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and grant, by vertue of these presents, aswel unto the said

now Lord Baltemore and his Heires, as to all other that

shall from time to time repaire unto that province, with a

purpose to inhabite there, or to trade with the Natives of

the said Province, full licence to Lade and Fraight in any

Ports whatsoever, of Vs, Our Heires and Successors, and

into the said Province of Maryland, by them, their ser-

vants, or assignes, to transport, all and singular, their

Goods, Wares, and Merchandize; as likewise all sorts of

graine whatsoever, and any other things whatsoever, nec-

essary for food or clothing (not prohibited by the Lawes

and Statutes of our Kingdomes and Dominions to bee car-

ried out of the said kingdomes) without any lett, or

molestation of Vs, Our Heires, or Successors, or of any of

the officers of Vs, Our Heires, or Successors; (saving

alwayes, to Vs, Our Heires, and Successors, the Imposi-

tions, Customes, and other duties and payments for the

said Wares and Merchandise) any Statute, Act, Ordinance

or other thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.

And because in so remote a Country, and situate

amongst so many barbarous nations, the incursions aswell

of the salvages themselves, as of other enemies, pyrates

and robbers, may probably be feared: Therefore We have

given, and for Vs, Our Heires, and Successors, doe give

power by these presents, unto the now Lord Baltemore, his

heires and assignes, by themselves, or their Captaines, or

other their officers, to Leauy, Muster and Traine, all sorts

of men, of what condition, or wheresoever borne, in the

said Province of Mary-Land for the time being, and to

make warre, and to pursue the Enemies and Robbers

aforesaid, aswell by sea as by land, yea, even without the

limits of the said Province, and (by Gods assistance) to van-

quish and take them, and being taken, to put them to

death by the Law of warre, or to save them at their plea-

sure, and to doe all and every other thing which unto the

charge and office of a Captaine Generall of an Army

belongeth, or hath accustomed to belong, as fully and

freely, as any Captaine Generall of an army hath ever had

the same.

Also, Our Will and Pleasure is, and by this Our Char-

ter, We doe give unto the said now Lord Baltemore, his

heires, and assignes, full power, liberty, and authority, in

case of Rebellion, Tumult, or Sedition, if any should hap-

pen (which God forbid) either upon the land within the

Province aforesaid, or upon the maine sea, in making a

voyage thither, or returning from thence, by themselves, or

their captains, deputies or other offices, to be authorized

under their seales for that purpose (to whom we also for

Vs, Our Heires and Successors, doe give and grant by

these presents, full power and authority) to exercise Mar-

tiall Law against mutinous and seditious persons of those

parts, such as shall refuse to submit themselves to his, or

their government, or shall refuse to serve in the warres, or

shall flie to the Enemy, or forsake their Ensignes, or by

loyterers, or straglers, or otherwise howsoever offending

against the Law, Custome, and Discipline military, as

freely, and in as ample manner and forme, as any Captaine

generall of an army by vertue of his office might, or hath

accustomed to use the same.

Fvrthermore, That the way to honors and dignities,

may not seeme to be altogether precluded and shut up, to

men well borne, and such as shall prepare themselves unto

this present Plantation, and shall desire to deserve well of

Vs, and Our Kingdomes, both in peace and war, in so farre

distant and remote a Countrey: Therefore We, for Vs, Our

Heires and Suceessors, doe give free, and absolute power,

unto the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes,

to conferre favours, rewards, and honours, upon such

inhabitants within the Province aforesaid, as shall deserve

the same; and to invest them, with what titles and dignities

soever, as he shall thinke fit, (so as they be not such as are

now used in England) As likewise to erect and incorporate,

Townes into Boroughes, and Boroughs into Cities, with

convenient priuiledges and immunities, according to the

merit of the inhabitants, and the fitnesse of the places, and

to doe all and every other thing or things, touching the

premises, which to him, or them, shall seeme meete and

requisite; albeit they be such as of their owne nature might

otherwise require a more speciall commandement and

warrant, then in there Presents is expressed.

Wee will also, and by these Presents, for Vs, Our

Heires and Successors, We doe give and grant licence, by

this Our Charter, unto the said now Lord Baltemore, his

heires and assignes, and to all the inhabitants and dwellers

in the Province aforesaid, both present and to come, to

import, or unlade, by themselves, or their servants factors,

or assignes, all Merchandizes and goods whatsoever, that

shall arise of the fruits and commodities of the said

Province, either by land or sea, into any of the ports of Vs,

Our Heires and Successors, in Our kingdomes of England,

or Ireland, or otherwise to dispose of the said goods, in the

said Ports, and if need be, within one yeere next after the

unlading of the same, to lade the said merchandizes and

goods againe, into the same or other ships, and to export

the same into any other Countreys, either of our Domin-

ion or forreigne, (being in Amity with Vs, Our Heires and

Successors) Provided alwayes, that they pay such Cus-

tomes, Impositions, Subsidies and Duties for the same, to

Vs, Our Heires and Successors, as the rest of Our Subjects

of Our Kingdome of England, for the time being, shall be

bound to pay: beyond which, We will not that the inhabi-

tants of the foresaid Province of Mary-land, shall be any

way charged.

And fvrthermore, of Our more ample and special

Grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion, We doe,

for Vs, Our Heires and Successor, grant unto the said now

Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes, full and absolute

power and authority, to make, erect, and constitute, within

122 ERA 2: Colonization and Settlement

the Province of Mary-land, and the Iles and Iletts afore-

said, such, and so many Seaports, Harbours, Creekes, and

other places, for discharge and unlading of goods and mer-

chadises, out of Ships, Boates, and other vessels, and lad-

ing them, and in such and so many places, and with such

Rights, Jurisdictions, Liberties and Priviledges unto the

said ports belonging, as to him or them shall seeme most

expedient. And that all and singular the Ships, Boats, and

other Vessells, which shall come for merchandize and

trade unto the said Province, or out of the same shall

depart; shall be laden and unladen only at such Ports as

shall be so erected and constituted by the said now Lord

Baltemore, his heires or assignes, any Vse, Custome or

other thing to the contrary notwithstanding; saving alwayes

unto Vs, Our heires and Successors, and to all the Subjects

(of Our Kingdome of England and Ireland of Vs, Our

Heires and Successors, free liberty of fishing for Sea-fish,

aswell in the Sea, Bayes, Inletts, and navigable Rivers as in

the Harbours, Bayes and Creekes of the Province afore-

said, and the Priviledges of salting and drying their fish on

the shore of the said Province, and for the same cause, to

cut and take underwood, or twiggs there growing, and to

build Cottages and Shedds necessary in this behalfe, as

they heretofore have, or might reasonably have used;

which Liberties and Priviledges, nevertheless, the Subjects

aforesaid, of Vs, Our Heires and Successors, shall enjoy

without any notable dammage, or injury, to be done to

the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires, or assignes, or to

the dwellers and inhabitants of the said Province, in the

Ports, Creekes and shores aforesaid, and especially in the

woods and Copses growing within the said Province: And

if any shall doe any such dammage, or injury, he shall in-

curre the heavy displeasure of Vs, Our Heires and Succes-

sors, the punishment of the Lawes; and shall moreover

make satisfaction.

Wee doe furthermore, will, appoint, and ordaine, and

by these Presents, for Vs, Our Heires and Successors, We

doe grant unto the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires

and assignes, that he the said Lord Baltemore, his heires

and assignes, may from time to time for ever, have and

enjoy, the Customes and Subsidies, in the Ports, Harbours,

and other Creekes and places aforesaid, within the

Province aforesaid; payable, or due for merchandizes and

wares, thereto be laded or unladed, the said Customes and

Subsidies to be reasonably assessed (upon any occasion) by

themselves and the people there, as aforesaid; to whom we

give power by these Presents for Vs, Our Heires and Suc-

cessors upon just cause, and in a due proportion, to assesse

and impose the same.

And Fvrther, of Our speciall grace, and of Our cer-

taine knowledge, and meere motion, Wee have given

granted, and confirmed, and by these Presents for Vs, Our

Heires and Successors, doe give, grant, and confirme unto

the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes, full

and absolute licence, power, and authoritie, that hee the

said now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes, from

time to time hereafter for ever, at his, or their will, and

pleasure, may assigne, aliene, grant, demise, or enfeoffe of

the Premises so many, and such parts and parcells, to him

or them that shall be willing to purchase the same, as they

shall thinke fit, To Have and to hold to them the sayd

person, or persons, willing to take or purchase the same,

their heires and assignes in fee simple, or fee taile, or for

terme of life, or lives, or yeeres, to bee held of the said now

Lord Baltemore, his heires, and assignes, by such seruices,

customes, and rents, as shall seeme fit to the said now Lord

Baltemore, his heires and assignes; and not immediately

of Vs, Our Heires or Successors: and to the same person

or persons, and to all and every of them. Wee doe give

and grant by these Presents for Vs, Our Heires and Suc-

cessors, licence, authoritie, and power, that such person or

persons may take the premises, or any parcell thereof, of

the foresaid now Lord Baltemore, his heires or assignes,

and the same hold to themselues, their heires, or assignes,

(in what estate of inheritance soever, in fee simple, or in

fee taile, or otherwise, as to them, and the now Lord Bal-

temore, his heires and assignes, shall seems expedient) of

the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes; the

statute made in the Parliament of Edward, Sonne of King

Henry, late King of England, Our Predecessor, commonly

called the Statute Qhia emptores terrarum, lately pub-

lished in Our Kingdome of England, or any other Statute,

Acte, Ordinance, Vse, Law, or Custome, or any other

thing, cause, or matter thereupon heretofore had, done,

published, ordained, or provided to the contrary, in any

wise notwithstanding; And by these Presents, Wee give,

and grant licence unto the said now Lord Baltemore, and

his heires, to erect any parcells of land within the Province

aforesaid, into Mannors, and in every of the said Mannors,

to have, and to hold a Court Baron, with all things whatso-

ever, which to a Court Baron, doe belong, and to have and

hold viewe of Franck-pledge, (for the conseruation of the

peace, and the better government of those Parts,) by

themselues or their stewards, or by the Lords for the time

being of other Mannors, to bee deputed, when they shall

bee erected: and in the same, to use all things belonging to

View of Franck-Pledge.

And Fvrther, Our pleasure is, and by these Presents,

for Vs, Our Heires, and Successors, wee doe covenant and

grant to and with the said now Lord Baltemore, his heires

and assignes; That Wee, Our Heires and Successors, shall

at no time hereafter, set, or make, or cause to be set, any

Imposition, Custome, or other Taxation, Rate, or Contri-

bution whatsoever, in or upon the dwellers and inhabitants

of the foresaid Province, for their Lands, Tenements,

goods or Chattells within the said Province, or in or upon

any goods or merchandizes, within the said Province, or to

be laden, or unladen within any the Ports or harbours of

The Establishment of Colonies and Settlements 123

the said Province: And Our pleasure is, and for Vs, Our

Heires, and Successors, Wee charge and command, that

this Our Declaration shall be henceforward from time to

time received, and allowed in all Our Courts, and before

all the Judges of Vs, Our Heires and Successors, for a suf-

ficient and lawfull discharge payment, and acquittance;

Commanding all and singular, our Officers and Ministers

of Vs, our Heires and Successors, and enjoyning them

upon paine of Our high displeasure, that they doe not pre-

sume at any time to attempt any thing to the contrary of

the premises, or that they doe in any sort withstand the

same, but that they be at all times ayding and assisting, as

is fitting, unto the said now Lord Baltemore, and his heires,

and to the Inhabitants, and Merchants of Maryland afore-

said, their seruants, ministers, factors and assignes, in the

full use and fruition of the benefit of this Our Charter.

And Fvrther, Our pleasure is, and by these Presents for

Vs, our Heires and Successors, Wee doe grant unto the said

now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assignes, and to the

Tenants, and Inhabitants of the said Province of Mary-land,

both present, and to come, and to every of them, that the

said Province, Tenants, and Inhabitants of the said Colony

or Countrey, shall not from henceforth bee held or reputed

as a member, or a part of the land of Virginia, or of any other

Colony whatsoever, now transported, or hereafter to be

transported, nor shall be depending on, or subject to their

government in any thing, from whom Wee doe separate

that, and them, and Our pleasure is, by these Presents that

they bee separated, and that they be subject immediately to

Our Crowne of England, as depending thereof for ever.

And if Perchance hereafter it should happen, that any

doubts or questions should arise, concerning the true

sence and understanding of any word, clause, or sentece

contained in this Our present Charter, Wee will, ordaine,

and command, that at all times, and in all things, such

Interpretation bee made thereof, and allowed in any of

Our Courts whatsoever, as shall be judged most aduanta-

gious, and favourable unto the the said now Lord Balte-

more, his heires and assignes. Provided alwayes, that no

Interpretation bee admitted thereof, by which Gods Holy

and Truely Christian Religion, or the allegeance due unto

Vs, Our Heires and Successors, may in any thing suffer any

prejudice, or diminution.

Although expresse mention bee not made in these

Presents, of the true yeerely value, or certainty of the

premises, or of any part thereof, or of other gifts and

grants, made by Vs, Our Heires, and Predecessors, unto

the said now Lord Baltemore, or any Statute, Acte, Ordi-

nance, 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 wife notwithstanding.

In Witnesse whereof, Wee have caused these Our Let-

ters to bee made Pattents, Witnesse Our selfe at Westmin-

ster, the Twentieth day of June, In the Eighth yeere of Our

Reigne.

Source:

The Charter of Maryland, June 20, 1632. Archives of Maryland

Online. Vol. 549, pp. 9–31. Available on-line. URL: www.

mdarchives.state.md.us. Accessed December 2003.

Charter of Connecticut, 1662

Legal charter for Connecticut secured by Governor John

Winthrop by petition to King Charles II of England and granted

on April 23, 1662. It superseded the Fundamental Orders of

Connecticut while retaining and incorporating essential char-

acteristics of the orders into the new charter. In 1687, in an

attempt by England’s King James II to annul the charter, En-

gland requested its surrender to Sir Edmund Andros, governor

of the Dominion of New England. However, during an oration

by Governor Robert Treat of Connecticut against its surrender,

the lights were extinguished, and the charter was whisked

away by Joseph Wadsworth and placed in a hollow tree, later

known as the Charter Oak. The charter remained the basic law

of Connecticut until 1818.

________________________

_______________________

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.

Whereas by the several Navigations, Discoveries, and

Successful Plantations of divers of Our loving Subjects of

this Our Realm of England, several lands, Islands, Places,

Colonies, and Plantations have been obtained and settled

in that Part of the Continent of America called New-

England, and thereby the Trade and Commerce there,

hath been of late Years much increased: And whereas We

have been informed by the hirable Petition of our Trusty

and Well beloved John Winthrop, John Mason, Samuel

Wyllys, Henry Clarke, Matthew Allyn, John Tapping,

Nathan Gold, Richard Treat, Richard Lord, Henry Wol-

cott, John Talcott, Daniel Clarke, John Ogden, Thomas

Wells, Obadias Brewen, John Clerke, Anthony Hawkins,

John Deming, and Matthew Camfeild, being Persons prin-

cipally interested in Our Colony or Plantation of Con-

necticut, in New England, that the same Colony, or the

greatest part thereof, was Purchased and obtained for

great and valuable Considerations, and some other Part

thereof gained by Conquest, and with touch difficulty, and

at the only Endeavors, Cadence, and Charges of theirs and

their Associates, arced those under whom they Claim,

Subdued, and Improved, and thereby become a consider-

able Enlargement and Addition of Our Dominions and

Interest there. Now Know Ye, That in consideration there-

124 ERA 2: Colonization and Settlement

of, and in Regard the said Colony is remote from other the

English Plantations in the places aforesaid, and to the End

the Affairs and Business which shall from Time to Time

happen or arise concerning the same, may be duly

Ordered and Managed, we have thought fit, and at the

humble Petition of the Persons aforesaid, and are gra-

ciously Pleased to create and make them a Body Politicly

and Corporate, with the Powers and Privileges herein after

mentioned; and accordingly Our Will and Pleasure is, and

of our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer

Motion, We have ordained, constituted and declared, and

by these presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Do

ordain, constitute and declare, that they the said John

Winthrop, John Mason, Samuel Wyllys, Henry Clarke,

Matthew Allyn, John Tapping, Nathan Gold, Richard

Treat, Richard lord, Henry Wolcott, John Talcott, Daniel

Clarke, John Ogden, Thomas Wells, Obadiah Bowed, John

Clerke, Anthony Hawkins, John Deming, and Matthew

Camfeild, and all such others as now are, or hereafter shall

be admitted and made free of the Company and Society of

Our Colony of Connecticut, in America, shall from Time to

Time, and for ever hereafter, be One Body Corporate and

politique, in Fact and Name, by the Name of, Governor

and Company of the English colony of Connecticut in

New-England, in America;

And that by the same Name they and their Successors

shall and may have perpetual Succession, and shall and

may be Persons able and capable in the Law, to plead and

be impleaded, to answer and to be answered unto, to

defend and be defended in all and singular Suits, Causes,

Quarrels, Matters, Actions, and Things, of what Kind or

Nature soever; and also to have, take, possess, acquire, and

purchase Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments, or any

Goods or Chattels, and the same to lease, grant, demise,

alien, bargain, sell, and dispose of, as other Our liege Peo-

ple of this Our Realm of England, or any other Corpora-

tion or Body Politique within the same may lawfully do.

And further, That the said Governor and Company, and

their Successors shall and may forever hereafter have a

common Seal, to serve and use for all Causes, Matters,

Things, and affairs whatsoever, of them and their Succes-

sors, and the same Seal, to alter, change, break and make

new from Time to Time, at their Wills and Pleasures, as

they shall think fit. And further, We will and ordain, and by

these Presents, forms, our Heirs and Successors, do

declare and appoint, that for the better ordering and man-

aging of the Affairs and Business of the said Company and

their Successors, there shall be One Governor, One

Deputy-Governor, and Twelve Assistants, to be from time

to Time constituted, elected and chosen out of the

Freemen of the said Company for the Time being, in such

Manner and Form as hereafter in these Presents is

expressed, which said Officers shall apply themselves to

take Care for the best disposing and ordering of the gen-

eral Business and all airs of and concerning the Land and

Hereditaments herein after mentioned to- be granted, and

the Plantation thereof, and the Government of the People

thereof: And for the better Execution of Our Royal Plea-

sure herein, We do for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors,

assign, name, constitute and appoint the aforesaid John

Winthrop to be the first and present Governor of the said

Company, and the said John Mason, to be the Deputy-

Governor, and the said Samuel Wyllys, Matthew Allyn,

Nathan Gold, Henry Clerke, Richard Treat, John Ogden,

John Tapping, John Talcott, Thomas Wells, Henry Wolcott,

Richard Lord, and Daniel Clerke, to be the Twelve present

assistants of the said Company, to continue in the said sev-

eral Offices respectively, until the second Thursday which

shall be in the Month of October now next coming. And

further we Will, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs,

and Successors, Do ordain and grant, That the Governor

of the said Company for the Time being, or in his Absence

by occasion of Sickness, or otherwise by his Leave or Per-

mission, the Deputy-Governor for the Time being, shall

and may from Time to Time upon all Occasions, give

Order for the assembling of the said Company, and calling

them together to consult and advise of the Business and

Affairs of the said Company, and that for ever hereafter,

twice in every Year, That is to say, On every Second Thurs-

day in October, and on every Second Thursday in May, or

oftener in case it shall be requisite; the Assistants, and

Freemen of the said Company, or such of them (not

exceeding Two Persons from each Place, Town, or City)

who shall be from Time to Time hereunto elected or

deputed by the major Part of the Freemen of the respec-

tive Towns, Cities, and Places for which they shall be

elected or deputed, shall have a General Meeting or

Assembly, then and there to consult and advise in and

about the Affairs and Business of the said Company: and

that the Governor, or in his Absence the Deputy-Governor

of the said Company for the Time being, and such of the

Assistants and Freemen of the said Company as shall be so

elected or deputed, and be present at such Meeting or

Assembly, or the greatest Number of them, whereof the

Governor of Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Assistants at

least, to be Seven, shall be called the General Assembly,

and shall have full Popover and authority to alter-and

change their Days and Times of Meeting, or General-

Assemblies, for electing the Governor, Deputy-Governor,

and Assistants, other Officers or any other Courts, Assem-

blies or Meetings, and to choose, nominate and appoint

such and so many other Persons as they shall; and shall be

willing to accept the same, to be Free of the said Company

and Body Politique, and them into the same to admit; And

to elect and constitute such Officers as they shall think fit

and requisite for the ordering, managing and disposing of

the Affairs of the said Governor and Company, and their

Successors:

The Establishment of Colonies and Settlements 125

And we do hereby for Us, Our Heirs and Successors,

establish and ordain, That once in the Year for ever here-

after, Namely, the said Second Thursday in May, the Gov-

ernor, Deputy-Governor, and Assistants of the said

Company, and other Officers of the said Company, or such

of them as the said General Assembly shall thinly fit, shall

be in the said General Court and Assembly to be held from

that Day or Time, newly chosen for the Year ensuing, by

such greater Part of the said Company for the Time being,

then and there present; and if the Governor, Deputy-

Governor, and Assistants by these Presents appointed, or

such as hereafter be newly chosen into their Rooms, or any

of them, or any other the Officers to be appointed for the

said Company shall die, or be removed from his or their

several Offices or Places before the said general Day of

Election, whom We do hereby declare for any Misde-

meanor or Default, to be removable by the Governor,

Assistants, and Company, or such greater Part of them in

any of the said public Courts to be assembled, as is afore-

said, that then and in every such Case, it shall and may be

lawful to and for the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and

Assistants, and Company aforesaid, or such greater Part of

them so to be assembled, as is aforesaid, in any of their

Assemblies, to proceed to a new Election of one or more

of their Company, in the Room or Place, Rooms or Places

of such Governor, Deputy-Governor, Assistant, or other

Officer or Officers so dying or removed, according to their

Discretions, and immediately upon and after such Elec-

tion or Elections made of such Governor, Deputy-Gover-

nor, Assistant or Assistants, or any other Officer of the said

Company, in Manner and Form aforesaid, the Authority,

Office and Power before given to the former Governor,

Deputy-Governor, or other Officer and Officers so

removed, in whose Stead and Place new shall be chosen,

shall as to him and them, and every of them respectively,

cease and determine.

Provided also, And Our Will and Pleasure is, That as

well such as are by these Presents appointed to be the pre-

sent Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Assistants of the

said Company, as those that shall succeed them, and all

other Officers to be appointed and chosen, as aforesaid,

shall before they undertake the Execution of their said

Offices and Places respectively, take their several and

respective corporal Oaths for the due and faithful Perfor-

mance of their Duties, in their several Offices and Places,

before such Person or Persons as are by these Presents

hereafter appointed to take and receive the same; That is

to say, The said John Winthrop, who is herein before nom-

inated and appointed the present Governor of the said

Company, shall take the said Oath before One or more of

the Masters of Our Court of Chancery for the Time being,

unto which Master of Chancery, We do by these Presents

give full Power and Authority to administer the Oath to the

said John Winthrop accordingly: And the said John Mason,

who is herein before nominated and appointed the present

Deputy-Governor of the said Company, shall take Math

before the said John Winthrop, or any Two of the Assis-

tants of the said Company, unto whom We do by these

Presents give full Power and Authority to administer the

said Oath to the said John Mason accordingly: And the said

Saqnnel Wyllys, Henry Clerice, Matthew Allyn, John Tap-

ping, Nathan Cold, Richard Treat, Richard Lord, Henry

Wolcott, John Talcott, Daniel Clerke, John Ogden, and

Thomas Wells, who are herein before nominated and

appointed the present Assistants of the said Company,

shall take the Oath before the said John Winthrop, and

John Mason, or One of them, to whom We do hereby give

full Power and Authority to administer the same accord-

ingly.

And Our further Will and Pleasure is, that all and

every Governor, or Deputy-Governor to be elected and

chosen by Virtue of these Presents, shall take the said Oath

before Two or more of the Assistants of the said Company

for the Time being, unto whom We do by these Presents

give full Power and Authority to give and administer the

said Oath accordingly; and the said Assistants, and every of

them, and all and every other Officer or Officers to be here

after chosen from Time to Time, to take the said Oath

before the Governor, or Deputy-Governor for the Time

being, unto which Governor, or Deputy-Governor, We do

by these Presents give full Power and Authority to admin-

ister the same accordingly. And further, Of Our more

ample Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, We

have given and granted, and by these presents for Us, Our

Heirs and Successors, do give and grant unto the said Gov-

ernor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut,

in New England, in America, and to every Inhabitant

there, and to every Person and Persons trading thither, and

to every such Person and Persons as are or shall be Free of

the said Colony, full Power and Authority from Time to

Time, and at all Times hereafter, to take Ship, Transport

and carry away for and towards the Plantation and

Defence of the said Colony, such of Our loving Subjects

and Strangers, as shall or will willingly accompany them in,

and to their said Colony and Plantation, except such Per-

son and Persons as are or shall be therein restrained by Us,

Our Heirs and Successors; and also to ship and transport

all, and all Manner of Goods, Chattels, Merchandises, and

other Things whatsoever that are or shall be useful or nec-

essary for the Inhabitants of the said Colony, and may law-

fully be transported thither; Nevertheless, not to be

discharged of Payment to Us, our Heirs and Successors, of

the Duties, Customs and Subsidies which are or ought to

be paid or payable for the same.

And further, Our Will and Pleasure is, and We do for

Us, Our Heirs and Successors, ordain, declare, and grant

unto the said Governor and Company, and their Succes-

sors, That all, and every the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs, or

126 ERA 2: Colonization and Settlement

Successors, which shall go to inhabit within the said

Colony, and every of their Children, which shall happen to

be born there, or on the Seas in going thither, or returning

from thence, shall have and enjoy all Liberties and Immu-

nities of free Did natural Subjects within any the Domin-

ions of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, to all Intents,

Constructions and Purposes whatsoever, as if the they and

every of them were born within the realm of England; And

We do authorize and impower the Governor or in his

Absence the Deputy governor for the Time being, to

appoint Two or more of the said Assistants at any of their

Courts or Assemblies to be held as aforesaid, to have

Power and Authority to administer the Oath of Supremacy

and Obedience to all and every Person or Persons which

shall at any Time or Times hereafter go or pass into the

said Colony of Connecticut, unto which said Assistants so

to be appointed as aforesaid We do by these Presents give

full Power and Authority to administer the said Oath

accordingly. And We do further of Our especial Grace, cer-

tain Knowledge: and meer Motion, give, and grant unto

the said Governor and Company of the English Colony of

Connecticut, in New-England, in America, and their Suc-

cessors, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the Gov-

ernor, or Deputy-Governor, and such of the Assistants of

the said Company for the Time being as shall be assembled

in any of the General Courts aforesaid, or in any Courts to

be especially summoned or assembled for that Purpose, or

the greater part of them, whereof the Governor, or

Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Assistants to be always

Seven, to erect and make such Judicatories, for the hear-

ing, and determining of all Actions, Causes, Matters, and

Things happening within the said Colony, or Plantation,

and which shall be in Dispute, and Depending there, as

they shall think Fit, and Convenient, and also from Time

to Time to Make, Ordain, and Establish all manner of

wholesome, and reasonable Laws Statutes, Ordinances,

Directions, and Instructions, not Contrary to the Laws of

this Realm of England, as well for settling the Forms, and

Ceremonies of Government, and Magistracy, fit and nec-

essary for the said Plantation, and the Inhabitants there, as

for Naming, and Stiling all Sorts of Officers, both Superior

and Inferior, which they shall find Needful for the Gov-

ernment, and Plantation of the said Colony, and the distin-

guishing and setting forth of the several Duties, Powers,

and Limits of every such Office and Place, and the Forms

of such Oaths not being contrary to the Laws and Statutes

of this Our Realm of England, to be administered for the

Execution of the said several Offices and Places as also for

the disposing and ordering of the Election of such of the

said Officers as are to be annually chosen, and of such oth-

ers as shall succeed in case of Death or Removal, and

administring the said Oath to the newly-elected Officers,

and granting necessary Commissions, and for Imposition

of lawful Fines, Mulcts. Imprisonment or other Punish-

ment upon Offenders and Delinquents according to the

Curse of other Corporations within this our Kingdom of

England, and the same Laws, Fines, Mulcts and Execu-

tions, to alter, change, revoke, annul, release, or pardon

under their Common Seal, as by the said General Assem-

bly, or the major Part of them shall be thought fit, and for

the directing, ruling and disposing of all other Matters and

things, whereby Our said People Inhabitants there, may be

so religiously, peaceably and civilly governed, as their good

Life and orderly Conversation may win and invite the

Natives of the Country to the Knowledge and Obedience

of the only true GOD, and He Saviour of Mankind, and

the Christian Faith, which in Our Royal Intentions, and

the adventurers free Possession, is the only and principal

End of this Plantation; willing, commanding and requiring,

and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors,

ordaining and appointing, that all such Laws, Statutes and

Ordinances, Instructions, Impositions and Directions as

shall be so made by the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and

Assistants as aforesaid, and published in Writing under

their Common Seal, shall carefully and duly be observed,

kept, performed, and put in Execution, according to the

true Intent and Meaning of The same, and these Our Let-

ters Patents, or the Duplicate, or Exemplification thereof,

shall be to all and every such Officers, Superiors and Infe-

riors from Time to Time, for the putting of the same

Orders, Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Instructions, and

Directions in due Execution, against Us, Our Heirs and

Successors, a sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

And We do further for Us, Our Heirs and Successors,

give and grant unto the said Governor and Company, and

their Successors, by these Presents, That it shall and may

be lawful to, and for the Chief Commanders, Governors

and Officers of the said Company for the Time being, who

shall be resident in the Parts of New-England hereafter

mentioned, and others inhabiting there, by their Leave,

Admittance Appointment, or Direction, from Time to

Time, and at All Times hereafter, for their special Defence

and Safety, to Assemble, Martial-Array, and put in warlike

Posture the Inhabitants of the said Colony, and to Com-

missionate, Impower, and Authorize such Person or Per-

sons as they shall think fit, to lead and conduct the said

Inhabitants, and to encounter, expulse, repel and resist by

Force of Arms, as well by Sea as by Land, and also to kill,

slay, and destroy by all fitting Ways Enterprises, and

Means whatsoever, all and every such Person or Persons as

shall at any Time hereafter attempt or enterprise the

Destruction, Invasion, Detriment, or Annoyance of the

said Inhabitants or Plantation, and to use and exercise the

Law Martial in such Cases only as Occasion shall require;

and to take or surprize by all Ways and Means whatsoever,

all and every such Person and Persons, with their Ships’

Armour, Ammunition and other Goods of such as shall in

such hostile Manner invade or attempt the defeating of the

The Establishment of Colonies and Settlements 127

said Plantation, or the hurt of the said Company and

Inhabitants, and upon just Causes to invade and destroy

the Natives, or other Enemies of the said Colony. Never-

theless; Our Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby

declare unto all Christian Icings, Princes, and States, that

if any Persons which shall hereafter lie of the said Com-

pany or Plantation, or any other by Appointment of the

said Governor and Company for the Time being, shall at

anv Time or Times hereafter rob or spoil by Sea or by

Land, and do any Hurt, Violence, or unlawful Hostility to

any of the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, or any

of the Subjects of any Prince or State, being then in

League with Us, Our Heirs or Successors, upon Complaint

of such Injury done to any such Prince or State, or their

Subjects, We, Our Heirs and Successors will make open

Proclamation within any Parts of Our Realm of England fit

for that Purpose, thin the Person or Persons committing

any such Robbery or Spoil, shall within the Time limited

by such Proclamation, make full Restitution or Satisfaction

of all such Injuries Lone or committed, so as the Said

Prince, or others so complaining may be fully satisfied and

contented; and if the said Person or Persons who shall

commit any such Robbery or Spoil shall not make Satis-

faction accordingly, within such Time so to be limited, that

then it shall and may be lawful for Us, Our Heirs and Suc-

cessors, to put such Person or Persons out of (whir Alle-

giance and Protection; and that it shall and may be lawful

and free for all Princes or others to prosecute with Hostil-

ity such Offenders, and every of them, their, and every of

their Procurers, Aiders, Abettors and Counsellors in that

Behalf.

Provided also, and Our express Will and Pleasure is,

and We do by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Suc-

cessors, Ordain and Appoint, that these Presents shall not

in any Manner hinder any of Our loving Subjects whatso-

ever to use and exercise the Trade of Fishing upon the

Coast of New-England, in America, but they and every or

any of them shall have full and free Power and Liberty, to

continue, and use the said Trade of Fishing upon the said

Coast, in any of the Seas thereunto adjoining, or any Arms

of the Seas, or Salt Water Rivers where they have been

accustomed to fish, and to build and set up on the. waste

Land belonging to the said Colony of Connecticut, such

Wharves, Stages, and Work-Houses as shall be necessary

for the salting, drying, and keeping of their Fish to be

taken, or gotten upon that Coast, any Thing in these Pre-

sents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And

Know Ye further, That We, of Our abundant Grace, certain

Knowledge, and mere Motion, have given, granted, and

confirmed, and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs and

Successors, do give, grant and confirm unto the said Gov-

ernor and Company, and their Successors, all that Part of

Our Dominions in New-England in America, bounded on

the East by Narraganset-River, commonly called Narra-

ganset-Bay, where the said River falleth into the Sea; and

on the North by the Line of the If Massachusetts-Planta-

tion; and on the South by the Sea; and in Longitude as the

Line of the Massachusetts-Colony, running from East to

West, That is to say, From the said Narraganset-Bay on the

East, to the South Sea on the West Part, with the Islands

thereunto adjoining, together with all firm Lands, Soils,

Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Dishings, Mines,

Minerals, precious Stones, Quarries, and all and singular

other Commodities, Jurisdictions, Royalties, Privileges,

Franchises, Preheminences, and Hereditaments whatso-

ever, within the said Tract, Bounds, Lands, and Islands

aforesaid, or to them or any of them belonging. To have

and to hold the same unto the said Governor and Com-

pany, their Successors and Assigns for ever, upon Trust,

and for the Use and Benefit of Themselves and their Asso-

ciates, Freemen of the said Colony, their Heirs and

Assigns, to be holden of Its, Our Heirs and Successors, as

of Our Manor of East-Greenwich, in free and common

Soccage, and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service, yield-

ing and paying therefore to Us, Our Heirs and Successors,

only the Fifth Part of all the Ore of Gold add Silver which

from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, shall be

there gotten, had, or obtained, in Lieu of all Services,

Duties, and Demands whatsoever, to be to Us, our Heirs,

or Successors therefore, or thereout rendered, made, or

paid. And lastly, We do for Us, our Heirs and Successors,

grant to the said Governor and Company, and their Suc-

cessors, by these Presents, That these Our Letters Patents,

shall be firm, good and effectual in the Law, to all Intents,

Constructions, and Purposes whatsoever according to Our

true Intent and Meaning herein before declared, as shall

be construed, reputed and adjudged most favourable on

the Behalf, and for the best Benefit, and Behoof of the said

Governor and Company, and their Successors, although

express Mention of the true Yearly Value or Certainty of

the Premises, or of any of them, or of any other Gifts or

Grants by Us, or by any of Our Progenitors, or Predeces-

sors, heretofore made to the said Governor and Company

of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, in

America, aforesaid, 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 whatso-

ever, to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.

In Witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to

be made Patents. Witness Ourself at Westminster, the

Three and Twentieth Day of April, in the Fourteenth Year

of our Reign.

By Writ of Privy Seal,

Howard

128 ERA 2: Colonization and Settlement

Source:

Francis Newton Thorpe, ed. The Federal and State Constitu-

tions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the

States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming

the United States of America. Washington, D.C.: Govern-

ment Printing Office, 1909.

Charter of Carolina, 1663

A proprietary charter granting land to eight English noblemen

by King Charles II in 1663 in return for their support during his

bid to regain the throne from the Puritan rule of Oliver

Cromwell. The area covered by the charter was enormous. The

southern boundary lay near modern-day Cape Canaveral,

Florida, and ran north to Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.

The colony was bordered on the west by the as yet undiscov-

ered “South Seas,” which the English thought were located just

beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The “Lords Proprietors”

held absolute power in the colony. They designated the type of

government to be installed and appointed all colonial officials.

The lords of Carolina, however, ruled in absentia, and their dis-

tance from the everyday workings of the colony created tension

between the settlers and the colonial governors. The Culpepper

Rebellion erupted in 1677 when a group of Albemarle settlers

deposed their governor and established their own council.

Indian wars and piracy on the coastal towns further eroded

adherence to English laws, which did not provide adequate

protection from these dangers. By 1729 the heirs of the Lords

Proprietors had sold their interests in the colony back to the

Crown, and Carolina became a royal colony.

________________________

_______________________

CHARLES the Second, by the grace of God, king of En-

gland, 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 coun-

sellor, 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 enlarge-

ment 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 king-

dom 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.

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 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 atoll 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, Atolls 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, mountlills, 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 dis-

covered 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.

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 afore-

The Establishment of Colonies and Settlements 129

said, 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, prerog-

atives, royalties, liberties, immunities and franchises of

what kind soever, within the countries, isles, islets and lim-

its 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 Col-

leton, 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 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 suc-

cessors, 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, jus-

tice 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 Claren-

don, 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 exe-

cute 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

needful!, and the quality of the oflence requires it, by tak-

ing away member and life, either by 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, 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 Col-

leton and their heirs shall seem most convenient; also, to

130 ERA 2: Colonization and Settlement

remit, release, pardon and abolish (whether before judg-

ment 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 pre-

sents 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 lavrs

be consonant to reason, and as near as may be conve-

niently, agreeable to the laws and customs of this our king-

dom 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 straightly 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 ordi-

nances 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 rob-

bers, therefore we, for us, our heirs 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 them-

selves and families unto the said province, with convenient

shipping and fitting provisions, and there to settle them-

selves, 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 straightly 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 denizens and lieges of

us, our heirs and successors of this our kingdom of Eng-

land, 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 domin-

ions, and may inherit or otherwise purchase and receive,

take, hold, buy and possess any lands, tenements or hered-

itaments within the same places, and them may occupy,

possess and enjoy, give, sell, aliene and bequeathe; as like-

wise all liberties. franchises and priviledges of this our king-

dom 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 succes-

sors, any statute, act, ordinance, or provision to the contrary

notwithstanding.

8th

And furthermore, that our subjects of this our said king-

dom of England, and other our dominions, may be the

rather encouraged to undertake this expedition with ready

and cheerful 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 Col-

leton, 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,

The Establishment of Colonies and Settlements 131