A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency
There is no Science, the Study of which is more useful and commendable than the Knowledge of the true Interest of one’s Country; and perhaps there is no Kind of Learning more abstruse and intricate,...
View ArticleWhat is an American
LETTER III from Letters From an American Farmer I WISH I could be acquainted with the feelings and thoughts which must agitate the heart and present themselves to the mind of an enlightened Englishman,...
View ArticleLaws, Rights, and Liberties Related to Religion in Early America
Articles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politic, and Martial for the Colony in Virginia (c. 1610) First, since we owe our highest and supreme duty—our greatest, and all our allegiance—to Him, from whom all...
View ArticleFundamental Constitution of East New Jersey
Since the right of government, as well as soil, is in the four and twenty Proprietors, and that the same is confirmed to them a new by a late patent from James Duke of York, pursuant to patent granted...
View ArticleCharter of Delaware
William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the province of Pennsylvania and territories thereunto belonging, to all to whom these presents shall come, sends greeting. Whereas King Charles the Second, by...
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New Jersey Concessions and Agreements
Imprimus. We do consent and agree, that the Governor of the said Province hath power, by the advice of his Council, to depute one in his place and authority, in case of death or removal, to continue...
View ArticleNorth Carolina Fundamental Constitution
Our sovereign lord the King having, out of his royal grace and bounty, granted unto us the province of Carolina, with all the royalties, properties, jurisdictions, and privileges of a county palatine,...
View ArticleCharter of Carolina, 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. Whereas our right...
View ArticleCharter of Carolina, 1665
Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS, by our Letters Patents, bearing date the twenty-fourth day of March, in the...
View ArticleAn Act for the Liberties of the People
Be it Enacted By the Lord Proprietarie of this Province of and with the advice and approbation of the ffreemen of the same that all the Inhabitants of this Province being Christians (Slaves excepted)...
View ArticleGeneral Laws and Liberties of New Hampshire
Province Laws. The Generall Lawes and Liberties of the Province of New Hampshire, made by the Generall Assembly in Portsmo the 16th of March 1679/80 and approved by the Presidt and Councill. For as...
View ArticleAn Act What Persons Shall Be Called to Every General Assembly and an Act...
Be it enacted by the Lord Proprietary of this province, of and with the advice and approbation of the freemen of the same, that, from henceforth, everyone being of the council of this province and any...
View ArticleDivision of the Connecticut General Assembly into Two Houses
It is ordered by this court, and the authority thereof, that for the future its general assembly shall consist of two houses. The first shall consist of the governor, or, in his absence of the...
View ArticleFundamental Articles of New Haven
The 4th day of the 4th moneth called June 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a ge[neral] meetinge to consult about settling civill Government according to God, and about the nomination...
View ArticleCharter of Massachusetts Bay
And further, That the said Governour and Companye, and their Successors, maie have forever one comon Seale, to be used in all Causes and Occasions of the said Company, and the same Seale may alter,...
View ArticleThe Laws and Liberties of Massachusetts
The Book of the General Lawes and Libertyes Concerning the Inhabitants of the Massachusets Collected Out of the Records of the Genereal Court for the Several Years Wherein They Were Made and...
View ArticleA Letter from Governor Richard Nicolls to the Inhabitants of Long Island
Whereas the Inhabitants of Long Island, have for a Long time groaned under many grievous inconveniences, and discouragements occasioned partly from their subjection, partly from their opposition to a...
View ArticleA Foreign Spectator XXIV
"An Essay on the Means of Promoting Federal Sentiments in the United States" XXIV In this federal composition it is not proper to draw comparisons. It is generally known which of the states have been...
View ArticleCharter of Liberties and Privileges
FFor The better Establishing the Government of this province of New Yorke and that Justice and Right may be Equally done to all persons within the same. BEE It Enacted by the Governour Councell and...
View ArticleAct for Establishing the House of Assembly and the Laws to Be Made Therein
Memorandum That at the first meeting of the Assembly on the 25th day of the February 1638 was Enacted and ordeined one Act as followeth An Act For the Establishing the house of Assembly and the Laws to...
View ArticleCharter of Providence
Whereas, by virtue of a free and absolute charter of civill incorporation, granted to the free inhabitants of the colonie of Providence, by the Right Honorable Robert, Earl of Warwick, Governor in...
View ArticlePreface to the General Laws and Liberties of Connecticut Colony Revised and...
To our Beloved Brethren and Neighbours, the Inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut, The GENERAL COVRT of that Colony with Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus. The Serious Consideration of the Necessity...
View ArticleGeneral Assembly of Rhode Island Is Divided into Two Houses
The Assembly having taken notice of the motion from the townes of Portsmouth and of Warwick, desiring the Assembly would order that the deputyes may sitt apart from the magistrates as a House by...
View ArticleActs and Orders of 1647
Acts and Orders Made and agreed upon at the Generall Court of Election, held at Portsmouth, in Rhode Island, the 19, 20, 21 of May, Anno. 1647, for the Colonie and province of Providence. Mr. John...
View ArticleWarwick Agreement
KNOW ALL MEN, Colonies, Peoples, and Nations, unto whom the same hereof shall come; that wee, the chiefe Sachems, Princes or Governours of the Nanhigansets (in the part of America, now called...
View ArticleOrganization of the Government of Rhode Island
The Generall Court of Election began and held at Portsmouth, from the 16th of March, to the 19th of the same mon., 1641. I. It was ordered and agreed, before the Election, that in Ingagement by oath...
View ArticlePlantation Agreement at Providence
Report of Arbitrators at Providence, containing proposals for a form of government Providence the 27th of the 5th mo. in the yeare (so called) 1640 Wee, Robert Coles, Chad Browne, William Harris, and...
View ArticlePlantation Covenant at Quinnipiack
We the assembly of free planters do solemnly covenant] thatt as [in] matters thatt Concerne the gathering and ordering of a Chur. so Likewise in all publique offices wch concerne Cuill orders as Choyce...
View ArticleArticles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politic, and Martial for the Colony in...
Articles, Lawes, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and Martiall for the Colony in Virginea: first established by Sir Thomas Gates Knight, Lieutenant Generall, the 24th of May 1610. exemplified and...
View ArticleOf the Original Contract
When we consider how nearly equal all men are in their bodily force, and even in their mental powers and faculties, till cultivated by education, we must necessarily allow that nothing but their own...
View ArticleNewport Agreement
Pocasset. On the 28th of the 2d [month], 1639It is agreed. By vs whose hands are underwritten, to propagate a Plantation in the midst of the Island or elsewhere; And doe engage ourselves to bear equall...
View ArticleV. To General Sir William Howe
TO argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to...
View ArticleA Thought Upon the Past, Present, and Future State of North America
* America is a subject which daily becomes more and more interesting:-I shall therefore fill these Pages with a Word upon its Past, Present and Future State. First of its Past State: Time has cast a...
View ArticleAn Election Sermon
I Cor. XII. 25. That there should be no Schism in the Body, but that the Members should have the same Care one for another The natural Body consists of various Members, connected and subservient one...
View ArticleMassachusetts Government Act
WHEREAS by letters patent under the great seal of England, made in the third year of the reign of their late majesties King William and Queen Mary, for uniting, erecting, and incorporating, the...
View ArticleSermons
I. CORRINTH. Chap. VII. Ver. 21. Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. At first glance, it is certain, this text refers to a state of...
View ArticleLetter from an Indentured Servant to his Parents
LOVING AND KIND FATHER AND MOTHER: My most humble duty remembered to you, hoping in god of your good health, as I myself am at the making hereof. This is to let you understand that I you child am in a...
View ArticleCharter of Privileges
Charter of Privileges which Gustavus Adolphus Has Graciously Given by Letters Patent to the Newly Established Swedish South Company; June 14, 1626 We, Gustavus Adolphus, by the grace of God, King of...
View ArticleCommission to Sir Ferdinando Gorges as Governor of New England by Charles
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 we...
View ArticleConfirmation of the Grant from the Council for New England to Captain John Mason
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 of the great charter of that...
View ArticleDeclaration for Resignation of the Charter by the Council for New England
Forasmuch as we have found by a long experience that the faithful endeavors of some of us that have sought the advancement of the plantation of New England have not been without frequent and inevitable...
View ArticleGeneral Charter for Those who Discover Any New Passages, Havens, Countries,...
The States-General of the United Netherlands, to all those who shall see these presents or hear them read, greeting. Be it known, whereas we understand it would be honorable, serviceable, and...
View ArticleGrant of Exclusive Trade to New Netherland by the States-General of the...
The States-General of the United Netherlands, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas Gerrit Jacobz Witssen, ancient Burgomaster of the city Amsterdam, Jonas Witssen, Simon...
View ArticleGrant of His Interest in New Hampshire by Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Captain...
This indenture made the seventeenth day of September, Anno Domini 1635, and in the eleventh year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and...
View ArticleProclamation Against the Disorderly Transporting His Majesty’s subjects to...
By 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 been granted by patent to several...
View ArticleThe Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England
The Articles of Confederation between the Plantations under the Government of the Massachusetts, the Plantations under the Government of New Plymouth, the Plantations under the Government of...
View ArticleConcord Town Meeting Resolution
At a meeting of the Inhabitents of the Town of Concord being free and twenty one years of age and upward, met by adjournment on the twenty first Day of October 1776 to take into Consideration a Resolve...
View ArticleCharter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whome these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas wee have been...
View ArticleCharter of Connecticut
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...
View ArticleThe Life and Apostolic Labors of the Venerable Father Junípero Serra
Seeing that for these reasons the third Mission could not be begun, our Venerable Father, with his disciple Fr. Juan Crespi,[1] devoted themselves to the conversion of the Indians of Monterey; but as...
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