XXXI. And moreover that, in all cases and matters of lesser moment, twenty-four Members of the said provincial Council shall make a quorum the majority of which twenty-four shall, and may, always determine in such cases and causes of lesser moment. 1682: Charter of the Liberties and Frame of Government of Pennsylvania. Hillsdale Dialogues 03-12-21 William Penn & The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania. xxxviii. That all pleadings, processes and records in courts, shall be short, and in English, and in an ordinary and plain character, that they may be understood, and justice speedily administered. To prevent absolutism, Penn employed the concept of balancing forces, a concept that the Framers of the U.S. Constitution later would use liberally. The Council sits continuously. They weakly err, that think there is no other use of government, than correction, which is the coarsest part of it: daily experiences tell us, that the care and regulation of many other affairs, more soft, and daily necessary, make up much of the greatest part of government; and which must have followed the peopling of the world, had Adam never fell, and will continue among men, on earth, under the highest attainments they may arrive at, by the coming of the blessed Second Adam, the Lord from heaven. That there shall be, at no time, any alteration of any of these laws, without the consent of the Governor, his heirs, or assigns, and six parts of seven of the freemen, met in provincial Council and General Assembly. That all scandalous and malicious reporters, backbiters, defamers and spreaders of false news, whether against Magistrates, or private persons, shall be accordingly severely punished, as enemies to the peace and concord of this province. XXXIV. Web1682 - Penn's Charter of Libertie - April 25; 1682 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania - May 5; 1683 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania - February 2; 1696 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania; 1701 - Charter of Privileges Granted by William Penn, esq. "Frame of Government xiii. The Frame of Government has lasting historical importance as an important step in the development of American and world democracy. WebKing Charles II of England owed $80,000 to Admiral Sir William Penn. Penn was born in London in 1644 into a prominent family, the son of a naval hero, Admiral Penn. xxiv. xxi. That the Governor and provincial Council shall, at all times, have the care of the peace and safety of the province, and that nothing be by any person attempted to the subversion of this frame of government. Encyclopedia.com. WebWILLIAM PENN, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and Territories thereunto belonging, To all to whom these Presents shall come, sends Greeting. He established relationships with the local Indians and settled a group of German Quakers in what was to become Germantown. My reasons are: First. WebThis charter was the governing document of William Penn's Pennsylvania until the American Revolution, outstanding among other colonial constitutions in that it granted religious freedom, separated church and state, and asserted the right of self-governence, second only to the authority of the Crown. vii. xxxi. v. That the provincial Council, in all cases and matters of moment, as their arguing upon bills to be passed into laws, erecting courts of justice, giving judgment upon criminals impeached, and choice of officers, in such manner as is hereinafter mentioned, not less than two-thirds of the whole provincial Council shall make a quorum and that the consent and approbation of two-thirds of such quorum shall be had in all such cases and matters of moment. To be further explained and confirmed there, by the first These considerations of the weight of government, and the nice and various opinions about it, made it uneasy to me to think of publishing the ensuing frame and conditional laws, farseeing both the censures, they will meet with, from men of differing humors and engagements, and the occasion they may give of discourse beyond my design. Although reserving the executive powers for himself, this document is seen as the first charter of democratic Wherefore governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. XXXIII. xxvii. Secondly. ii. That, according to the good example of the primitive Christians, and the case of the creation, every first day of the week, called the Lords day, people shall abstain from their common daily labour, that they may better dispose themselves to worship God according to their understandings. Free shipping for many products! Penn believed in religious toleration on both pragmatic and moral grounds. Web20 jury acquitted William Penn, who was facing the death penalty after 21 preaching to Quakers, a banned religion in England at the time. Originally part of William Penn's colony of Pennsylvania, the Lower Counties of what would become Delaware were difficult to govern, as Delaware's economy and geography were much more like those of the Chesapeake Bay colonies than those of Pennylvania. That the Governor and the provincial Council shall erect, from time to time, standing courts of justice, in such places and number as they shall judge convenient for the good government of the said province. But I chuse to solve the controversy with this small distinction, and it belongs to all three: Any government is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion. That the Governor and provincial Council, shall erect and order all public schools, and encourage and reward the authors of useful sciences and laudable inventions in the said province. With these constitutional roots and the principle of free economic development outlined in the previous document [58], Pennsylvania developed into a prosperous, highly diverse constitutional democracy. XXXIX. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. XIII. That the Governor and provincial Council shall take care, that all laws, statutes and ordinances, which shall at any time be made within the said province, be duly and diligently executed. That every inhabitant in the said province, that is or shall be, a purchaser of one hundred acres of land, or upwards, his heirs and assigns, and every person who shall have paid his passage, and taken up one hundred acres of land, at one penny an acre, and have cultivated ten acres thereof, and every person, that hath been a servant, or bonds-man, and is free by his service, that shall have taken up his fifty acres of land, and cultivated twenty thereof, and every inhabitant, artificer, or other resident in the said province, that pays scot and lot to the government; shall be deemed and accounted a freeman of the said province: and every such person shall, and may, be capable of electing, or being elected, representatives of the people, in provincial Council, or General Assembly, in the said province. WebMayflower Compact, document signed on the English ship Mayflower on November 21 [November 11, Old Style], 1620, prior to its landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts. That, according to the good example of the primitive Christians, and the case of the creation, every first day of the week, called the Lords day, people shall abstain from their common daily labour, that they may the better dispose themselves to worship God according to their understandings. For particular frames and models, it will become me to say little; and comparatively I will say nothing. WebWilliam Penn's frame of government gave its citizens important rights, what state was that? Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. That, at the first choice of such provincial Council, one-third part of the said provincial Council shall be chosen to serve for three years, then next ensuing; one-third party, for two years then next ensuing; and one-third party, for one year then next ensuing each election, and no longer; and that the said third part shall go out accordingly; and on the twentieth day of the twelfth month, as aforesaid, yearly for ever afterwards, the freemen of the said province shall, in like manner, meet and assemble together, and then chuse twenty-four persons, being one-third of the said number, to serve in provincial Council for three years: it being intended, that one-third part of the whole provincial Council (always consisting, and to consist, of seventy-two persons, as aforesaid) falling off yearly, it shall be yearly supplied by such new yearly elections, as aforesaid; and that no one person shall continue therein longer than three years: and, in case any member shall decease before the last election during his time, that then at the next election ensuing his decease, another shall be chosen to supply his place, for the remaining time, he has to have served, and no longer. But before the complaint of any person be received, he shall solemnly declare in court, that he believes, in his conscience, his cause is just. whereas king Charles the Second, by his letters patents, under the great seal of England bearing date the fourth day of March in the Thirty and Third Year of the King, for divers consideration therein mentioned, hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn, by the name of William Penn, Esquire, son and heir of Sir William Penn, deceased, and to my heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land, or Province called Pennsylvania, in America, with divers great powers, preheminences, royalties, jurisdictions, and authorities, necessary for the well-being and government thereof: Now know ye, that for the well-being and government of the said province, and for the encouragement of all the freemen and planters that may be therein concerned, in pursuance of the powers aforementioned, I, the said William Penn have declared, granted, and confirmed, and by these presents, for me, my heirs and assigns, do declare, grant, and confirm unto all the freemen, planters and adventurers of, in and to the said province, these liberties, franchise, and properties, to be held, enjoyed and kept by the freemen, planters, and inhabitants of the said province of Pennsylvania for ever. WebKing Charles II granted the land for the Pennsylvania Colony to William Penn on March 4, 1681 as payment for a debt the crown owed his family. That all trials shall be by twelve men, and as near as may be, peers or equals, and of the neighborhood, and men without just exception; in cases of life, there shall be first twenty-four returned by the sheriffs, for a grand inquest, of whom twelve, at least, shall find the complaint to be true; and then the twelve men, or peers, to be likewise returned by the sheriff, shall have the final judgment. To be further explained and confirmed there, by the first provincial Council that shall be held, if they see meet. to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Territories, October 28 But, next to the power of necessity (which is a solicitor, that will take no denial) this induced me to a compliance, that we have (with reverence to God, and good conscience to men) to the best of our skill contrived and composed to the frame and laws of this government, to the great end of all government, viz: To support power in reverence with the people and to secure the people from the abuse of power; that they may be free by their just obedience, and the magistrates honourable, for their administration: for liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedience without liberty is slavery. Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. That all prisons shall be free, as to fees, food and lodging. He was a member of the Church of England and tended to favor the interests of minority religious groups in the primarily Quaker colony.. The democratic principles that were set by him served as an inspiration for the United States Constitution. Source: Colonial Origins of the American Constitution: A Documentary History, ed. Copyright 2003 2023, Constitution. But, if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. It is true, good laws have some awe upon ill ministers, but that is where they have not power to escape or abolish them, and the people are generally wise and good: but a loose and depraved people (which is the question) love laws and an administration like themselves. That all other matters and things not herein provided for, which shall, and may, concern the public justice, peace or safety of the said province; and the raising and imposing taxes, customs, duties, or prudence and determination of the Governor and freemen, in provincial Council and General Assembly, to be held, from time to time, in the said province. xxi. Summary Description William Penn - The First Draft of the Frame of Government - c1681.jpg The Papers of William Penn , Volume Two (16801684), University of Pennsylvania Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. The frame of the government of the province of Pensilvania, in America: together with certain laws agreed upon in England, by the Governor and divers freemen of the aforesaid province. I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, which are the rule of one, a few, and many, and are the three common ideas of government, when men discourse on the subject. 1.5 Baths. 2. questions. Which I humbly pray and hope God will please to make the lot of this Pensilvania. That all marriages (not forbidden by the law of God, as to nearness of blood and affinity by marriage) shall be encouraged; but the parents, or guardians, shall be first consulted, and the marriage shall be published before it be solemnized; and it shall be solemnized by taking one another as husband and wife, before credible witnesses; and a certificate of the whole, under the hands of parties and witnesses, shall be brought to the proper register of that county, and shall be registered in his office. $309,000 Last Sold Price. V. That all courts shall be open, and justice shall neither be sold, denied nor delayed. XVI. Nearby homes similar to 1228 William Penn Dr have recently sold between $225K to $595K at an average of $220 per square foot. . That all persons living in this province, who confess and acknowledge the one Almighty and eternal God, to be the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the world; and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceable and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways, be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion, or practice, in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place or ministry whatever. Men side with their passions against their reason, and their sinister interests have so strong a bias upon their minds, that they lean to them against the good of the things they know. WebPenn, William (b. Oct. 14, 1644, London, Eng.--d. Pennsylvania Before its name was changed, it was the Dutch colony of new Netherland New York What states made up the Middle (breadbasket)colonies? Imprimis. The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania was a proto-constitution for the Province of Pennsylvania, a proprietary colony granted to William Penn by Charles II of England. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. XXIII. WebMay 22, 2023 William H. Taft Signed 2.75x3.85 White House Card Auto 9 PSA Slabbed $10 2 days Left [Philadelphia & Pennsylvania] Penn, William (The Frame of the Government of the Province of $500 3 days Left 1907 William H. Taft Signed Panama Canal Related Letter mentioning Chief Engineer Col. G.W. Cite. That all fines shall be moderate, and saving mens contenements, merchandize, or wainage. xii. . Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. For, if it does not directly remove the cause, it crushes the effects of evil, and is as such, (though a lower, yet) an emanation of the same Divine Power, that is both author and object of pure religion; the difference lying here, that the one is more free and mental, the other more corporal and compulsive in its operations: but that is only to evil doers; government itself being otherwise as capable of kindness, goodness and charity, as a more private society. No compulsory religion was to be enforced. (April 27, 2023). Encyclopedia.com. The Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, granted by William Penn in 1701, gave many powers to the colonial government of Pennsylvania. ), 1683: Charter of Liberties and Privileges (New York), 1692: Shower, Reasons for a New Bill of Rights (Pamphlet), 1736: Brief Narrative of the Trial of Peter Zenger, 1744: Williams, Rights and Liberties of Protestants (Sermon), 1763: Otis, Rights of British Colonies Asserted (Pamphlet), 1765: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, 1774: Declaration and Resolves of the 1st Continental Congress, 1776: Declaration of Independence (various drafts), 1776: Hutchinson, Strictures upon the Declaration of Independence, 1776: Witherspoon, Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men (Sermon), 1785: Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, 1786: Jefferson, Virginia Bill Establishing Religious Freedom, 1787: Jay, Address to the People of N.Y. (Pamphlet), 1787: Letters from the Federal Farmer, Letter No. It is an understatement to term the following document impressive. The Charter of Privileges recognized the authority of the King and Parliament over the colony, while creating a XI. xxiii. That all prisons shall be work-houses, for felons, vagrants, and loose and idle persons; whereof one shall be in every county. Ft. 1241 That all pleadings, processes and records in courts, shall be short, and in English, and in an ordinary and plain character, that they may be understood, and justice speedily administered. vi. The Admiral, who had distinguished him-self in campaigns against the Dutch under Oliver Cromwell and Charles x. 1, xxviixxviii. To all Persons, to whom these presents may come. There he devised a government, laws and plans for Philadelphia's physical development. Taken from Votes and Proceedings, vol. Penn, however, had included an amending clause, the first in any written constitution, so that the Frame of Government could be changed as circumstances required.. XL. Religion in America. That all witnesses, coming, or called, to testify their knowledge in or to any matter or thing, in any court, or before any lawful authority, within the said province, shall there give or deliver in The Common Law and Covenanting Traditions 55 their evidence, or testimony, by solemnly promising to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the matter, or thing in LAWS AGREED UPON IN ENGLAND, &c.I. vii. xxxv. He thought that a harmonious society, unhampered by intolerance, would be a prosperous society as well. x. On 10 April Thus much of government in general, as to its rise and end. To carry this evenness is partly owing to the constitution, and partly to the magistracy: where either of these fail, government will be subject to convulsions; but where both are wanting, it must be totally subverted; then where both meet, the government is like to endure. Sidney complains that Penn keeps too much power for himself and Locke that he gives too In May William Penn made the Frame of Government the constitution for the colony. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Freedom of worship was to be absolute, and all the traditional English rights were to be protected. And upon the decease or displacing of any of the said officers, the succeeding officer, or officers, shall be chosen, as aforesaid. That the estates of capital offenders, as traitors and murderers, shall go, one-third to the next of kin to the sufferer, and the remainder to the next of kin to the criminal. He was born in 1644 and died in 1718. xxxvii. That all elections of members, or representatives of the people and freemen of the province of Pennsylvania, to serve in provincial Council, or General Assembly, to be held within the said province, shall be free and voluntary: and that the elector, that shall receive any reward or gift, in meat, drink, monies, or otherwise, shall forfeit his right to elect: and such person as shall directly or indirectly give, promise, or bestow any such reward as aforesaid, to be elected, shall forfeit his election, and be thereby incapable to serve as aforesaid: and the provincial Council and General Assembly shall be the sole judges of the regularity, or irregularity of the elections of their own respective Members. To be further explained and confirmed there, by the first provincial Council, that shall be held, if they see meet. That all prisons shall be free, as to fees, food, and lodging. II. XII. But, if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. Web20 jury acquitted William Penn, who was facing the death penalty after 21 preaching to Quakers, a banned religion in England at the time. xxii. This settles the divine right of government beyond exception, and that for two ends: first, to terrify evil doers: secondly, to cherish those that do well; which gives government a life beyond corruption, and makes it as durable in the world, as good men shall be. That the age is too nice and difficult for it; there being nothing the wits of men are more busy and divided upon. I know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them: but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better: for good laws want good men, and be abolished or evaded by ill men; but good men will never want good laws, nor suffer ill ones.