not alterable by any Act of the great Council as other things by the voices of 2 thirds but only by an universal agreement so it is hoped that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people what Encouragement such a Government may give For Husband-men that hes a Stock able to transport themselves and Families with a few Servants and to have but a 100. pound Scots or a 100. Merks more to carry over in Commodities they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground measured out to them or above not exceeding 500. Acres And for their encouragement shall for the first 7. years pay nothing and then have what they please not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres confirmed to them and their heirs for ever paying half a Crown an Acre never to be raised upon them And for the Charge of the first year they may easily Calculate carrying over as much Oat-meal as will serve them Bread and the fraught will be inconsiderable and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing without charge and will be able to clear more ground the first winter then will double serve their Families after the first harvest so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them Seed and Beasts The Charge of transportation is for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling passage and intertainment for children under 10. years of age 50. shilling and Sucking children nothing 40. shillings for the tunn of goods and often under The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland or London and if there be any tollerable winds it is easily made in 6. weeks There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey from the Road of Aberden and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks though they had great Calmes and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women and children not above 4. of them had been at Sea before not one dyed nor was sick by the way For Ordinary servants who are willing to go over after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever paying 2. pence an Acre as much Corn as will sow an Acre and a Sute of now cloaths Now Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage this is good termes and that after the terme of their Service is expired they will gain more in one year there then they can do in two at home towards the gaining of a Stock to their land and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters since it is their Interest to do so there more then here for that they would be Considerable Losers either by their Death or sicknesse being out so great an advance for them if by any hard-ship they shall be disabled to serve out their times All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there such as Carpenters Ship-wrights Rope-makers Smiths Brick-makers Taylors Tanners Cowpers Mill-wrights Joyners Shooe-makers c. and any such like who are willing to go serve the four years not having to transport themselves shall in consideration of their Trade have after the expiring of their Service 30. Acres 2. pence the Acre as much Corn as well sow 2. Acres a cow and a Sow And for the incouragement of any such Trasdmen who are willing to go over and transport themselves they shall have the like quantitie of Land at the same rent and the Proprietors will oblidge themselves to find them work for a year after their arryval at as good Rates as they can have here untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage upon the Place We will not encourage any to go there in expectation of Gold and Silver mines yea tho there were such in the Countrey we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out being besides the Toyl and Labour but occasions envy and Emulation Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there or Cotton nor any store of Tobacco tho it grows there very well But We consider it not our interest to imploy much ground on it The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men to wit Plenty of Corn and Cattle and they have besides Vines and Fruits in abundance as before has been said so that who dwell here need not to be oblidged to any other Plantation for any thing necessar for Life and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries without which their other Curiosities would little avail them This with the Province of New-York being the Granary or Store-house of the West-Indies without which Barbadoes and the Leewards Islands could not subsist Yea New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn this with the advantage of Fishery being considered will easily induce Sober and industrious People to prefer a Plantation here to most other places The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey to the twenty four Proprietors THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March in the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD of â—ngland Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Anno Domini 1682. between His Royal Highness the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King of the one part And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth of the Kingdom of Scotland the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin Scotland Esquire Robert Barclay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland Esquire on the other part c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie in and by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign did amongst several other things therein mentioned Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies all that tract of land adjacent to New-England in the parts of America and lying and being to the Westward of Long-Island and Manhattas Island and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea and part by Hudsons River and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delawar Bay and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay or River of Delawar Which is one and fourtie Degrees and fourty Minuts of Latitude and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River in one and fourty Degrees of Latitude Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey with all the Lands Islands Soylls Rivers Harbours Mynnes Minerals Quareries Woods Marishes Waters Lakes Fishings Hauckings Huntings and
for food in their seasons But in the killing and destroying of Bears Wolves Foxes and other Vermine whose Skins and Furs they bring the English and sell them at less price then the value of the time that people must spend to take them Like as that this Collony may be founded in Justice and without any thing of Oppression as all that is already Planted is is truly Purchased from the Indians so there is a great deal more of the Province cleared by their consent and all is intended by paction with them to be obtained so that whoever Purchase or Plant under the Proprietors shal be fred of that incumbrance and if there were any hazard from the Indians as really there is none yet this Province could hardly be in any danger In respect that to the North upon the Main-Land from whence the hazard if any must come the Province of New-York comes betwixt it and them and 20. miles and more above upon Hudsons River there is a Fort called New-Albany There were Constitutions of Government made by the Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright in which such provision was made both for Liberty of Religion and Propertie that the Province hath been considerably Peopled and many resorted there from the Neighbouring Collonies so that the Planters are able already to Muster 500. well Armed Men. The Concessions and Agreement of the Lord Proprietors of the Province of New-Caesarea or New-Jersey to and with all and every the Adventurers and as such as shall settle or plant there granted by Lord John Barclay and Sir George Cartwright the then Lord Proprietors upon their sending thir people to Plant Anno 1664. IMprimis We do consent and agree that the Governour of the said Province hath power by the advice of his Council to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removeall to continue untill farther order unless we have Commissionated one before 2. Item That he hath likewise power to make choice of and take to him six Counsellors at least or twelve at most or any even number betwixt six and twelve with whose consent and advice or with at least three of the six or four of a greater number all being summonded he is to Govern according to the Limitations and Instructions following during Our Pleasure 3. Item That a Chief Secretary or Register which we have chosen or shall choice we faillieing that he shall choice shall keep exact entries in fair books of all publict affaires and to avoyd Decreets and Law Suitts shall record and enter all grants of Lands from the Lords to the Planters and Conveyances of Lands houses or from man to man as also all Leases for Land house or housâ—s made or to be made by the Land-Lord to any tennant for more then one year which Conveyance or Lease shall be first acknowledged by the Granter or Leaser or proved by the each two witnesses to the Lease or Conveyance before the Governor or some cheif Judge of a Court for the time being who shall under his hand upon the back side of the said deed or Lease attest the acknowledgement or Proof as aforesaid which shal be a warrand for the Register to record the same which conveyance or Lease so recorded shall be good and effectuall in the Law notwithstanding any other conveyance Deed or Lease for the said Land house or houses or any part thereof although dated before the Conveyance Deed or Deed or Lease so recorded as aforesaid And the said Register shall do all other thing or things that we by our Instructions shall direct and the Governor Counsel and assemblie shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Province 4ly Item That the Suerveyour generall that we have chosen or shall choice such faillieing that the Governour shall choice shall have power by himself or deputie to Survey Lay out and bound all such Lands as shall be granted from the Lords to the Planters and all other Lands within the said Province which may concerne particular men as he shall be desired to doe And a particular thereof certified to the Register to be recorded as aforesaid Provided that if the said Register and Surveyer shall so mis-behave themselves as that the Governor and Counsellor Deputie Governour or Counsellor the Major part of them shall find it reasonable to Suspend their actings in their respective employments It shall be Lawful for them so to doe untill further order from us 5ly Item That the Governour Counsellors Assemblie Men Secretarie Surveyer and all other Officers of Town shal Swear or Subscribe in a book to be provided for that purpose That they will bear true allegiance to the King of England his Heirs and Successors And that they will be faithfull to the interest of the Lords Propietors of the said Province and their Heirs executors and Assignes and endeavor the peace and wellfair of the said Province and that they will truelie and faithfullie discharge their respective trusts in their respective officses and doe equall Justice unto all men according to their best skill and Judgement without corruption favour or affection And in the names of all that have Sworne to Subscribe to be entered in a book And whosoever shall Subscribe and not Sweare and shall violate his promise in that Subscription shall be lyable to that same punishment that the Persons are or may be that have Sworn and broken their Oaths 6ly Item That all persons that are or shall become Subjects to the King of England and Swear and Subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords shal be admitted to plant and become a Free man in the said Province and enjoy the Freedomes and Immunities hereafter exprest untill some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords or els the Governor Council and Assemblie which shall be in force untill the Lords see cause to the contrarie Provyded That such stopes shall not any wayes prejudice the right or continuance of any person that hath been received before such Stop or order come from the Lords or Generall Assemblie 7ly Item That no person as aforsaid within the said Province at any time shall be any wayes molested punished Disquyeted or called in question for any Difference in Opinion or Practise in matters of Religious Concernments who doe not actuallie disturb the Civil peace of the said Province But that all and every such person and persons may from time to time and at all time freelie and fullie have and enjoy his and their Judgement and Consciences in matters of Religion throughout all the said Province They behaving themselves peaceablie and quyetlie and not useing this Liberty to Licentiousnes to the civil injurie or outward disturbance of others Any Law Statute or Clause contained or to be contained Vsage or Custome of this Realm of England to the contrarie thereof in any wise notwithstanding 8ly Item That no pretence may be taken by us our Airs or Assignes for or by reason of our
their Airs or Assignes every five and twenty day of March the English accompt of _____ Lawfull money of England for every of the said Acres to be holden of the Manner of _____ in free and Common Soccadge The first payment of which Rent to begine the five and twenty day of March which shall be in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six hundreth and seventy according to the English accompts Given under the Seal of the said province the _____ day of _____ In the year of our Lord 1666. 2ly To which Instrument the Governour or his Deputie hath hereby full power to put the Seal of the said Province and to Subscribe his name also the Council or Major part of them and subscribe their names And then the Instrument or grant is to be by the Register recorded in a book of records for that purpose All which being done according to the Instructions We hereby declare the same shall be effectual in Law for enjoyment of the saids Plantations and of all the benefits and profits of and in the same except the half part of mines of gold and Silver paying the rent as aforesaid Provided that if any Plantation so granted shall by the space of 3 years be neglected to be planted with a Sufficient number of Servants as is before mentioned That then it shall and may be Lawfull for us otherwayes to dispose thereof in whole or in part this grant notwithstanding 2ly Item We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for Highwayes and Streets not exceeding one hundreth foot in breadth Cities Towns and Villages c. And for Churches Forts Wharfes Keys Harbours and for publict houses and to each parish for the use of their Ministers two hundreth acres in such as the Generall Assemblie shall appoint 4ly Item The Governour is to take notice that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid in the next proceeding Articles shall be free and exempt from all Rents Taxes and other charges and duties whatsoever payable to us our Aires and Assignes 5ly Item That in laying out of Lands for Cities Towns Villages Burghs or others Hamiletts The said Land be devided into 7 parts one seventh part whereof to be Laid out by Lott for us and the rest to be devided to such as shal be willing to build thereon they paying after the rate of one pennie or half pennie per Acre according to the value of the Land yearly to us As for their other Lands aforesaid which said Lands in Cities and Towns c. is to be assured to each Possessor by the same way and Instrument as is before mentioned That all rules relating to the building of each street or quantitie or ground to be alloted to each house within the said respective Cities Burghs and Towns be wholly lâ—ft by Act as aforesaid to the Wisdom and discretion of the Generall Assemblie 6ly Item That the Inhabitants of the said Province have free Passage through or by any Seas bounds Creeks Rivers c in the said Province through or by which they must necessarily pass to come from the Main Ocean to any part of the Province aforesaid 7ly Lastly It shall be lawfull for the Representative of the Free-holders to make any address to the Lords touching the Governour or Council or any of them or concerning any grievance whatsoever or for ny other thing they shall desire without the Consent of the Governour and Council or any of them Given under our Seal of our said Province the tenth day of January In the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundreth sixty and four John Barclay G. Cartwright By this Constitution of Government by the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright such provision is made both for Liberty of Religion and Property that the Province hath been considerably peopled many resorting thither from the Neighboring Collonies beside what have gone from England and this Kingdom within this few years so that the planters are able to muster 600 well Armed Men. The Proprietors have framed a new Schem of Government which is not yet fully concluded on but it is intended rather to be an enlarging than an abbreviating of the former and making more easie and advantagious for the Inhabitants the chief parts of it are That the 24. Proprietors shall chuse a Governour 16. of them has a Conclusive Vote in it after the death of him now chosen he shall continue but for 3 years and be lyable to the Censure of the Proprietors and great Council and punishable if he transgress There is a great Council to meet once a year and sit if they see meet for three Moneths consisting of the 24. Proprietors and 28. chosen by the Planters and Inhabitants two thirds Conclude the one half of the Proprietors assenting and no money can be raised or Law made to touch any mans Libertie or Property but by this Council There is a Common Council to sit constantly Consisting of the 24. Proprietors or their Proxies and nine chosen out of the Representative of the Planters in all 33. to be divided into three Commities 11. to each one for the Publick Policie One for the Treasurie and Trade and one for Plantations To aviod Lording over one another No Man can purchase above the 24th part of the Countrey And on the other hand least any should squander away their Interest â—nd yet retain the character of the Government that belongs to Property and thence be capable to betray it as not being bound by Interest there must be a suteable quantity retained otherwise the Title in the Government extinguishes in him and passes to another to be Elected by the Proprietors that Dominion may follow Property and the inconveniency of a Beggarly Nobility and Gentry may be avoided No man can be judged in any cause either Civil or Criminal but by a Jury of his Peers and to avoyid in that all Caballing the names of all the County or Neighbourhood Capable to be Chosen are to be write in little pieces of Parchement and the number of the Jury to be taken out by a Child under 10. years of age And the Proprietors as well as others are to be lyable to the like tryall and not under any Exception Libertie in matters of Religion is established in the fullest manner To be a Planter or Inhabitant nothing is more required but the acknowledging of One Almighty GOD and to have a Share in the Government A simple profession of faith of Jesus Christ without descending into any other of the differences among Christians only that Religion may not be a cloak for disturbance who ever comes into the Magistrature must declare they hold not themselves in conscience obliged for Religions sake to make an alteration or to endeavour to turn out their partners in the Government because they differ in Opinion from them and this is no more then to follow that great Rule To do as they would be done by These are the Fundamentals which are
Islands aforesaid or touching any Judgement or Sentence to be there made or given And further that it shall and may be Lawful to and for our said Dearest Brother His Heirs and Assignes by these Presents from time to time to Nominate Make Constitute Ordain and Confirm such Laws as aforesaid by such Name or Names Stile or Stiles as to him or them shall seem good And likewise to Revoke Discharge Change and Alter as well all and singular Governours Officers and Ministers which hereafter shall be by him or them thought fit and needful to be in or used within the aforesaid Islands and Parts And also to Make Ordain and Establish all manner of Laws Orders Directions Instructions Formes and Ceremonies of Government and Magistracy fit and necessar for and concerning the Government of Territories and Islands aforesaid So alwayes as the same be not contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Realm of England but as near as may be conformable thereunto and the same at all times hereafter to put in Execution or Abrogate Revoke or Change not only within the Precincts of the said Territories or Islands but also upon the Seas in going and coming to and from the same as he or they in their good Discretion shall think fittest for the good of the Adventurers and Inhabitants AND We do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Grant Ordain and Declare that all such Governours Deputes Officers and Ministers as from time to time shall be Authorized and appointed in manner and form aforesaid shal and may have full power and Authority within the Territories aforesaid to use exercise Martial Law in cases of Rebellion Insurrections Mutiny inas large and ample a manner as our Leiutenents in our Countries within Our Realm of England have or ought to have by force of their Commissions of Leiutenency or any Law or Statute of this our Realm And We do further by these presents for us our Heirs and Successours grant unto Our Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes that it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes in his or their Discretions from time to time to admit such so many person or persons to Trade Traffique into within the Territories and Islands aforesaid to every and any part parcel thereof to have possess and enjoy any Lands and Hereditaments in the part and places aforesaid as they shall think fit according to the Laws Orders Constitutions and Ordinances by our said Brother his Heirs Deputies Commissioners and Assignes from time to time to be made and established by vertue of and according to the true intent and meaning of these presents and under such Conditions Reservations and Agreements as our said Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes shall set down Order Direct and appoint and not otherwise as aforesaid And We do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer motion for US Our Heirs and Successors Give and Grant unto Our said Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes by these presents that it shall and may be Lawful to and for him them or any of them at all and every time or times hereafter out of any of our Realms or Dominions whatsoever take load carry and transport in and unto their Voyages for and towards the Plantations of our Territories and Islands aforesaid all such and so many of our loving Subjects or any other Strangers being not prohibited or under restraint that will become our loving Subjects and live under our Allegiance and shall willingly accompany them in the said Voyages together with all such Cloathing Implements Furniture or any other things usually Transported and not Prohibited as shall be necessary for the Inhabitants of the said Islands and Territories and for the use and defence thereof and Mannaging and carrying on the Trade with the people there Yeelding and paying unto Us our Heirs and Successors the Customes and Duties thereof due and payable according to Laws and Customes of this our Realm And we do also for Us our Heirs and Successors grant unto our said Dearest Brother JAMEs Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes and to all and every such Governour or Governours or Deputies their Officers or Ministers as by ouâ— said Brother his Heirs or Assignes shall be appointed to have Power and Authority of Government and Command in and over the Inhabitants of the said Territories and Islands that they and every of them shall and may lawfully from time to time and at all times for ever hereafter For their several Defence and safty Encounter Repulse Expel and Resist by force of Armes as well by Sea as by Land and all wayes and means whatsoever all such person and persons as without the special Licence of our Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes shall attempt to Inhabit within the several Precincts and Limits of our said Territories and Islands and also all and every such person and Persons whatsoever as shall Enterprize and Attempt at any time hereafter the Distruction Invasion Detriment or Annoyance to the parts places or Islands aforesaid or any parts thereof And Lastly our will and pleasure is And We do hereby declare and grant that these out Letters Patents or the Inrollment thereof shall be good and effectual in the Law to all intents and purposes whatsoever notwithstanding the not well and true Receiting or mentioning of the premisses or any part thereof or the Limits or Bounds thereof or of any form or other Letters Patents or Grants whatsoever made or Granted of the premisses or of any part thereof or the Limits or bounds thereof or of any former or other Letters Patents or Grants whatsoever made or Granted of the Premisses or of any part thereof by US or any of Our Progenitors unto any Person or Persons whatsoever bodies Politique or Corporate any other Law or other restraint in certainty or imperfection whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Although express mention of the true yearly Value or certainty of the Premisses or any of them or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us or by any of our Progenitors heretofore made to the said James Duke of York in these presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restriction heretofore had made enacted or provided or any other matter cause or thing whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstading In witness whereof We caused these Letters to be made Patent Witness our self at Westminster the 29. day of June in the 16. Year of Our Reign The SCOTS Proprietors are the Earl of Perth Lord High Chancellour of SCOTLAND his Brother the Viscount of Metfoord Secretar of State for this Kingdom and the Viscount of Tarbit Lord Register Five hundred thousand Acres being seven parts of the 24. belongs to these three and some other Gentlemen This Province or Collony lyes betwixt 39. and 41. Degrees of
Latitude being about 12. Degrees more to the South then the City of London It is in the same Climate with the Kingdom of Naples and Montpelier in France The Summer is hotter and longer then in England and the Winter colder and shorter the dayes about an hour longer in Winter and as much shorter in Summer Is bounded South-East with the Maine Sea East by that vast Navigable Stream called Hudsons River which divides this from the Province of New-York West by a Line of Division which separates this Province from West-Jersey and North upon the Maine-Land And extends it self in length upon the Sea-coast and alongst Hudsons River one hundred English myles and upward The scituation of this Countrey is just as it were in the Center of the English plantations in America betwixt the South parts of Carolina which is over hot and the North parts of Pemaquitte next New Scotland which are coldest so that its conveniencie of scituation temperature of the Aire and fertility of the Soyl is such that there is no less then seven Towns considerable already viz. Shretsburry Midletonn Berghen New-wark Elizabeth-town Woobridge and Piscataway which are well inhabited by a sober and industruous people who have necessary provisions for themselves and families and for the comfortable entertainment of Travellers and Strangers And the Quit-rents or Fewes as they are called of these Towns and other plantations already in the Countrey yeelds to the 24 Proprietors above 500. lib. sterling yearly Revenue and the Air of this Collony is experimentallie found generally to agree well with English Constitutions and consequently with Ours For Navigation it hath these advantages not onely to be scituate along the Navigable parts of Hudsons River but lyes also fiftie myles along the Main Sea and near the midest of this Province is that notted Bay for ships within Sandy-Hook very well known not to be inferiour to any Harbour in America where ships not only harbour in greatest storms but there Ride safe with all Winds and sail in and out thence as well in Winter as Summer For Fishery the Sea-banks are very well stored with variety of Fishes not only such as are profitable for Exportation but such as are fit for Food there There are Whales Coad-fish Colling and Hake-fish and large Mackeril and also many other sorts of smal Flate-fish The Bay also and Hudsons River are plentifully stored with Sturgeon and other Scal-fish Eills and Shel-fish as Oysters in abundance This Countrey is also plentifully supplied with Lively-springs Rivolets Inland-Rivers and creeks which fall into the Sea and Hudsons-River in which also there is varietie of Fresh-fish and water Fowl There are little hills from Rariton-River which is about the middle of this Province that go to the verie North-West-bounds of it in which are aboundance of good Mill-Stons to be had and there is many both Corn and Saw-milnes set and setting up already also on the other side of these Mountains there is brave fresh Rivolets fit for setting of In-Land-Towns and a great deal of Meadow-ground upon the banks thereof So that there is abundance of Hay to be had for Fodering of Cattle in the Winter time and these Meadows shows the Countrey is not altogether covered with timber It s true the first difficulty meets People in Planting there is the cutting down Wood Tho having some Meadow intermixt already well covered with Hay is a great ease yet the trouble is compensed by the advantage which the timber being cut down yeelds being good Oake fit for Shipping and Masts and also Chesmite Walnut Poplar Cdar Ash Fir And also by the fertility of the Soyl being cleared which yeelds a vast increase not only of Indean Corn which is a very wholsome Food but of English grain as Wheat and Barley whereof it usually yeelds betwixt the 20. and 30th fold and with far less labour the timber being once removed then in Britan. And to show the labour of the cutting down the Trees and clearing the ground is not so great as some may Imagine It is known by experience that two men arriving there in September or October may clear as much ground as usually brings by Harvest following twenty Quarters that is ahout 40. Scots Bolls of grain This Countrey also produceth good Flax and Hemp which they now spine and Manufacture into Linnen Cloath the very Barrens there as they are called are not like most in Britain but produceth Grass fit for Grazing Cattle in Summer time There is also upon Ground already cleared store of good English Claver Grass growing the Countrey is well stored with wild Deir Connies and wild Fowl of several sorts As Turkeys Pigeons Partridges Plevers Quaills wild Swans and Geese Ducks in great plenty It produceth variety of good and delicious Fruits as Grapes Plumes Mulberries and also Appricocks Peaches Pears Apples Quinches Water Millons which are in England planted in Orchards and Gardens but grow there with fare less labour and many more Fruits which come not to perfection in England are the more natural product of this Countrey It is thought Olives would grow well there and being store of Mulberrie Trees Silk-worms would do well there for they were tryed in Virginia and proved very well if the laziness of the People and there being wholly set upon Tobacco and the Interest of Merchants who were afraid it might spoil their Silk-Trade from the Straits had not hindered To shew how Fruit-Trees do advance in that Countrey it is credibly reported that about Burlingtoun in West Jersey which is Northernly then the greatest part of this Province from an Apple-tree-Seed in four years without grafting there sprung a tree that in the fourth year bore such a quaintitie of Apples as yeelded a barrell of Syder There is there also great store of Horses Cowes Hoggs and some sheep which may be bought at reasonable prices with English money or English Commodities or mans labour where goods and money are wanting For Minerals It is thought there are not wanting of several sorts For there is an Iron-work already set up where there is good Iron made And also there is discovered already abundance of Black-Lead It is exceeding well furnished with safe convenient Harbours for shipping which is of great advantage and affords already for Exportation great plenty of Horses and also Beef Pork Pipstaves Bread Flower White Barley Rye Indian Corn Butter and Cheese which they export for Barbadoes Jamaica Mevis and other adjacent Islands As also to Portugal Spain and the Canaryes their Whale Oyl and Whale-Fins Beaver Mink Racon and Martine-skins which this Countrey produces they transport for England The Indian Natives in this Countrey are but few comparative to the Neighbouring Collony And these that are there are so far from being Formidable and injurious to the Planters and Inhabitants that they are really serviceable and advantagious to them not only in hunting and taking the Deer and all other wild Creatures and catching of Fish and Fowl fit
right of Patronage and power of Advousone granted by his Maâ—esties Letters patents unto his Royall Highness James Duke of York and by his said Royall Highness unto us thereby to infringe the Generall Clause of Libertie of Conscience aforementioned We doe hereby grant unto the Generall Assemblie of the said province power by Act to Constitute such and so many Ministers or Preachers as they shall think fit and to establish their Maintainance giving Libertie besides to any person or persons to keep and Maintain what Ministers or Preachers they please 9ly Item That the Inhabitants being Free men or chief Agents to others of the province aforesaid do as soon as this our Commission shall arryve by vertue of a Writ in our names by the Governor to be for the present untill our Seall comes Sealled and Signed make choice of twelve Deputes or Representatives from among themselves who being chosen are to joyne with the said Governor and Council for the making such Laws Ordinances and Constitutions as shal be necessarie for the prâ—sent good and welfare of the said Province But so soon as Parishes Divisions Tribes and other Distinctions are made that then the Inhabitants or Free holders of the several and respective Parishes Tribes or Dominions and Restrictions aforesaid do by Our Write under Our Seal which we engage shall and be in due time issued annually meet on the first day of January and choise Free-holders for every respective Division Tribe or Parish to be the Deputies or Representatives of the same which body of Representatives or the major part of them shall with the Governour or Counsel aforesaid be the General Assemblie of the said Province the Governour or his Depute being present unles they shall wilfullie refuse In which case they may appoint themselves a President during the absence of the Governour or Depute Governour Which ASSEMBLIES are to have Power 1. To appoint their own time of meeting and to adjourne their Sessions from time to time to such times and places as they shall think convenient As also to as certaine the number of their Quorum Provided the said number be not less then the 36. part of the whole in whom or more shall be the full power of the General Assemblie viz. 2ly To Enact and make all such Laws Acts and Constitutions As shall be necessarie for the well Government of the said Province and them to repeall Provided That the same be consonant to Reason and as near as may be Convenientlie agreeable to the Laws and Customes of his Majesties Kingdom of England Prvided also that they be not against the Interest of us the Lords Proprietors our Airs and Assignes or any of these our Concessions Especially that they be not repugnant to the Article for Libertie of Conscience abovementioned which Laws c. so made shall receive Publication from the Governour and Councill but as the Laws of us and our General Assemblies and be in force for the space of one year and no more unless contradicted by the Lords Proprietors within which time they shall be presented to us our Heirs c. for our ratification And being confirmed by us they shall be in continual force till expyred by their own Limitation or by Act of Repeal in like manner to be passed as aforesaid and confirmed 3ly By Act as aforesaid to constitute all Courts together with the Limits Powers and Jurisdictions of the same and also the several Offices and number of the Officers belonging to each Court with their respective Salaries Fees and Perquisits their Appellations and Dignities with the Penalties that shall be due to them for the breach of their several and respective Duties and Trusts 4ly By Act as aforesaid to lay equal Taxes and Assesments equally to raise Moneys or Goods upon all Lands except us the Lords Proprietors before settling or Persons within the several precints hundreds Parishes Manours or whatsoever other Divisions shall hereafter be made and established in the said Province as oft as necessity shall require and in such manner as to them shall seem most equal and easie for the said Inhabitants in order to the better supporting of the publick Charge of the said Government and for the mutual Safety Defence and Security of the said Province 5ly By Act as aforesaid to erect within the said Province such and so many Manours with their necessary Courts Jurisdictions Freedoms and Priviledges as to them shall seem meet and convenient As also to divide the said Province into Hundreds Tribes Parishes or such other Divisions and Districtions as they shall think fit and the said Divisions to distinguish by what manner we shall Order or Direct And in default thereof by such names as they please As also within the said Province to creat and appoint such and so many Ports Harbours Creeks and other places for the convenient Loading and Vnloading of Goods and Merchandise out of Ships Boats and other Vessels and shall be expedient with such Jurisdictions Priviledges and Franchises to each Ports c. belonging as they shall judge most conducing to the general good of the said Plantation or Province 6ly By their enacting to be confirmed as aforesaid to Erect Raise and Build within the said province or any part thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Corporations Burrows Towns Villages and other places of Strength and Defence and them or any of them to incorporate with such Charters and Priviledges as to them shall seem good and the Grant made unto us will permit And the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such provisions and proportions of Ordnance Powder Shot Armour and all other Weapons Ammunition and habiliments of War hoth Offensive and Defensive as shall be thought necessary and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province But they shall not at any time Demolish Dismantle or Disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governour and the Major part of the Councill of the said Province 7ly By Act as aforsaid to Constitute Train-bands and Companies with the number of Souldiers for the Safetie Strength and defence of the said Province and of the Forts Castles Cities To Suppresse all Munities and Rebellions to make war Offensive and Defensive with all Indian Strangers and Forrainers as they shall see cause And to pursue an enemie by Sea as well as by Land if need be ouâ— of the Limitts and Jurisdictions of the said Province with the particular cons nt of the Governour and under his conduct or of our Commanders in chief or whom he shall appoint 8ly By Act as aforesaid to give unto all Strangers as to them shall seem meet a Naturalization and all such Freedomes and Priviledges within the said Province as to his Majesties Subjects do of right belong they Swearing or Subseryving as aforesâ—id said Stranger so Authorized and Priviledged shall be in all respects accounted in the said Province as the Kings naturall Subjects 9ly Item By an Act as