyes &c according y^e number appointed by the Gen^ll Assembly to nominate place and commissionate all military officers under y^e dignity of y^e Leut: Gen^ll whoe is commissionated by us, over the sev^ll trayned bands and Companys constituted by y^e Gen^ll Assembly as Collonels Capts: &c and theire comissions to revoake at pleasure, y^e Leut: Gen: with the advise of his Councill unless some present danger will soe permit him to advize to muster and trayne all y^e soldiers w^thin the said County of Countyes to presecute warr persue an Enemy suppress rebelⁱons and mewtinies as well by sea as Land and to exercise the whole Millitia as fully as by our Letters pattents from the kinge wee can impower him or them to doe Provided y^t they appoint noe Military officers but w^t are freeholders in the s^d Countyes unless y^e Gen^ll Assembly shall consent.

5. Item where they see cause after condemnacon to reprieve untill the Case may be presented with a Coppy of y^e whole tryall proceedings and proofes to y^e Lords who will accordingly eather pardon or comand execution of y^e sentence on the offender offender who is in y^e Edition: current; Page: [2761] meane time to be kept in safe custody till the pleasure of y^e Lords be knowne.

6. Item in case of death or other removall of any of the representatives within the yeare to issue summons by writt to y^e respective division or divisions for which he or they were chosen comanding the freeholders of y^e same to chuse others in their steade;

7. Item to make warrants and to seale Grants of Land according to theis our Concessions and the prescriptions by y^e advice of y^e Gen^ll Assembly in such forme as shalbe at large set down in our Instrucons to y^e Governor in his Comission and which are hereafter expressed.

8. Item to act and doe all other thing or things y^t may conduce to y^e safety peace and well Government of y^e said Countyes as they shall see fitt soe as they be not contrary to y^e Lawes of y^e Countyes aforesaid;

For the better security of the proprietyes of all the Inhabitants.

1. Item they are not to impose nor suffer to be imposed any tax Custome Subsidy Tallage Assessment or any other duty w^tsoever upon any Culler or pretence upon y^e s^d County or Countyes and the Inhabitants thereof other then what shalbe imposed by y^e Authority and consent of y^e Generall Assembly and then only in manner as aforesaid;

2. They are to take care y^e land quietly held planted and possessed seaven yeares after its bing first duely surveyed by the Surveyor Generall or his order shall not be subject to any review resurvey or alteration of bounds on w^t pretence soever or by any of us or any offic^rs or Ministers under us.

3. Item they are to be taken care y^t noe man if his Catle straye range or graze on any ground w^thin the s^d Countyes not actually appropryated or sett out to particular persons shalbe lyable to pay any trespass for y^e same to us our heires &c Provided y^t Custome of Comons be not thereby pretended to; nor any person hindred from taking up and appropriating any Lands soe grazed upon and y^t noe person purposely doe suffer his Catle to graze on such land.

4. It is our will and desire that y^e Inhabitants of the said Countyes and adventurers theither shall enjoye all the same Immunityes from Customes for exporting certine goods from these Realmes of England &c theither as y^e Kinge hath been graciously pleased to graunt to us as alsoe for y^e Incorragement of the Manufact^rs of wine silke oyle ollives fruite almonds &c. menconed in the pattent have priveledge for bringing them Custome free into any of his Maj^ties dominions for y^e same time and upon y^e same tearmes as we ourselves may by our Pattent.a

CHARTER OF CAROLINA—1665*

Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS, by our Letters Patents, bearing date the twenty-fourth day of March, in the Edition: current; Page: [2762] fifteenth year of our reign, We were graciously pleased to grant unto our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Clarendon, our High Chancellor of England; our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor George Duke of Albemarle, Master of our Horse; our right trusty and well-beloved William now Earl of Craven; our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor John Lord Berkeley; our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Anthony Lord Ashley, Chancellor of our Exchequer; our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Sir George Carteret, Knight and Baronet, Vice-Chancellor of our Household; our right trusty and well-beloved Sir John Colleton, Knight and Baronet; and Sir William Berkeley, Knight; all that province, territory, or tract of ground, called Carolina, situate, lying and being within our dominions of America; extending from the north end of the island called Luke-Island, which lieth in the Southern Virginia seas, and within thirty-six degrees of north latitude; and to the west, as far as the South-Seas; and so respectively as far as the river of Matthias, which bordereth upon the coast of Florida, and within thirty-one degrees of north latitude; and so west, in a direct line, as far as the South-Seas aforesaid.

Now Know ye, That We, at the humble request of the said grantees, in the aforesaid Letters Patents named, and as a further mark of our especial favour to them, we are graciously pleased to enlarge our said grant unto them, according to the bounds and limits hereafter specified, and in favour to the pious and noble purpose of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkely, their heirs and asigns, all that province, territory or tract of land, situate, lying and being within our dominions of America aforesaid; extending north and eastward, as far as the north end of Currituck river or inlet, upon a strait westerly line to Wyonoak creek, which lies within or about the degrees of thirty-six and thirty minutes, northern latitude; and so west, in a direct line, as far as the South-Seas; and south and westward, as far as the degrees of twenty-nine, inclusive, of northern latitude; and so west, in a direct line, as far as the South-Seas; together with all and singular the ports, harbours, bays, rivers and inlets, belonging unto the province or territory aforesaid: And also, all the soils, lands, fields, woods, mountains, ferms, lakes, rivers, bays and islets, situate or being within the bounds or limits last before mentioned; with the fishings of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeons, and all other royal fish, in the sea, bays, islets and rivers, within the premises, and the fish therein taken, together with the royalty of the sea upon the coast within the limits aforesaid; and moreover all veins, mines and quarries, as well discovered as not discovered, of gold, silver, gems and precious stones, metal, or any other thing, found, or to be found, within the province, territory, islets and limits aforesaid: And furthermore, the patronage and advowsons of all the churches and chapels, which, as Christian religion shall increase within the province, territory, isles, and limits aforesaid, shall happen hereafter to be erected; together with licence and power to build and found churches, chapels and oratories, in convenient and fit places, within the said bounds and limits; and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated, according to the ecclesiastical laws of our kingdom Edition: current; Page: [2763] of England; together with all and singular the like and as ample rights, jurisdictions, privileges, prerogatives, royalties, liberties, immunities, and franchises of what kind soever, within the territory, isles, islets and limits aforesaid: To have, hold, use, exercise, and enjoy the same, as amply, fully and in as ample manner, as any Bishop of Durham, in our kingdom of England, ever heretofore had, held, used, or enjoyed, or of right ought or could have, use, or enjoy: And them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkely, their heirs and assigns, we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, make, create, and constitute, the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said province or territory, and of all other the premises; saving always the faith, allegiance, and sovereign dominion, due to us, our heirs and successors, for the same: To hold, possess, and enjoy the said province, territory, islets, and all and singular other the premises, to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns forever; to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East-Greenwich, in Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, or by Knight’s service: Yielding and paying, yearly, to us, our heirs and successors, for the same, the fourth part of all gold and silver ore, which, within the limits hereby granted, shall, from time to time, happen to be found, over and besides the yearly rent of twenty marks, and the fourth part of the gold and silver ore, in and by the said written Letters Patent reserved and payable.

AND that the province or territory hereby granted and described, may be dignified with as large tythes and privileges, as any other parts of our dominions and territories in that region; Know ye, That we, of our further grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit to annex the same tract of ground or territory unto the same province of Carolina; and out of the fullness of our royal power and prerogative, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, annex and unite the same to the said province of Carolina.

AND forasmuch as we have made and ordained the aforesaid Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs, and assigns, the true Lords and Proprietors of all the province or territory aforesaid; Know ye therefore moreover, That we, reposing especial trust and confidence in their fidelity, wisdom, justice, and provident circumspection, for us, our heirs and successors, do grant full and absolute power, by virtue of these presents, to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, for the good and happy government of the said whole province or territory, full power and authority, to erect, constitute, and make several counties, baronnies, and colonies, of and within the said provinces, territories, lands, and hereditaments, in and by the said Letters Patent, granted, or mentioned to be granted, as aforesaid, with several and distinct jurisdictions, powers, liberties, Edition: current; Page: [2764] and privileges: And also, to ordain, make, and enact, and under their seals, to publish any laws and constitutions whatsoever, either appertaining to the public state of the whole province or territory, or of and distinct or particular county, baronny, or colony, or of or within the same, or to the private utility of particular persons, according to their best directions, by and with the advice, assent and approbation, of the freemen of the said province or territory, or of the freemen of the county, baronny, or colony, for which such law or constitution shall be made, or the greater part of them, or of their delegates or deputies, whom, for enacting of the said laws, when, and as often as need shall require, We will, that the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs or assigns, shall, from time to time, assemble in such manner and form as to them shall seem best; and the same laws duly to execute, upon all people within the said province or territory, county, baronny, or colony, or the limits thereof, for the time being, which shall be constituted, under the power, and government of them or any of them, either sailing towards the said province, or territory of Carolina, or returning from thence towards England, or any other of our, or foreign dominions, by imposition of penalties, imprisonment, or any other punishment; yea, if it shall be needful, and the quality of the offence require it, by taking away member and life, either by them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs, or by them, or their Deputies, Lieutenants, Judges, Justices, Magistrates, or officers, whatsoever, as well within the said province, as at sea, in such manner and form as unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs, shall seem most convenient: And also, to remit, release, pardon, and abolish, whether before judgment or after, all crimes and offences whatsoever against the said laws; and to do all and every thing and things, which, unto the compleat establishment of justice, unto courts, sessions, and forms of judicature, and manners of proceeding therein, do belong, although in these presents express mention is not made thereof; and by Judges to him or them delegated, to award process, hold pleas, and determine, in all the said courts and places of judicature, all actions, suits, and causes whatsoever, as well criminal as civil, real, mixt, personal, or of any other kind or nature whatsoever: Which laws so as aforesaid to be published, our pleasure is, and we do enjoin, require, and command, shall be absolutely firm and available in law; and that all the liege people of us, our heirs and successors, within the said province or territory, do observe and keep the same inviolably in those parts, so far as they concern them, under the pains and penalties therein expressed, or to be expressed: Provided nevertheless, That the said laws be consonant to reason, and as near as may be conveniently, agreeable to the laws and customs of this our realm of England.

AND because such assemblies of freeholders cannot be so suddenly called as there may be occasion to require the same, we do therefore, Edition: current; Page: [2765] by these presents, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, by themselves, or their magistrates, in that behalf lawfully authorised, full power and authority, from time to time, to make and ordain fit and wholesome orders and ordinances within the province or territory aforesaid, or any county, baronny, or province, within the same, to be kept and observed, as well for the keeping of the peace, as for the better government of the people there abiding, and to publish the same to all to whom it may concern: Which ordinances we do, by these presents, straitly charge and command to be inviolably observed within the same province, counties, territories, baronnies and provinces, under the penalties therein expressed; so as such ordinances be reasonable, and not repugnant or contrary, but as near as may be, agreeable to the laws and statutes of this our kingdom of England; and so as the same ordinances do not extend to the binding, charging, or taking away the right or interest of any person or persons, in their freehold, goods, or chattels, whatsoever.

AND to the end the said province or territory may be the more happily increased, by the multitude people resorting thither, and may likewise be the more strongly defended from the incursions of savages, and other enemies, pirates and robbers; therefore, we, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant, by these presents, full power, license and liberty, unto all the liege people of us, our heirs and successors, in our kingdom of England, and elsewhere, within any other our dominions, islands, colonies, or plantations, (excepting those who shall be especially forbidden) to transport themselves and families into the said province or territory, with convenient shipping and fitting provision; and there to settle themselves, dwell, and inhabit: Any law, act, statute, ordinance, or other thing, to the contrary notwithsanding.

AND we will also, and of our especial grace, for us, our heirs and successors, do straitly enjoin, ordain, constitute, and command, that the said province and territory shall be of our allegiance; and that all and singular the subjects and liege people of us, our heirs and successors, transported, or to be transported into the said province, and the children of them, and such as shall descend from them there born, or hereafter to be born be, and shall be denizens and lieges of us, our heirs and successors, of this our kingdom of England, and be in all things, held, treated, and reputed, as the liege faithful people of us, our heirs and successors, born within this our said kingdom, or any other of our dominions; and may inherit or otherwise purchase and receive, take, hold, buy and possess, any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, within the said places, and them may occupy and enjoy, sell, alien, and bequeath; as likewise, all liberties, franchises, and privileges, of this our kingdom, and of other our dominions aforesaid, may freely and quietly have, possess, and enjoy, as our liege people, born within the same, without the molestation, vexation, trouble, or grievance, of us, our heirs and successors: Any act, statute, ordinance, or provision, to the contrary, notwithstanding.

AND furthermore, that our subjects of this our said kingdom of England, and other our dominions, may be the rather encouraged to undertake this expedition, with ready and chearful means; Know Edition: current; Page: [2766] ye, That we, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, do give and grant, by virtue of these presents, as well to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs, as unto all others as shall, from time to time, repair unto the said province or territory, with a purpose to inhabit there, or to trade with the natives thereof; full liberty and licence, to lade and freight, in every port whatsoever, of us, our heirs and successors, and into the said province of Carolina, by them, their servants and assigns, to transport all and singular their goods, wares and merchandises; as likewise all sorts of grain whatsoever, and any other thing whatsoever, necessary for their food and clothing, not prohibited by the laws and statutes of our kingdom and dominions, to be carried out of the same, without any let or molestation of us, our heirs and successors, or of any other our officers or ministers whatsoever; saving also unto us, our heirs and successors, the customs and other duties and payments, due for the said wares and merchandises, according to the several rates of the places from whence the same shall be transported.

WE will also, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant licence by this our charter, unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs and assigns, and to all the inhabitants and dwellers in the province or territory aforesaid, both present and to come, full power and absolute authority, to import or unlade, by themselves or their servants, factors, or assigns, all merchandises and goods whatsoever that shall arise of the fruits and commodities of the said province or territory, either by land or sea, into any the ports of us, our heirs and successors, in our kingdom of England, Scotland, or Ireland, or otherwise to dispose of the said goods in the said ports; and, if need be, within one year next after the unlading, to lade the said merchandises and goods again into the same or other ships; and to export the same into any other countries, either of our dominions or foreign, being in amity with us, our heirs and successors, so as they pay such customs, subsidies and other duties, for the same, to us, our heirs and successors, as the rest of our subjects of this our kingdom, for the time being, shall be bound to pay; beyond which, we will not, that the inhabitants of the said province or territory, shall be any ways charged: Provided nevertheless, and our will and pleasure is, and we have further, for the considerations aforesaid, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, full and free licence, power and authority, at any time or times, from and after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, which shall be in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred and sixty-seven, as well to import and bring into any of our dominions, from the said province of Carolina, or any part thereof, the several goods herein after mentioned; that is to say, silks, wines, Edition: current; Page: [2767] raisins, capers, wax, almonds, oil, and olives, without paying or answering to us, our heirs and successors, any custom, impost, or other duty, for or in respect thereof, for and during the term and space of seven years, to commence and be accounted from and after the importation of four tons of any of the said goods, in any one bottom, ship, or vessel, from the said province or territory, into any of our dominions; as also, to export, and carry out of any of our dominions, into the said province or territory, custom free, all sorts of tools which shall be useful or necessary for the planters there, in the accommodation and improvement of the premises: Any thing before in these presents contained, or any law, act, statute, prohibition, or other matter or thing, heretofore had, made, enacted, or provided, in any wise notwithstanding.

AND furthermore, of our more ample and especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, full and absolute power and authority, to make, erect, and constitute, within the said province or territory, and the isles and islets aforesaid, such and so many sea-ports, harbours, creeks, and other places, for discharge and unlading of goods and merchandises, out of ships, boats and other vessels, and for lading of them, in such and so many places, with such jurisdictions, privileges and franchises, unto the said ports belonging, as to them shall seem most expedient; and that all and singular the ships, boats and other vessels, which shall come for merchandises and trade into the said province or territory, or shall depart out of the same, shall be laden and unladen at such ports only as shall be erected and constituted by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, and not elsewhere: Any use, custom, or thing, to the contrary notwithstanding.

AND we do further will, appoint, and ordain, and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs and assigns, that they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, may, from time to time, forever, have and enjoy the customs and subsidies, in the ports, harbours, creeks, and other places within the province aforesaid, payable for the goods, wares and merchandises there laded, or to be laded or unladed; the said customs to be reasonably assessed, upon any occasion, by themselves, and by and with the consent of the free people, or the greater part of them, as aforesaid; to whom we give power, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, upon just cause, and in due proportion, to assess and impose the same.

AND further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted and confirmed, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant and confirm, unto the Edition: current; Page: [2768] said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, full and absolute power, licence and authority, that they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, from time to time hereafter, forever, at his and their will and pleasure, may assign, alien, grant, demise, or enfeoff, the premises, or any part or parcel thereof, to him or them that shall be willing to purchase the same, and to such person and persons as they shall think fit; to have and to hold to them, the said person or persons, their heirs and assigns, in fee-simple, or in fee-tail, or for term of life or lives, or years; to be held of them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, by such rents, services and customs, as shall seem fit to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, and not of us, our heirs and successors: And to the same person and persons, and to all and every of them, we do give and grant, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, licence, authority and power, that such person or persons may have and take the premises, or any part thereof, of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns; and the same to hold to themselves, their heirs and assigns, in what estate of inheritance soever, in fee-simple, or fee-tail, or otherwise, as to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs or assigns, shall seem expedient; the statute in the Parliament of Edward, son of King Henry, heretofore King of England, our predecessor, commonly called the statute of quia emptores terrarum, or any other statute, act, ordinance, use, law, custom, or any other matter, cause or thing, heretofore published or provided to the contrary, in any-wise notwithstanding.

AND because many persons, born and inhabiting in the said province, for their deserts and services, may expect and be capable of marks of honour and favour, which, in respect of the great distance, cannot be conveniently conferred by us; our will and pleasure therefore is, and we do by these presents, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs and assigns, full power and authority, to give and confer unto and upon such of the inhabitants of the said province or territory, as they shall think do or shall merit the same, such marks of favour and titles of honour, as they shall think fit; so as their titles Edition: current; Page: [2769] of honours be not the same as are enjoyed by or conferred upon any of the subjects of this our kingdom of England.

AND further also, we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant licence to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord of Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, and their heirs and assigns, full power, liberty and licence, to erect, raise and build, within the said province and places aforesaid, or any part or parts thereof, such and so many forts, fortresses, castles, cities, boroughs, towns, villages, and other fortifications whatsoever; and the same, or any of them, to fortify and furnish with ordnance, powder, shot, armour, and all other weapons, ammunition, and habiliments of war, both defensive and offensive, as shall be thought fit and convenient, for the safety and welfare of the said province and places, or any part thereof; and the same, or any of them, from time to time, as occasion shall require, to dismantle, disfurnish, demolish and pull down: And also to place, constitute and appoint, in or over all or any of the said castles, forts, fortifications, cities, towns, and places aforesaid, Governors, Deputy-Governors, Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other officers, civil and military, as to them shall seem meet: And to the said cities, boroughs, towns, villages, or any other place or places, within the said province or territory, to grant letters or charters of incorporation, with all liberties, franchises, and privileges, requisite or usual, or to or within this our kingdom of England granted or belonging; and in the same cities, boroughs, towns, and other places, to constitute, erect and appoint such and so many markets, marts, and fairs, as shall, in that behalf, be thought fit and necessary: And further also, to erect and make in the province or territory aforesaid, or any part thereof, so many manors, with such signories as to them shall seem meet and convenient; and in every of the same manors to have and to hold a Court-Baron, with all things whatsoever which to a Court-Baron do belong; and to have and to hold views of Frank-Pledge and Court-Leets, for the conservation of the peace and better government of those parts, with such limits, jurisdictions and precincts, as by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, or their heirs, shall be appointed for that purpose, with all things whatsoever which to a Court-Leet, or view of Frank-Pledge, do belong; the same courts to be holden by stewards, to be deputed and authorized by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, or their heirs, by the Lords of the manors and leets, for the time being, when the same shall be erected.

AND because that in so remote a country, and situate among so many barbarous nations, the invasions of savages and other enemies, pirates and robbers, may probably be feared; therefore, we have given, and for us, our heirs and successors, do give power by these presents, unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Edition: current; Page: [2770] Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs or assigns, by themselves, or their Captains, or other officers, to levy, muster, and train up all sorts of men, of what condition soever, or wheresoever born, whether in the said province, or elsewhere, for the time being; and to make war, and pursue the enemies aforesaid, as well by sea, as by land; yea, even without the limits of the said province, and, by God’s assistance, to vanquish, and take them; and being taken, to put them to death, by the law of war, and to save them at their pleasure, and to do all and every other thing, which to the charge and office of a Captain-General of an army, hath had the same.

ALSO, our will and pleasure is, and by this our charter, we do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, full power, liberty, and authority, in case of rebellion, tumult, or sedition, (if any should happen, which God forbid) either upon the land within the province aforesaid, or upon the main sea, in making a voyage thither, or returning from thence, by him and themselves, their Captains, Deputies, or officers, to be authorised under his or their seals, for that purpose; to whom also, for us, our heirs and successors, we do give and grant, by these presents, full power and authority, to exercise martial law against any mutinous and seditious persons of these parts; such as shall refuse to submit themselves to their government, or shall refuse to serve in the war, or shall fly to the enemy, or forsake their colours or ensigns, or be loiterers, or stragglers, or otherwise offending against law, custom, or military discipline; as freely and in as ample manner and form, as any Captain-General of an army, by virtue of his office, might or hath accustomed to use the same.

AND our further pleasure is, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, and to the tenants and inhabitants of the said province or territory, both present and to come, and to every of them, that the said province or territory, and the tenants and inhabitants thereof, shall not, from henceforth, be held or reputed any member or part of any colony whatsoever in America, or elsewhere, now transported or made, or hereafter to be transported or made; nor shall be depending on, or subject to their government in any thing, but be absolutely separated and divided from the same; and our pleasure is, by these presents, that they be separated, and that they be subject immediately to our Crown of England, as depending thereof, forever: And that the inhabitants of the said province or territory, nor any of them, shall, at any time hereafter, be compelled, or compellable, or be any ways subject or liable to appear or answer to any matter, suit, cause or plaint whatsoever, out of the province or territory aforesaid, in any other of our islands, colonies, or dominions in America, or elsewhere, other than in our realm of England, and dominion of Wales.

AND because it may happen that some of the people and inhabitants of the said province cannot, in their private opinions, conform to the public exercise of religion according to the liturgy, forms, and ceremonies of the Church of England, or take and subscribe the oaths and articles made and established in that behalf; and for that the same, by reason of the remote distances of those places, will, as we hope, be no breach of the unity and conformity established in this nation; our will and pleasure therefore is, and we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, full and free licence, liberty, and authority, by such ways and means as they shall think fit, to give and grant unto such person and persons, inhabiting and being within the said province or territory, hereby, or by the said recited Letters Patents mentioned to be granted as aforesaid, or any part thereof, such indulgences and dispensations, in that behalf, for and during such time and times, and with such limitations and restrictions, as they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs or assigns, shall, in their discretion, think fit and reasonable: And that no person or persons unto whom such liberty shall be given, shall be any way molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in opinion, or practice in matters of religious concernments, who do not actually disturb the civil peace of the province, county or colony, that they shall make their abode in: But all and every such person and persons may, from time to time, and at all times, freely and quietly have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences, in matters of religion, throughout all the said province or colony, they behaving themselves peaceably, and not using this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the civil injury, or outward disturbance of others: Any law, statute, or clause, contained or to be contained, usage or custom of our realm of England, to the contrary hereof, in any-wise, notwithstanding.

AND in case it shall happen, that any doubts or questions shall arise, concerning the true sense and understanding of any word, clause, or sentence contained in this our present charter; we will, ordain, and command, that in all times, and in all things, such interpretations be made thereof, and allowed in all and every of our courts whatsoever, as lawfully may be adjudged most advantageous and favourable to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, their heirs and assigns, although express mention, &c.

WITNESS Ourself, at Westminster, the thirtieth day of June, in the seventeenth year of our reign.

THE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS OF CAROLINA—1669*a

Our sovereign lord the King having, out of his royal grace and bounty, granted unto us the province of Carolina, with all the royalties, properties, jurisdictions, and privileges of a county palatine, as large and ample as the county palatine of Durham, with other great privileges; for the better settlement of the government of the said place, and establishing the interest of the lords proprietors with equality and without confusion; and that the government of this province may be made most agreeable to the monarchy under which we live and of which this province is a part; and that we may avoid erecting a numerous democracy, we, the lords and proprietors of the province aforesaid, have agreed to this following form of government, to be perpetually established amongst us, unto which we do oblige ourselves, our heirs and successors, in the most binding ways that can be devised.

One. The eldest of the lords proprietors shall be palatine; and, upon the decease of the palatine, the eldest of the seven surviving proprietors shall always succeed him.

Two. There shall be seven other chief offices erected, viz: the admirals, chamberlains, chancellors, constables, chief justices, high stewards, and treasurers; which places shall be enjoyed by none but the lords proprietors, to be assigned at first by lot: and, upon the vacancy of any one of the seven great offices, by death or otherwise, the eldest proprietor shall have his choice of the said place.

Three. The whole province shall be divided into counties; each county shall consist of eight signiories, eight baronies, and four precincts; each precinct shall consist of six colonies.

Four. Each signiory, barony, and colony shall consist of twelve thousand acres; the eight signiories being the share of the eight proprietors, and the eight baronies of the nobility; both which shares, being each of them one-fifth of the whole, are to be perpetually annexed, the one of the proprietors, the other to the hereditary nobility, leaving the colonies, being three-fifths, amongst the people; so that in setting out and planting the lands, the balance of the government may be preserved.

Five. At any time before the year one thousand seven hundred and one, any of the lords proprietors shall have power to relinquish, alienate, and dispose to any other person his proprietorship, and all the signiories, powers, and interest thereunto belonging, wholly and entirely together, and not otherwise. But after the year one thousand seven hundred, those who are then lords proprietors shall not have power to alienate or make over their proprietorship, with the signiories and privileges thereunto belonging, or any part thereof, to any person whatsoever, otherwise than in section eighteen; but it shall all descend unto their heirs male, and for want of heirs male, it shall all descend on that landgrave or cazique of Carolina who is descended Edition: current; Page: [2773] of the next heirs female of the proprietor; and, for want of such heirs, it shall descend on the next heir general; and, for want of such heirs, the remaining seven proprietors shall, upon the vacancy, choose a landgrave to succeed the deceased proprietors, who, being chosen by the majority of the seven surviving proprietors, he and his heirs, successively shall be proprietors, as fully to all intents and purposes as any of the rest.

Six. That the number of eight proprietors may be constantly kept, if, upon the vacancy of any proprietorship, the seven surviving proprietors shall not choose a landgrave to be a proprietor before the second biennial parliament after the vacancy, then the next biennial parliament but one, after such vacancy, shall have power to choose any landgrave to be a proprietor.

Seven. Whosoever, after the year one thousand seven hundred, either by inheritance or choice, shall succeed any proprietor in his proprietorship, and signories thereunto belonging, shall be obliged to take the name and arms of that proprietor whom he succeeds; which from thenceforth shall be the name and arms of his family and their posterity.

Eight. Whatsoever landgrave or cazique shall any way come to be a proprietor, shall take the signiories annexed to the said proprietorship; but his former dignity, with the baronies annexed, shall devolve into the hands of the lords proprietors.

Nine. There shall be just as many landgraves as there are counties, and twice as many caziques, and no more. These shall be the hereditary nobility of the province, and by right of their dignity be members of parliament. Each landgrave shall have four baronies, and each cazique two baronies, hereditarily and unalterably annexed to and settled upon the said dignity.

Ten. The first landgrave and caziques of the twelve first counties to be planted shall be nominated thus, that is to say: of the twelve landgraves, the lords proprietors shall each of them, separately for himself, nominate and choose one; and the remaining four landgraves of the first twelve shall be nominated and chosen by the palatine’s court. In like manner, of the twenty-four first caziques, each proprietor for himself shall nominate and choose two, and the remaining eight shall be nominated and chosen by the palatine’s court; and when the twelve first counties shall be planted, the lords proprietors shall again in the same manner nominate and choose twelve more landgraves and twenty-four more caziques, for the next twelve counties to be planted; that is to say, two-thirds of each number by the single nomination of each proprietor for himself, and the remaining third by the joint election of the palatine’s court, and so proceed in the same manner till the whole province of Carolina be set out and planted, according to the proportions in these fundamental constitutions.

Eleven. Any landgrave or cazique, at any time before the year one thousand seven hundred and one, shall have power to alienate, sell, or make over, to any other person, his dignity, with the baronies thereunto belonging, all entirely together. But after the year one thousand seven hundred, no landgrave or cazique shall have power to alienate, sell, make over, or let the hereditary baronies of his dignity, or any part thereof, otherwise than as in section eighteen; but they shall all entirely, with the dignity thereunto belonging, descend unto Edition: current; Page: [2774] his heirs male; and for want of heirs male, all entirely and undivided to the next heir general; and for want of such heirs, shall devolve into the hands of the lords proprietors.

Twelve. That the due number of landgraves and caziques may be always kept up, if, upon the devolution of any landgraveship or caziqueship, the palatine’s court shall not settle the devolved dignity, with the baronies thereunto annexed, before the second biennial parliament after such devolution, the next biennial parliament but one after such devolution shall have power to make any one landgrave or cazique in the room of him who dying without heirs, his dignity and baronies devolved.

Thirteen. No one person shall have more than one dignity, with the signiories or baronies thereunto belonging. But whensoever it shall happen that any one who is already proprietor, landgrave, or cazique shall have any of these dignities descend to him by inheritance, it shall be at his choice to keep which of the dignities, with the lands annexed, he shall like best; but shall leave the other, with the lands annexed, to be enjoyed by him who, not being his heir apparent and certain successor to his present dignity, is next of blood.

Fourteen. Whosoever, by right of inheritance, shall come to be landgrave or cazique, shall take the name and arms of his predecessor in that dignity, to be from thenceforth the name and arms of his family and their posterity.

Fifteen. Since the dignity of proprietor, landgrave, or cazique cannot be divided, and the signiories or baronies thereunto annexed must forever all entirely descend with and accompany that dignity, whensoever, for want of heirs male, it shall descend on the issue female, the eldest daughter and her heirs shall be preferred, and in the inheritance of those dignities, and in the signiories or baronies annexed, there shall be no coheirs.

Sixteen. In every signiory, barony, and manor, the respective lord shall have power, in his own name, to hold court-leet there, for trying of all causes, both civil and criminal; but where it shall concern any person being no inhabitant, vassal, or leet-man of the said signiory, barony, or manor, he, upon paying down of forty shillings to the lords proprietors’ use, shall have an appeal from the signiory or barony court to the county court, and from the manor court to the precinct court.

Seventeen. Every manor shall consist of not less than three thousand acres, and not above twelve thousand acres, in one entire piece and colony, but any three thousand acres or more in one piece, and the possession of one man, shall not be a manor, unless it be constituted a manor by the grant of the palatine’s court.

Eighteen. The lords of signiories and baronies shall have power only of granting estates not exceeding three lives, or twenty-one years, in two-thirds of said signiories or baronies, and the remaining third shall be always demense.

Nineteen. Any lord of a manor may alienate, sell, or dispose to any other person and his heirs forever, his manor, all entirely together, with all the privileges and leet-men thereunto belonging, so far forth as any colony lands; but no grant of any part thereof, either in fee, or for any longer term than three lives, or one-and-twenty years, shall stand good against the next heir.

Twenty. No manor, for want of issue male, shall be divided amongst coheirs; but the manor, if there be but one, shall all entirely descend to the eldest daughter and her heirs. If there be more minors than one, the eldest daughter first shall have her choice, the second next, and so on, beginning again at the eldest, until all the manors be taken up; that so the privileges which belong to manors being indivisible, the lands of the manors, to which they are annexed, may be kept entire and the manor not lose those privileges which, upon parcelling out to several owners, must necessarily cease.

Twenty-one. Every lord of a manor, within his own manor, shall have all the rights, powers, jurisdictions, and privileges which a landgrave or cazique hath in his baronies.

Twenty-two. In every signiory, barony, and manor, all the leet-men shall be under the jurisdiction of the respective lords of the said signiory, barony, or manor, without appeal from him. Nor shall any leet-man or leet-woman have liberty to go off from the land of their particular lord and live anywhere else, without license obtained from their said lord, under hand and seal.

Twenty-three. All the children of leet-men shall be leet-men, and so to all generations.

Twenty-four. No man shall be capable of having a court-leet or leet-men but a proprietor, landgrave, cazique, or lord of a manor.

Twenty-five. Whoever shall voluntarily enter himself a leet-man in the registry of the county court, shall be a leet-man.

Twenty-six. Whoever is lord of leet-men, shall, upon the marriage of a leet-man or leet-woman of his, give them ten acres of land for their lives; they paying to him therefor not more than one-eighth part of all the yearly produce and growth of the said ten acres.

Twenty-seven. No landgrave or cazique shall be tried for any criminal cause in any but the chief justice’s court, and that by a jury of his peers.

Twenty-eight. There shall be eight supreme courts. The first called the palatine’s court, consisting of the palatine and the other seven proprietors. The other seven courts of the other seven great officers, shall consist each of them of a proprietor, and six councillors added to him. Under each of these latter seven courts shall be a college of twelve assistants. The twelve assistants of the several colleges shall be chosen, two out of the landgraves, caziques, or eldest sons of the proprietors, by the palatine’s court; two out of the landgraves by the landgraves’ chamber; two out of the caziques by the caziques’ chamber; four more of the twelve shall be chosen by the commons’ chamber, out of such as have been or are members of parliament, sheriffs, or justices of the county court, or the younger sons of proprietors, or the eldest sons of landgraves or caziques; the two others shall be chosen by the palatine’s court, out of the same sort of persons out of which the commons’ chamber is to choose.

Twenty-nine. Out of these colleges shall be chosen at first, by the palatine’s court, six councillors, to be joined with each proprietor in his court; of which six one shall be of those who were chosen into any of the colleges by the palatine’s court, out of the landgraves, caziques, or eldest sons of proprietors; one out of those who were chosen by the landgraves’ chamber; one out of those who were chosen by the caziques’ chamber; two out of those who were chosen by the commons’ Edition: current; Page: [2776] chamber; and one out of those who were chosen by the palatine’s court, out of the proprietors’ younger sons, or eldest sons of landgraves, caziques, or commons, qualified as aforesaid.

Thirty. When it shall happen that any councillor dies, and thereby there is a vacancy, the grand council shall have power to remove any councillor that is willing to be removed out of any of the proprietors’ courts, to fill up the vacancy; provided they take a man of the same degree and choice the other was of, whose place is to be filled up. But if no councillor consent to be removed, or upon such remove, the last remaining vacant place, in any of the proprietors’ courts, shall be filled up by the choice of the grand council, who shall have power to remove out of any of the colleges any assistant, who is of the same degree and choice that that councillor was of into whose vacant place he is to succeed. The grand council also have power to remove any assistant, that is willing, out of one college into another, provided he be of the same degree and choice. But the last remaining vacant place in any college shall be filled up by the same choice, and out of the same degree of persons the assistant was of who is dead or removed. No place shall be vacant in any proprietor’s court above six months. No place shall be vacant in any college longer than the next session of parliament.

Thirty-one. No man, being a member of the grand council, or of any of the seven colleges, shall be turned out but for misdemeanor, of which the grand council shall be judge; and the vacancy of the person so put out shall be filled, not by the election of the grand council, but by those who first chose him, and out of the same degree he was of who is expelled. But it is not hereby to be understood that the grand council hath any power to turn out any one of the lords proprietors or their deputies, the lords proprietors having in themselves an inherent original right.

Thirty-two. All elections in the parliament, in the several chambers of the parliament, and in the grand council, shall be passed by balloting.

Thirty-three. The palatine’s court shall consist of the palatine and seven proprietors, wherein nothing shall be acted without the presence and consent of the palatine or his deputy, and three other of the proprietors or their deputies. This court shall have power to call parliaments, to pardon all offences, to make elections of all officers in the proprietor’s dispose, and to nominate and appoint port towns; and also shall have power by their order to the treasurer to dispose of all public treasure, excepting money granted by the parliament, and by them directed to some particular public use; and also shall have a negative upon all acts, orders, votes, and judgments of the grand council and the parliament, except only as in sections six and twelve; and shall have all the powers granted to the lords proprietors, by their patent from our sovereign lord the King, except in such things as are limited by these fundamental constitutions.

Thirty-four. The palatine himself, when he in person shall be either in the army or any of the proprietors’ courts, shall then have the power of general, or of that proprietor in whose court he is then present, and the proprietor, in whose court the palatine then presides, shall, during his presence there, be but as one of the council.

Thirty-five. The councillor’s court, consisting of one of the proprietors, and his six councillors, who shall be called vice-chancellors, shall have the custody of the seal of the palatine, under which characters of lands, or otherwise, commissions and grants of the palatine’s court shall pass. And it shall not be lawful to put the seal of the palatinate to any writing which is not signed by the palatine or his deputy and three other proprietors or their deputies. To this court also belong all state matters, despatches, and treaties with the neighbor Indians. To this court also belong all invasions of the law, of liberty of conscience, and all invasions of the public peace, upon pretence of religion, as also the license of printing. The twelve assistants belonging to this court shall be called recorders.

Thirty-six. Whatever passes under the seal of the palatinate, shall be registered in the proprietor’s court to which the matter therein contained belongs.

Thirty-seven. The chancellor or his deputy shall be always speaker in parliament, and president of the grand council, and, in his and his deputy’s absence, one of the vice-chancellors.

Thirty-eight. The chief justice’s court, consisting of one of the proprietors and his six councillors, who shall be called justices of the bench, shall judge all appeals in cases both civil and criminal, except all such cases as shall be under the jurisdiction and cognizance of any other of the proprietor’s courts, which shall be tried in those courts respectively. The government and regulation of registries of writings and contracts shall belong to the jurisdiction of this court. The twelve assistants of this court shall be called masters.

Thirty-nine. The constable’s court, consisting of one of the proprietors and his six councillors, who shall be called marshals, shall order and determine of all military affairs by land, and all landforces, arms, ammunition, artillery, garrisons, forts, &c., and whatever belongs unto war. His twelve assistants shall be called lieutenant-generals.

Forty. In time of actual war the constable, while he is in the army, shall be general of the army, and the six councillors, or such of them as the palatine’s court shall for that time or service appoint, shall be the immediate great officers under him, and the lieutenant-generals next to them.

Forty-one. The admiral’s court, consisting of one of the proprietors and his six councillors, called consuls, shall have the care and inspection over all ports, moles, and navigable rivers, so far as the tide flows, and also all the public shipping of Carolina, and stores thereunto belonging, and all maritime affairs. This court also shall have the power of the court of admiralty; and shall have power to constitute judges in port-towns to try cases belonging to law-merchant, as shall be most convenient for trade. The twelve assistants belonging to this court shall be called proconsuls.

Forty-two. In time of actual war, the admiral, whilst he is at sea, shall command in chief, and his six councillors, or such of them as the palatine’s court shall for that time or service appoint, shall be the immediate great officers under him, and the proconsuls next to them.

Forty-three. The treasurer’s court, consisting of a proprietor and his six councillors, called under-treasurers, shall take care of all matters that concern the public revenue and treasury. The twelve assistants shall be called auditors.

Forty-four. The high steward’s court, consisting of a proprietor and his six councillors, called comptrollers, shall have the care of all foreign and domestic trade, manufactures, public buildings, workhouses, highways, passages by water above the flood of the tide, drains, sewers, and banks against inundation, bridges, posts, carriers, fairs, markets, corruption or infection of the common air or water, and all things in order to the public commerce and health; also setting out and surveying of lands; and also setting out and appointing places for towns to be built on in the precincts, and the prescribing and determining the figure and bigness of the said towns, according to such models as the said court shall order; contrary or differing from which models it shall not be lawful for any one to build in any town. This court shall have power also to make any public building, or any new highway, or enlarge any old highway, upon any man’s land whatsoever; as also to make cuts, channels, banks, locks, and bridges, for making rivers navigable, or for draining fens, or any other public use. The damage the owner of such lands (on or through which any such public things shall be made) shall receive thereby shall be valued, and satisfaction made by such ways as the grand council shall appoint. The twelve assistants belonging to this court shall be called surveyors.

Forty-five. The chamberlain’s court, consisting of a proprietor and six councillors, called vice-chamberlains, shall have the care of all ceremonies, precedency, heraldry, reception of public messengers, pedigrees, the registry of all births, burials, and marriages, legitimation, and all cases concerning matrimony, or arising from it; and shall also have power to regulate all fashions, habits, badges, games, and sports. To this court it shall also belong to convocate the grand council. The twelve assistants belonging to this court shall be called provosts.

Forty-six. All causes belonging to or under the jurisdiction of any of the proprietors’ courts, shall in them respectively be tried, and ultimately determined, without any further appeal.

Forty-seven. The proprietors’ courts have a power to mitigate all fines and suspend all execution in criminal causes, either before or after sentence, in any of the other inferior courts respectively.

Forty-eight. In all debates, hearings, or trials, in any of the proprietors’ courts, the twelve assistants belonging to the said courts, respectively, shall have liberty to be present, but shall not interpose, unless their opinions be required, nor have any vote at all; but their business shall be, by the direction of the respective courts, to prepare such business as shall be committed to them; as also to bear such offices, and despatch such affairs, either where the court is kept or elsewhere, as the court shall think fit.

Forty-nine. In all the proprietors’ courts, the proprietor, and any three of his councillors, shall make a quorum: Provided, always, That for the better despatch of business, it shall be in the power of the palatine’s court to direct what sort of causes shall be heard and determined by a quorum of any three.

Fifty. The grand council shall consist of the palatine and seven proprietors, and the forty-two councillors of the several proprietors’ courts, who shall have power to determine any controversy that may arise between any of the proprietors’ courts, about their respective jurisdictions, or between the members of the same court, about their Edition: current; Page: [2779] manner and methods of proceedings; to make peace and war, leagues, treaties, &c., with any of the neighbor Indians; to issue out their general orders to the constable’s and admiral’s courts, for the raising, disposing, or disbanding the forces, by land or by sea.

Fifty-one. The grand council shall prepare all matters to be proposed in parliament. Nor shall any matter whatsoever be proposed in parliament, but what has first passed the grand council; which, after having been read three several days in the parliament, shall by majority of votes be passed or rejected.

Fifty-two. The grand council shall always be judges of all causes and appeals that concern the palatine, or any of the lords proprietors, or any councillor of any proprietor’s court, in any cause, which should otherwise have been tried in the court of which the said councillor is judge himself.

Fifty-three. The grand council, by their warrants to the treasurer’s court, shall dispose of all the money given by the parliament, and by them directed to any particular public use.

Fifty-four. The quorum of the grand council shall be thirteen, whereof a proprietor or his deputy shall be always one.

Fifty-five. The grand council shall meet the first Tuesday in every month, and as much oftener as either they shall think fit, or they shall be convocated by the chamberlain’s court.

Fifty-six. The palatine, or any of the lords proprietors, shall have power, under hand and seal, to be registered in the grand council, to make a deputy, who shall have the same power to all intents and purposes as he himself who deputes him; except in confirming acts of parliament, as in section seventy-six, and except also in nominating and choosing landgraves and caziques, as in section ten. All such deputations shall cease and determine at the end of four years, and at any time shall be revocable at the pleasure of the deputator.

Fifty-seven. No deputy of any proprietor shall have any power whilst the deputator is in any part of Carolina, except the proprietor whose deputy he is be a minor.

Fifty-eight. During the minority of any proprietor, his guardian shall have power to constitute and appoint his deputy.

Fifty-nine. The eldest of the lords proprietors, who shall be personally in Carolina, shall of course be the palatine’s deputy, and if no proprietor be in Carolina, he shall choose his deputy out of the heirs apparent of any of the proprietors, if any such be there; and if there be no heir apparent of any of the lords proprietors above one-and-twenty years old in Carolina, then he shall choose for deputy any one of the landgraves of the grand council; till he have by deputation under hand and seal chosen any one of the forementioned heirs apparent or landgraves to be his deputy, the eldest man of the landgraves, and, for want of a landgrave, the eldest man of the caziques, who shall be personally in Carolina, shall of course be his deputy.

Sixty. Each proprietor’s deputy shall be always one of his six councillors, respectively; and in case any of the proprietors hath not, in his absence out of Carolina, a deputy, commissioned under his hand and seal, the eldest nobleman of his court shall of course be his deputy.

Sixty-one. In every county there shall be a court, consisting of a sheriff, and four justices of the county, for every precinct one. The sheriff shall be an inhabitant of the county, and have at least five Edition: current; Page: [2780] hundred acres of freehold within the said county; and the justices shall be inhabitants, and have each of them five hundred acres apiece freehold within the precinct for which they serve respectively. These five shall be chosen from time to time and commissioned by the palatine’s court.

Sixty-two. For any personal causes exceeding the value of two hundred pounds sterling, or in title of land, or in any criminal cause, either party upon paying twenty pounds sterling to the lords proprietors’ use, shall have liberty of appeal from the county court unto the respective proprietor’s court.

Sixty-three. In every precinct there shall be a court, consisting of a steward and four justices of the precinct, being inhabitants and having three hundred acres of freehold within the said precinct, who shall judge all criminal causes; except for treason, murder, and any other offences punishable with death, and except all criminal causes of the nobility; and shall judge also all civil causes whatsoever; and in all personal actions not exceeding fifty pounds sterling, without appeal; but where the cause shall exceed that value, or concern a title of land, and in all criminal causes, there either party, upon paying five pounds sterling to the lords proprietors’ use, shall have liberty of appeal to the county court.

Sixty-four. No cause shall be twice tried in any one court, upon any reason or pretence whatsoever.

Sixty-five. For treason, murder, and all other offences punishable with death, there shall be a commission, twice a year at least, granted unto one or more members of the grand council or colleges; who shall come as itinerant judges to the several counties, and with the sheriff and four justices shall hold assizes to judge all such causes; but, upon paying of fifty pounds sterling to the lords proprietors’ use, there shall be liberty of appeal to the respective proprietor’s court.

Sixty-six. The grand jury at the several assizes shall, upon their oaths, and under their hands and seals, deliver in to their itinerant judges a presentment of such grievances, misdemeanors, exigencies, or defects, which they think necessary for the public good of the country; which presentments shall, by the itinerant judges, at the end of their circuit, be delivered in to the grand council at their next sitting. And whatsoever therein concerns the execution of laws already made, the several proprietors’ courts, in the matters belonging to each of them, respectively, shall take cognizance of it, and give such order about it as shall be effectual for the due execution of the laws. But whatever concerns the making of any new law, shall be referred to the several respective courts to which that matter belongs, and be by them prepared and brought to the grand council.

Sixty-seven. For terms, there shall be quarterly such a certain number of days, not exceeding one-and-twenty at any one time, as the several respective courts shall appoint. The time for the beginning of the term, in the precinct court, shall be the first Monday in January, April, July, and October; in the county court, the first Monday in February, May, August, and November; and in the proprietors’ courts the first Monday in March, June, September, and December.

Sixty-eight. In the precinct court no man shall be a juryman under fifty acres of freehold. In the county court, or at the assizes, no man shall be a grand-juryman under three hundred acres of Edition: current; Page: [2781] freehold; and no man shall be a petty-juryman under two hundred acres of freehold. In the proprietors’ courts no man shall be a juryman under five hundred acres of freehold.

Sixty-nine. Every jury shall consist of twelve men; and it shall not be necessary they should all agree, but the verdict shall be according to the consent of the majority.

Seventy. It shall be a base and vile thing to plead for money or reward; nor shall any one (except he be a near kinsman, not farther off than cousin-german to the party concerned) be permitted to plead another man’s cause, till, before the judge in open court, he hath taken an oath that he doth not plead for money or reward, nor hath nor will receive, nor directly nor indirectly bargained with the party whose cause he is going to plead, for money or any other reward for pleading his cause.

Seventy-one. There shall be a parliament, consisting of the proprietors or their deputies, the landgraves, and caziques, and one freeholder out of every precinct, to be chosen by the freeholders of the said precinct, respectively. They shall sit all together in one room, and have every member one vote.

Seventy-two. No man shall be chosen a member of parliament who has less than five hundred acres of freehold within the precinct for which he is chosen; nor shall any have a vote in choosing the said member that hath less than fifty acres of freehold within the said precinct.

Seventy-three. A new parliament shall be assembled the first Monday of the month of November every second year, and shall meet and sit in the town they last sat in, without any summons, unless by the palatine’s court they be summoned to meet at any other place. And if there shall be any occasion of a parliament in these intervals, it shall be in the power of the palatine’s court to assemble them in forty days’ notice, and at such time and place as the said court shall think fit; and the palatine’s court shall have power to dissolve the said parliament when they shall think fit.

Seventy-four. At the opening of every parliament, the first thing that shall be done shall be the reading of these fundamental constitutions, which the palatine and proprietors, and the rest of the members then present, shall subscribe. Nor shall any person whatsoever sit or vote in the parliament till he hath that session subscribed these fundamental constitutions, in a book kept for that purpose by the clerk of the parliament.

Seventy-five. In order to the due election of members for the biennial parliament, it shall be lawful for the freeholders of the respective precincts to meet the first Tuesday in September every two years, in the same town or place that they last met in, to choose parliament men; and there choose those members that are to sit the next November following, unless the steward of the precinct shall, by sufficient notice thirty days before, appoint some other place for their meeting in order to the election.

Seventy-six. No act or order of parliament shall be of any force, unless it be ratified in open parliament, during the same session, by the palatine or his deputy, and three more of the lords proprietors or their deputies; and then not to continue longer in force but until the next biennial parliament, unless in the mean time it be ratified under the hands and seals of the palatine himself, and three more of Edition: current; Page: [2782] the lords proprietors themselves, and by their order published at the next biennial parliament.

Seventy-seven. Any proprietor or his deputy may enter his protestation against any act of the parliament, before the palatine or his deputy’s consent be given as aforesaid, if he shall conceive the said act to be contrary to this establishment, or any of these fundamental constitutions of the government. And in such case, after full and free debate, the several estates shall retire into four several chambers; the palatine and proprietors into one; the landgraves into another; the caziques into another; and those chosen by the precincts into a fourth; and if the major part of any of the four estates shall vote that the law is not agreeable to this establishment, and these fundamental constitutions of the government, then it shall pass no farther, but be as if it had never been proposed.

Seventy-eight. The quorum of the parliament shall be one-half of those who are members and capable of sitting in the house that present session of parliament. The quorum of each of the chambers of parliament shall be one-half of the members of that chamber.

Seventy-nine. To avoid multiplicity of laws, which by degrees always change the right foundations of the original government, all acts of parliament whatsoever, in whatsoever form passed or enacted, shall, at the end of a hundred years after their enacting, respectively cease and determine of themselves, and without any repeal become null and void, as if no such acts or laws had ever been made.

Eighty. Since multiplicity of comments, as well as of laws, have great inconveniencies, and serve only to obscure and perplex, all manner of comments and expositions on any part of these fundamental constitutions, or on any part of the common or statute laws of Carolina, are absolutely prohibited.

Eighty-one. There shall be a registry in every precinct, wherein shall be enrolled all deeds, leases, judgments, mortgages, and other conveyances, which may concern any of the lands within the said precinct; and all such conveyances not so entered and registered shall not be of force against any person or party to the said contract or conveyance.

Eighty-two. No man shall be register of any precinct who hath not at least three hundred acres of freehold within the said precinct.

Eighty-three. The freeholders of every precinct shall nominate three men; out of which three the chief justice’s court shall choose and commission one to be register of the said precinct, whilst he shall well behave himself.

Eighty-four. There shall be a registry in every signiory, barony, and colony, wherein shall be recorded all the births, marriages, and deaths that shall happen within the respective signiories, baronies, and colonies.

Eighty-five. No man shall be register of a colony that hath not above fifty acres of freehold within the said colony.

Eighty-six. The time of every one’s age, that is born in Carolina, shall be reckoned from the day that his birth is entered in the registry, and not before.

Eighty-seven. No marriage shall be lawful, whatever contract and ceremony they have used, till both the parties mutually own it before the register of the place where they were married, and he register it, with the names of the father and mother of each party.

Eighty-eight. No man shall administer to the goods, or have a right to them, or enter upon the estate of any person deceased, till his death be registered in the respective registry.

Eighty-nine. He that doth not enter in the respective registry the birth or death of any person that is born or dies in his house or ground, shall pay to the said register one shilling per week for each such neglect, reckoning from the time of each birth or death, respectively, to the time of entering it in the register.

Ninety. In like manner, the births, marriages, and deaths of the lords proprietors, landgraves, and caziques shall be registered in the chamberlain’s court.

Ninety-one. There shall be in every colony one constable, to be chosen annually, by the freeholders of the colony; his estate shall be above a hundred acres of freehold within the said colony, and such subordinate officers appointed for his assistance as the county court shall find requisite, and shall be established by the said county court. The election of the subordinate annual officers shall be also in the freeholders of the colony.

Ninety-two. All towns incorporate shall be governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and twenty-four of the common council. The said common council shall be chosen by the present householders of the said town; the aldermen shall be chosen out of the common council; and the mayor out of the aldermen, by the palatine’s court.

Ninety-three. It being of great consequence to the plantation that port-towns should be built and preserved; therefore, whosoever shall lade or unlade any commodity at any other place than a port-town, shall forfeit to the lords proprietors, for each ton so laden or unladen, the sum of ten pounds sterling; except only such goods as the palatine’s court shall license to be laden or unladen elsewhere.

Ninety-four. The first port-town upon every river shall be in a colony, and be a port-town forever.

Ninety-five. No man shall be permitted to be a freeman of Carolina, or to have any estate or habitation within it, that doth not acknowledge a God; and that God is publicly and solemnly to be worshipped.

Ninety-six. [As the country comes to be sufficiently planted and distributed into fit divisions, it shall belong to the parliament to take care for the building of churches, and the public maintenance of divines, to be employed in the exercise of religion, according to the Church of England; which being the only true and orthodox, and the national religion of all the King’s dominions, is so also of Carolina; and, therefore, it alone shall be allowed to receive public maintenance, by grant of parliament.]a

Ninety-seven. But since the natives of that place, who will be concerned in our plantation, are utterly strangers to Christianity, whose idolatry, ignorance, or mistake gives us no right to expel or use them ill; and those who remove from other parts to plant there will unavoidably be of different opinions concerning matters of religion, the liberty whereof they will expect to have allowed them, and it will not be reasonable for us, on this account, to keep them out, that civil Edition: current; Page: [2784] peace may be maintained amidst diversity of opinions, and our agreement and compact with all men may be duly and faithfully observed; the violation whereof, upon what pretence soever, cannot be without great offence to Almighty God, and great scandal to the true religion which we profess; and also that Jews, heathens, and other dissenters from the purity of Christian religion may not be scared and kept at a distance from it, but, by having an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the truth and reasonableness of its doctrines, and the peaceableness and inoffensiveness of its professors, may, by good usage and persuasion, and all those convincing methods of gentleness and meekness, suitable to the rules and design of the gospel, be won ever to embrace and unfeignedly receive the truth; therefore, any seven or more persons agreeing in any religion, shall constitute a church or profession, to which they shall give some name, to distinguish it from others.

Ninety-eight. The terms of admittance and communion with any church or profession shall be written in a book, and therein be subscribed by all the members of the said church or profession; which book shall be kept by the public register of the precinct wherein they reside.

Ninety-nine. The time of every one’s subscription and admittance shall be dated in the said book or religious record.

One hundred. In the terms of communion of every church or profession, these following shall be three; without which no agreement or assembly of men, upon pretence of religion, shall be accounted a church or profession within these rules:

1st. “That there is a God.”

II. “That God is publicly to be worshipped.”

III. “That it is lawful and the duty of every man, being thereunto called by those that govern, to bear witness to truth; and that every church or profession shall, in their terms of communion, set down the external way whereby they witness a truth as in the presence of God, whether it be by laying hands on or kissing the bible, as in the Church of England, or by holding up the hand, or any other sensible way.”

One hundred and one. No person above seventeen years of age shall have any benefit or protection of the law, or be capable of any place of profit or honor, who is not a member of some church or profession, having his name recorded in some one, and but one religious record at once.

One hundred and two. No person of any other church or profession shall disturb or molest any religious assembly.

One hundred and three. No person whatsoever shall speak anything in their religious assembly irreverently or seditiously of the government or governors, or of state matters.

One hundred and four. Any person subscribing the terms of communion, in the record of the said church or profession, before the precinct register, and any five members of the said church or profession, shall be thereby made a member of the said church or profession.

One hundred and five. Any person striking out his own name out of any religious record, or his name being struck out by any officer thereunto authorized by each church or profession respectively, shall cease to be a member of that church or profession.

One hundred and six. No man shall use any reproachful, reviling, or abusive language against any religion of any church or profession; that being the certain way of disturbing the peace, and of hindering the conversion of any to the truth, by engaging them in quarrels and animosities, to the hatred of the professors and that profession which otherwise they might be brought to assent to.

One hundred and seven. Since charity obliges us to wish well to the souls of all men, and religion ought to alter nothing in any man’s civil estate or right, it shall be lawful for slaves, as well as others, to enter themselves, and be of what church or profession any of them shall think best, and, therefore, be as fully members as any freeman. But yet no slave shall hereby be exempted from that civil dominion his master hath over him, but be in all things in the same state and condition he was in before.

One hundred and eight. Assemblies, upon what pretence soever of religion, not observing and performing the above said rules, shall not be esteemed as churches, but unlawful meetings, and be punished as other riots.

One hundred and nine. No person whatsover shall disturb, molest, or persecute another for his speculative opinions in religion, or his way of worship.

One hundred and ten. Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over his negro slaves, of what opinion or religion soever.

One hundred and eleven. No cause, whether civil or criminal, of any freeman, shall be tried in any court of judicature, without a jury of his peers.

One hundred and twelve. No person whatever shall hold or claim any land in Carolina by purchase or gift, or otherwise, from the natives, or any other whatsoever, but merely from and under the lords proprietors, upon pain of forfeiture of all his estate, movable or immovable, and perpetual banishment.

One hundred and thirteen. Whosoever shall possess any freehold in Carolina, upon what title or grant soever, shall, at the farthest, from and after the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine, pay yearly unto the lords proprietors, for each acre of land, English measure, as much fine silver as is at this present time in one English penny, or the value thereof, to be as a chief rent and acknowledgment to the lords proprietors, their heirs and successors, forever. And it shall be lawful for the palatine’s court, by their officers, at any time to take a new survey of any man’s land, not to oust him of any part of his possession, but that by such a survey the just number of acres he possesseth may be known, and the rent thereon due may be paid by him.

One hundred and fourteen. All wrecks, mines, minerals, quarries of gems, and precious stones, with pearl-fishing, whale-fishing, and one-half of all ambergris, by whomsoever found, shall wholly belong to the lords proprietors.

One hundred and fifteen. All revenues and profits belonging to the lords proprietors in common shall be divided into ten parts, whereof the palatine shall have three, and each proprietor one; but if the palatine shall govern by a deputy, the deputy shall have one of those three-tenths, and the palatine the other two-tenths.

One hundred and sixteen. All inhabitants and freemen of Carolina above seventeen years of age, and under sixty, shall be bound to bear arms and serve as soldiers, whenever the grand council shall find it necessary.

One hundred and seventeen. A true copy of these fundamental constitutions shall be kept in a great book by the register of every precinct, to be subscribed before the said register. Nor shall any person, of what degree or condition soever, above seventeen years old, have any estate or possession in Carolina, or protection or benefit of the law there, who hath not, before a precinct register, subscribed these fundamental constitutions in this form:

“I, A. B., do promise to bear faith and true allegiance to our sovereign lord King Charles II, his heirs and successors; and will be true and faithful to the palatine and lords proprietors of Carolina, their heirs and successors; and with my utmost power will defend them, and maintain the government according to this establishment in these fundamental constitutions.”

One hundred and eighteen. Whatsoever alien shall, in this form, before any precinct register, subscribe these fundamental constitutions, shall be thereby naturalized.

One hundred and nineteen. In the same manner shall every person, at his admittance into any office, subscribe these fundamental constitutions.

One hundred and twenty. These fundamental constitutions, in number a hundred and twenty, and every part thereof, shall be and remain the sacred and unalterable form and rule of government of Carolina forever. Witness our hands and seals, the first day of March, sixteen hundred and sixty-nine.

THE MECKLENBURGH RESOLUTIONS—1775*a

I. Resolved: That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, or in any way, form, or manner countenances the unchartered and dangerous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this country—to America—and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man.

II. Resolved: That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing association, under the control of no power, other than that of our God and the General Government of the Congress: To the maintainance of which Independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our Lives, our Fortunes, and our most Sacred Honor.

III. Resolved: That as we acknowledge the existence and control of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this county, we do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each, and every Edition: current; Page: [2787] one of our former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, or authorities therein.

IV. Resolved: That all, each, and every Military Officer in this country is hereby reinstated in his former command and authority, he acting conformably to their regulations, and that every Member present of this Delegation, shall henceforth be a Civil Officer, viz: a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a Committee Man, to issue process, hear and determine all matters of controversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve Peace, Union, and Harmony in said county, to use every exertion to spread the Love of Country and Fire of Freedom throughout America, until a more general and organized government be established in this Province.

CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA—1776*a

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF 1776a

(Ratified 1835)

Article 1. Section 1. One. The senate of this State shall consist of fifty representatives, biennially chosen by ballot, and to be elected by districts; which districts shall be laid off by the general assembly, at its first session after the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-one; and afterwards, at its first session after the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one; and then every twenty years thereafter, in proportion to the public taxes paid into the treasury of the State, by the citizens thereof; and the average of the public taxes paid by Edition: current; Page: [2795] each county into the treasury of the State, for the five years preceding the laying off of the districts, shall be considered as its proportion of the public taxes, and constitute the basis of apportionment: Provided, That no county shall be divided in the formation of a senatorial district. And when there are one or more counties having an excess of taxation above the ratio to form a senatorial district, adjoining a county or counties deficient in such ratio, the excess or excesses aforesaid shall be added to the taxation of the county or counties deficient; and if, with such addition, the county or counties receiving it shall have the requisite ratio, such county and counties each shall constitute a senatorial district.

Two. The house of commons shall be composed of one hundred and twenty representatives, biennially chosen by ballot, to be elected by counties according to their Federal population, that is, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons; and each county shall have at least one member in the house of commons, although it may not contain the requisite ratio of population.

Three. This apportionment shall be made by the general assembly, at the respective times and periods when the districts for the senate are hereinbefore directed to be laid off; and the said apportionment shall be made according to an enumeration to be ordered by the general assembly, or according to the census which may be taken by order of Congress, next preceding the making such apportionment.

Four. In making the apportionment in the house of commons, the ratio of representation shall be ascertained by dividing the amount of Federal population in the State, after deducting that comprehended within those counties which do not severally contain the one hundred and twentieth part of the entire Federal population aforesaid, by the number of representatives less than the number assigned to the said counties. To each county containing the said ratio, and not twice the said ratio, there shall be assigned one representative; to each county containing twice, but not three times the said ratio, there shall be assigned two representatives, and so on progressively; and then the remaining representatives shall be assigned severally to the counties having the largest fractions.

Sec. 2. One. Until the first session of the general assembly which shall be had after the year eighteen hundred and forty-one, the senate shall be composed of members to be elected from the several districts hereinafter named, that is to say, the first district shall consist of the counties of Perquimons and Pasquotank; the second district of Camden and Currituck; the third district, Gates and Chowan; the fourth district, Washington and Tyrrell; the fifth district, Northampton; the sixth district, Hertford; the seventh district, Bertie; the eighth district, Martin; the ninth district, Halifax; the tenth district, Nash; the eleventh district, Wake; the twelfth district, Franklin; the thirteenth district, Johnston; the fourteenth district, Warren; the fifteenth district, Edgecomb; the sixteenth district, Wayne; the seventeenth district, Green and Lenoir; the eighteenth district, Pitt; the nineteenth district, Beaufort and Hyde; the twentieth district, Carteret and Jones; the twenty-first district, Edition: current; Page: [2796] Craven; the twenty-second district, Chatham; the twenty-third district, Granville; the twenty-fourth district, Person; the twenty-fifth district, Cumberland; the twenty-sixth district, Sampson; the twenty-seventh district, New Hanover; the twenty-eighth district, Duplin; the twenty-ninth district, Onslow; the thirtieth district, Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus; the thirty-first district, Robeson and Richmond; the thirty-second district, Anson; the thirty-third district, Cabarrus; the thirty-fourth district, Moore and Montgomery; the thirty-fifth district, Caswell; the thirty-sixth district, Rockingham; the thirty-seventh district, Orange; the thirty-eighth district, Randolph; the thirty-ninth district, Guilford; the fortieth district, Stokes; the forty-first district, Rowan; the forty-second district, Davidson; the forty-third district, Surry; the forty-fourth district, Wilkes and Ashe; the forty-fifth district, Burke and Yancy; the forty-sixth district, Lincoln; the forty-seventh district, Iredell; the forty-eighth district, Rutherford; the forty-ninth district, Buncombe, Haywood, and Macon; the fiftieth district, Mecklenburg; each district to be entitled to one senator.

Two. Until the first session of the general assembly after the year eighteen hundred and forty-one, the house of commons shall be composed of members elected from the counties in the following manner, viz:

The counties of Lincoln and Orange shall elect four members each.

The counties of Burke, Chatham, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Rutherford, Surry, Stokes, and Wake, shall elect three members each.

The counties of Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Buncombe, Cumberland, Craven, Caswell, Davidson, Duplin, Edgecomb, Franklin, Johnston, Montgomery, New Hanover, Northampton, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Richmond, Rockingham, Sampson, Warren, Wayne, and Wilkes shall elect two members each.

The counties of Ashe, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Columbus, Chowan, Currituck, Carteret, Cabarrus, Gates, Greene, Haywood, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Macon, Moore, Martin, Nash, Onslow, Pasquotank, Perquimons, Tyrrell, Washington, and Yancy shall elect one member each.

Sec. 3. One. Each member of the senate shall have usually resided in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election, and for the same time shall have possessed and continue to possess in the district which he represents, not less than three hundred acres of land in fee.

Two. All free men of the age of twenty-one years, (except as is hereinafter declared,) who have been inhabitants of any one district within the State, twelve months immediately preceding the day of any election, and possessed of a freehold within the same district of fifty acres of land, for six months next before and at the day of election, shall be entitled to vote for a member of the senate.a

Three. No free negro, free mulatto, or free person of mixed blood, descended from negro ancestors, to the fourth generation inclusive, (though one ancestor of each generation may have been a white person,) shall vote for members of the senate or house of commons.

Sec. 4. One. In the election of all officers, whose appointment is conferred on the general assembly by the constitution, the vote shall be viva voce.

Two. The general assembly shall have power to pass laws regulating the mode of appointing and removing militia officers.

Three. The general assembly shall have power to pass general laws, regulating divorce and alimony, but shall not have power to grant a divorce or secure alimony in any individual case.

Four. The general assembly shall not have power to pass any private law to alter the name of any person, or to legitimate any persons not born in lawful wedlock, or to restore to the rights of citizenship, any person convicted of an infamous crime; but shall have power to pass general laws regulating the same.

Five. The general assembly shall not pass any private law, unless it shall be made to appear, that thirty days’ notice of application to pass such law shall have been given, under such directions and in such manner as shall be provided by law.

Six. If vacancies shall occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, before the meeting of the general assembly, writs may be issued by the governor, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.

Seven. The general assembly shall meet biennially, and at each biennial session shall elect by joint vote of the two houses a secretary of state, treasurer, and council of state, who shall continue in office for the term of two years.

Art. II. One. The governor shall be chosen by the qualified voters for the members of the house of commons, at such time and places as members of the general assembly are elected.

Two. He shall hold his office for the term of two years from the time of his installation, and until another shall be elected and qualified; but he shall not be eligible more than four years in any term of six years.

Three. The returns of every election for governor shall be sealed up and transmitted to the seat of government by the returning officers, directed to the speaker of the senate, who shall open and publish them in the presence of a majority of the members of both houses of the general assembly. The person having the highest number of votes shall be governor; but if two or more shall be equal and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen governor by joint vote of both houses of the general assembly.

Four. Contested elections for governor shall be determined by both houses of the general assembly, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.

Five. The governor-elect shall enter on the duties of the office on the first day of January next after his election, having previously taken the oaths of office in the presence of the members of both branches of the general assembly, or before the chief justice of the supreme court, who, in case the governor-elect should be prevented from attendance before the general assembly, by sickness or other unavoidable cause, is authorized to administer the same.

Art. III. Section 1. One. The governor, judges of the supreme court, and judges of the superior courts, and all other officers of this State, (except justices of the peace and militia officers,) may be impeached for wilfully violating any article of the constitution, maladministration, or corruption.

Two. Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to remove from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under this State; but the party convicted may nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law.

Three. The house of commons shall have the sole power of impeachment. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. No person shall be convicted upon any impeachment unless two-thirds of the senators present shall concur in such conviction; and before the trial of any impeachment, the members of the senate shall take an oath or affirmation truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in question according to evidence.

Sec. 2. Any judge of the supreme court or of the superior courts may be removed from office for mental or physical inability, upon a concurrent resolution of two-thirds of both branches of the general assembly. The judge against whom the legislature may be about to proceed shall receive notice thereof, accompanied by a copy of the causes alleged for his removal, at least twenty days before the day on which either branch of the general assembly shall act thereon.

The salaries of the judges of the supreme court, or of the superior courts, shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

Sec. 3. Upon the conviction of any justice of the peace of any infamous crime, or of corruption or malpractice in office, the commission of such justice shall be thereby vacated, and he shall be forever disqualified from holding such appointment.

Sec. 4. The general assembly, at its first session after the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, and from time to time thereafter, shall appoint an attorney-general, who shall be commissioned by the governor, and shall hold his office for the term of four years; but if the general assembly should hereafter extend the term during which solicitors of the State shall hold their offices, then they shall have power to extend the term of office of the attorney-general to the same period.

Art. IV. Section 1. One. No convention of the people shall be called by the general assembly, unless by the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of each house of the general assembly.

Two. No part of the constitution of this State shall be altered, unless a bill to alter the same shall have been read three times in each house of the general assembly, and agreed to by three-fifths of the whole number of members of each house respectively; nor shall any alteration take place until the bill so agreed to shall have been published six months previous to a new election of members to the general assembly. If, after such publication, the alteration proposed by the preceding general assembly shall be agreed to in the first session thereafter, by two-thirds of the whole representation in each house of the general assembly, after the same shall have been read three times on three several days in each house, then the said general assembly shall prescribe a mode by which the amendment or amendments may be submitted to the qualified voters of the house of commons throughout the State; and if, upon comparing the votes given in the whole State, it shall appear that a majority of the voters have approved thereof, then, and not otherwise, the same shall become a part of the constitution.

Sec. 2. The thirty-second section of the constitution shall be Edition: current; Page: [2799] amended to read as follows: No person who shall deny the being of God, or the truth of the Christian religion, or the divine authority of the Old or New Testament, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom or safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil department within this State.

Sec. 3. One. Capitation-tax shall be equal throughout the State, upon all individuals subject to the same.

Two. All free males over the age of twenty-one years and under the age of forty-five years, and all slaves over the age of twelve years and under the age of fifty years, shall be subject to capitation-tax, and no other person shall be subject to such tax: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall prevent exemptions of taxable polls, as heretofore prescribed by law in cases of bodily infirmity.

Sec. 4. No person who shall hold any office or place of trust or profit under the United States, or any department thereof, or under this State, or any other State or government, shall hold or exercise any other office or place of trust or profit under the authority of this State, or be eligible to a seat in either house of the general assembly: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall extend to officers in the militia or justices of the peace.

(Ratified Dec. 11, 1856.)

Article I. Sec. 3. Clause two: Every free white man at the age of twenty-one years, being a native or naturalized citizen of the United States, and who has been an inhabitant of the State for twelve months immediately preceding the day of any election, and shall have paid public taxes, shall be entitled to a vote for a member of the senate for the district in which he resides.

CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA—1861

[A State convention, called by an act of the legislature, passed an ordinance of secession May 20, 1861, and revised the State constitution, which was not submitted to the people for ratification.]

ORDINANCE PROHIBITING SLAVERY IN NORTH CAROLINA—1865*a

Be it declared and ordained by the delegates of the people of the State of North Carolina in convention assembled, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise Edition: current; Page: [2800] than for crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby, forever prohibited within the State.

Ratified in convention this ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA—1868b