Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns the true Lords and Proprieters of all the Province aforesaid KNOW ye therefore moreover that We reposing Especial Trust and Confidence in their Fidelity Wisdom Justice and Provident Circumspection for Us Our Heirs and Successours do Grant full and absolute Power by virtue of these Presents to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley 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 or 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 Guke of Albermarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley 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 duely to execute upon all People within the said Province and Limits thereof for the Time being or which shall be Constituted under the Power and Government of them or any of them either Sailing towards the said Province of Carolina or returning from thence towards England or any other of our or Forreign Dominions by Imposition of Penalties Imprisonment or any other Punishment yea if it shall be needful and the Quality of the Offence requires it by taking away Member and Life either by them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton and their Heirs or by them or their Deputies Lieutenants Judges Justices Magistrates Officers and Ministers 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 VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkely and Sir John Colleton and their Heirs shall seem most convenient Also to remit Release Pardon and Abolish whether before Judgment or after all Crimes and Offences whatsoever against the said Laws and to do all and every other Thing and Things which unto the Compleat Establishment of Justice unto Courts Sessions and Forms of Judicature and Manners of Proceedings therein do belong although in these Presents express mention be not made thereof and by Judges and by him or them delegated to award process hold Pleas and determine in all the said Courts and Places of Judicature all Actions Suits and Causes whatsoever as well Criminal as Civil real mixt personal or of any other Kind or Nature whatsoever Which Laws so as aforesaid to be Published Our Pleasure is and We do Require Enjoyn and Command shall be Absolute Firm and Available in Law and that all the Leige People of Us Our Heirs and Successors within the said Province of Carolina do observe and keep the same inviolably in those Parts so far as they concern them under the Pains and Penalties therein expressed or to be expressed Provided nevertheless That the said Laws be Consonant to Reason and as near as may be conveniently agreeable to the Laws and Customs of this our Kingdom of England And because such Assemblies of Free-holders 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 Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns by themselves or their Magistrates in that Behalf Lawfully Authorized full Power and Authority from Time to Time to make and ordain fit and wholesome Orders and Ordinances within the Province aforesaid to be kept and observed as well for the keeping of the Peace as for the better Government of the People there abiding and to Publish the same to all to whom it may concern which Ordinances We do by these Presents streightly charge and Command to be Inviolably observed within the said Province under the Penalties therein expressed so as such Ordinances be reasonable and not repugnant or contrary but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws and Statutes of this our Kingdom of England and so as the same Ordinances do not extend to the Binding Charging or Taking away of the Right or Interest of any Person or Persons in their Freehold Goods or Chattels whatsoever And to the end the said Province may be the more happily increased by the Multitude of People resorting thither and may likewise be the more strongly Defended from the Incursions of Savages and other Enemies Pirates and Robbers Therefore We for Us Our Heirs and Successors do Give and Grant by these Presents Power License and Liberty unto all the Leige People of Us Our Heirs and Successors in our Kingdom of England or elsewhere within any other our Dominions Islands Colonies or Plantations excepting those who shall be especially forbidden to Transport themselves and Families unto the said Province with convenient Shipping and â—itting Provisions and there to settle themselves dwell and inhabit any Law Statute Act Ordinance or other thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And We will also and of Our more special Grace for Us Our Heirs and Successors do streightly Enjoyn Ordain Constitute and Command that the said Province of Carolina shall be of our Allegiance and that all and singular the Subjects and Liege People of Us Our Heirs and Successors Transported or to be Transported into the said Province and the Children of them and of such as shall Descend from them there Born or hereafter to be Born be and shall be Denizons and Leiges of Us Our Heirs and Successors of this Our Kingdom of England and be in all Things Held Treated and Reputed as the Leige Faithful People of Us Our Heirs and Successors Born within this Our said Kingdom or any other of Our Dominions and may Inherit or otherwise Purchase and Receive Take Hold Buy and Possess any Lands Tenements or Hereditaments within the same Places and them may Occupy Possess and Enjoy Give Sell Aliene and Bequeath as likewise all Liberties Franchises and Priviledges of this Our Kingdom of England and of other our Dominions aforesaid
and may freely and quietly have possess and enjoy as our Leige People born within the same without the least Molestation Vexation Trouble or Grievance of Us our Heirs and Successors any Statute Act Ordinance or Provision to the contrary notwithstanding And furthermore That our Subjects of this our said Kingdom of England and other our Dominions may be the rather encouraged to undertake this Expedition with ready and chearful Minds Know ye That we of our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion do give and grant by vertue of these Presents as well to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton and their Heirs as unto all others as shall from Time to Time repair unto the said Province with a Purpose to inhabit there or to trade with the Natives of the said Province full Liberty and License to lade and freight in any Ports whatsoever of Us our Heirs and Successors and into the said Province of Carolina by them their Servants and Assigns to transport all and singular their Goods Wares and Merchandizes as likewise all sorts of Grain whatsoever and any other Things whatsoever necessary for the Food and Cloathing not prohibited by the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdoms and Dominions to be carry'd out of the same without any Lett or Molestation of us our Heirs and Successors or of any other of our Officers or Ministers whatsoever saving also to Us our Heirs and Successors the Customs and other Dutys and Payments due for the said Wares and Merchandizes according to the several Rates of the Places from whence the same shall be transported We will also and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant License by this our Charter unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns and to all the Inhabitants and Dwellers in the Province aforesaid both present and to come full Power and absolute Authority to import or unlade by themselves or their Servants Factors or Assigns all Merchandizes and Goods whatsoever that shall arise of the Fruits and Commodities of the said Province either by Land or by Sea into any the Ports of Us our Heirs and Successors in our Kingdom of England Scotland or Ireland or otherwise to dispose of the said Goods in the said Ports and if need be within one Year next after the unlading to lade the said Merchandizes and Goods again into the same or other Ships and to export the same into any other Countries either of our Dominions or forreign being in Amity with Us our Heirs and Successors so as they pay such Customs Subsidies and other Dutys for the same to Us our Heirs and Successors as the rest of our Subjects of this our Kingdom for the Time being shall be bound to pay beyond which we will not that the Inhabitants of the said Province of Carolina shall be any way charged Provided nevertheless and our Will and Pleasure is and We have further for the Considerations aforesaid of our more especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion given and granted and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full and free License Liberty and Authority at any Time or Times from and after the Feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel which shall be in the Year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and Seven as well to import and bring into any of our Dominions from the said Province of Carolina or any Part thereof the several Goods and Commodities herein after mentioned that is to say Silks Wines Currants Raisons Capers Wax Almonds Oyl and Olives without paying or answering to us our Heirs or Successors any Custom Impost or other Duty for or in respect thereof for and during the Term and Space of Seven Years to commence and be accompted from and after the first Importation of Four Tons of any the said Goods in any one Bottom Ship or Vessel from the said Province into any of our Dominions as also to export and carry out of any of our Dominions into the said Province of Carolina Custom-free all sorts of Tools which shall be useful or necessary for the Planters there in the Accomodation and Improvement of the Premises any Thing before in these Presents contained or any Law Act Statute prohibition or other Matter or Thing heretofore had made enacted or provided or hereafter to be had made Enacted or provided to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And furthermore of our more ample and especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion We do for Us our Heirs and Successors grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full and absolute Power and Authority to make erect and constitute within the said Province of Carolina and the Isles and Islets aforesaid such and so many Sea-Ports Harbours Creeks and other Places for discharge and unlading of Goods and Merchandizes out of Ships Boats and other Vessels and for lading of them in such and so many Places and with such Jurisdictions Priviledges and Franchises unto the said Ports belonging as to them shall seem most expedient and that all and singular the Ships Boats and other Vessels which shall come for Merchandizes and trade into the said Province or shall depart out of the same shall be laden and unladen at such Ports only as shall be erected and constituted by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns and not elsewhere any Use Custom or any thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And We do furthermore will appoint and ordain by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns That they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns may from Time to Time for ever have and enjoy the Customs and Subsidies in the Ports Harbours Creeks and other Places within the Province aforesaid payable for Goods Merchandizes
and Wares there laded or to be laded or unladed the said Customs to be reasonably assessed upon any Occasion by themselves and by and with the Consent of the free People there or the greater Part of them as aforesaid to whom We give Power by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors upon just Cause and in a due Proportion to assess and impose the same And further of our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion we have given granted and confirmed and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full and absolute License Power and Authority that the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns from Time to Time hereafter for ever at his and their Will and Pleasure may assign alien grant demise or enfeoft the Premises or any Parts or Parcells thereof to him or them that shall be willing to purchase the same and to such Person or Persons as they shall think fit to have and to hold to them the said Person or Persons their Heirs and Assigns in Fee simple or Fee Tayle or for Term of Life or Lives or Years to be held of them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns by such Rents Services and Customs as shall seem meet to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns and not immediately of Us our Heirs and Successors And to the same Person and Persons and to all and every of them We do give and grant by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors License Authority and Power that such Person or Persons may have or take the Premises or any Parcel thereof of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns and the same to hold to themselves their Heirs or Assigns in what Estate of Inheritance whatsoever in Fee simple or in Fee Tayle or otherwise as to them and the said Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns shall seem expedient The Statute made in the Parliament of Edward Son of King Henry heretofore King of England our Predecessor commonly called The Statute of Quia Emptores Terrae or any other Satute Act Ordinance Use Law Custom or any other Matter Cause or Thing heretofore published or provided to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And because many Persons born or inhabiting in the said Province for their Deserts and Services may expect and be capable of Marks of Honour and Favour which in respect of the great Distance cannot conveniently be conferred by Us our Will and Pleasure therefore is and We do by these Presents give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle Willliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full Power and Authority to give and conferr unto and upon such of the Inhabitants of the said Province as they shall think do or shall merit the same such Marks or Favour and Titles of Honour as they shall think fit so as these Titles of Honour be 〈…〉 conferred upon any the 〈◊〉 of this Our Kingdom of 〈◊〉 And further also We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors give and Grant License to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full Power Liberty and License to Erect Raise and Build within the said Province and Places aforesaid or any Part or Parts thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Borroughs Towns Villages and other Fortifications whatsoever and the same or any of them to Fortify and Furnish with Ordinance Powder Shot Armory and all other Weapons Ammunition Habiliments of War both Offensive and Defensive as shall be thought fit and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province and Places or any Part thereof and the same or any of them from Time to Time as Occasion shall require to Dismantle Disfurnish Demolish and pull down and also to Place Constitute and Appoint in or over all or any of the said Castles Forts Fortifications Cities Towns and Places aforesaid Governours Deputy Governours Magistrates Sheriffs and other Officers Civil and Military as to them shall seem meet and to the said Cities Burroughs Towns Villages or any other Place or Places within the said Province to Grant Letters or Charters of Incorporation with all Liberties Franchises and Priviledges requisite and usual or to or within any Corporations within this Our Kingdom of England granted or belonging and in the same Citties Burroughs Towns and other Places to Constitute Erect and Appoint such and so many Markets Marts and Fairs as shall in that Behalf be thought fit and necessary and further also to Erect and Make in the Province aforesaid or any Part thereof so many Mannors as to them shall seem meet and convenient and in every of the same Mannors to have and to hold a Court-Baron with all things whatsoever which to a Court-Baron do belong and to have and to hold Views of Franck Pledge and Court-Leet for the Conservation of the Peace and better Government of those Parts within such Limits Jurisdictions and Precincts as by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton or their Heirs shall be appointed for that purpose with all things whatsoever which to a Court Leet or view of Franck Pledge do belong the said Court to be holden by Stewards to be Deputed and Authorized by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton or their Heirs or by the Lords of other Mannors and Leets for the Time being when the same shall be Erected And because that in so remote a Country and Scituate among
Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton or any other Person or Persons whatsoever or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restraint heretofore Had Made Published Ordained or Provided or any other Thing Cause or Matter whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any Wise Notwithstanding In Witness c. Witness the KING at VVestminster the Four and Twentieth Day of March in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign Per ipsum Regem THE SECOND CHARTER Granted by King CHARLES IId TO THE PROPRIETORS OF CAROLINA CHARLES IId by the Grace of God c. Whereas By Our Letters Patents bearing Date the Four and Twentieth Day of March in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign We were Graciously Pleas'd to Grant unto Our right Trusty and right Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Clarendon our high Chancellor of England Our right Trusty and Right Intirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor George Duke of Albemarle Master of our Horse Our right Trusty and Well Beloved William now Earl of Craven our right Trusty and well-beloved Counsellor John Lord Berkeley our right Trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Anthony Lord Ashley Chancellor of our Exchequer our right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Sir George Carterett Knight and Baronet Vice-Chamberlain of our Houshold Our right Trusty and well-beloved Sir John Colleton Knight and Baronet and Sir William Berkeley Knight all that Province Territotory or Tract of Ground called Carolina scituate lying and being within our Dominions of America Extending from the North End of the Island called Luke Island which lyeth 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 respectively as far as the River of Mathias which bordereth upon the Coast of Florida and within One and Thirty Degrees of the Northern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South Seas aforesaid Now Know Ye that We at the Humble Request of the said Grantees in the aforesaid Letters Patents named and as a further Mark of Our especial Favour towards them We are Gratiously Pleased to Enlarge Our said Grant unto them according to the Bounds and Limits hereafter Specifyed and in Favour to the Pious and Noble Purpose of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns all that Province Territory or Tract of Ground Scituate lying and being within Our Dominions of America aforesaid extending North and Eastward as far as the North End of Carahtuke River or Gulet upon a streight Westerly Line to Wyonoake Creek which lyes within or about the Degrees of Thirty Six and Thirty Minutes Northern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South Seas and South and Westward as far as the Degrees of Twenty Nine Inclusive Northern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South Seas together with all and singular Ports Harbours Bays Rivers and Islets belonging unto the Province or Territory aforesaid And also all the Soil Lands Fields Woods Mountains Ferms Lakes Rivers Bays and Islets scituate or being within the Bounds or Limits last before mentioned 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 together with the Royalty of the Sea upon the Coast within the Limits aforesaid And moreover all Veins Mines and Quarries as well discovered as not discover'd of Gold Silver Gems and Precious Stones and all other whatsoever be it of Stones Mettal or any other thing found or to be found within the Province Territory Islets and Limits aforesaid And furthermore the Patronage and Avowsons of all the Churches and Chappels which as Christian Religion shall encrease within the Province Territory Isles and Limits aforesaid shall happen hereafter to be erected together with License and Power to build and found Churches Chappels and Oratories in convenient and fit places within the said Bounds and Limits and to cause them to be Dedicated and Consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of Our Kingdom of England together with all and singular the like and as ample Rights Jurisdictions Priviledges Prerogatives Royalties Liberties Immunities and Franchises of what Kind soever within the Territory Isles Islets and Limits aforesaid To have hold use exercise and enjoy the same as amply fully and in as ample Manner as any Bishop of Durham in Our Kingdom of England ever heretofore had held used or enjoyed or of right ought or could have use or enjoy and them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors make create and constitute the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province or Territory and of all other the Premises saving always the Faith Allegiance and Sovereign Dominion due to Us Our Heirs and Successors for the same to have hold possess and enjoy the said Province Territory Islets and all and singular other the Premises to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns for Ever to be holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of Our Mannor of East Greenwich in Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service yeilding and paying yearly to Us Our Heirs and Successors for the same the fourth Part of all Goods and Silver Oar which within the Limits hereby Granted shall from Time to Time happen to be found over and besides the Yearly Rent of Twenty Marks and the fourth part of the Gold and Silver Oar in and by the said recited Letters Patents reserved and payable And that the Province or Territory hereby granted and described may be dignifyed with as large Titles and Priviledges as any other Parts 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 annex the same Tract of Ground and Territory unto the same Province of Carolina and out of the Fulness of our Royal Power and Prerogative We do for Us our Heirs and Successors annex and unite the same to the said Province of Carolina And forasmuch as We have made and ordained the aforesaid Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns the true Lords and Proprietors of all the Province or
Territory aforesaid Know ye therefore moreover That We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in their Fidelity Wisdom Justice and provident Circumspection for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant full and absolute Power by virtue of these Presents to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley and their Heirs and Assigns for the good and happy Government of the said whole Province or Territory full Power and Authority to erect constitute and make several Counties Baronies and Colonies of and within the said Provinces Territories Lands and Hereditaments in and by the said recited Letter Patents and these Presents granted or mentioned to be granted as aforesaid with several and distinct Jurisdictions Powers Liberties and Priviledges And also to ordain make and enact and under their Seals to publish any Laws and Constitutions whatsoever either appertaining to the publick State of the said whole Proviâ—â—â— or Territory or of any distinct or particular County Barony or Colony of or within the same or to the private Utility of particular Persons according to their best Discretion by and with the Advice Assent and Approbation of the Freemen of the said Province or Territory or of the Freemen of the County Barony or Colony for which such Law or Constitution shall be made or the greater Part of them or of their Delegates or Deputies whom for enacting of the said Laws when and as often as need shall require We will that the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley and their Heirs or Assigns shall from Time to Time assemble in such Manner and Form as to them shall seem best And the same Laws duly to execute upon all People within and the said Province or Territory County Barony or Colony the Limits thereof for the Time being which shall be constituted under the Power and Government of them or any of them either sailing towards the said Province or Territory of Carolina or returning from thence towards England or any other of our or forreign Dominions by Imposition of Penalties Imprisonment or any other Punishment Yea if it shall be needful and the Quality of the Offence require it by taking away Member and Life either by them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley and their Heirs or by them or their Deputies Lieutenants Judges Justices Magistrates or Officers whatsoever as well within the said Province as at Sea in such Manner and Form as unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley and their Heirs shall seem most convenient Also to remit release pardon and abolish whether before Judgement or after all Crimes and Offences whatsoever against the said Laws and to do all and every other Thing and Things which unto the â—ompleat Establishment of Justice unto â—oâ—â—ts Sessions and Forms of Judicature and Manners of proceedings therein do belâ—â—g alâ—â—â— in these Presents express 〈…〉 made thereof and by Judges to 〈…〉 process â—â—â—d Pleas and determine 〈…〉 Judicature all Actions Suits and Causes whatsoever as well criminal as civil real mixt personal or of any other Kind or Nature Whatsoever Which Laws so as aforesaid to be published Our Pleasure is and We do enjoyn require and command shall be absolutely firm and available in Law and that all the Leige People of Us our Heirs and Successors within the said Province or Territory do observe and keep the same inviolably in those Parts so far as they concern them under the Pains and Penalties therein expressed or to be expressed provided nevertheless that the said Laws be consonant to Reason and as near as may be conveniently agreeeble to the Laws and Customs of this our Realm of England And because such Assemblies of Free-holders cannot be so suddenly 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 Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley 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 wholsome Orders and Ordinances within the Province or Territory aforesaid or any County Barony or Province of or within the same to be kept and observed as well for the keeping of the Peace as for the better Government of the People there abiding and to publish the same to all to whom it may concern Which Ordinances we do by these Presents streightly charge and command to be inviolably observed within the same Province Countys Territorys Baronys and Provinces under the Penalties therein expressed so as such Ordinances be reasonable and not repugnant or contrary but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws and Statutes of this our Kingdom of England and so as the same Ordinances do not extend to the binding charging or taking away of the Right or Interest of any Person or Persons in their freehold Goods or Chattels whatsoever And to the end the said Province or Territory may be the more happily encreased by the Multitude of People resorting thither and may likewise be the more strongly defended from the Incursions of Savages and other Enemies Pirates and Robbers Therefore We for Us Our Heirs and Successors do give and grant by these Presents Power License and Liberty unto all the Leige People of Us our Heirs and Successors in our Kingdom of England or elsewhere within any other our Dominions Islands Colonies or Plantations excepting those who shall be especially forbidden to transport themselves and Families into the said Province or Territory with convenient Shipping and fitting Provisions and there to settle themselves dwell and inhabit any Law Act Statute Ordinance or other Thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And we will also and of Our especial Grace for Us our Heirs and Successors do streightly enjoyn ordain constitute and command That the said Province or Territory shall be of our Allegiance and that all and singular the Subjects and Leige People of Us our Heirs and Successors transported or to be transported into the said Province and the Children of them and such as shall descend from them there born or hereafter to be born be and shall be Denizens and Leiges of Us our Heirs and Successors of this our Kingdom of England and be in all Things held treated and reputed as the Leige faithful People of Us
our Heirs and Successors born within this our said Kingdom or any other of our Dominions and may inherit or otherwise purchase and receive take hold buy and possess any Lands Tenements or Hereditaments within the said Places and them may occupy and enjoy sell alien and bequeath as likewise all Liberties Franchises and Priviledges of this our Kingdom and of other our Dominions aforesaid may freely and quietly have possess and enjoy as our Leige People born within the same without the Molestation Vexation Trouble or Grievance of Us Our Heirs and Successors any Act Statute Ordinance Provision to the contrary notwithstanding And furthermore That Our Subjects of this Our said Kingdom of England and other our Dominions may be the rather encouraged to undertake this Expedition with ready and chearful Means Know Ye That We of Our especial 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 Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley and their Heirs as unto all others as shall from Time to Time repair unto the said Province or Territory with a Purpose to in habit there or to trade with the Natives thereof Full Liberty and License to lade and freight in every Port whatsoever of Us our Heirs and Successors and into the said Province of Carolina by them their Servants and Assigns to transport all and singular their Goods Wares and Merchandizes as likewise all sort of Grain whatsoever and any other Thing whatsoever necessary for their Food and Cloathing not prohibited by the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom and Dominions to be carried out of the same without any Lett or Molestation of Us our Heirs and Successors or of any other our Officers or Ministers whatsoever saving also to Us our Heirs and Successors the Customs and other Duties and Payments due for the said Wares and Merchandizes according to the several Rates of the Places from whence the same shall be transported We will also and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant License by this our Charter unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns and to all the Inhabitants and Dwellers in the Province or Territory aforesaid both present and to come full Power and absolute Authority to import or unlade by themselves or their Servants Factors or Assigns all Merchandizes and Goods whatsoever that shall arise of the Fruits and Commodities of the said Province or Territory either by Land or Sea into any the Ports of Us our Heirs and Successors in our Kingdom of England Scotland or Ireland or otherwise to dispose of the said Goods in the said Ports And if need be within one Year next after the unlading to lade the said Merchandizes and Goods again into the same or other Ships and to export the same into any other Countrys either of our Dominions or forreign being in Amity with Us our Heirs and Successors so as they pay such Customs Subsidies and other Duties for the same to Us our Heirs and Successors as the rest of our Subjects of this our Kingdom for the Time being shall be bound to pay Beyond which We will not that the Inhabitants of the said Province or Territory shall be any ways charged Provided nevertheless and our Will and Pleasure is and We have further for the Considerations aforesaid of our 〈…〉 certain Knowledge and meer Motion given and granted and by these Presents for 〈…〉 Heirs and Successors do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full and free License Liberty Power and Authority at any Time or Times from and after the Feast of Sâ— Michael the Arch-Angel which shall be in the Year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and Seven as weâ—â— to import and bring into any our Dominions from the said Province of Carolina or any Part thereof the several Goods and Commodities herein after mentioned That is to say Silks Wines Currants Raysons Capers Wax Almonds Oyl and Olives without paying or answering to Us our Heirs and Successors any Custom Impost or other Duty for or in respect thereof for an during the Time and Space of Seven Years to commence and be accompted from and after the first Importation of Four Tons of any the said Goods in any one Bottom Ship or Vessel from the said Province or Territory into any of our Dominions as also to export and carry out of any of our Dominions into the said Province or Territory Custom-free all sorts of Tools which shall be useful or necessary for the Planters there in the Accomodation and Improvement of the Premises any thing before in these Presents contained or any Law Act Statute Prohibibition or other Matter or Thing heretofore had made enacted or provided or hereafter to be had made enacted or provided in any wise notwithstanding And furthermore of our more ample and especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion We do for Us our Heirs and Successors grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full and absolute Power and Authority to make erect and constitute within the said Province or Territory and the Isles and Islets aforesaid such and so many Sea-Ports Harbours Creeks and other Places for discharge and unlading of Goods and Merchandizes out of Ships Boats and other Vessels and for lading of them in such and so many Places 〈…〉 such Jurisdictions Priviledges and Franchises unto the said Ports belonging as to them shall seem most exped 〈…〉 And 〈…〉 ngular the Ships Boats and other Vessels which shall come for Merchandizes and trade into the said Province or Territory or shall depart out of the same shall be laden and unladen at such Ports only as shall be erected and constituted by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkley their Heirs and Assigns and not elsewhere any Use Custom or any thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And We do furthermore will appoint and ordain and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs
and Assigns That they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns may from Time to Time for ever have and enjoy the Customs and Subsidies in the Ports Harbours Creeks and other Places within the Province aforesaid payable for the Goods Merchandizes and Wares there laded or be laded or unladed the said Customs to be reasonably assessed to upon any Occasion by themselves and by and with the Consent of the free People or the greater Part of them as aforesaid to whom We give Power by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors upon just Cause and in a due Proportion to assess and impose the same And further of our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion we have given granted and confirmed and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full and absolute Power License and Authority that they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkley their Heirs and Assigns from Time to Time hereafter for ever at his and their Will and Pleasure may assign alien grant demise or enfeoff the Premises or any Part or Parcell thereof to him or them that shall be willing to purchase the same and to such Person and Persons as they shall think fit to have and to hold to them the said Person or Persons their Heirs and Assigns in Fee simple or in Fee Tayle or for the Term of Life or Lives or Years to be held of them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns by such Rents Services and Customs as shall seem fit to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns and not of Us our Heirs and Successors And to the same Person and Persons and to all and every of them We do give and grant by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors License Authority and Power that such Person or Persons may have and take the Premises or any Parcel thereof of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke Of Albemarle VVilliam Earl of Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns and the same to hold to themselves their Heirs or Assigns in what Estate of Inheritance soever in Fee simple or in Fee Tayle or otherwise as to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkley their Heirs and Assigns shall seem expedient The Statute in the Parliament of Edward Son of King Henry heretofore King of England our Predecessor commonly called The Statute of Quia Emptores Terrar or any other Satute Act Ordinance Use Law Custom or any other Matter Cause or Thing heretofore published or provided to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And because many Persons born and inhabiting in the said Province for their Deserts and Services may expect and be capable of Marks of Honour and Favour which in respect of the great Distance cannot conveniently be conferred by Us our Will and Pleasure therefore is and We do by these Presents give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley 〈◊〉 Heirs and Assigns full Power and Authority to give and conferr unto and upon such of the Inhabitants of the said Province or Territory as they shall think do or shall merit the same such Marks of Favour and Titles of Honour as they shall think fit so as their Titles or Honours be not the same as are enjoyed by or conferred upon any of the Subjects of this Our Kingdom of England And further also We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors give and Grant License to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full Power Liberty and License to Erect Raise and Build within the said Province and Places aforesaid or any Part or Parts thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Burroughs Towns Villages and other Fortifications whatsoever and the same or any of them to Fortify and Furnish with Ordnance Powder Shot Armour and all other Weapons Ammunition and Habiliments of War both Defensive and Offensive as shall be thought fit and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province and Places or any Part thereof And the same or any of them from Time to Time as Occasion shall require to Dismantle Disfurnish Demolish and pull down And also to Place Constitute and Appoint in or over all or any of the said Castles Forts Fortifications Cities Towns and Places aforesaid Governours Deputy Governours Magistrates Sheriffs and other Officers Civil and Military as to them shall seem meet And to the said Cities Burroughs Towns Villages or any other Place or Places within the said Province or Territory to Grant Letters or Charters of Incorporation with all Liberties Franchises and Priviledges requisite or usual or to or within this Our Kingdom of England granted or belonging And in the same Citties Burroughs Towns and other Places to Constitute Erect and Appoint such and so many Markets Marts and Fairs as shall in that Behalf be thought fit and necessary And further also to Erect and Make in the Province or Territory aforesaid or any Part thereof so man Mannors with such Signories as to them shall seem meet and convenient and in every of the same Mannors to have and to hold a Court-Baron with all Things whatsoever which to a Court-Baron do belong and to have and to hold Views of Franck Pledge and Courts-Leet for the Conservation of the Peace and better Government of those Parts with such Limits Jurisdiction and Precincts as by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkely Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley or their Heirs shall be appointed for that purpose
determined by the Chamberlain's Court. COPY OF THE Fundamental Constitutions OF CAROLINA Agreed on by all the Lords Proprietors and Signed and Sealed by them the Original being sent to CAROLINA by Major DANIEL April the Eleventh 1698. OUR LATE SOVEREIGN LORD KING CHARLES IId Having out of his Royal Grace and Bounty granted unto Us the Province of CAROLINA with all the Royalties Properties Jurisdictions and Priviledges of a County Palatine as large and ample as the County Palatine of Durham with other great Priviledges for the better Settlement of the Government of the said Place and establishing the Interest of the Lords Proprietors with Equality and without Confusion and that the Government may be made most agreeable to the Monarchy under which we live and of which this Province is a Part and that we may avoid erecting a numerous Democracy We the Lords Proprietors of the Province aforesaid with the advice and consent of the Landgraves and Cassiques and Commons in this present Parliament assembled have agreed to this following Form of Government to be Perpetually establish'd amongst us unto which we do oblige our selves our Heirs and Successors in the most binding ways that can be devised 1. THE Proprietor's Court shall consist of the Palatine and seven Proprietors wherein nothing shall be acted without the Presence and Consent of the Palatine and three others of the Lords Proprietors This Court shall have Power to call and dissolve Parliaments to pardon all Offences to make Elections of all Offices in the Proprietor's Disposal to nominate and appoint Port Towns and also shall have Power by their Order to the Treasurer to dispose of all publick Treasure excepting Money granted by the Parliament and by them directed to some particular publick Use And also shall have a Negative upon all Acts Orders Votes and Judgments of the Parliament And shall have all Power granted to the Lords Proprietors by their Patent from our Sovereign Lord the King except in such Things as are limited by these Fundamental Constitutions 2. DURING the Absence of the Palatine and Proprietors from Carolina the Governour commissionated by the Proprietors together with their respective Deputies shall be the Proprietor's Court there and shall have all the Powers above mentioned excepting in pardoning Offences and constituting Port-Towns 3. IN the Proprietor's Court the Palatine and any three of the Proprietors or the Governour and any three of the Proprietor's Deputys shall make a Quorum 4. NO Deputy of any Proprietor shall have any Power whilst the Deputator is in any Part of Carolina except the Proprietor whose Deputy he is be a Minor 5. DURING the Minority of any Proprietor his Guardian shall have Power to constitute and appoint his Deputy 6. THERE shall be a Parliament consisting of the Proprietors or their Deputies by themselves the Landgraves and Cassiques in the upper House and the Freeholders out of every County to be chosen by the Freeholders of the said County respectively together with the Citizens and Burgesses to be elected by the Cities and Borroughs which shall be hereafter created in the Lower House 7. AND since all Power and Dominion is most naturally founded in Property and that it is reasonable that every Man who is empowered to dispose of the Property and Estate of others should have a Property of his own whereby he is tyed in Interest to the Good and Welfare of that Place and Government whereby he is entrusted with such Power it is therefore declared and appointed That no Person shall be admitted or shall continue to sit or vote in Parliament as a Landgrave who has not actually taken up and has in his Possession at least _____ Acres part of the Land granted him in his Patent and _____ Slaves or in the Possession of his Tennants _____ Acres of Land And whose real and personal Estate shall not be worth at least _____ Pounds Nor as a Cassique to sit or vote in Parliament who has not actually taken up and has in his Possession at least _____ Acres Part of the Land granted him in his Patent and _____ Slaves or in the Possession of his Tenants _____ Acres of Land And whose real and personal Estate shall not be worth at least _____ Pounds 8. NO Person shall be admitted or continue to sit or vote in Parliament as a Representative of the Commons of Carolina who is not possess'd of at least _____ Acres of Land And whose real and personal Estate is not worth _____ Pounds 9. NO Person shall be capable of giving his Voice for the Election of a Member to serve in Parliament that is not actually possess'd of _____ Acres of Land and is a Housholder and has a Family and whose real and personal Estate does not amount to _____ Pounds 10. THE present Number of the Representatives of the Commons shall be _____ who as the Country shall encrease shall also proportionably be encreased if the Commons do so desire but shall in no future Time be encreased beyond one hundred 11. AND pursuant to that just Maxim of Government above mentioned and for the Preservation of the Ballance of Power according to the Proportion of the Property it is declared and appointed That the Number of the Representatives of the People to be sent from any County or Place shall be more or less according to the Charges born and Money paid by each Respective Division of the Country in the last General Assessment foregoing such Election 12. THE Landgraves and Cassiques who compose the Upper-House shall not at any time exceed half the Number of the Commons 13. THE Landgraves and Cassiques shall be created by the Lords Proprietors Letters Patents under their Great Seal by the joynt Election of the Proprietors or a Quorum of them which shall be the Hereditary Nobility of the Province of Carolina and by Righâ— of their Dignity be Members of the Upper-House of Parliament each Landgrave shall have _____ Acres of Land to be taken up in _____ several Counties and each Cassique _____ Acres of Land to be taken up in _____ several Counties and the said Honour and Dignity shall descend to the Eldest Son unless by Deed or Will Devis'd to any other of the Sons or for want of Sons to the Eldest Daughter unless as aforesaid and for want of such to the next Heir unless devised as aforesaid by Deed or Will to be attested by Three credible Witnesses whereof one at least to be of the Nobility to any other Person 14. AND to the End that such an Order of Persons being made Noble and invested with great Powers and Privileges whereby to engage them in a more particular Affection towards this Settlement and Country of Carolina may not fall into Contempt or be any ways injurious to the Constitution of the Government It is Declared and Appointed that whatsoever Landgrave or Cassique his Heirs and Successors shall not be qualified as in Article 7th and so be excluded from the aforesaid Priviledge of Sitting
THE TWO CHARTERS Granted by King CHARLES IId TO THE PROPRIETORS OF CAROLINA With the First and Last FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS OF THAT COLONY LONDON Printed and are to be Sold by Richard Parker at the Vnicorn under the Piazza of the Royal Exchange THE FIRST CHARTER Granted by King CHARLES IId TO THE PROPRIETORS OF CAROLINA CHARLES IId by the Grace of God c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting 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 Berkeley our right Trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Anthony Lord Ashley Chancellor of our Exchequer Sir George Carterett Knight and Baronet Vice-Chamberlain of our Houshold and our Trusty and well-beloved Sir William Berkeley Knight and Sir John Colleton Knight and Baronet being excited with a laudable and pious Zeal for the propagation of the Christian Faith and the Enlargement of our Empire and Dominions have humbly besought Leave of us by their Industry and Charge to transport and make an ample Colony of our Subjects Natives of our Kingdom of England and elsewhere within our Dominions unto a certain Country hereafter described in the Parts of America not yet cultivated or planted and only inhabited by some barbarous People who have no Knowledge of Almighty God And whereas the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley 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 Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton of our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion have given granted and confirmed and by this our present Charter for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns all that Territory or Tract of Ground scituate lying and being within our Dominions in America extending from the North End of the Island called Lucke Island which lyeth 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 unto the Country aforesaid And also all the Soil Lands Fields Woods Mountains Ferms 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 discover'd as not discover'd 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 Avowsons of all the Churches and Chapels which as Christian Religion shall increase within the Country Isles Islets and Limits aforesaid shall happen hereafter to be erected together with License and Power to build and found Churches Chapels and Oratories in convenient and fit Places within the said Bounds and Limits and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our Kingdom of England together with all and singular the like and as ample Rights Jurisdictions Priviledges Prerogatives Royalties Liberties Immunities and Franchises of what Kind soever within the Countries Isles Islets and Limits aforesaid 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 Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns We do by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors make create and constitute the true and absolute Lords and 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 VVilliam Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilleam Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns for ever to be holden of Us our Heirs and Successors as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in our County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knâ—ghts Service yeilding and paying yearly to Us our Heirs and Successors for the same the Yearly Rent of Twenty Marks of Lawful Money of England at the Feast of All Saints Yearly for Ever 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 Sixty and Five and also the fourth Part of all Gold and Silver Oar which within the limits aforesaid shall from Time to Time happen to be found And that the Country thus by Us granted and described may be dignifyed by us with as large Titles and Priviledges as any other Parts of our Dominions and Terretories 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 Country and Island into a Province And out of the Fullness of Our Royal Power and Prerogative We do for Us Our Heirs and Successors Erect Incorporate and Ordain the same into a Province and do 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 Berkeley Anthony Lord
so many Barbarous Nations and the Invasions as well of Salvages as other Enemies Pirates and Robbers may probably be feared Therefore We have Given and for Us Our Heirs and Successors do give Power by these Presents unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns by themselves or their Captains or other their Officers to Levy Muster and Train all sorts of Men of what Condition or wheresoever Born in the said Province for the Time being and to make War and pursue the Enemies aforesaid as well by Sea as by Land yea even within the Limits of the said Province and by God's Assistance to Vanquish and Take them and being Taken to put them to Death by the Law of War or to save them at their Pleasure and to do all and every other thing which unto the Charge and Office of a Captain General of an Army belongeth or hath accustomed to belong as fully and freely as any Captain General of an Army hath ever had the same Also Our Will and Pleasure is and by this Our Charter we give unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir Gorge Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full Power Liberty and Authority in Case of Rebellion Tumult or Sedition if any should happen which God forbid either upon the Land within the Province aforesaid or upon the main Sea in making a Voyage thither or returning from thence by him and themselves their Captains Deputies or Officers to be authorized under his or their Seals for that purpose To whom also for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant by these Presents full Power and Authority to exercise Martial Law against mutinous and seditious Persons of those Parts such as shall refuse to submit themselves to their Government or shall refuse to serve in the Wars or shall fly to the Enemy or forsake their Colours or Ensigns or be Loyterers or Straglers or otherwise howsoever offending against Law Custom or Discipline Military as freely and in as ample Manner and Form as any Captain General of an Army by virtue of his Office might or hath accustomed to use the same And Our further Pleasure is and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do grant unto the said Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns and to the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Province of Carolina both present and to come and to every of them that the said Province and the Tennants and Inhabitants thereof shall not from henceforth be held or reputed a Member or Part of any Collony whatâ—oever in America or elsewhere now transported or made or hereafter to be transported or made nor shall be depending on or subject to their Government in any Thing but be absolutely separated and divided from the same And our Pleasure is by these Presents That they be separated and that they be subject immediately to our Crown of England as depending thereof for ever And that the Inhabitants of the said Province nor any of them shall at any Time hereafter be compelled or compellable or be any ways subject or liable to appear or answer to any Matter Suit Cause or Plaint whatsoever out of the Province aforesaid in any other of our Islands Collonies or Dominions in America or elsewhere other than in our Realm of England and Dominion of Wales And because it may happen That some of the People and Inhabitants of the said Province cannot in their private Opinions conform to the Publick Exercise of Religion according to the Liturgy Form and Ceremonies of the Church of England or take and subscribe the Oaths and Articles made and established in that Behalf And for that the same by reason of the remote Distances of these placees will we hope be no Breach of the Unity and Uniformity Established in this Nation Our Will and Pleasure therefore is and We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Give and Grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns full and free License Liberty and Authority by such Legal Ways and Means as they shall think fit to Give and Grant unto such Person and Persons Inhabiting and being within the said Province or any Part thereof who really in their Judgments and for Conscience sake cannot or shall not Conform to the said Liturgy and Ceremonies and take and subscribe the Oaths and Articles aforesaid or any of them such Indulgences and Dispensations in that Behalf for and during such Time and Times and with such Limitations and Restrictions as they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir VVilliam Berkely and Sir John Colleton their Heirs or Assigns shall in their Discretion think fit and reasonable and with this Express Proviso and Limitation also that such Person and Proviso to whom such Indulgencies and Dispensations shall be Granted as aforesaid do and shall from Time to Time Declare and continue all Fidelity Loyalty and Obedience to Us Our Heirs and Successors and be Subject and Obedient to all other the Laws Ordinances and Constitutions of the said Province in all Matters whatsoever as well Ecclesiastical as Civil and do not in any wise Disturb the Peace and Safety thereof or Scandalize or Reproach the said Liturgy Forms and Ceremonies or any Thing relating thereunto or any Person or Persons whatsoever for or in respect of his or their Use or Exercise thereof or his or their Obedience or Conformity thereunto And in Case it shall happen That any Doubts or Questions should arise concerning the True Sense and Understanding of any Word Clause or Sentence contained in this Our Present Charter We will Ordain and Command that at all Times and in all Things such Interpretation be made thereof and allow'd in all and every of Our Courts whatsoever as Lawfully may be Adjudged most Advantageous and Favourable to the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton their Heirs and Assigns although Express Mention be not made in these Presents of the True Yearly Value and Certainty of the Premises or any part thereof or of any other Gifts and Grants made by Us our Ancestors or Predecessors to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle VVilliam Lord Craven John
with all things whatsoever which to a Court Leet or view of Franck Pledge do belong the same Courts to be holden by Stewards to be Deputed and Authorized by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley or their Heirs by the Lords of the Mannors and Leets for the Time being when the same shall be Erected And because that in so remote a Country and Scituate among so many Barbarous Nations the Invasions as well of Salvages as other Enemies Pirates and Robbers may probably be feared Therefore We have Given and for Us Our Heirs and Successors do give Power by these Presents unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs or Assigns by themselves or their Captains or other Officers to Levy Muster and Train up all sorts of Men of what Condition soever or wheresoever Born whether in the said Province or elsewhere for the Time being And to make War and pursue the Enemies aforesaid as well by Sea as by Land yea even without the Limits of the said Province and by God's Assistance to Vanquish and Take them and being Taken to put them to Death by the Law of War and to save them at their Pleasure And to do all and every other thing which to the Charge and Office of a Captain General of an Army belongeth or hath accustomed to belong as fully and freely as any Captain General of an Army hath had the same Also Our Will and Pleasure is and by this Our Charter We do give and grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Lord Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir Gorge Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full Power Liberty and Authority in Case of Rebellion Tumult or Sedition if any should happen which God forbid either upon the Land within the Province aforesaid or upon the main Sea in making a Voyage thither or returning from thence by him and themselves their Captains Deputies or Officers to be authorized under his or their Seals for that purpose To whom also for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant by these Presents full Power and Authority to exercise Martial Law against mutinous and seditious Persons of those Parts such as shall refuse to submit themselves to their Government or shall refuse to serve in the Wars or shall fly to the Enemy or forsake their Colours or Ensigns or be Loyterers or Straglers or otherwise howsoever offending against Law Custom or Military Discipline as freely and in as ample Manner and Form as any Captain General of an Army by virtue of his Office might or hath accustomed to use the same And Our further Pleasure is and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns and to the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Province or Territory both present and to come and to every of them that the said Province or Territory and the Tennants and Inhabitants thereof shall not from henceforth be held or reputed any Member or Part of any Collony whatsoever in America or elsewhere now transported or made or hereafter to be transported or made nor shall be depending on or subject to their Government in any Thing but be absolutely separated and divided from the same And our Pleasure is by these Presents That they be separated and that they be subject immediately to our Crown of England as depending thereof for ever And that the Inhabitants of the said Province or Territory nor any of them shall at any Time hereafter be compelled or compellable or be any ways subject or liâ—â—â—â— to appear or answer to any Matter Suit Cause or Plaint whatsoever out of the Province or Territory aforesaid in any other of our 〈◊〉 Collonies or Dominions in America or elsewhere other than in our 〈◊〉 of England and Dominion of Wales And because it may happen That some of the People and Inhabitants of the said Province cannot in their private Opinions conform to the Publick Exercise of Religion according to the Liturgy Forms and Ceremonies of the Church of England or take or subscribe the Oaths and Articles made and established in that Behalf And for that the same by reason of the remote Distances of those Places will as we hope be no Breach of the Unity and Conformity Established in this Nation Our Will and Pleasure therefore is and We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Give and Grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir William Berkeley their Heirs and Assigns full and free Licence Liberty and Authority by such Ways and Means as they shall think fit To Give and Grant unto such Person and Persons Inhabiting and being withi the said Province or Territory hereby or by the said recited Letters Patents mentioned to be granted as aforesaid or any Part thereof such Indulgencies and Dispensations in that Behalf for and during such Time and Times and with such Limitations and Restrictions as they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarle William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkeley Anthony Lord Ashley Sir George Carterett Sir John Colleton and Sir VVilliam Berkely their Heirs or Assigns shall in their Discretion think fit and reasonable And that no Person or Persons unto whom such Liberty shall be given shall be any way molested punished disquieted or called in question for any Differences in Opinion or Practise in Matters of Religious Concernment who do not actually disturb the civil Peace of the Province County or Colony that they shall make their abode in But all and every such Person and Persons may from Time to Time and at all Times freely and quietly have and enjoy his and their Judgments and Consciences in Matters of Religion throughout all the said Province or Colony they behaving them selves peaceably and 〈◊〉 this Liberty to Licentiousness nor to the Civil Injury or outward Disturbance of others Any Law Statute or Clause contained or to be contained 〈◊〉 or Customs of our Realm of England to the contrary hereof any 〈◊〉 notwithstanding And in Case it shall happen That any Doubts or Questions should arise concerning the True Sense and Understanding of any Word Clause or Sentence contained in this Our Present Charter We will Ordain and Command that at all Times and in all Things such Interpretations be made thereof and allow'd in
Dignity with the Baronies thereunto annexed before the Second biennial Parliament after such Devolution the next biennial Parliament but one after such Devolution shall have Power to make any one Landgrave or Cassique in the Room of him who dying without Heirs his Dignity and Baronies devolved § 13. No one Person shall have more than one Dignity with the Signiores or Baronies thereunto belonging But whensoever it shall happen that any one who is already Proprietor Landgrave or Cassique shall have any of these Dignities descend to him by Inheritance it shall be at his Choice to keep which of the Dignities with the Lands annexed he shall like best but shall leave the other with the Lands annexed to be enjoyed by him who not being his Heir Apparent and certain Successor to his present Dignity is next of Blood § 14. Whosoever by Right of Inheritance shall come to be Landgrave or Cassique shall take the Name and Arms of his Predecessor in that Dignity to be from thenceforth the Name and Arms of his Family and their Posterity § 15. Since the Dignity of Proprietor Landgrave or Cassique cannot be divided and the Signiories or Baronies thereunto annexed must for ever all entirely descend with and accompany that Dignity whensoever for want of Heirs Male it shall descend on the Issue Female the eldest Daughter and Heirs shall be preferred and in the Inheritance of those Dignities and in the Signiories or Baronies annexed there shall be no Co-heirs § 16. In every Signiory Barony and Mannor the respective Lord shall have Power in his own Name to hold Court-Leet there for Trying of all Causes both Civil and Criminial but where it shall concern any Person being no Inhabitant Vassal or Leetman of the said Signiory Barony or Mannor he upon paying down of Forty Shillings to the Lords Proprietors use shall have an Appeal from the Signiory or Barony Court to the County Court and from the Mannor Court to the Precinct Court § 17. Every Mannor shall consist of not less than Three Thousand Acres and not above Twelve Thousand Acres in one entire Piece and Colony but any Three Thousand Acres or more in one Piece and the Possession of one Man shall not be a Mannor unless it be constituted a Mannor by the Grant of the Palatine's Court. § 18. The Lords of Signiories and Baronies shall have Power only of granting Estates not exceeding Three Lives or Thirty One Years in Two Thirds of the said Signiories or Baronies and the remaining Third shall be always Demesne § 19. Any Lord of a Mannor may alienate sell or dispose to any other Person and his Heirs for ever his Mannor all entirely together with all the Privileges and Leetmen thereunto belonging so far forth as any other Colony Lands but no Grant of any part thereof either in Fee or for any longer Term than Three Lives or One and Twenty Years shall be good against the next Heir § 20. No Mannor for want of Issue Male shall be divided amongst Co-heirs but the Mannor if there be but one shall all entirely descend to the eldest Daughter and her Heirs If there be more Mannors than one the eldest Daughter first shall have her Choice the Second next and so on beginning again at the Eldest till all the Mannors be taken up that so the Privileges which belong to Mannors being indivisible the Lands of the Mannors to which they are annexed may be kept entire and the Mannor not lose those Privileges which upon parcelling out to several Owners must necessarily cease § 21. Every Lord of a Mannor within his Mannor shall have all the Powers Jurisdictions and Privileges which a Landgrave or Cassique hath in his Baronies § 22. In every Signiory Barony and Mannor all the Leet-Men shall be under the Jurisdiction of the respective Lords of the said Signiory Barony or Mannor without Appeal from him Nor shall any Leet-Man or Leet-Woman have Liberty to go off from the Land of their particular Lord and live any where else without License obtained from their said Lord under Hand and Seal § 23. All the Children of Leet-Men shall be Leet-Men and so to all Generations § 24. No Man shall be capable of having a Court-Leet or Leet-Men but a Proprietor Landgrave Cassique or Lord of a Mannor § 25. Whoever shall voluntarily enter himself a Leet-Man in the Registry of the County Court shall be a Leet-Man § 26. Whoever is Lord of Leet-Men shall upon the Marriage of a Leet-Man or Leet-Woman of his give them Ten Acres of Land for their Lives they paying to him therefore not more than one Eighth part of all the Yearly Produce and Growth of the said Ten Acres § 27. No Landgrave or Cassique shall be try'd for any Criminal Cause in any but the Chief-Justice's Court and that by a Jury of his Peers § 28. There shall be Eight Supreme Courts The First called The Palatine's Court consisting of the Palatine and the other Seven Proprietors The other Seven Courts of the other Seven Great Officers shall consist each of them of a Proprietor and Six Councellors added to him Under each of these latter Seven Courts shall be a College of Twelve Assistants The Twelve Assistants of the several Colleges shall be chosen Two out of the Landgraves Cassiques or eldest Sons of Proprietors by the Palatine's Court Two out of the Landgraves by the Landgraves Chamber Two out of the Cassiques by the Cassiques Chamber Four more of the Twelve shall be chosen by the Commons Chamber out of such as have been or are Members of Parliament Sheriffs or Justices of the County Court or the younger Sons of Proprietors or eldest Sons of Landgraves of Cassiques the Two other shall be chosen by the Palatine's Court out of the same Sort of Persons out of which the Commons Chamber is to chuse § 29. Out of these Colleges shall be chosen at first by the Palatine's Court Six Councellers to be joined with each Proprietor in his Court of which Six one shall be of those who were chosen into any of the Colleges by the Palatine's Court out of the Landgraves Cassiques or eldest Sons of Proprietors one out of those who were chosen by the Landgraves Chamber and one out of those who were chosen by the Cassiques Chamber Two out of those who were chosen by the Commons Chamber and one out of those who were chosen by the Palatine's Court out of the Proprietors younger Sons or eldest Sons of Landgraves Cassiques or Commons qualified as aforesaid § 30. When it shall happen that any Councellor dies and thereby there is a Vacancy the Grand Council shall have Power to remove any Councellor that is willing to be removed out of any of the Proprietors Courts to fill up the Vacancy provided they take a Man of the same Degree and Choice the other was of whose vacant Place is to be filled up But if no Councellor consent to be removed or upon such Remove the last remaining
of Communion set down the external Way whereby they witness a Truth as in the Presence of GOD whether it be by laying Hands on or kissing the Bible as in the Church of England or by holding up the Hand or any other sensible Way § 101. No Person above seventeen Years of Age shall have any Benefit or Protection of the Law or be capable of any Place of Profit or Honour which is not a Member of some Church or Profession having his Name Recorded in some one and but one Religious Record at once § 102. No Person of any other Church or Profession shall disturb or molest any Religious Assembly § 103. No Person whatsoever shall speak anything in their Religions Assembly irreverently or seditiously of the Government or Governours or State-Matters § 104. Any Person subscribing the Terms of Communion in the Record of the said Church or Profession before the Precinct Register and any five Members of the said Church or Profession shall be thereby made a Member of the said Church or Profession § 105. Any Person striking out his own Name out of any Religious Record or his Name being struck out by any Officer thereunto authorized by each Church or Profession respectively shall cease to be a Member of that Church or Profession § 106. No Man shall use any reproachful reviling or abusive Language against the Religion of any Church or Profession that being the certain way of disturbing the Peace and of hindring the Conversion of any to the Truth by engaging them in Quarrels and Animosities to the hatred of the Professors and that Profession which otherwise they might be brought to assent to § 107. Since Charity obliges us to wish well to the Souls of all Men and Religion ought to alter nothing in any Man 's Civil Estate or Right it shall be lawful for Slaves as well as others to enter themselves and be of what Church or Profession any of them shall think best and thereof be as fully Members as any Freeman But yet no Slave shall hereby be exempted from that Civil Dominion his Master hath over him but be in all other Things in the same State and Condition he was in before § 108. Assemblies upon what Pretence soever of Religion not observing and performing the abovesaid Rules shall not be esteemed as Churches but unlawful Meetings and be punished as other Riots § 109. No Person whatsoever shall disturb molest or persecute another for his speculative Opinions in Religion or his Way of Worship § 110. Every Freeman of Carolina shall have absolute Power and Authority over his Negro Slaves of what Opinion or Religion soever § 111. No Cause whether Civil or Criminal of any Freeman shall be Tried in any Court of Judicature without a Jury of his Peers § 112. No Person whatsoever shall hold or claim any Land in Carolina by Purchase or Gift or otherwise from the Natives or any other whatsoever but meerly from and under the Lords Proprietors upon pain of Forfeiture of all his Estate moveable or immoveable and perpetual Banishment § 113. Whosoever shall possess any Freehold in Carolina upon what Title or Grant soever shall at the farthest from and after the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Nine pay yearly unto the Lords Proprietors for each Acre of Land English Measure as much fine Silver as is at this present in one English Penny or the Value thereof to be as a Chief Rent and Acknowledgment to the Lords Proprietors their Heirs and Successors for ever And it shall be lawful for the Palatine's Court by their Officers at any Time to take a new Survey of any Man's Land not to out him of any Part of his Possession but that by such a Survey the just Number of Acres he possesseth may be known and the Rent thereupon due may be paid by him § 114. All Wrecks Mines Minerals Quarries of Gems and Precious Stones with Pearl-fishing Whale-fishing and one Half of all Ambergreece by whomsoever found shall wholly belong to the Lords Proprietors § 115. All Revenues and Profits belonging to the Lords Proprietors in common shall be divided into ten Parts whereof the Palatine shall have three and each Proprietor one but if the Palatine shall Govern by a Deputy his Deputy shall have one of those three Tenths and the Palatine the other two Tenths § 116. All Inhabitants and Freemen of Carolina above Seventeen Years of Age and under sixty shall be bound to bear Arms and serve as Soldiers whenever the Grand Council shall find it necessary § 117. A true Copy of these Fundamental Constitutions shall be kept in a great Book by the Register of every Precinct to be subscribed before the said Register Nor shall any Person of what Condition or Degree soever above seventeen Years old have any Estate or Possession in Carolina or Protection or Benefit of the Law there who hath not before a Precinct Register subscribed these Fundamental Constitutions in this Form I A. B. do promise to bear Faith and true Allegiance to our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES the Second His Heirs and Successors and will be true and faithfull to the Palatine and Lords Proprietors of Carolina their Heirs and Successors and with my utmost Power will defend them and maintain the Government according to this Establishment in these Fundamental Constitutions § 118. Whatsoever Alien shall in this Form before any Precinct Register subscribe these Fundamental Constitutions shall be thereby Naturalized § 119. In the same Manner shall every Person at his Admittance into any Office subscribe these Fundamental Constitutions § 120. These Fundamental Constitutions in Number a hundred and twenty and every Part thereof shall be and remain the Sacred and unalterable Form and Rule of Government of Carolina for ever Witness our Hands and Seals the First Day of March 1669. RULES of PRECEDENCY 1. THE Lords Proprietors the eldest in Age first and so in order 2. The eldest Sons of the Lords Proprietors the eldest in Age first and so in order 3. The Landgraves of the Grand Council he that hath been longest of the Grand Council first and so in order 4. The Cassiques of the Grand Council he that hath been longest of the Grand Council first and so in order 5. The seven Commoners of the Grand Council that have been longest of the Grand Council he that hath been longest of the Grand Council first and so in order 6. The youngest Sons of Proprietors the eldest first and so in order 7. The Landgraves the eldest in Age first and so in order 8. The seven Commoners who next to those before mentioned have been longest of the Grand Council he that hath been longest of the Grand Council first and so in order 9. The Cassiques the eldest in Age first and so in order 10. The seven remaining Commoners of the Grand Council he that hath been longest of the Grand Council first and so in order 11. The Male Line of the Proprietors The rest shall be
and Voting in the Upper House and shall continue defective in the said Qualification for the space of Forty Years successively such Landgrave or Cassique his Heirs and Successors shall from thenceforth be for ever utterly Excluded and his or their Dignity Honour Priviledge and Title of Landgrave or Cassique shall cease and be utterly lost and the Letters Patents of Creation of such Dignity shall be vacated 15. AND in order to the due Election of Members for the Biennial Parliament it shall be lawful for the Freeholders of the respective Precinct to meet the first Tuesday in September every Two Years in the same Town or Place they last met in to choose Parliament-Men and there to choose those Members that are to sit next November following unless the Proprietors Court shall by sufficient Notice _____ Days before appoint some other Place for their Meeting 16. A New Parliament shall be assembled the first Monday of the Month of November every second Year and shall meet and sit in the Town they last sat in without any Summons unless by the Proprietors Court in Carolina they be summoned to meet at any other Place and if there shall be Occasion of a Parliament in these Intervals it shall be in the power of the Proprietors Court to assemble them in _____ Days Notice and at such Time and Place as the Court shall think fit 17. AT the Opening of every Parliament the first thing that shall be done shall be the Reading of these Fundamental Constitutions which the Palatine and the Proprietors and the Members then present shall subscribe Nor shall any Person whatsoever Sit or Vote in the Parliament till he has in that Session subscrib'd these Fundamental Constitutions in a Book kept for that purpose by the Clerk of the Parliament 18. ANY Act or Order of Parliament that is Ratifyed in Open Parliament during the same Session by the Governor and Three more of the Lords Proprietors Deputies shall be in Force and continue till the Palatine himself and Three more of the Lords Proprietors themselves signifie their Dissent to any of the said Acts or Orders under their Hands and Seals But if Ratified under their Hands and Seals then to continue according to the time limited in such Act. 19. THE whole Province shall be divided into Counties by the Parliament 20. NO Proprietor Landgrave or Cassique shall hereafter take up a Signory or Barony that shall exceed Four Thousand Acres or thereabouts for a Proprietor or Landgrave and Two Thousand Acres or thereabouts for a Cassique in one County 21. NO Cause whether Civil or Criminal of any Freeman shall be tryed in any Court of Judicature without a Jury of his Peers 22. NO Landgrave or Cassique shall be tryed for any Criminal Cause in any but the Chief Justices Court and that by a Jury of his Peers unless a sufficient Number of such cannot be legally had and then to be supplyed by the best and most sufficient Free-holders 23. IF upon the Decease of the Governor no Person be appointed by the Lords Proprietors to succeed him then the Proprietor's Deputies shall meet and choose a Governor till a new Commission be sent from the Lords Proprietors under their Hands and Seals 24. BALLOTTING shall be continued in all Elections of the Parliament and in all other Cases where it can conveniently be used 25. NO Man shall be permitted to be a Freeman of Carolina or to have any Estate or Habitation within it that does not acknowledge a GOD and that GOD is publickly and solemnly to be Worshipped 26. AS the Country comes to be sufficiently planted and distributed into fit Divisions it shall belong to the Parliament to take care for the Building of Churches and the publick Maintenance of Divines to be employed in the Exercise of Religion according to the Church of England which being the only True and Orthodox and the National Religion of the King's Dominions is so also of Carolina and therefore it alone shall be allowed to receive publick Maintenance by Grant of Parliament 27. ANY seven or more Persons agreeing in any Religion shall constitute a Church or Profession to which they shall give some Name to distinguish it from others 28. THE Terms of Admittance and Communion with any Church or Profession shall be written in a Book and therein be subscribed by all the Members of the said Church or Profession which shall be kept by the publick Register of the Precinct wherein they reside 29. THE Time of every one's Subscription and Admittance shall be dated in the said Book of Religious Records 30. IN the Terms of Communion of every Church or Profession these following shall be three without which no Agreement or Assembly of Men upon Pretence of Religion shall be accounted a Church or Profession within these Rules I. That there is a GOD. II. That GOD is publickly to be Worshipped III. That it is lawful and the Duty of every Man being thereunto called by those that govern to bear Witness to Truth and that every Church or Profession shall in their Terms of Communion set down the external Way whereby they witness a Truth as in the Presence of God whether it be by Laying Hands on or Kissing the Bible as in the Church of England or by holding up the Hand or any sensible way 31. NO Person above Seventeen Years of Age shall have any Benefit or Protection of the Law or be capable of any Place of Profit or Honour who is not a Member of some Church or Profession having his Name recorded in some one and but one Religious Record at once 32. NO Person of any Church or Profession shall disturb or molest any Religious Assembly 33. NO Person whatsoever shall speak any thing in their Religious Assembly irreverently or seditiously of the Government or Governour or of State-Matters 34. ANY Person subscribing the Terms of Communion in the Records of the said Church or Profession before the Precinct Register and any Five Members of the said Church or Profession shall be thereby made a Member of the said Church or Profession 35. ANY Person striking out his own Name out of any Religious Records or his Name being struck out by any Officer thereunto Authorized by each Church or Profession respectively shall cease to be a Member of that Church or Profession 36. NO Man shall use any reproachful reviling or abusive Language against the Religion of any Church of Profession that being the certain Way of disturbing the Peace and of hindering the Conversion of any to the Truth by engaging them in Quarrels and Animosities to the Hatred of the Professors and that Profession which otherwise they may be brought to assent to 37. SINCE Charity obliges us to wish well to the Souls of all Men and Religion ought to alter nothing in any Man 's Civil Estate or Right It shall be lawful for Slaves as well as others to enter themselves and be of what Church or Profession any of them shall think best and thereof be as fully Members as any Freeman but yet no Slave shall hereby be exempted from that Civil Dominion his Master had over him but be in all other Things in the same State and Condition he was in before 38. ASSEMBLYS upon what Pretence soever of Religion not observing and performing the abovesaid Rules shall not be esteemed as Churches but Unlawful Meetings and be punished as other Riots 39. NO Person whatsoever shall disturb molest or prosecute another for his Speculative Opinions in Religion or his way of Worship 40. EVERY Freeman of Carolina shall have Absolute Power and Authority over his Negro Slave of what Opinion or Religion soever 41. ANY Person at his Admittance into any Office or Place of Trust whatsoever shall subscribe these Fundamental Constitutions in this Form I A. B. do promise to bear Faith and true Allegiance to our Soveraign Lord King WILLIAM and will be true and faithful to the Palatine and Lords Proprietors of Carolina their Heirs and Successors and with my utmost Power will defend them and maintain the Government according to this Establishment in these Fundamental Constitutions THESE Fundamental Constitutions in Number Forty One and every Part thereof shall be and remain the Inviolable Form and Rule of Government of Carolina for Ever Witness our Hands and Seals this Eleventh Day of April 1698. BATH PALATINE A. Ashley CRAVEN BATH for the Lord Carterett William Thornburgh for Sir John Colleton Tho. Amy. William Thornburgh FINIS