Fundamental Orders of 1639 For as much as it hath pleased Almighty God by the wise disposition of his divine providence so to order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents… Read More
Petition for a Charter of New England by the Northern Company of Adventurers – March 3, 1619/20 To the King’s most excellent Majesty. The most humble petition of your Majesty’s counsel for the second colony and other the adventurers in the western parts of England for the… Read More
The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina – March 1, 1669 Our sovereign lord the King having, out of his royal grace and bounty, granted unto us the province of Carolina, with all the royalties, properties, jurisdictions, and privileges of a… Read More
The Fundamental Constitutions for the Province of East New Jersey in America, Anno Domini 1683 Since the right of government, as well as soil, is in the four and twenty Proprietors, and that the same is confirmed to them a new by a late patent… Read More
Fundamental Agreement, or Original Constitution of the Colony of New Haven, June 4, 1639 THE 4th day of the 4th month, called June, 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling civil government, according to GOD, and… Read More
Plantation Agreement at Providence August 27 – September 6, 1640 Wee, Robert Coles, Chad Browne, William Harris, and John Warner, being freely chosen by the consent of our loving friends and neighbors the Inhabitants of this Towne of Providence, having… Read More
Proclamation Against the Disorderly Transporting His Majesty’s Subjects to the Plantations Within the Parts of America – April 30, 1637 By The King The King’s most excellent majesty being informed that great numbers of his subjects have been and are every year transported into those parts of America, which have… Read More
Province of West New Jersey, in America, The 25th of the Ninth Month Called November. 1681 Forasmuch as it hath pleased God, to bring us into this Province of West New Jersey, and settle us here in safety, that we may be a people to the… Read More
Quintipartite Deed of Revision, Between E. and W Jersey – July 1st, 1676 This indenture, quintipartite, made the first day of July, Anno Domini1676, and in the eighth and twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King Charles, the Second, over… Read More
Resolutions of The Germantown Mennonites – February 18, 1688 This is to the monthly meeting held at Richard Worrell’s: These are the reasons why we are against the traffic of men-body, as followeth: Is there any that would be… Read More
Royal Commission for Regulating Plantations – April 28, 1634 Charles, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.. To the right reverend father in God, our right trusty and wellbeloved… Read More
The Second Charter of Virginia – May 23, 1609 JAMES, 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, at the… Read More
The Third Charter of Virginia – March 12, 1611 JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England;, Scotland, France, and Ireland;, Defender of the Faith; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. WHEREAS at the humble… Read More
William Bradford, &c. Surrender of the Patent of Plymouth Colony to the Freeman, March 2nd, 1640 Whereas divers and sundry Treaties have beene in the Publicke generall courts of New Plymouth his majestic our dread Sovereigne Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland… Read More
Frame of Government of Pennsylvania – February 2, 1683 The Frame of the Government of the Province of Pennsylvania and, Territories thereunto annexed, in America. To all persons, to whom these presents may come. Whereas king Charles the Second, by his… Read More
A Grant of the Province of Maine to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason, esq., 10th of August, 1622 This indenture, made the 10th day of August, Anno Dom. 1622, and in the 20th yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord James, by the grace of God King… Read More
The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643 The Articles of Confederation betwixt the Plantations under the Government of the Massachusetts, the Plantations under the Government of Plimouth, the Plantations under the Government of Connecticut, and the Government… Read More
Charter of Carolina – March 24, 1663 CHARLES the Second, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To all to whom these present shall come: Greeting: 1st.… Read More
Charter of Carolina – June 30, 1665 CHARLES the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS, by our Letters Patents, bearing date the twenty-fourth day… Read More
Charter of Connecticut – 1662 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… Read More
The Charter of New England – 1620 JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. to all whom these Presents shall come, Greeting, Whereas, upon the humble… Read More
Charter of the Colony of New Plymouth Granted to William Bradford and His Associates – 1629 To all to whom these presents shall come greetinge: Whereas our late sovereigns lord king James for the advancement of a collonie and plantacon in the cuntry called or knowne… Read More
Charter of the Dutch West India Company – 1621 The States-General of the United Netherlands, to all who shall see these Presents, or hear them read, Greeting. Be it known, that we knowing the prosperity of these countries, and… Read More
The Combinations of the Inhabitants Upon the Piscataqua River for Government, 1641 Whereas sundry Mischiefs and Inconveniences have befallen us, and more and greater may, in regard of want of Civill Government, his gracious Majesty haveing settled no order for us, to… Read More
Commission of John Cutt, 1680 The Com’ission constituting a President & Councell for ye Province of New Hampshire in New-England Charles ye Second, &c, To all to whom these prsents shall come Greeting Whereas Our… Read More
Commission of Sir Edmund Andros for the Dominion of New England – April 7, 1688 James the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. To our trusty and welbeloved Sr Edmund Andros Knt Greeting:… Read More
Commission to Sir Ferdinando Gorges as Governor of New England by Charles – July 23, 1637 Manifesting our royal pleasure for the establishing a general government in our territories of New England for prevention of those evils that otherwise might ensue for default thereof, forasmuch as… Read More
Concessions and Agreements of the Lords Proprietors of the Province of Carolina, 1665 The Concessions and Agreement of the Lords Propryators of the Province of Carolina to and with the adventurers of the Island of Barbados and their associates of England New England… Read More
Confirmation of the Grant from the Council for New England to Captain John Mason – 1635 Forasmuch as by a mutual agreement we whose names are subscribed patentees or adventurers and of the Council of New England are to join in the surrender to his Majesty… Read More
A Declaration and Proposals of the Lord Proprietor of Carolina, Aug. 25-Sept. 4, 1663 His majesty having been graciously pleased, by his charter bearing date the 24th of March, in the 15th year of his reign, out of a pious and good intention for the… Read More
