&sect；23。"Eachnationhadgrantedandpartiallysettledthecountry，denominatedbytheFrench，Acadie，andbytheEnglish，NovaScotia。Bythe12tharticleofthetreatyofUtrecht，madein1713，hismostChristianMajestycededtotheQueenofGreatBritain，’allNovaScotiaorAcadie，withitsancientboundaries。’AgreatpartofthecededterritorywasinthepossessionoftheIndians，andtheextentofthecessioncouldnotbeadjustedbythecommissioners，towhomitwastobereferred。

ThetreatyofAixlaChapelle，whichwasmadeontheprincipleofthestatusantebellum，didnotremovethissubjectofcontroversy。Commissionersforitsadjustmentwereappointed，whoseveryableandelaborate，thoughunsuccessfularguments，infavourofthetitleoftheirrespectivesovereigns，showhowentirelyeachreliedonthetitlegivenbydiscoverytolandsremaining，inthepossessionofIndians。

&sect；24。"Aftertheterminationofthisfruitlessdiscussion，thesubjectwastransferredtoEurope，andtakenupbythecabinetsofVersaillesandLondon。ThiscontroversyembracednotonlytheboundariesofNew—England，NovaScotia，andthatpartofCanada，whichadjoinedthosecolonies，butembracedourwholewesterncountryalso。

Francecontendednotonly，thattheSt。LawrencewastobeconsideredasthecenterofCanada，butthattheOhiowaswithinthatcolony。Shefoundedthisclaimondiscovery，andonhavingusedthatriverforthetransportationoftroopsinawarwithsomesouthernIndians。ThisriverwascomprehendedinthecharteredlimitsofVirginia；but，thoughtherightofEnglandtoareasonableextentofcountry，invirtueofherdiscoveryoftheseacoast，andofthesettlementsshemadeonit，wasnottobequestioned；herclaimofallthelandstothePacificocean，becauseshehaddiscoveredthecountrywashedbytheAtlantic，might，withoutderogatingfromtheprinciple，recognizedbyall，bedeemedextravagant。Itinterfered，too，withtheclaimsofFrance，foundedonthesameprinciple。Shethereforesoughttostrengthenheroriginaltitletothelandsincontroversy，byinsisting，thatithadbeenacknowledgedbyFranceinthe15tharticleofthetreatyofUtrecht。Thedisputerespectingtheconstructionofthatarticlehasnotendencytoimpairtheprinciple，thatdiscoverygaveatitletolandsstillremaininginthepossessionoftheIndians。Whichevertitleprevailed，itwasstillatitletolandsoccupiedbytheIndians，whoserightofoccupancyneithercontroverted，andneitherhadthenextinguished。

&sect；25。"Theseconflictingclaimsproducedalongandbloodywar，whichwasterminatedbytheconquestofthewholecountryeastoftheMississippi。Inthetreatyof1763，FrancecededandguarantiedtoGreatBritainallNovaScotia，orAcadie，andCanada，withtheirdependencies；anditwasagreed，thattheboundariesbetweentheterritoriesofthetwonationsinAmericashouldbeirrecoverablyfixedbyalinedrawnfromthesourceoftheMississippi，throughthemiddleofthatriverandthelakesMaurepasandPonchartrain，tothesea。Thistreatyexpresslycedes，andhasalwaysbeenunderstoodtocede，thewholecountryontheEnglishsideofthedividing，linebetweenthetwonations，althoughagreatandvaluablepartofitwasoccupiedbytheIndians。GreatBritain，onherpart，surrenderedtoFranceallherpretensionstothecountrywestoftheMississippi。Ithasneverbeensupposed，thatshesurrenderednothing，althoughshewasnotinactualpossessionofafootofland。Shesurrenderedallrighttoacquirethecountry；andanyafterattempttopurchaseitfromtheIndianswouldhavebeenconsideredandtreatedasaninvasionoftheterritoriesofFrance。

&sect；26。"Bythe20tharticleofthesametreaty，SpaincededFlorida，withitsdependencies，andallthecountrysheclaimedeastorsoutheastoftheMississippi，toGreatBritain。GreatpartofthisterritoryalsowasinpossessionoftheIndians。

&sect；27。"Byasecrettreaty，whichwasexecutedaboutthesametime，FrancecededLouisianatoSpain；andSpainhassinceretrocededthesamecountrytoFrance。Atthetimebothofitscessionandretrocession，itwasoccupied，chiefly，bytheIndians。

&sect；28。"Thus，allthenationsofEurope，whohaveacquiredterritoryonthiscontinent，haveassertedinthemselves，andhaverecognizedinothers，theexclusiverightofthediscoverertoappropriatethelandsoccupiedbytheIndians。HavetheAmericanStatesrejectedoradoptedthisprinciple？

&sect；29。"Bythetreaty，whichconcludedthewarofourrevolution，GreatBritainrelinquishedallclaim，notonlytothegovernment，buttothe’proprietyandterritorialrightsoftheUnitedStates，’whoseboundarieswerefixedinthesecondarticle。Bythistreaty，thepowersofgovernment，andtherighttosoil，whichhadpreviouslybeeninGreatBritain，passeddefinitivelytotheseStates。Wehadbeforetakenpossessionofthem，bydeclaring，independence；butneitherthedeclarationofindependence，northetreatyconfirmingit，couldgiveusmorethanthat，whichwebeforepossessed，ortowhichGreatBritainwasbeforeentitled。

Ithasneverbeendoubted，thateithertheUnitedStates，ortheseveralStates，hadacleartitletoallthelandswithintheboundarylinesdescribedinthetreaty，subjectonlytotheIndianrightofoccupancy，andthattheexclusivepowertoextinguishthatrightwasvestedinthatgovernment，whichmightconstitutionallyexerciseit。

&sect；30。"Virginia，particularly，withinwhosecharteredlimitsthelandincontroversylay，passedanact，intheyear1779，declaringher’exclusiverightofpre—emptionfromtheIndiansofallthelandswithinthelimitsofherowncharteredterritory，andthatnopersonswhatsoeverhave，oreverhad，arighttopurchaseanylandswithinthesamefromanyIndiannation，exceptonlypersonsdulyauthorizedtomakesuchpurchase，formerlyfortheuseandbenefitofthecolony，andlatelyfortheCommonwealth。’TheactthenproceedstoannulalldeedsmadebyIndianstoindividualsfortheprivateuseofthepurchasers。

&sect；31。"Withoutascribingtothisactthepowerofannullingvestedrights，oradmittingittocountervailthetestimonyfurnishedbythemarginalnoteoppositetothetitleofthelawforbiddingpurchasesfromtheIndians，intherevisalsoftheVirginiastatutes，statingthatlawtoberepealed，itmaysafelybeconsideredasanunequivocalaffirmance，onthepartofVirginia，ofthebroadprinciple，whichhadalwaysbeenmaintained，thattheexclusiverighttopurchasefromtheIndiansresidedinthegovernment。

&sect；32。"Inpursuanceofthesameidea，Virginiaproceeded，atthesamesession，toopenherland—officeforthesaleofthatcountry，whichnowconstitutesKentucky，acountry，everyacreofwhichwasthenclaimedandpossessedbyIndians，whomaintainedtheirtitlewithasmuchperseveringcourage，aswasevermanifestedbyanypeople。

&sect；33。"TheStateshavingwithintheircharteredlimitsdifferentportionsofterritorycoveredbyIndians，cededthatterritory，generally，totheUnitedStates，onconditionsexpressedintheirdeedsofcession，whichdemonstratetheopinion，thattheycededthesoilaswellasjurisdiction，andthatindoingso，theygrantedaproductivefundtothegovernmentoftheUnion。ThelandsincontroversylaywithinthecharteredlimitsofVirginia，andwerecededwiththewholecountrynorthwestoftheriverOhio。Thisgrantcontainedreservationsandstipulations，whichcouldonlybemadebytheownersofthesoil；andconcludedwithastipulation，that’allthelandsinthecededterritory，notreserved，shouldbeconsideredasacommonfund，fortheuseandbenefitofsuchoftheUnitedStatesashavebecome，orshallbecome，membersoftheconfederation，’&amp；c。’accordingtotheirusualrespectiveproportionsinthegeneralchargeandexpenditure，andshallbefaithfullyandbonafidedisposedofforthatpurpose，andfornootheruseorpurposewhatsoever。’ThecededterritorywasoccupiedbynumerousandwarliketribesofIndians；buttheexclusiverightoftheUnitedStatestoextinguishtheirtitle，andtograntthesoil，hasnever，webelieve，beendoubted。

&sect；34。"AftertheseStatesbecameindependent，acontroversysubsistedbetweenthemandSpainrespectingboundary。Bythetreatyof1795，thiscontroversywasadjusted，andSpaincededtotheUnitedStatestheterritoryinquestion。Thisterritory，thoughclaimedbybothnations，waschieflyintheactualoccupationofIndians。

&sect；35。"ThemagnificentpurchaseofLouisianawasthepurchasefromFranceofacountryalmostentirelyoccupiedbynumeroustribesofIndians，whoareinfactindependent。Yet，anyattemptofotherstointrudeintothatcountrywouldbeconsideredasanaggression，whichwouldjustifywar。

&sect；36。"OurlateacquisitionsfromSpainareorthesamecharacter；andthenegotiations，whichprecededthoseacquisitions，recognizeandelucidatetheprinciple，whichhasbeenreceivedasthefoundationofallEuropeantitleinAmerica。

&sect；37。"TheUnitedStates，then，haveunequivocallyaccededtothatgreatandbroadrule，bywhichitscivilizedinhabitantsnowholdthiscountry。Theyhold，andassertinthemselves，thetitle，bywhichitwasacquired。Theymaintain，asallothershavemaintained，thatdiscoverygaveanexclusiverighttoextinguishtheIndiantitleofoccupancy，eitherbypurchaseorbyconquest；andgavealsoarighttosuchadegreeofsovereignty，asthecircumstancesofthepeoplewouldallowthemtoexercise。

&sect；38。"ThepowernowpossessedbythegovernmentoftheUnitedStatestograntlands，resided，whilewewerecolonies，inthecrown，oritsgrantees。Thevalidityofthetitlesgivenbyeitherhasneverbeenquestionedinourcourts。IthasbeenexerciseduniformlyoverterritoryinpossessionoftheIndians。Theexistenceofthispowermustnegativetheexistenceofanyright，whichmayconflictwithandcontrolit。AnabsolutetitletoLandscannotexist，atthesametime，indifferentpersons，orindifferentgovernments。Anabsolute，mustbeanexclusivetitle，oratleastatitle，whichexcludesallothersnotcompatiblewithit。Allourinstitutionsrecognizetheabsolutetitleofthecrown，subjectonlytotheIndianrightofoccupancy，andrecognizetheabsolutetitleofthecrowntoextinguishthatright。ThisisincompatiblewithanabsoluteandcompletetitleintheIndians。"

1。Marshall’sAmer。Colonies，12，13；

1Haz。Collec。51，72，82，103，105；Robertson’sHist。ofAmerica，B。9。

2。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

3。1Haz。Coll。9；Robertson’sHist。

ofAmerica，B。9。

4。Marshall，Am。Colon12，13；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

5。Johnsonv。McIntosh，8Wheat。

R。543，572，573；1Doug。Summ。110。

6。8Wheat。R。543，573；1Haz。Coll。

50，51，72，82，103，105；Vattel，B。I，ch。18，&sect；207，208，209，andnote。

7。"UtfidesCatholica，etChristianaReligionostrispraesertimtemporibusexaltetur，&amp；c。，acbarbaraenationesdeprimantur，etadfidemipsamreducantur，"isthelanguageoftheBull。

1Haz。Coll。3。

8。1Haz。Collect。；3Marshall，Hist。

Col。13，14。

9。Chalmers，Annals，676，677；1Doug。

Summ。213；Chalmers，Annals，677。

10。SeealsoWorcesterv。Georgia，6Peters’sR。515；4Jefferson’sCorresp。478；Mackintosh’sHistoryofEthicalPhilosophy，(Phila。1832，)50；Johnsonv。McIntosh，8Wheat。

R。574—588。

JosephStory：CommentariesontheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates：

Book1Chapter2CHAPTERII。ORIGINANDSETTLEMENTOFVIRGINIA。&sect；39。HavingthustracedouttheoriginofthetitletothesoilofAmericaassertedbytheEuropeannations，wemaynowenteruponaconsiderationofthemanner，inwhichthesettlementsweremade，andthepoliticalconstitutions，bywhichthevariousColonieswereorganizedandgoverned。

&sect；40。ForalongtimeafterthediscoveriesofCabotweremade，Englandfromvariouscausesremainedinastateofindifferenceorinactivityinrespecttotheterritorythussubjectedtohersway。1Nearlyacenturyelapsedbeforeanyeffectualplanforplantinganycolonywasputintooperation；

andindeedtheillsuccess，nottosayentirefailure，ofthefirstexpeditionwaswellcalculatedtoabateanyundueconfidenceinthevalueofsuchenterprises。In1578SirHumphreyGilbert，havingobtainedletterspatentfromQueenElizabeth，2grantinghimandhisheirsanylandsdiscoveredbyhim，attemptedasettlementonthecoldandbarrenshoresofCapeBretonandtheadjacentregions，andexhaustedhisfortune，andlosthislifeinthefruitlesslabour。3ThebrilliantgeniusofSirWalterRaleighwascaptivatedbytheallurementsofanyscheme，whichgaveplaytohisromantictemper；andunmindfulofthedisastrousfateofhishalfbrother，orgatheringfreshcouragefromtheconsciousnessofdifficulties，eagerlyfolloweduptheoriginalplanunderanewpatentfromthecrown。4TohimweareindebtedforthefirstplantationsintheSouth；5andsuchwasthesplendorofthedescriptionofthesoilandclimateandproductionsofthatregiongivenbythefirstadventurers，thatElizabethwasproudtobestowuponitthenameofVirginia，andthustoconnectitwiththereignofavirginQueen。6Butnotwithstanding，thebrightprospectsthusheldout，threesuccessiveattemptsundertheauspicesofRaleighendedinruinousdisaster，andseemedbutapresageofthehardfateanddarkenedfortunesofthatgallant，butunfortunategentleman。7

&sect；41。ThefirstpermanentsettlementmadeinAmericaundertheauspicesofEnglandwasunderachartergrantedtoSirThomasGatesandhisassociatesbyJamestheFirst，inthefourthyearafterhisaccessiontothethroneofEngland8(in1605。)ThatchartergrantedtothemtheterritoriesinAmerica，thencommonlycalledVirginia，lyingonthesea—coastbetweenthe34thandthe45thdegreesofnorthlatitudeandtheislandsadjacentwithin100miles，whichwerenotbelongingtoorpossessedbyanyChristianprinceorpeople。

Theassociatesweredividedintotwocompanies，oneofwhichwasrequiredtosettlebetweenthe34thand41stdegreesofnorthlatitude，andtheotherbetweenthe38thand45thdegreesofnorthlatitude，butnotwithin100milesofthepriorcolony。Bydegrees，thenameofVirginiawasconfinedtothefirstorsouthcolony。9ThesecondassumedthenameofthePlymouthCompany，fromtheresidenceoftheoriginalgrantees；andNew—Englandwasfoundedundertheirauspices。10Eachcolonyhadexclusiveproprietyinalltheterritorywithinfiftymilesfromthefirstseatoftheirplantation。11

&sect；42。Someoftheprovisionsofthischarterdeserveaparticularconsiderationfromthelighttheythrowuponthepoliticalandcivilconditionofthepersons，whoshouldbecomeinhabitantsofthecolonies。ThecompanieswereauthorizedtoengageascolonistsanyofthesubjectsofEngland，whoshouldbedisposedtoemigrate。Allpersons，beingEnglishsubjectsandinhabiting，inthecolonies，andeveryoftheirchildrenborntherein，weredeclaredtohaveandpossessallliberties，franchises，andimmunities，withinanyotherofthedominionsofthecrown，toallintentsandpurposes，asiftheyhadbeenabidingandbornwithintherealmofEngland，oranyotherdominionsofthecrown。Thepatenteesweretoholdthelands，&amp；c。inthecolony，oftheking，hisheirsandsuccessors，asofthemanorofEastGreenwichinthecountyofKent，infreeandcommonsoccageonly，andnotincapite；andwereauthorizedtograntthesametotheinhabitantsofthecoloniesinsuchmannerandformandforsuchestates，asthecouncilofthecolonyshoulddirect。12

&sect；43。Inrespecttopoliticalgovernment，eachcolonywastobegovernedbyalocalcouncil，appointedandremovableatthepleasureofthecrown，accordingtotheroyalinstructionsandordinancesfromtimetotimepromulgated。ThesecouncilsweretobeunderthesuperiormanagementanddirectionofanothercouncilsittinginEngland。Apowerwasgiventoexpelallintruders，andtolayalimiteddutyuponallpersonstraffickingwiththecolony；andaprohibitionwasimposeduponallthecolonistsagainsttraffickingwithforeigncountriesunderthepretenseofatradefromthemothercountrytothecolonies。13

&sect；44。Theroyalauthoritysoonfoundagratifyingemploymentindrawingupandestablishingacodeoffundamentalregulationsforthesecolonies，inpursuanceofthepowerreservedinthecharter。AsuperintendingcouncilwascreatedinEngland。Thelegislativeandexecutivepowerswerevestedinthepresidentandcouncilsofthecolonies；

buttheirordinanceswerenottotouchlifenorlimb，andwereinsubstancetoconformtothelawsofEngland，andweretocontinueinforceonlyuntilmadevoidbythecrown，orthecouncilinEngland。PersonscommittinghighoffensesweretobesenttoEnglandforpunishment；andsubordinateoffensesweretobepunishedatthediscretionofthepresidentandcouncil。Allegiancetothecrownwasstrictlyinsistedon；andtheChurchofEnglandestablished。14Theroyalauthoritywasinallrespectsmadeparamount；andthevalueofpoliticallibertywastotallyoverlooked，ordeliberatelydisregarded。

&sect；45。ThecharterofthefirstorVirginiacolonywassuccessivelyalteredin1609and1612，15withoutanyimportantchangeinitssubstantialprovisions，astothecivilorpoliticalrightsofthecolonists。Itissurprising，indeed，thatcharterssecuringsuchvastpowerstothecrown，andsuchentiredependenceonthepartoftheemigrants，shouldhaveroundanyfavorintheeyeseitheroftheproprietors，orofthepeople。Byplacingthewholelegislativeandexecutivepowersinacouncilnominatedbythecrown，andguidedbyitsinstructions，everypersonsettling，inAmericaseemstohavebeenbereavedofthenoblestprivilegesofafreeman。Butwithouthesitationorreluctance，theproprietorsofbothcoloniespreparedtoexecutetheirrespectiveplans；

andundertheauthorityofacharter，whichwouldnowberejectedwithdisdainasaviolentinvasionofthesacredandinalienablerightsofliberty，thefirstpermanentsettlementsoftheEnglishinAmericawereestablished。

FromthisperiodtheprogressofthetwoprovincesofVirginiaandNew—Englandformaregularandconnectedstory。TheformerintheSouth，andthelatterintheNorthmaybeconsideredastheoriginalandparentcolonies，inimitationofwhich，andunderwhoseshelteralltheothershavebeensuccessivelyplantedandreared。16

&sect；46。ThesettlementsinVirginiawereearliestinpointofdate，andwerefastadvancingunderapolicy，whichsubdividedthepropertyamongthesettlers，insteadofretainingitincommon，andthusgavevigortoprivateenterprise。Asthecolonyincreased，thespiritofitsmembersassumedmoreandmorethetoneofindependence；

andtheygrewrestlessandimpatientfortheprivilegesenjoyedunderthegovernmentoftheirnativecountry。Toquietthisuneasiness，SirGeorgeYeardley，thenthegovernorofthecolony，in1619，calledageneralassembly，composedofrepresentativesfromthevariousplantationsinthecolony，andpermittedthemtoassumeandexercisethehighfunctionsoflegislation。17Thuswasformedandestablishedthefirstrepresentativelegislature，thateversatinAmericaAndthisexampleofadomesticparliamenttoregulatealltheinternalconcernsofthecountrywasneverlostsightof，butwaseverafterwardscherishedthroughoutAmerica，asthedearestbirth—rightoffreemen。Soacceptablewasittothepeople，andsoindispensabletotherealprosperityofthecolony，thatthecouncilinEnglandwerecompelled，in1621，toissueanordinance，whichgaveitacompleteandpermanentsanction。18InimitationoftheconstitutionoftheBritishparliament，thelegislativepowerwaslodgedpartlyinthegovernor，whoheldtheplaceofthesovereign；

partlyinacouncilofstatenamedbythecompany；andpartlyinanassemblycomposedofrepresentativesfreelychosenbythepeople。Eachbranchofthelegislaturemightdecidebyamajorityofvoices，andanegativewasreservedtothegovernor。Butnolawwastobeinforce，thoughapprovedbyallthreeofthebranchesofthelegislature，untilitwasratifiedbyageneralcourtofthecompany，andreturnedunderitssealtothecolony。19Theordinancefurtherrequiredthegeneralassembly，asalsothecouncilofstate，"toimitateandfollowthepolicyoftheformofgovernment，laws，customs，andmanneroftrialandotheradministrationofjusticeusedintherealmofEngland，asnearasmaybe。"Theconductofthecolonists，aswellasthecompany，soonafterwardsgaveoffensetoKingJames；andthedisasters，whichaccomplishedanalmosttotaldestructionofthecolonybythesuccessfulinroadsoftheIndians，createdmuchdiscontentanddisappointmentamongtheproprietorsathome。Thekingfounditnodifficultmattertosatisfythenation，thataninquiryintotheirconductwasnecessary。Itwasaccordinglyordered；

andtheresultofthatinquiry，bycommissionersappointedbyhimself，wasademandonthepartofthecrownofasurrenderofthecharters。20Thedemandwasresistedbythecompany；aquowarrantowasinstitutedagainstthem，anditterminated，asinthatageitmightwellbesupposeditwould，inajudgment，pronouncedin1624byjudgesholdingtheirofficesduringhispleasure，thatthefranchiseswereforfeitedandthecorporationshouldbedissolved。21

&sect；47。Itdoesnotappearthattheseproceedings，althoughtheyhavemetwithsevererebukeinlatertimes，attractedanyindignationorsympathyforthesufferersonthisoccasion。Theroyalprerogativewasthenviewedwithoutjealousy，ifnotwithfavor；andtherightsofEnglishmenwereilldefinedandillprotectedunderreignremarkablefornogreatornobleobjects。Dr。Robertsonhasobserved，thatthecompany，likeallunprosperoussocieties，fellunpitied；22andthenationwerecontenttoforgettheprostrationofprivaterights，underthefalseencouragementsheldoutofaidtothecolonyfromthebenignanteffortsandfuturecounselsofthecrown。

&sect；48。Withthefallofthecharterthecolonycameundertheimmediategovernmentandcontrolofthecrownitself；

andthekingissuedaspecialcommissionappointingagovernorandtwelvecounselors，towhomtheentiredirectionofitsaffairswascommitted。23Inthiscommissionnorepresentativeassemblywasmentioned；andthereislittlereasontosupposethatJames，who，besideshisarbitrarynotionsofgovernment，imputedtherecentdisasterstotheexistenceofsuchanassembly，everintendedtoreviveit。Whilehewasyetmediatinguponaplanorcodeofgovernment，hisdeathputanendtohisprojects，whichwerebettercalculatedtonourishhisownprideandconceit，thantosubservethepermanentinterestsoftheprovince。24Henceforth，however，VirginiacontinuedtobearoyalprovinceuntiltheperiodoftheAmericanRevolution。25

&sect；49。CharlestheFirstadoptedthenotionsandfollowedoutinitsfullextentthecolonialsystemofhisfather。26Hedeclaredthecolonytobeapartoftheempireannexedtothecrown，andimmediatelysubordinatetoitsjurisdiction。Duringthegreaterpartofhisreign，Virginiaknewnootherlaw，thanthewillofthesovereign，orhisdelegatedagents；andstatuteswerepassedandtaxesimposedwithouttheslightestefforttoconveneacolonialassembly。Itwasnotuntilthemurmursandcomplaints，whichsuchacourseofconductwascalculatedtoproduce，hadbetrayedtheinhabitantsintoactsofopenresistancetothegovernor，andtotheirdiscontents；

butpressed，ashewas，bysevereembarrassmentsathome，hewascontenttoadoptapolicy，whichwouldconciliatethecolonyandremovesomeofitsjustcomplaints。HeaccordinglysoonafterwardsappointedSirWilliamBerkeleygovernor，withpowersandinstructions，whichbreathedafarmorebenignspirit。Hewasauthorizedtoproclaim，thatinallitsconcerns，civilaswellasecclesiastical，thecolonyshouldbegovernedaccordingtothelawsofEngland。Hewasdirectedtoissuewritsforelectingrepresentativesofthepeople，whowiththegovernorandcouncilshouldformageneralassemblyclothedwithsupremelegislativeauthority；andtoestablishcourtsofjustice，whoseproceedingsshouldbeguidedbytheformsoftheparentcountry。TherightsofEnglishmenwerethusinagreatmeasuresecuredtothecolonists；andunderthegovernmentofthisexcellentmagistrate，withsomeshortintervalsofinterruption，thecolonynourishedwithavigorousgrowthforalmostfortyyears。27Therevolutionof1688foundit，ifnotinthepracticalpossessionofliberty，atleastwithformsofgovernmentwellcalculatedsilentlytocherishitsspirit。

&sect；50。ThelawsofVirginia，duringitscolonialstate，donotexhibitasmanymarkeddeviations，inthegeneralstructureofitsinstitutionsandcivilpolity，fromthoseoftheparentcountry，asthoseinthenortherncolonies。Thecommonlawwasrecognizedasthegeneralbasisofitsjurisprudence；andthelegislature，withsomeappearanceofboast，stated，soonaftertherestorationofCharlestheSecond，thattheyhad"endeavoured，inallthings，asnearasthecapacityandconstitutionofthiscountywouldadmit，toadheretothoseexcellentandoftenrefinedlawsofEngland，towhichweprofessandacknowledgealldueobedienceandreverence。"28Theprevalenceofthecommonlawwasalsoexpresslyprovidedforinallthecharterssuccessivelygranted，aswellasbytheroyaldeclaration，whenthecolonywasannexedasadependencytothecrown。Indeed，thereisnoreasontosuppose，thatthecommonlawwasnotinitsleadingfeaturesvaryacceptabletothecolonists；andinitsgeneralpolicythecolonycloselyfollowedinthestepsofthemothercountry。AmongtheearliestactsofthelegislaturewefindtheChurchofEnglandestablishedastheonlytruechurch；anditsdoctrinesanddisciplinewerestrictlyenforced。

Allnonconformistswereatfirstcompelledtoleavethecolony；andaspiritofpersecutionwasexemplifiednotfarbehindtherigorofthemostzealousofthePuritans。Theclergyoftheestablishedchurchwereamplyprovidedforbyglebesandtithes，andotheraids。Non—residencewasprohibited，anddueperformanceofparochialdutiesperemptorilyrequired。Thelaws，indeed，respectingthechurch，madeaveryprominentfigureduringthefirstfiftyyearsofthecoloniallegislation。Thefirstlawallowingtolerationtoprotestantdissenterswasintheyear1699，andmerelyadoptsthatofthestatuteofthe1stofWilliamandMary。Subjecttothis，thechurchofEnglandseemstohavemaintainedasexclusivesupremacydowntotheperiodoftheAmericanRevolution。Marriages，exceptinspecialcases，wererequiredtobecelebratedintheparishchurch，andaccordingtotherubricinthecommonprayerbook。ThelawofinheritanceoftheparentcountrywassilentlymaintaineddowntotheperiodoftheAmericanRevolution；

andthedistributionofintestateestateswascloselyfashioneduponthesamegeneralmodel。DevisesalsowereregulatedbythelawofEngland；29andnocolonialstatuteappearstohavebeenmadeonthatsubjectuntil1748whenonewasenacted，whichcontainsafewdeviationsfromit，probablyarisingfromlocalcircumstances。30Oneofthemostremarkablefactsinthejuridicalhistoryofthecolonyisthesteadyattachmentofthecolonytoentails。Byanactpassedin1705wasprovided，thatestatestailshouldnolongerbedockedbyfinesorrecoveries，butonlybyanactofthelegislatureineachparticularcase。Andthoughthiswasafterwardsmodified，soastoallowentailstobedestroyedinanothermanner，wheretheestatedidnotexceed&pound；200sterlinginvalue，31yetthegeneralpolicycontinueddowntotheAmericanRevolution。Inthisrespectthezealofthecolonytosecureentailsandperpetuateinheritancesinthesamefamilyoutstrippedthatoftheparentcountry。

&sect；51。Ataveryearlyperiodtheacknowledgmentandregistryofdeedsandmortgagesofrealestatewereprovidedfor；andthenon—registrywasdeemedabadgeoffraud。32Thetrialbyjuryalthoughprivilegeresultingfromtheirgeneralrights，wasguardedbyspeciallegislation。Therewasalsoanearlydeclaration，thatnotaxescouldbeleviedbytheGovernorwithouttheconsentoftheGeneralAssembly；andwhenraised，theyweretobeappliedaccordingtotheappointmentoftheLegislature。Theburgessesalsoduringtheirattendanceupontheassemblywerefreefromarrest。Inrespecttodomestictrade，ageneralfreedomwasguarantiedtoalltheinhabitantstobuyandselltothegreatestadvantage，andallengrossingwasprohibited。33Thecultureoftobaccoseemstohavebeenaconstantobjectofsolicitude；

anditwasencouragedbyalongsuccessionofActssufficientlyevincingthepublicfeeling，andthevastimportanceofittotheprosperityofthecolony。34WelearnfromSirWilliamBerkeley’sanswerstotheLordsCommissionersin1671，thatthepopulationofthecolonywasatthattimeabout40，000；thattherestrictionsofthenavigationact，cuttingoffalltradewithforeigncountries，wereveryinjurioustothem，astheywereobedienttothelaws。And"this(sayshe)

isthecause，whynosmallorgreatvesselsarebuilthere；forwearemostobedienttoalllaws，whilsttheNew—Englandmenbreakthrough，andmentradetoanyplace，thattheirinterestleadsthem。"ThislanguageissufficientlysignificantoftherestlessnessofNew—Englandundertheserestraintsuponitscommerce。Buthisanswertothequestionrespectingreligiousandotherinstructioninthecolonywouldinourtimescreateuniversalastonishment，？"IthankGod(sayshe)therearenofreeschoolsnorprinting；andIhopeweshallnothavethesehundredyears；forlearninghasbroughtdisobedienceandheresyandsectsintotheworld；andprintinghasdivulgedthem，andlibelsagainstthebestgovernment。Godkeepusfromboth。"35In1680aremarkablechangewasmadeinthecolonialjurisprudence，bytakingalljudicialpowerfromtheassembly，andallowinganappealfromthejudgmentsoftheGeneralCourttotheKinginCouncil。36

1。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9；

Doug。Summ。110，&amp；c。

2。1Haz。Coll。24。

3。Marshall’sColon。15，16；

Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

4。1Haz。Coll。33；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

5。1Haz。Coll。38—40；2Doug。Summ。338。

6。Marsh。Colon。17；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

7。Robertson’sAmerica。B。9。

8。Marsh。Colon。25；1Haz。Coll。

50；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

9。1Haz。Coll。99；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

10。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

11。1Haz。Coll。50。

12。1Haz。Coll。50；Marsh。Colon。

25，26；Robertson’sAmer。B。9。

13。1Haz。Coll。50；Marsh。Colon。

26。

14。Marsh。Colon。27，28。

15。1Haz。Coll。58，72；Marsh。Colon。44，45，47；Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

16。IquotetheverywordsofDr。Robertsonthroughoutthispassageforitsspiritandgeneraltruth。Robert。Hist。

ofAmerica，B。9。

17。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

Marsh。Colon。ch。2，p。54。

18。1Henning，Stat。III；Smith’sVirg。App。No。4，p。32；1Chalm。Annals，54。

19。Roberton’sAmerica，B。9；

Marsh。Colon。ch。2，p。56；1Haz。Coll。131。

20。In1623。See1Haz。Coll。

155。

21。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9；

1Haz。Coll。183；Marsh。Colon。ch。2p。60，62；Chalmers’sAnnals。

22。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。

23。IHaz。Coll。189。

24。Marsh。Colon。ch。2，p。63，64；1Haz。Coll。189。

25。1Haz。Coll。220，225。

26。ItseemsthatacharterwassubsequentlygrantedbyCharlestheSecondonthe10thofOctober，1676，butitcontainedlittlemorethananacknowledgmentofthecolonyasanimmediatedependencyofthecrown。2Henning，Stat。531，532。

27。Robertson’sAmerica，B。9。；

Marsh。Amer。Col。ch。2，p。65，66，note。Ihavenotthoughtitnecessarytoadvertparticularlytothestateofthingsduringthedisturbedperiodofthecommonwealth。Henning，Virg。Stat。Introduction，p。

13，14。

28。2Henning，Stat。43。SirWilliamBardley，inhisanswertothequestionsoftheLordscommissionersin1671。"ContrarytothelawsofEnglandweneverdid，nordaretomakeany[law]onlythis，thatnosaleoflandisgoodandlegal，unlesswithinthreemonthsaftertheconveyanceitberecorded。"

29。IreferuponthesesubjectstoHenning，Stat。122，123，144，149，155，180，240，268，277，434，2Hen。Stat。

48，50；3Hen。Stat。150，170，360，441。

30。5Henning，Stat。456。

31。3Henning，Stat。320，516；

4Henning，Stat。400；5Henning，Stat。414；1Tuck。Black。

Comm。App。

32。1Henning。Stat。248；2Henning，Stat。98；3Henning。Stat。321。

33。1Henning，Stat。290。

34。See1Hen。Stat。126，andIndex，tit。Tobacco，inthatandthesubsequentvolumes；2Henning，Stat。

514。

35。2Hen。Stat。511，512，514，517；1Chalm。Annals，328；3Hutch。Collect。496。

36。Marsh。Colon。ch。5，p。163；

1Chalm。Annals，325。

JosephStory：CommentariesontheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates：

Book1Chapter3CHAPTERIII。ORIGINANDSETTLEMENTOFNEW—ENGLAND。&sect；52。WemaynowadvertinabriefmannertothehistoryoftheNorthern，orPlymouthCompany。ThatcompanypossessedfewerresourcesandlessenterprisethantheSouthern；andthoughtaidedbymenofhighdistinction，andamongothersbythepublicspiritandzealofLordChiefJusticePopham，itsfirsteffortsforcolonizationwerefeebleanddiscouraging。Capt。JohnSmith，sowellknownintheHistoryofVirginiabyhissuccessfuladventuresundertheirauthority，lentatransientlustertotheirattempts；andhiswarmdescriptionsofthebeautyandfertilityofthecountryprocuredforitfromtheexcitedimaginationofthePrince，afterKingCharlestheFirst，theflatteringnameofNew—England，aname，whicheffacedfromitthatofVirginia，andwhichhassincebecomedearbeyondexpressiontotheinhabitantsofitsharshbutsalubriousclimate。1

&sect；53。Whilethecompanywasyetlanguishing，aneventoccurred，whichgaveanewandunexpectedaspecttoitsprospects。

Itiswellknown，thatthereligiousdissensionsconsequentuponthereformation，whiletheyledtoamoreboldandfreespiritofdiscussion，failedatthesametimeofintroducingacorrespondentcharityfordifferencesofreligiousopinion。Eachsuccessivesectentertainednottheslightestdoubtofitsowninfallibilityindoctrineandworship，andwaseagertoobtainproselytes，anddenouncetheerrorsofitsopponents。Ifithadstoppedhere，wemighthaveforgotten，inadmirationofthesincerezealforChristiantruth，thedesireofpower，andtheprideofmind，whichlurkedwithintheinnerfoldsoftheirdevotion。Butunfortunatelythespiritofintolerancewasabroadinallitssternandunrelentingseverity。TotolerateerrorswastosacrificeChristianitytomeretemporalinterests。Truth，andtruthalone，wastobefollowedatthehazardofallconsequences；andreligionallowednocompromisesbetweenconscienceandworldlycomforts。Heresywasitselfasinofadeadlynature，andtoextirpateitwasaprimarydutyofall，whowerebelieversinsincerityandtruth。Persecution，therefore，evenwhenitseemedmosttoviolatethefeelingsofhumanityandtherightsofprivatejudgment，neverwantedapologistsamongthoseofthepurestandmostdevoutlives。Itwastoooftenreceivewithacclamationsbythecrowd，andfoundanamplevindicationfromthelearnedandthedogmatists；

fromthepolicyofthecivilmagistrate，andtheblindzealoftheecclesiastic。

Eachsect，asitattainedpower，exhibitedthesameunrelentingfirmnessinputtingdownitsadversaries。2Thepapistandtheprelate，thePuritanandthePresbyterian，feltnocompunctionsinthedestructionofdissentientsfromtheirownfaith。Theyuttered，indeed，loudcomplaintsoftheinjusticeoftheirenemies，whentheywerethemselvesoppressed，butitwasnotfromanyabhorrenceofpersecutionitself，butoftheinfamouserrorsofthepersecutors。Therearenotwantingontherecordsofthehistoryofthesetimesabundantproofs，howeasilysects，whichhadborneeveryhumancalamitywithunshrinkingfortitudeforconscience’sake，couldturnupontheirinoffensive，but，intheirjudgment，erringneighbors，withalikeinflictionofsuffering。5Evenadversitysometimesfailsofproducingitsusualsalutaryeffectsofmoderationandcompassion，whenablindbuthonestzealhasusurpeddominionoverthemind。Ifsuchapictureofhumaninfirmitymayjustlyaddtoourhumility，itmayalsoservetoadmonishusoftheChristiandutyofforbearance。Andhe，whocanlookwithaneyeofexclusivecensureonsuchscenes，musthaveforgotten，howmanybrightexamplestheyhaveaffordedoftheliveliestvirtue，themostpersuasivefidelity，andthemostexaltedpiety。

&sect；54。Amongothers，whosufferedpersecutionsfromthehaughtyzealofElizabeth，wasasmallsect，calledfromthenameoftheirleader，Brownists，towhomweowethefoundationofthenowwidespreadsectofCongregationalistsorIndependents。Aftersufferingsofanaggravatednature，theywerecompelledtotakerefugeinHollandunderthecareoftheirpastor，Mr。JohnRobinson，amandistinguishedforhispiety，hisbenevolence，andhisintrepidspirit。6Afterremainingtheresomeyears，theyconcludedtoemigratetoAmericainthehope，thattheymightthusperpetuatetheirreligiousdiscipline，andpreservethepurityofanapostolicalchurch。7InconjunctionwithotherfriendsinEnglandtheyembarkedonthevoyagewithadesignofsettlementonHudson’sriverinNew—York。ButagainsttheirintentiontheywerecompelledtolandontheshoresofCapeCodinthedepthofwinter，andtheplaceoftheirlanding，wascalledPlymouth，whichhassincebecomesocelebratedasthefirstpermanentsettlementinNew—England。8Nothavingcontemplatedanyplantationatthisplace，theyhadnottakentheprecautiontoobtainanycharterfromthePlymouthCompany。Theoriginalplanoftheircolony，however，isstillpreserved；9anditwasfoundeduponthebasisofacommunityofproperty，atleastforagivenspaceoftime，ascheme，astheeventshowed，utterlyincompatiblewiththeexistenceofanylargeandflourishingcolony。Beforetheirlandingtheydrewupandsignedavoluntarycompactofgovernment，forming，ifnotthefirst，atleastthebestauthenticatedcaseofanoriginalsocialcontractfortheestablishmentofanation，whichistobefoundintheannalsoftheworld。Philosophersandjuristshaveperpetuallyresortedtothetheoryofsuchacompact，bywhichtomeasuretherightsanddutiesofgovernmentsandsubjects；butforthemostpartithasbeentreatedasaneffortofimagination，unsustainedbythehistoryorpracticeofnations，andfurnishinglittleofsolidinstructionfortheactualconcernsoflife。Itwaslittledreamedof，thatAmericashouldfurnishanexampleofitinprimitiveandalmostpatriarchalsimplicity。

&sect；55。Onthe11thofNovember，1620，thesehumblebutfearlessadventurers，beforetheirlanding，drewupandsignedanoriginalcompact，inwhich，afteracknowledgingthemselvessubjectsofthecrownofEngland，theyproceedtodeclare："HavingundertakenforthegloryofGodandtheadvancementoftheChristianfaithandthehonorofourkingandcountry，avoyagetoplantthefirstcolonyinthenorthernpartsofVirginia，wedobythesepresentssolemnlyandmutually，inthepresenceofGodandofoneanother，covenantandcombineourselvestogetherintoacivilbodypolitic，farourbetterorderingandpreservationandfurtheranceoftheendsaforesaid。Andbyvirtuehereofdoenact，constitute，andframesuchjustandequallaws，ordinances，acts，constitutions，andofficersfromtimetotimeasshallbethoughtmostmeetandconvenientforthegeneralgoodofthecolony；untowhichwepromiseallduesubmissionandobedience。"Thisisthewholeofthecompact，anditwassignedbyforty—onepersons。10Itisinitsveryessenceapuredemocracy；andinpursuanceofitthecolonistsproceededsoonafterwardstoorganizethecolonialgovernment，underthenameoftheColonyofNewPlymouth，toappointagovernorandotherofficers，andtoenactlaws。Thegovernorwaschosenannuallybythefreemen，andhadatfirstoneassistanttoaidhiminthedischargeofhistrust。11Fourothersweresoonafterwardsadded，andfinallythenumberwasincreasedtoseven。12Thesupremelegislativepowerresidedin，andwasexercisedbythewholebodyofthemaleinhabitants，everyfreeman，whowasamemberofthechurch，beingadmittedtovoteinallpublicaffairs。13Thenumberofsettlementshavingincreased，andbeingataconsiderabledistancefromeachother，ahouseofrepresentativeswasestablishedin1639；14themembersofwhich，aswellasallotherofficers，wereannuallychosen。

TheyadoptedthecommonlawofEnglandasthegeneralbasisoftheirjurisprudence，varyingithoweverfromtimetotimebymunicipalregulationsbetteradaptedtotheirsituation，orconformingmoreexactlytotheirsternnotionsoftheabsoluteauthorityanduniversalobligationoftheMosaicInstitutions。15

&sect；56。ThePlymouthColonistsacted，atfirst，altogetherunderthevoluntarycompactandassociationalreadymentioned。

Buttheydailyfeltembarrassmentsfromthewantofsomegeneralauthority，deriveddirectlyorindirectlyfromthecrown，whichshouldrecognizetheirsettlementandconfirmtheirlegislation。Afterseveralineffectualattemptsmadeforthispurpose，theyatlengthsucceededinobtaining，inJanuary，1629，apatentfromthecouncilestablishedatPlymouth，inEngland，underthecharterofKingJamesof1620。16Thispatent，besidesagrantoftheterritoryuponthetermsandtenureoftheoriginalpatentof1620，includedanauthoritytothepatentee(WilliamBradford)andhisassociates，"toincorporatebysomeusualorfitnameandtitlehimorthemselves，orthepeoplethereinhabitingunderhimorthem，andtheirsuccessors，fromtimetotime，toframeandmakeorders，ordinances，andconstitutions，aswellforthebettergovernmentoftheiraffairshere，andthereceivingoradmittinganyintohisortheirsociety，asalsoforthebettergovernmentofhisortheirpeople，orhisortheirpeopleatseaingoingthitherorreturningfromthence；andthesametoputorcausetobeputinexecution，bysuchofficersandministersasheortheyshallauthorizeanddepute；provided，thatthesaidlawsandordersbenotrepugnanttothelawsofEnglandortheframeofgovernmentbythesaidpresidentandcouncil[ofPlymouthCompany]hereaftertobeestablished。"17

&sect；57。Thispatentorcharterseemsnevertohavebeenconfirmedbythecrown；18andthecolonistswerenever，byanyactofthecrown，createdabodypoliticandcorporatewithanylegislativepowers。They，therefore，remainedinlegalcontemplationamerevoluntaryassociation，exercisingthehighestpowersandprerogativesofsovereignty，andyieldingobediencetothelawsandmagistrateschosenbythemselves。19

&sect；58。Thecharterof1629furnishedthem，however，withthecolourofdelegatedsovereignty，ofwhichtheydidnotfailtoavailthemselves。Theyassumedunderittheexerciseofthemostplenaryexecutive，legislative，andjudicialpowerswithbutamomentaryscrupleastotheirrighttoinflictcapitalpunishments。20Theywerenotdisturbedinthefreeexerciseofthesepowers，eitherthroughtheignoranceortheconnivanceofthecrown，untilaftertherestorationofCharlestheSecond。Theirauthorityundertheircharterwasthenquestioned；

andseveralunsuccessfulattemptsweremadetoprocureaconfirmationfromthecrown。Theycontinuedtoclingtoit，until，inthegeneralshipwreckofchartersin1684，theirswasoverturned。AnarbitrarygovernmentwasthenestablishedoverthemincommonwiththeotherNew—Englandcolonies；

andtheywerefinallyincorporatedintoaprovincewithMassachusettsunderthechartergrantedtothelatterbyWilliamandMaryin1691。21

&sect；59。Itmaynotbewithoutusetonoticeafewofthelaws，whichformed，whatmayproperlybedeemed，thefundamentalsoftheirjurisprudence。Afterprovidingforthemannerofchoosingtheirgovernorandlegislature，asabovestated，theirfirstattentionseemstohavebeendirectedtotheestablishmentof"thefreelibertiesofthefree—bornpeopleofEngland。"Itwasthereforedeclared，22almostinthelanguageofMagnaCharta，thatjusticeshouldbeimpartiallyadministereduntoall，notsold，ordenied；thatnopersonshouldsuffer"inrespecttolife，limb，liberty，goodname，orestate，butbyvirtueorequityofsomeexpresslawoftheGeneralCourt，orthegoodandequitablelawsofournationsuitableforus，inmatterswhichareofacivilnature，(asbythecourtherehathbeenaccustomed，)whereinwehavenoparticularlawofourown；"andnoneshouldsufferwithoutbeingbroughttoanswerbyduecourseandprocessoflaw；thatincriminalandcivilcasesthereshouldbeatrialbyjuryatalleventsuponafinaltrialonappeal；withtherighttochallengeforjustcause；andincapitalcasesaperemptoryrighttochallengetwentyjurorsasinEngland；thatnopartyshouldbecastorcondemned，unlessuponthetestimonyoftwosufficientwitnesses，orothersufficientevidenceorcircumstances，unlessotherwisespeciallyprovidedbylaw；thatallpersonsoftheageoftwenty—oneyears，andofsoundmemory，shouldhavepowertomakewillsandotherlawfulalienationsoftheirestate，whethertheywerecondemned，orexcommunicatedorother；

exceptthatintreasontheirpersonalestateshouldbeforfeited；buttheirrealestatewasstilltobeattheirdisposal。Allprocessesweredirectedtobeintheking’sname。23Alltrialsinrespecttolandweretobeinthecounty，whereitlay；andallpersonalactions，whereoneofthepartieslived；andlandsandgoodswereliabletoattachmenttoanswerthejudgmentrenderedinanyaction。AlllandsweretodescendaccordingtothefreetenureoflandsofEastGreenwich，inthecountyofKent；andallentailedlandsaccordingtothelawofEngland。

Allthesonsweretoinheritequally，excepttheeldest，whowastohaveadoubleshare。Iftherewerenosons，allthedaughtersweretoinheritalike。Brothersofthewholebloodweretoinherit；andifnone，thensistersofthewholeblood。Allconveyancesoflandweretobebydeedonly，acknowledgedbeforesomemagistrate，andrecordedinthepublicrecords。Amongcapitaloffenseswereenumerated，withoutanydiscrimination，idolatry，blasphemy，treason，murder，witchcraft，bestiality，sodomy，falsewitness，man—stealing，cursingorsmitingfatherormother，rape，willfulburningofhousesandships，andpiracy；whilecertainotheroffensesofanaturequiteasimmoralandinjurioustosocietyreceivedafarmoremoderatepunishment。UndoubtedlyareverentialregardfortheScripturesplacedthecrimesofidolatry，blasphemy，andfalsewitness，andcursingandsmitingfatherandmother，amongthecapitaloffenses。And，asmightwellbepresumedfromthereligioussentimentsofthepeople，ampleprotectionwasgiventothechurch；andthemaintenanceofapublicorthodoxministryandofpublicschoolswerecarefullyprovidedfor。24

&sect；60。Comparedwiththelegislationofsomeofthecoloniesduringanequalperiod，thelawsofthePlymouthcolonywillbefoundfewandbrief。Thisresultedinsomemeasurefromthenarrowlimitsofthepopulationandbusinessofthecolony；butinagreatermeasurefromtheirrelianceintheirsimpleproceedingsuponthegeneralprinciplesofthecommonlaw。

1。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；

Marsh。Amer。Col。ch。3，p。77，78；1Haz。Coll。103，147，404；1Belknap’sNew—Hampshire，ch1。

2。Dr。Robertsonhasjustlyobserved，thatnotonlytheideaoftoleration，buteventheworditselfinthesensenowaffixedtoit，wasthenunknown。3SirJamesMackintosh，anameequallygloriousinjudicialandethicalphilosophy，hasremarked，thatthisgiantevil(thesuppressionoftherightofprivatejudgmentinmattersofreligion)hadreceivedamortalwoundfromLuther，whoinhiswarfarewithRomehadstruckablowagainstallhumanauthority，andunconsciouslydisclosedtomankind，thattheywereentitled，orratherboundtoformanduttertheirownopinionsandmostofallonthemostdeeplyinterestingsubjects。4

3。Thewholepassagedeservescommendationforitscatholicspirit。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10。

4。Mackintosh’sdissertationontheProgressofEthicalPhilosophy，(Phila。1832，)p。36。

5。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；

1Belknap’sNew—Hampshire，ch。3；1Chalm。Annals，p。143，145，169，189，190，191；3Hutch。Hist。42。

6。Belknap’sNew—Hampshire，ch。

3；1Doug。Summ。369。

7。Morton’sMem。1to30。

8。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；

Marsh。Amer。Col。ch。3，p。79，80；Morton’sMem。31to35。

9。1Haz。Coll。87，88；Morton’sMem。App。373。

10。1Haz。Coll。119；Morton’sMem。37；Marsh。Colon。ch。3，p。80；Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；2Hutch。Hist。455。

11。PlymouthLaws，(1685)；1Haz。Coll。

404，408。

12。Morton’sMem。110；Prince’sAnnals，225；2Hutch。Hist。463，465；1Haz。Coll。

404，408，411，412。

13。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；

2Hutch。Hist。467；1Haz。Coll。408，411，412，114。

14。2Hutch。Hist。463。

15。Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；

2Hutch。Hist。462，463，464；Hubbard’sHist。ch。10，p。

62；Chalmers’sAnnals，p。88。

16。2Hutch。Hist。464，479；

1Haz。Collec。298，404，468；1Chalm。Annals，97，98；1

Holmes’Annals，201。

17。1Haz。Coll。298，404。

18。Chalmerssays，(1Chalm。Annals，97，)that"thispatentwasnotconfirmedbythecrown，thoughthecontraryhasbeenaffirmedbythecolonialhistorians。"SeealsoMarsh。Hist。

oftheColonies，ch。3。82，83。

19。Marsh。Hist。Colon。ch。3，p。82；1Chalm。Annals，87，88，97。

20。2Hutch。Hist。464，465，467；Chalm。Annals，88。

21。Hutch。Hist。479，480；Chalm。Annals，97，98。

22。In1636。See1Haz。Coll。

404，408；Id。178，PlymouthColonyLaws(edit。1685；)1Haz。Coll。

411，414，419。

23。1Haz。Coll。473；PlymouthCol。Laws，(1688，)p。16。

24。MoreampleinformationuponallthesesubjectswillbefurnishedbyanexaminationofthePlymouthColonyLaws，firstprintedin1685。

<P><center><B>

44HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。

<P>

CHAPTERIV。

<P>

MASSACHUSETTS。

</center>

<P>

&#167；61。</B>AbouttheperiodwhenthePlymouthcolonistscompletedtheir

voyage，JamestheFirst，withaviewtopromotemoreeffectuallythe

interestsofthesecondornortherncompany，granted1totheDukeofLenox

andothersofthecompanyanewcharter，bywhichitsterritorieswere

extendedinbreadthfromthe40thtothe48thdegreeofnorthlatitude；and

inlengthbyallthebreadthaforesaidthroughoutthemainlandfromseato

sea，excludinghoweverallpossessionofanyotherChristianprince，and

alllandswithintheboundsofthesoutherncolony。2Totheterritorythus

boundedheaffixedthenameofNew—England，andtothecorporationitself

socreated，thenameof"TheCouncilestablishedatPlymouthinthecounty

ofDevon，fortheplanting，ruling，ordering，andgoverningofNew—England

inAmerica"3Thechartercontainsthenamesofthepersons，whowereto

constitutethefirstcouncil，withpowertofillvacancies，andkeepupa

perpetualsuccessionofcounselorstothenumberofforty。Thepowerto

purchase，hold，andselllands，andotherusualpowersofcorporationsare

thenconferredonthem，andspecialauthoritytomakelawsandordinances，

toregulatetheadmissionandtradeofallpersonswiththeplantation；to

disposeoftheirlands；toappointandremovegovernorsandotherofficers

oftheplantation；toestablishallmanneroforders，laws

<P><B>___________________________________<BR>

1Nov。3，1620；IDoug。Summ。406，&c。

21Haz。Coll。103，105，&c。

31Haz。Coll。99，103，106，110，111。

<P><center>

CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。45

</center></B>

<P>

anddirections，instructions，formsandceremoniesofgovernmentand

magistracy，sothatthesamebenotcontrarytothelawsandstatutesof

England；tocorrect，punish，pardon，govern，andruleallinhabitantsof

thecolonybysuchlawsandordinances，andindefectthereof，incasesof

necessity，accordingtothegooddiscretionsoftheirgovernorsand

officersrespectively，aswellincasescapitalandcriminalascivil，both

marineandothers，soalwaysthatthesameordinancesandproceedingsbe，

asnearasconvenientlymaybe，agreeabletothelaws，statutes，

government，andpolicyofEngland；andfinallytoregulatetradeand

traffictoandfromthecolony，prohibitingthesametoallpersonsnot

licensedbythecorporation。1Thecharterfurthercontainssome

extraordinarypowersincasesofrebellion，mutiny，misconduct，illicit

trade，andhostileinvasions，whichitisnotnecessarytoparticularize。

Thecharteralsodeclares，thatalltheterritoryshallbeholdenofthe

crown，asoftheroyalmanorofEastGreenwich，inKentcounty，infreeand

commonsoccage，andnotincapite，norbyknightservice；2andthatall

subjects，inhabitantsoftheplantation，andtheirchildrenandposterity

bornwithinthelimitsthereof，shallhaveandenjoyalllibertiesand

franchisesandimmunitiesoffreedenizensandnaturalsubjectswithinany

otherofthedominionsofthecrown，toallintentsandpurposes，asif

theyhadbeenabidingandbornwithinthekingdomofEngland，oranyother

dominionsofthecrown。3

<P>

<B>&#167；62。</B>Someofthepowersgrantedbythischarterwerealarmingtomany

persons，andespeciallythose，

<P>

<B>___________________________________<BR>

11Haz。Coll。109，110，112，113，114。

21Haz。Coll。111。

31Haz。Coll。117。

<P><center>

46HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。

</center></B><P>

whichgrantedamonopolyoftrade。1Theeffortstosettleacolonywithin

theterritorywereagainrenewedandagainwereunsuccessful。2Thespirit

ofreligion，however，sooneffected，whatthespiritofcommercehadfailed

toaccomplish。ThePuritans，persecutedathome，andgroaningunderthe

weightofspiritualbondage，castalongingeyetowardsAmerica，asan

ultimateretreatforthemselvesandtheirchildren。Theywereencouraged

bytheinformation，thatthecolonistsatPlymouthwereallowedtoworship

theirCreatoraccordingtothedictatesoftheirconsciences，without

molestation。Theyopenedanegotiation，throughtheinstrumentalityofa

MlWhite，adistinguishednonconformingminister，withthecouncil

establishedatPlymouth；andinMarch，1627，procuredfromthemagrantto

SirHenryRosewellandothersofallthatpartofNew—Englandlyingthree

milessouthofCharlesriverandthreemilesnorthofMerrimackriver，and

extendingfromtheAtlantictotheSouthSea。3

<P>

<B>&#167；63。</B>Otherpersonsweresooninducedtounitewiththem，ifacharter

couldbeprocuredfromthecrown，whichshouldsecuretotheadventurers

usualpowersofgovernment。ApplicationwasmadeforthispurposetoKing

Charles，who，accordingly，inMarch1628，grantedtothegranteesandtheir

associatesthemostamplepowersofgovernment。Thecharterconfirmedto

themtheterritoryalreadygrantedbythecouncilestablishedatPlymouth，

tobeholdenofthecrown，

<P>

<B>___________________________________<BR>

1Marsh。Colon。ch。3，p。83；Chalm。Annals，p。81，83。

2Robertson’sAmerica，B。10；Chalm。Annals，90。

3Thesearenotthedescriptivewordsofthegrant，butastatementofthe

substanceofit。ThegrantisrecitedinthecharterinHutchinson’s

collection，p。1，&c。andintheColonialandProvincelawsof

Massachusetts，printedin1814。

<P><center>

CH。IV。]MASSACHUSETTS。47

</center></B><P>

asoftheroyalmanorofEastGreenwich，"infreeandcommonsoccage，and

notincapite，norbyknight’sservice，"yieldingtothecrownonefifth

partofalloreofgoldandsilver，&c。withtheexception，however，of

anypartoftheterritoryactuallypossessedorinhabitedbyanyother

Christianprinceorstate，orofanypartofitwithintheboundsofthe

southerncolony[ofVirginia]grantedbyKingJames。Italsocreatedthe

associatesabodypoliticbythenameof"TheGovernorandCompanyofthe

MassachusettsBayinNew—England，"withtheusualpowersofcorporations。

Itprovided，thatthegovernmentshouldheadministeredbyagovernor，a

deputygovernor，andeighteenassistants，fromtimetotimeelectedoutof

thefreemenofthecompany，whichofficersshouldhavethecareofthe

generalbusinessandaffairsofthelandsandplantations，andthe

governmentofthepeoplethere；anditappointedthefirstgovernor，deputy

governor，andassistantsbyname。Itfurtherprovided，thatacourtor

quorumforthetransactionofbusinessshouldconsistofthegovernor，or

thedeputygovernor，andsevenormoreassistants，whichshouldassembleas

oftenasonceamonthforthatpurpose，andalso，thatfourgreatgeneral

assembliesofthecompanyshouldbeheldineveryyear。Inthesegreatand

generalassemblies(whichwerecomposedofthegovernor，deputy，

assistants，andfreemenpresent，)freemenweretobeadmittedfreeofthe

company，officersweretobeelected，andlawsandordinancesforthegood

andwelfareofthecolonymade；"soassuchlawsandordinancesbenot

contraryorrepugnanttothelawsandstatutesofthisourrealmof

England。"AtoneofthesegreatandgeneralassembliesheldinEasterTerm，

thegovernor，deputy，andassistants，andotherofficersweretobe

annuallychosenbythecompanypresent。

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48HISTORYOFTHECOLONIES。[BOOKI。

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Thecompanywerefurtherauthorizedtotransportanysubjectsorstrangers

willingtobecomesubjectsofthecrowntothecolony，andtocarryon

tradetoandfromit，withoutcustomorsubsidyforsevenyears，andwere

tobefreeofalltaxationofimportsorexportstoandfromtheEnglish

dominionforthespaceoftwentyoneyears，withtheexceptionofafive

percentduty。Thecharterfurtherprovided，thatallsubjectsofthe

crown，whoshouldbecomeinhabitants，andtheirchildrenbornthere，oron

theseasgoingorreturning，shouldenjoyalllibertiesandimmunitiesof

freeandnaturalsubjects，asiftheyandeveryofthemwerebornwithin

therealmofEngland。Fulllegislativeauthoritywasalsogiven，subject

totherestrictionofnotbeingcontrarytothelawsofEngland，asalso

fortheimpositionoffinesandmulcts"accordingtothecourseofother

corporationsinEngland。"1Manyotherprovisionswereadded，similarin

substancetothosefoundintheantecedentcolonialchartersofthecrown。

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