Constitution

Though not explicitly mentioned since it hadn’t yet been claimed or founded as such, parts of Nova Scotia are included in the first charter of Virginia, the second colony of which (otherwise known as the Popham Colony) was defined as “any place upon the said coast of Virginia and America…between 38°N and 45°N latitude…all alongst the said coast of Virginia and America…towards the East and Northeast, or towards the north, as the coast lyeth, and all the islands also within one hundred miles directly over against the same sea coast.”

I believe this is at least part of the source of Thomas Jefferson’s interest in the cessions of Nova Scotia in his Notes on the State of Virginia.

JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Thorn as Gales, and Sir George Somers, Knights, Richard Hackluit, Clerk, Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanharm and Ralegh Gilbert, Esqrs. William Parker, and George Popham, Gentlemen, and divers others of our loving Subjects, have been humble Suitors unto us, that We would vouchsafe unto them our Licence, to make Habitation, Plantation, and to deduce a colony of sundry of our People into that part of America commonly called VIRGINIA, and other parts and Territories in America, either appertaining unto us, or which are not now actually possessed by any Christian Prince or People, situate, lying, and being all along the Sea Coasts, between four and thirty Degrees of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial Line, and five and forty Degrees of the same Latitude, and in the main Land between the same four and thirty and five and forty Degrees, and the Islands thereunto adjacent, or within one hundred Miles of the Coast thereof;

And to that End, and for the more speedy Accomplishment of their said intended Plantation and Habitation there, are desirous to divide themselves into two several Colonies and Companies; the one consisting of certain Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers, of our City of London and elsewhere, which are, and from time to time shall be, joined unto them, which do desire to begin their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and convenient Place, between four and thirty and one and forty Degrees of the said Latitude, alongst the Coasts of Virginia, and the Coasts of America aforesaid: And the other consisting of sundry Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers, of our Cities of Bristol and Exeter, and of our Town of Plimouth, and of other Places, which do join themselves unto that Colony, which do desire to begin their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and convenient Place, between eight and thirty Degrees and five and forty Degrees of the said Latitude, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and America, as that Coast lyeth:

We, greatly commending, and graciously accepting of, their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Savages, living in those parts, to human Civility, and to a settled and quiet Government: DO, by these our Letters Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble and well-intended Desires;

And do therefore, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, GRANT and agree, that the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, and Edward-Maria Wingfield, Adventurers of and for our City of London, and all such others, as are, or shall be, joined unto them of that Colony, shall be called the first Colony; And they shall and may begin their said first Plantation and Habitation, at any Place upon the said-Coast of Virginia or America, where they shall think fit and convenient, between the said four and thirty and one and forty Degrees of the said Latitude; And that they shall have all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty Miles of English Statute Measure, all along the said Coast of Virginia and America, towards the West and Southwest, as the Coast lyeth, with all the Islands within one hundred Miles directly over against the same Sea Coast; And also all the Lands, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commoditites, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habitation for the space of fifty like English Miles, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and America, towards the East and Northeast, or towards the North, as the Coast lyeth, together with all the Islands within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said Sea Coast, And also all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the same fifty Miles every way on the Sea Coast, directly into the main Land by the Space of one hundred like English Miles; And shall and may inhabit and remain there; and shall and may also build and fortify within any the same, for their better Safeguard and Defense, according to their best Discretion, and the Discretion of the Council of that Colony; And that no other of our Subjects shall be permitted, or suffered, to plant or inhabit behind, or on the Backside of them, towards the main Land, without the Express License or Consent of the Council of that Colony, thereunto in Writing; first had and obtained.

And we do likewise, for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, by these Presents, GRANT and agree, that the said Thomas Hanham, and Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and all others of the Town of Plimouth in the County of Devon, or elsewhere which are, or shall be, joined unto them of that Colony, shall be called the second Colony; And that they shall and may begin their said Plantation and Seat of their first Abode and Habitation, at any Place upon the said Coast of Virginia and America, where they shall think fit and convenient, between eight and thirty Degrees of the said Latitude, and five and forty Degrees of the same Latitude; And that they shall have all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty like English Miles, as is aforesaid, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and al raerica towards the West and Southwest, or towards the South, as the Coast lyeth, and all the Islands within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said Sea Coast; And also all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habitation for the Space of fifty like Miles, all alongst the said Coast of Virginia and America, towards the least and Northeast, or towards the North, as the Coast lyeth, and all the Islands also within one hundred Miles directly over against the same Sea Coast; And also all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Woods, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the same fifty Miles every way on the Sea Coast, directly into the main Land, by the Space of one hundred like English Miles; And shall and may inhabit and remain there; and shall and may also build and fortify within any the same for their better Safeguard, according to their best Discretion, and the Discretion of the Council of that Colony; And that none of our Subjects shall be permitted, or suffered, to plant or inhabit behind, or on the back of them, towards the main Land, without express Licence of the Council of that Colony, in Writing thereunto first had and obtained.

Provided always, and our Will and Pleasure herein is, that the Plantation and Habitation of such of the said Colonies, as shall last plant themselves, as aforesaid, shall not be made within one;hundred like English Miles of the other of them, that first began to make their Plantation, as aforesaid.

And we do also ordain, establish, and agree, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, that each of the said Colonies shall have a Council, which shall govern and order all Matters-and Causes, which shall arise, grow, or happen, to or within the same several Colonies, according to such Laws, Ordinances, and Instructions, as shall be, in that behalf, given and signed with Our Hand or Sign Manual, and pass under the Privy Seal of our Realm of England; Each of which Councils shall consist of thirteen Persons, to be ordained, made, and removed, from time to time, according as shall be directed and comprised in the same instructions; And shall have a several Seal, for all Matters that shall pass or concern the same several Councils; Each of which Seals, shall have the King’s Arms engraver on the one Side thereof, and his Portraiture on the other; And that the Seal for the Council of the said first Colony shall have engraver round about, on the one Side, these Words; Sigillum Regis Magne Britanniae, Franciae, & Hiberniae; on the other Side this Inscription round about; Pro Concilio primae Coloniae Virginiae. And the Seal for the Council of the said second Colony shall also have engraven, round about the one Side thereof, the aforesaid Words; Sigillum Regis Magne Britanniae, Franciae, & Hiberniae; and on the other Side; Pro Concilio primae Coloniae Virginiae:

And that also there shall be a Council, established here in England, which shall, in like manner, consist of thirteen Persons, to be for that Purpose, appointed by Us, our Heirs and Successors, which shall be called our Council of Virginia; And shall, from time to time, have the superior Managing and Direction, only of and for all Matters that shall or may concern the Government, as well of the said several Colonies, as of and for any other Part or Place, within the aforesaid Precincts of four and thirty and five and forty Degrees abovementioned; Which Council shall, in like manner, have a Seal, for matters concerning the Council or Colonies, with the like Arms and Portraiture, as aforesaid, with this inscription, engraver round about on the one Side; Sigillum Regis Magne Britanniae, Franciae, & Hiberniae; and round about on the other Side, Pro Concilio fuo Virginiae.

And moreover, we do GRANT and agree, for Us, our Heirs and Successors; that that the said several Councils of and for the said several Colonies, shall and lawfully may, by Virtue hereof, from time to time, without any Interruption of Us, our Heirs or Successors, give and take Order, to dig, mine, and search for all Manner of Mines of Gold, Silver, and Copper, as well within any Part of their said several Colonies, as of the said main Lands on the Backside of the same Colonies; And to HAVE and enjoy the Gold, Silver, and Copper, to be gotten thereof, to the Use and Behoof of the same Colonies, and the Plantations thereof; YIELDING therefore to Us, our Heirs and Successors, the fifth Part only of all the same Gold and Silver, and the fifteenth Part of all the same Copper, so to be gotten or had, as is aforesaid, without any other Manner of Profit or Account, to be given or yielded to Us, our Heirs, or Successors, for or in Respect of the same:

And that they shall, or lawfully may, establish and cause to be made a Coin, to pass current there between the people of those several Colonies, for the more Ease of Traffick and Bargaining between and amongst them and the Natives there, of such Metal, and in such Manner and Form, as the said several Councils there shall limit and appoint.

And we do likewise, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, by these Presents, give full Power and Authority to the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfeld, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and to every of them, and to the said several Companies, Plantations, and Colonies, that they, and every of them, shall and may, at all and every time and times hereafter, have, take, and lead in the said Voyage, and for and towards the said several Plantations, and Colonies, and to travel thitherward, and to abide and inhabit there, in every the said Colonies and Plantations, such and so many of our Subjects, as shall willingly accompany them or any of them, in the said Voyages and Plantations; With sufficient Shipping, and Furniture of Armour, Weapons, Ordinance, Powder, Victual, and all other things, necessary for the said Plantations, and for their Use and Defence there: PROVIDED always, that none of the said Persons be such, as shall hereafter be specially restrained by Us, our Heirs, or Successors.

Moreover, we do, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, GIVE AND GRANT Licence unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thornas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and to every of the said Colonies, that they, and every of them, shall and may, from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, for their several Defences, encounter, expulse, repel, and resist, as well by Sea as by Land, by all Ways and Means whatsoever, all and every such Person or Persons, as without the especial Licence of the said several Colonies and Plantations, shall attempt to inhabit within the said several Precincts and Limits of the said several Colonies and Plantations, or any of them, or that shall enterprise or attempt, at any time hereafter, the Hurt, Detriment, or Annoyance, of the said several Colonies or Plantations:

Giving and granting, by these Presents, unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thornas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and their Associates of the said second Colony, arid to every of them, from time to time, and at all times for ever hereafter, Power and Authority to take and surprise, by all Ways and Means whatsoever, all and every Person and Persons, with their Ships, Vessels, Goods, and other Furniture, which shall be found trafficking, into any Harbour or Harbours, Creek or Creeks, or Place, within the Limits ok Precincts of the said several Colonies and Plantations, not being of the same Colony, until such time, as they, being of any Realms, or Dominions under our Obedience, shall pay, or agree to pay, to the Hands of the Treasurer of that Colony, within whose Limits and Precincts they shall so traffick, two and a half upon every Hundred, of any thing so by them trafficked, bought, or sold; And being Strangers, and not Subjects under our Obeysance, until they shall pay five upon every Hundred, of such Wares and Merchandises, as they shall traffick, buy, or sell, within the Precincts of the said several Colonies, wherein they shall so traffick, buy, or sell, as aforesaid; WHICH Sums of Money, or Benefit, as aforesaid, for and during the Space of one and twenty Years, next ensuing the Date hereof, shall be wholly emploied to the Use, Benefit, and Behoof of the said several Plantations, where such Traffick shall be made; And after the said one and twenty Years ended, the same shall be taken to the Use of Us, our Heires, and Successors, by such Officers and Ministers as by Us, our Heirs, and Successors, shall be thereunto assigned or appointed.

And we do further, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, GIVE AND GRANT unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Sommers, Richard Hackluit, and Edward-Maria Wingfield, and to their Associates of the said first Colony and Plantation, and to the said Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and their Associates of the said second Colony and Plantation, that they, and every of them, by their Deputies, Ministers, and Factors, may transport the Goods, Chattels, Armour, Munition, and Furniture, needful to be used by them, for their said Apparel, Food, Defence, or otherwise in Respect of the said Plantations, out of our Realms of England and Ireland, and all other our Dominions, from time to time, for and during the Time of seven Years, next ensuing the Date hereof, for the better Relief of the said several Colonies and Plantations, without any Customs, Subsidy, or other Duty, unto Us, our Heirs, or Successors, to be yielded or payed for the same.

Also we do, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, DECLARE, by these Presents, that all and every the Persons being our Subjects, which shall dwell and inhabit within every or any of the said several Colonies and Plantations, and every of their children, which shall happen to be born within any of the Limits and Precincts of the said several Colonies and Plantations, shall HAVE and enjoy all Liberties, Franchises, and Immunities, within any of our other Dominions, to all Intents and Purposes, as if they had been abiding and born, within this our Realm of England, or any other of our said Dominions.

Moreover, our gracious Will and Pleasure is, and we do, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, declare and set forth, that if any Person or Persons, which shall be of any of the said Colonies and Plantations, or any other, which shall trick to the said Colonies and Plantations, or any of them, shall, at any time or times hereafter, transport any Wares, Merchandises, or Commodities, out of any of our Dominions, with a Pretence to land, sell, or otherwise dispose of the same, within any the Limits and Precincts of any of the said Colonies and Plantations, and yet nevertheless, being at Sea, or after he hath landed the same within any of the said Colonies and Plantations, shall carry the same into any other Foreign Country, with a Purpose there to sell or dispose of the same, without the Licence of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, in that Behalf first had and obtained; That then, all the Goods and Chattels of such Person or Persons, so offending and transporting together with the said Ship or Vessel, wherein such Transportation was made, shall be forfeited to Us, our Heirs, and Successors.

Provided always, and our Will and Pleasure is, and we do hereby declare to all Christian Kings, Princes, and States, that if any Person or Persons which shall hereafter be of any of the said several Colonies and Plantations, or any other, by his, their, or any of their Licence and Appointment, shall, at any Time or Times hereafter, rob or spoil, by Sea or Land, or do any Act of unjust and unlawful Hostility to any the Subjects of Us, our Heirs, or Successors, or any the Subjects of any King, Prince, Ruler, Governor, or State, being then in League or Amitie with Us, our Heirs, or Successors, and that upon such Injury, or upon just Complaint of such Prince, Ruler, Governor, or State, or their Subjects, We, our Heirs, or Successors, shall make open Proclamation, within any of the Ports of our Realm of England, commodious for that purpose, That the said Person or Persons, having committed any such robbery, or Spoil, shall, within the term to be limited by such Proclamations, make full Restitution or Satisfaction of all such Injuries done, so as the said Princes, or others so complaining, may hold themselves fully satisfied and contented; And, that if the said Person or Persons, having committed such Robery or Spoil, shall not make, or cause to be made Satisfaction accordingly, within such Time so to be limited, That then it shall be lawful to Us, our Heirs, and Successors, to put the said Person or Persons, having committed such Robbery or Spoil, and their Procurers, Abettors, and Comforters, out of our Allegiance and Protection; And that it shall be lawful and free, for all Princes, and others to pursue with hostility the said offenders, and every of them, and their and every of their Procurers, Aiders, abettors, and comforters, in that behalf.

And finally, we do for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, and agree, to and with the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, and all others of the said first colony, that We, our Heirs and Successors, upon Petition in that Behalf to be made, shall, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England, GIVE and GRANT unto such Persons, their Heirs and Assigns, as the Council of that Colony, or the most part of then, shall, for that Purpose, nominate and assign all the lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, which shall be within the Precincts limited for that Colony, as is aforesaid, To BE HOLDEN of Us, our heirs and Successors, as of our Manor at East-Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soccage only, and not in Capite:

And do in like Manner, Grant and Agree, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, to and with the said Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and all others of the said second Colony, That We, our Heirs, and Successors, upon Petition in that Behalf to be made, shall, by Letters-Patent, under the Great Seal of England, GIVE and GRANT, unto such Persons, their Heirs and Assigns, as the Council of that Colony, or the most Part of them, shall for that Purpose nominate and assign, all the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, which shall be within the Precincts limited for that Colony, as is aforesaid, To BE nodded of Us, our Heires, and Successors, as of our Manor of East-Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soccage only, and not in Capite.

All which Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, so to be passed by the said several Letters-Patent, shall be sufficient Assurance from the said Patentees, so distributed and divided amongst the Undertakers for the Plantation of the said several Colonies, and such as shall make their Plantations in either of the said several Colonies, in such Manner and Form, and for such Estates, as shall be ordered and set down by the Council of the said Colony, or the most part of them, respectively, within which the same Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments shall lye or be; Although express Mention of the true yearly Value or Certainty of the Premises, or any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants, by Us or any of our Progenitors or Predecessors, to the aforesaid Sir Thomas Gates, Knt. Sir George Somers, Knt. Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, or any of them, heretofore made, in these Presents, is not made; Or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, or Provision, Proclamation, or Restraint, to the contrary hereof had, made, ordained, or any other Thing, Cause, or Matter whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding. IN Witness whereof, we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent; Witness Ourself at Westminster, the tenth Day of April, in the fourth Year of our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the nine and thirtieth.

LUKIN

Per breve de private Sigillo.

Thorpe, Francis Newton. “The Federal and State constitutions: colonial charters, and other organic laws of the States, territories, and Colonies, now or heretofore forming the United States of America” Washington : Govt. Print. Off. 1909. https://archive.org/details/federalstatecons07thor/page/n5/mode/2up

This charter is written as one block of text, without punctuation or break in period English, I did my best to find any natural breaks in the text to ease its legibility.

Any mention of Nova Scotia or Acadia are in bold in order to make it easier to pick them out, not as a representation of how they are presented in the original text.

GEORGE BY THE GRACE OF GOD of Great Britain France and Ireland king Defender of the Faith &c

To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting

Whereas Our late Royal Predecessors William and Mary King and Queen of England &c Did by their letters Patents under their Great Seal of England bearing Date at Westminster the Seventh day of October in the Third year of their Reign for themselves their Heirs and Successors Unite Erect and Incorporate the Territories and Colonies commonly called or known by the Names of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and Colony of New Plymouth the Province of Main the Territory called Acadia or Nova Scotia and all that Tract of land lying between the said Territories of Nova Scotia and the said Province of Main into One Real Province by the Name of Our Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England

And Whereas their said late Majesties King William and Queen Mary did by the said recited letters Patents (among other things therein contained) for themselves their Heirs and Successors Ordain and Grant that there should and might be Convened held and kept by the Governor for the time being upon every last Wednesday in the Month of May every year forever and at all such other times as the Governor of their said Province should think fit and Appoint a Great and General Court or Assembly which said Great and General Court or Assembly should Consist of the Governor and Council or Assistants for the time being and of such Freeholders of their said Province or Territory as should be from time to time elected or deputed by the major part of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the respective Towns or places who should be present at such Elections each of the said Towns and places being thereby empowered to Elect and Depute two Persons and no more to Serve for and represent them respectively in the. said Great and General Court or Assembly and that the Governor for the time being should have full Power and Authority from time to time as he should Judge necessary to adjourn Prorogue and Dissolve all Great and General Courts or Assemblies met and Convened as aforesaid And did thereby also for themselves their Heirs and Successors Provide Establish and Ordain that in the Framing and Passing of all Orders laws Statutes and Ordinances and in all Elections and Acts of Government whatsoever to be passed made or done by the said General Court or Assembly or in Council the Governor of the said Province or Territory of the Massachusetts Bay in :New England for the time being should have the Negative Voice and that without his Consent or Approbation Signified and Declared in writing no such Orders laws Statutes Ordinances Elections or other Acts of Government whatsoever so to be made passed or done by the said General Assembly or in Council should be of any force Effect or Validity any thing therein contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding as in and by the said letters Patents (reason being thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear

And Whereas no provision is made by the said recited letters Patents touching the Nomination and Election of a Speaker of the Representatives Assembled in any Great and General Court of Our said Province nor any particular Reservation made of the Right of Us Our Heirs and Successors to approve or disapprove of such Speaker by the Governor of the said Province appointed or to be appointed by Us or them for the time being And no power is Granted by the said recited letters Patents to the said House of Representatives to adjourn themselves for any time whatsoever by means whereof divers Doubts and Controversies have Arisen within Our said Province to the Interruption of the Public Business thereof and the obstruction of Our Service

Know Ye therefore that for removing the said Doubts and Controversies and preventing the like mischief for the future And also for the further Explanation of the said recited letters Patents Wee of Our Especial Grace certain knowledge and mere motion Have Granted Ordained and Appointed And by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Do Will Grant Ordain and Appoint that for ever hereafter the Representatives Assembled in any Great or General Court of Our said Province to be hereafter Summoned shall upon the first day of their Assembling Elect a fit Person out of the said Representatives to be Speaker of the House of Representatives in such General Court and that the Person so Elected shall from time to time be presented to the Governor of Our said Province for the time being or in his absence to the lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province for the time being for his Approbation to which Governor lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief respectively Wee do hereby for Us Our Heirs and Successors give full power and Authority to approve or disapprove of the Person so Elected and presented which approbation or disapprobation shall be Signified by him by Message in writing under his Hand to the said House of Representatives And in Case such Governor lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief shall disapprove of the Person so Elected and presented or the Person so Elected and presented being approved as aforesaid shall happen to dye or by Sickness or otherwise be disabled from Officiating as Speaker in every such Case the said Representatives so Assembled shall forthwith Elect an other Person to be Speaker of the House of Representatives to be presented and approved or disapproved in manner as aforesaid and so from time to time as often as the Person so Elected and presented shall be disapproved of or happen to dye or become disabled as aforesaid

And Our further Will and Pleasure is and Wee do by these presents of Our more abundant Grace for Us Our Heirs and Successors Grant Ordain and Appoint that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Representatives assembled in any Great or General Court of Our said Province for the time being for ever hereafter to Adjourn themselves from day to day (and if occasion shall require) for the space of two days but not for any longer time than for the space of two days without leave from the Governor or in his Absence from the lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief of Our said Province for the time being first had and obtained in that behalf any thing in the said recited letters Patents contained to the Contrary thereof in any wise Notwithstanding Provided always that nothing in these presents contained shall Extend or be Construed to Extend to revoke alter or prejudice the Power and Authority by the said recited letters Patents Granted to the Governor of the said Province for the time being to Adjourn Prorogue and Dissolve all Great and General Courts or Assemblies of Our said Province.

And Lastly Wee do by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Grant that these Our letters Patents or the Enrollment or Exemplification thereof shall be in and by all things good firm valid and Effectual in the law according to the true intent and meaning thereof notwithstanding the not rightly or fully reciting mentioning or describing the said recited letters Patents or the Date thereof or any other Omission Imperfection Defect matter Cause or thing whatsoever to the Contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding

In witness whereof Wee have Caused these Our letters to be made Patents Witness William Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Guardians and Justices of the Kingdom at Westminster the Six and twentieth day of August in the twelfth year of Our Reign

By Writ of Privy Seal

Thorpe, Francis Newton. “The Federal and State constitutions: colonial charters, and other organic laws of the States, territories, and Colonies, now or heretofore forming the United States of America” Washington : Govt. Print. Off. 1909. https://archive.org/details/federalstatecons03thor/page/1888/mode/2up

This charter is written as one block of text, without any punctuation or break and in period English. I did my best to find the natural breaks in the text in order to ease its legibility.

Any mention of Nova Scotia or Acadia are in bold in order to make it easier to pick them out, not because that is how they are presented in the original text.

WILLIAM & MARY by the grace of God King and Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith &c

To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting. Whereas his late Majesty King James the First Our Royall Predecessor by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the Third Day of November in the Eighteenth year of his Reign, did Give and Grant unto the Council established at Plymouth in the County of Devon for the Planting Ruling Ordering and Governing of New England in America, and to their Successors and Assigns all that part of America lying and being in Breadth from Forty Degrees of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial Line to the Forty Eighth Degree of the said Northerly Latitude Inclusively, and in length of and within all the Breadth aforesaid throughout all the Main Lands from Sea to Sea together, also with all the firm Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishing, Mines and Minerals, as well Royall Mines of Gold and Silver, as other Mines and Minerals, Precious Stones, Quarries, and all and singular other Commodities, Jurisdictions, Royalties, Privileges, Franchises and Preeminences, both within the said Tract of Land upon the Main and also within the Islands and Seas adjoining

Provided always that the said Lands Islands or any the premises by the said Letters Patents intended, or meant to be Granted, were not then actually possessed or Inhabited by any other Christian Prince or State, or within the bounds Limits or Territories of the Southern Colony then before granted by the said late King James the First [to be planted] by divers of his Subjects in the South parts

To Have and to hold, possess and enjoy, all and singular, the aforesaid Continent, Lands, Territories, Islands, Hereditaments and Precincts, Seas, Waters, Fishing with all and all manner of their Commodities, Royalties, Liberties, Preeminences and Profits that should from thenceforth arise from thence with all and singular their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof, unto the said Council and their Successors and Assigns for ever, to the sole and proper use and benefit of the said Council and their Successors and Assigns for ever

To be holden of his said late Majesty King James the First his Heirs and Successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and Common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service

Yielding and paying, therefore, to the said late King, his Heirs and Successors, the Fifth part of the Oar of Gold and Silver which should from time to time and at all times then after happen to be found, gotten, had and obtained, in at or within any of the said Lands, Limits, Territories or Precincts, or in or within any part or parcel thereof, for or in respect of all and all manner of duties, demands and services whatsoever, to be done, made or paid to the said late King James the first, his Heirs and Successors, as in and by the said Letters Patents among sundry other Clauses, Powers, Privileges and Grants therein contented more at large appear

And Whereas the said Council established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the Planting, Ruling, Ordering and Governing of New England in America, Did by their Deed, Indented under their Common Seal bearing Date the Nineteenth Day of March in the Third year of the Reign of Our Royall Grandfather King Charles the First of ever Blessed Memory, Give, Grant, Bargain, Sell, Enffeoffe, Alien and Confirm to: Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Knights Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicot and Simond Whetcomb, their Heirs and Assigns and their Associates for ever, All that part of New England in America aforesaid which lies and extends between a great River there commonly called Monomack or Merrimack, and a certain other River there called Charles River, being in a Bottom of a certain Bay there commonly called Massachusetts or Mattachuseetts or Massatusetts Bay, And also all and singular those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the space of Three English Miles on the South part of the said Charles River, or of any and every part thereof, And alsoe all and singular the Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever lying and being within the space of three English Miles to the Southward of the Southernmost part of the said Bay called the Massachusetts or Mattachusetts or Massatusetts Bay, And also all those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever which lie and be within the space of three English Miles to the Northward of the said River called Monomack or Merrimack or to the Northward of any and every part thereof, And all Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the Limits aforesaid North and South in Latitude and in Breadth and in length and longitude of and within all the Breadth aforesaid throughout the Main Lands there, from the Atlantic and Western Sea and Ocean on the East parse to the South Sea on the West part, and all Lands and Grounds, Place and Places, Soil, Woods and Wood, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishing and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying within the said Bounds and Limits and every parse and parcel thereof, and also all Islands lying in America aforesaid in the said Seas, or either of them on the Western or Eastern Coasts, or Parts of the said Tracts of Land by the said Indenture mentioned, to be Given and Granted, Bargained, Sold, Enffeoffed, Aliened and Confirmed or any of them, And also all Mines and Minerals as well Royall Mines of Gold and Silver, as other Mines and Minerals whatsoever in the said Lands and Premises, or any parse thereof, and all Jurisdictions, Rights, Royalties, Liberties, Freedoms, Immunities, Privileges, Franchises, Preeminences and Commodities whatsoever, which they the said Council established at Plymouth in the County of Devon for the planting, Ruling, Ordering and Governing of New England in America, then had or might use, exercise or enjoy, in or within the said Lands and Premises, by the same Indenture mentioned, to be given, granted, bargained, sold, enffeoffed and confirmed, in or within any part or parcel thereof, To Have and to hold the said parts of New England in America which lies and extends and is abutted as aforesaid, and every parts and parcel thereof, And all the said Islands, Rivers, Ports, Havens, Waters, Fishing, Mines, Minerals, Jurisdictions, Franchises, Royalties, Liberties, Privileges, Commodities, Hereditaments and premises whatsoever, with the appurtenances unto the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott and Simond Whetcomb their Heirs and Assigns and their Associates for ever to the only proper and absolute use and behoove of the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir [John] Young, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott and Simond Whetcomb, their Heires and Assignes and their Associates for evermore To be holden of Our said Royall Grandfather Icing Charles the first his Heirs and Successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and Common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights Service

Yielding and paying therefore unto Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors the fifth part of the Oar of Gold and Silver which should from time to time and at all times hereafter happen to be found gotten had & obtained in any of the said Lands within the said Limits or in or within any part thereof for and in satisfaction of all manner of duties demands and services whatsoever to be done made or paid to Our said Royal Grandfather his Heirs or Successors (as in and by the said recited Indenture may more at large appear

And Whereas Our said Royall Grandfather in and by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the Fourth Day of March in the Fourth year of his Reign for the consideration therein mentioned did grant and confirms onto the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott and Simond Whetcomb and to their Associates after named (viz) Sir Ralph Saltenstall, Knt Isaac Johnson, Samuell Aldersey, John Ven, Mathew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, Richard Berry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuell Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Golfe, Thomas Adams, John Browne, Samuell Browne, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pincheon, and George Foxcroft their Heirs and Assigns All the said part of New England in America lying and extending between the bounds and limits in the said Indenture expressed and all Lands and Grounds Place and Places Soils Woods and Wood Grounds Havens Ports Rivers Waters Mines Minerals Jurisdictions Rights Royalties Liberties Freedoms Immunities Privileges Franchises Preeminences and hereditaments whatsoever bargained sold enffeoffed and Confirmed or mentioned or intended to be given granted bargained sold enfleoiled aliened and confirmed to the them the said Sir Henry Roswell Sir John Young Thomas Southcott John Humphreys John Endicott and Simond Whetcomb their Heirs and Assigns and to their Associates for ever by the said recited Indenture

To Have and to hold the said part of New England in America and other the Premises thereby mentioned to be granted and confirmed and every parse and parcel thereof with the appurtenances to the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltenstall, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott, Simond Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuell Aldersey, John Ven, Mathew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuell Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Golfe, Thomas Adams, John Browne, Samuell Browne, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pincheon and George Foxcroft their Heirs and Assigns for ever to their own proper and absolute use and behoove for evermore

To be held of Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich aforesaid in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights Service and also yielding and paying therefore to Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors the fifth part only of all the Oar of Gold and Silver which from time to time and at all times after should be there gotten had or obtained for all Services Exactions and Demands whatsoever according to the tenor and Reservation in the said recited Indenture expressed

And further Our said Royall Grandfather by the said Letters Patents did Give and Grant onto the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltenstall, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott, Simond Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuell Aldersey, John Ven, Mathew Craddock, George Harwood, Encrease Nowell, Richard Perrey, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuell Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Golfe, Thomas Adams, John Browne, SamueI Browne, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pincheon and George Foxcroft, their Heirs and Assigns; All that part of New England in America which lies and extends between a Great River called Monomack als Merrimack River and a certain other River there called Charles River being in the Bottom of a certain Bay there commonly called Massachusetts als Massachusetts als Massachusetts Bay and also all and singular those Lands and hereditaments whatsoever lying within the space of Three English Miles on the South part of the said River called Charles River or of any or every part thereof and also all and singular the Lands and hereditaments whatsoever lying and being within the space of Three English Miles to the Southward of the Southernmost part of the said Bay called Massachusetts or Mattachusetts or Massatusetts Bay And also all those Lands and hereditaments whatsoever which lye and bee within the space of Three English Miles to the Northward of the said River called Monotnack ads Merrimack or to the Northward of any and every parse thereof And all Lands and hereditaments whatsoever lying within the limits aforesaid North and South in Latitude and in Breadth and in length and Longitude of and within all the Breadth aforesaid throughout the Main Lands there from the Atlantic or Western Sea and Ocean on the East parse to the South Sea on the West parse And all Lands Grounds Place and Places Soils Wood and Wood Lands Havens Ports Rivers Waters and hereditaments whatsoever lying within the said bounds and limits and every part and parcel thereof And also all Islands in America aforesaid in the said Seas or either of them on the Western or Eastern Coasts or parses of the said Tracts of Lands thereby mentioned to be given and granted or any of them And all Mines and Minerals as well Royall Mines of Gold and Silver as other Mines and Minerals whatsoever in the said Lands and premises or any parse thereof and free Liberty of Fishing in or within any of the Rivers and Waters within the bounds and 1imitts aforesaid and the Seas thereunto adjoining and of all Fishes Royall Fishes Whales Balene Sturgeon and other Fishes of what kind or nature soever that should at any time thereafter be taken in or within the said Seas or Waters or any of them by the said Sir Henry Roswell Sir John Young Sir Richard Saltenstall Thomas Southcroft John Humphryes John Endicott Simond Whetcomb Isaac Johnson Samuell Aldersey John Ven Mathew Craddock George Harwood Increase Nowell Richard Perrey Richard Bellingham Nathaniel Wright Samuell Vassall Theophilus Eaton Thomas Golfe Thomas Adams John Browne Samuell Browne Thomas Hutchins William Vassall William Pincheon and George Foxcroft their Heires or Assignes or by any other person or persons whatsoever there Inhabiting by them or any of them to be appointed to Fish therein

Provided always that if the said Lands Islands or any the premises before mentioned and by the said Letters Patents last mentioned intended and meant to be granted were at the time of granting of the said former Letters Patents dated the third day of November in the Eighteenth year of the Reign of his late Majesty King James the First actually possessed or inhabited by any other Christian Prince or State or were within the bounds Limits or Territories of the said Southern Colony then before granted by the said King to be planted by divers of his Loving Subjects in the South parts of America That then the said Grant of Our said Royall Grandfather should not extend to any such parts or parcels thereof so formerly inhabited or lying within the bounds of the Southern Plantation as aforesaid but as to those parts or parcels so possessed or inhabited by any such Christian Prince or State or being within the boundaries aforesaid should be utterly void

To Have and to hold possess and enjoy the said parts of New England in America which lye extend and are abutted as aforesaid and every part and parcel thereof and all the Islands Rivers Ports Havens Waters Fishing Fishes Mines Minerals Jurisdictions Franchises Royalties Riverties Privileges Commodities and premises whatsoever with the Appurtenances unto the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltenstall, Thomas Southcott, John Humphreys, John Endicott, Simond Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuell Aldersey, John Ven, Mathew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, Richard Perrey, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniell Wright, Samuell Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Golfe, Thomas Adams, John Browne, Samuell Browne, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pincheon and George Foxcroft, their Heires and Assignes for ever To the only proper and absolute use and behoove of the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltenstall, Thomas Southcott, John Humphryes, John Endicott, Simond Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuell Aldersey, John Ven, Mathew Haddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniell Wright, SamuelI Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Golfe, Thomas Adams, John Browne, Samuell Browne, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pincheon and George Foxcroft their Heires and Assigns for evermore To be holden of Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within the Realm of England in free and Common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights Service And also yielding and paying therefore to Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors the Fifth part only of all the Oar of Gold and Silver which from time to time and at all times thereafter should be gotten had and obtained for all services Exactions and demands whatsoever

Provided, always and his Majesties express Will and meaning was that only one Fifth parse of all the Gold and Silver Oar above mentioned in the whole and no more should be answered reserved and payable unto Our said Royall Grandfather his Heirs and Successors by color or virtue of the said last mentioned Letters Patents the double reservations or recitals aforesaid or any thing therein contented notwithstanding And to the end that the affairs and business which from time to time should happen and arise concerning the said Lands and the Plantations of the same might be the better managed and ordered and for the good Government thereof Our said Royall Grandfather King Charles the First did by his said Letters Patents Create and make the said Sir Henry Roswell Sir John Young Sir Richard Saltenstall Thomas Southcott John Humphreys John Endicott Symond Whetcomb Isaac Johnson Samuell Aldersey John Ven Mathew Caddock George Harwood Increase Newell Richard Perry Richard Bellingham Nathaniell Wright Samuell Vassall and Theophilus Eaton Thomas Golfe Thomas Adams John Browne Samuell Browne Thomas Hutchins William Vassal William Pincheon and George Foxcroft and all such others as should thereafter be admitted and made free of the Company and Society therein after mentioned one Body Politic and Corporate in fact and name by the Name of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and did grant onto them and their Successors divers powers Liberties and privileges as in and by the said Letters Patents may more fully and at large appears And whereas the said Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England by virtue of the said Letters Patents did settle a Colony of the English in the said parts of America and divers good Subjects of this Kingdom encouraged and invited by the said Letters Patents did Transport themselves and their Edicts into the same whereby the said Plantation did become very populous and divers Counties Townes and Places were created erected made set forth or designed within the said parts of America by the said Governor and Company for the time being And Whereas in the Term of the holy Trinity in the Thirty Sixth year of the Reign of Our dearest Uncle King Charles the Second a Judgment was given in Our Court of Chancery then sitting at Westminster upon a Writ of Scire Facias brought and prosecuted in the said Court against the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England that the said Letters Patents of Our said Royall Grandfather King Charles the First bearing date at Westminster the Fourth day of March in the Fourth year of his Reign made and granted to the said Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and the Enrollment of the same should be cancelled vacated and annihilated and should be brought into the said Court to be cancelled (as in and by the said Judgment remaining upon Record in the said Court doth more at large appease)

And whereas several persons employed as Agents in behalf of Our said Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New England have made their humble application unto Vs that Wee would be graciously pleased by Our Royall Charter to Incorporate Our Subjects in Our said Colony and to grant and confirms Into them such powers privileges and Franchises as in Our Royall Wisdom should be thought most conducing to Our Interest and Service and to the Welfare and happy State of Our Subjects in New England and Wee being graciously pleased to gratify Our said Subjects And also to the end.Our good Subjects within Our Colony of New Plymouth in New England aforesaid may be brought under such a form of Government as may put them in a better Condition of defense and considering as well the granting unto them as onto Our Subjects in the said Colony of the Massachusetts Bay Our Royall Charter with reasonable Powers and Privileges will much tend not only to the safety but to the Flourishing estate of Our Subjects in the said parts of New England and also to the advancing of the ends for which the said Plantations were at first encouraged of Our especial Grace certain knowledge and mere Motion have willed and ordained and Wee doe by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Will and Ordain that the Territories and Colonies commonly called or known by the Names of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and Colony of New Plymouth the Province of Main the Territory called Accadia or Nova Scotia and all that Tract of Land lying between the said Territories of Nova Scotia and the said Province of Main be Erected ignited and Incorporated And Wee doe by these presents Unite Erect and Incorporate the same into one real Province by the Name of Our Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England And of Our especial Grace certain knowledge and mere Motion Wee have given and granted and by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors doe give and grant onto Our good Subjects the Inhabitants of Our said Province or Territory of the Massachusetts Bay and their Successors all that parse of New England in America lying and extending from the great River commonly called Monomack als Merrimack on the North part and from three Miles Northward of the said River to the Atlantic or Western Sea or Ocean on the South part And all the Lands and hereditaments whatsoever lying within the limits aforesaid and extending as fare as the Outermost Points or Promontories of Land called Cape Cod and Cape Mallabar North and South and in Latitude Breadth and in Length and Longitude of and within all the Breadth and Compass aforesaid throughout the Main Land there from the said Atlantic or Western Sea and Ocean on the East parse towards the South Sea or Westward as far as Our Colonies of Rhode Island Connecticut and the Marragansett Country all also all that part or portion of Main Land beginning at the Entrance of Pescata way Harbor and see to pass up the same into the River of Newickewannock and through the same into the furthest head thereof and from thence Northwestward till One Hundred and Twenty Miles be finished and from Piscata way Harbor mouth aforesaid North Eastward along the Sea Coast to Sagadehock and from the Period of One Hundred and Twenty Miles aforesaid to cross over Land to the One Hundred and Twenty Miles before reckoned up into the Land from Piscataway Harbor through Newickawannock River and also the North half of the Isles and Shoals together with the Isles of Cappawock and Nantukett near Cape Cod aforesaid and also [all] Lands and hereditaments lying and being in the Countrey and Territory commonly called Accadia or Nova Scotia And all those Lands and hereditaments lying and extending between the said Country or Territory of Nova Scotia and the said River of Sagadahock or any port thereof And all Lands Grounds Places Soils Woods and Wood grounds Havens Ports Rivers Waters and other hereditaments and premises whatsoever lying within the said bounds and limits aforesaid and every part and parcel thereof and also all Islands and Islets lying within ten Leagues directly opposite to the Main Land within the said bounds and all Mines and Minerals as well Royall Mines of Gold and Silver as other Mines and Minerals whatsoever in the said Lands and premises or any parse thereof

To Have and to hold the said Territories Tracts Countries Lands hereditaments and all and singular other the premises with their and every of their Appurtenances to Our said Subjects the Inhabitants of Our said Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and their Successors to their only proper use and behoove for evermore To be holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of Our Manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent by Fealty only in free and Comon Soccage yielding and paying therefore yearly to Vs Our Heirs and Successors the Fifth part of all Gold and Silver Oar and precious Stones which shall from time to time and at all times hereafter happen to be found gotten had and obtained in any of the said Lands and premises or within any part thereof

Provided nevertheless and Wee doe for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant and ordain that all and every such Lands Tenements and hereditaments and all other estates which any person or persons or Bodies-Politic or Corporate Townes Villages Colleges or Schools do hold and enjoy or ought to hold and enjoy within the bounds aforesaid by or under any Grant or estate duly made or granted by any General Court formerly held or by virtue of the Letters Patents herein before recited or by any other lawful Right or Title whatsoever shall be by such person and persons Bodies Politic and Corporate Townes Villages Colleges or Schools their respective Heirs Successors and Assigns for ever hereafter held and enjoyed according to the purport and Intent of such respective Grant under and Subject nevertheless to the Rents and Services thereby reserved or made payable any matter or thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding

And Provided also that nothing herein contended shall extend or be understood or taken to impeach or prejudice any right title Interest or demand which Samuell Allen of London Merchant claiming from and vnder John Mason Esqr deceased or any other person or persons hath or have or claimed to have hold or enjoy of in to or out of any part or parts of the premises situate within the limits above mentioned But that the said Samuel Allen and all and every such person and persons may and shall have hold and enjoy the same in such manner (and no other then) as if these presents had not been had or made It being Our further Will and Pleasure that no Grants or Conveyances of any Lands Tenements or hereditaments to any Townes Colleges Schools of Learning or to any private person or persons shall be judged or taken to be avoided or prejudiced for or by reason of any want or defect of Form but that the same stand and remain in force and be maintained adjudged and have effect in the same manner as the same should or ought before the time of the said recited Judgment according to the Laws and Rules then and there usually practiced and allowed And Wee doe further for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Will Establish and ordain that from henceforth for ever there shall be one Governor One Lieutenant or Deputy Governor and One Secretary of Our said Province or Territory to be from time to time appointed and Commissioned by Us Our Heirs and Successors and Eight and Twenty Assistants or Councillors to be advising and assisting to the Governor of Our said Province or Territory for the time being as by these presents is hereafter directed and appointed which said Councillors or Assistants are to be Constituted Elected and Chosen in such form and manner as hereafter in these presents is expressed And for the better Execution of Our Royall Pleasure and Grant in this behalf Wee doe by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Nominate Ordain make and Constitute Our Trusty and Welbeloved Simon Broadstreet John Richards Nathaniel Saltenstall Wait Winthrop John Phillipps James Russell Samuell Sewall Samuel Appleton Barthilomew Gedney John Hawthorn Elisha Hutchinson Robert Pike Jonathan Curwin John Jolliffe Adam Winthrop Richard Middlecot John Foster Peter Serjeant Joseph Lynd Samuell Hayman Stephen Mason Thomas Hinckley William Bradford John Walley Barnabas Lothrop Job Alcott Samuell Daniell and Silvanus Davis Esquires the first and present Councillors or Assistants of Our said Province to continue in their said respective Offices or Trusts of Councillors or Assistants until the last Wednesday in May which shall be in the yeare of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Three and until other Councillors or Assistants shall be chosen and appointed in their stead in such manner as in these presents is expressed And Wee doe further by these presents Constitute and appoint Our Trusty and well beloved Isaac Addington Esquier to be Our first and present Secretary of Our said Province during Our Pleasure

And 0ur Will and Pleasure is that the Governor of Our said Province from the time being shall have Authority from time to time at his discretion to assemble and call together the Councillors or Assistants of Our said Province for the time being and that the said Governor with the said Assistants or Councillors or Seven of them at the least shall and may from time to time hold and keep a Council for the ordering and directing the Affairs of Our said Province And further Wee Will and by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors doe ordain and Grant that there shall and may be convened held and kept by the Governor for the time being upon every last Wednesday in the Month of May every year for ever and at all such other times as the Governor of Our said Province shall think fit and appoint a great and General Court of Assembly Which said Great and General Court of Assembly shall consist of the Governor and Council or Assistants for the time being and of such-Freeholders of Our said Province or Territory as shall be from time to time elected or deputed by the Major parse of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the respective Townes or Places who shall be present at such Elections Each of the said Townes and Places being hereby empowered to Elect and Depute Two Persons and no more to serve for and represent them respectively in the said Great and General Court or Assembly To which Great and General Court or Assembly to be held as aforesaid Wee doe hereby for Vs Our Heirs and Successors give and grant full power and authority from time to time to direct appoint and declare what Number each County Town and Place shall Elect and Depute to serve for and represent them respectively in the said Great and General Court or Assembly

Provided always that no Freeholder or other Person shall have a Vote in the Election of Members to serve in any Great and General Court or Assembly to be held as aforesaid who at the time of such Election shall not have an estate of Freehold in Land within Our said Province or Territory to the value of Forty Shillings per Annum at the least or other estate to the value of Forty pounds Sterling And that every Person who shall be so elected shall before he silt or Act in the said Great and General Court or Assembly take the Oaths mentioned in an Act of Parliament made in the first year of Our Reign Entitled an Act for abrogating of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and appointing other Oaths and thereby appointed to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and shall make Repeat and Subscribe the Declaration mentioned in the said Act before the Governor and Lieutenant or Deputy Governor or any two of the Assistants for the time being who shall be thereunto authorized and Appointed by Our said Governor and that the Governor for the time being shall have full power and Authority from time to time as he shall Judge necessary to adjourns Prorogue and dissolve all Great and General Courts or Assemblies met and convened as aforesaid And Our Will and Pleasure is and Wee doe hereby for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain that yearly once in every year for ever hereafter the aforesaid Number of Eight and Twenty Councillors or Assistants shall be by the General Court or Assembly newly chosen that is to say Eighteen at least of the Inhabitants of or Proprietors of Lands within the Territory formerly called the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and four at the least of the Inhabitants of or Proprietors of Lands within the Territory formerly called New Plymouth and three at the least of the Inhabitants of or Proprietors of Land within the Territory formerly called the Province of Main and one at the least of the Inhabitants of or Proprietors of Land within the Territory lying between the River of Sagadahoc and Nova Scotia And that the said Councillors or Assistants or any of them shall or may at any time hereafter be removed or displaced from their respective Places or Trust of Councillors or Assistants by any Great or General Court or Assembly And that if any of the said Councillors or Assistants shall happen to dye or be removed as aforesaid before the General day of Election That then and in every such Case the Great and General Court or Assembly at their first sitting may proceed to a New Election of one or more Councillors or Assistants in the room or place of such Councillors or Assistants so dying or removed And Thee doe further Grant and Ordain that it shall and may be lawful for the said Governor with the advice and consent of the Council or Assistants from time to time to nominate and appoint Judges Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer Sheriffs Provosts Marshalls Justices of the Peace and other Officers to Our Council and Courts of Justice belonging

Provided always that no such Nomination or Appointment of Officers be made without notice first given or summons Issued out seven days before such Nomination or Appointment onto such of the said Councillors or Assistants as shall be at that time residing within Our said Province

And Our Will and Pleasure is that the Governor and Lieutenant or Deputy Governor and Councillors or Assistants for the time being and all other Officers to be appointed or Chosen as aforesaid shall before the undertaking the Execution of their Offices and Places respectively take their several and respective Oaths for the due and faithful performance of their duties in their several and respective Offices and Places and also the Oaths appointed by the said Act of Parliament made in the first year of Our Reign to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and shall make repeat and subscribe the Declaration mentioned in the said Act before such Person or Persons as are by these presents herein after appointed (that is to say) The Governor of Our said Province or Territory for the time being shall take the said Oaths and make repeat and subscribe the said Deceleration before the Lieutenant or Deputy Governor or in his absence before any two or more of the said Persons hereby Nominated and appointed the present Councillors or Assistants of Our said Province or Territory to whom Wee doe by these presents give full power and Authority to give and administer the same to Our said Governor accordingly and after Our said Governor shall be sworn and shall have subscribed the said Declaration that then Our Lieutenant or Deputy Governor for the time being and the Councillors or Assistants before by these presents Nominated and appointed shall take the said Oaths and make repeat and subscribe the said Declaration before Our said Governor and that every such person or persons as shall (at any time of the Annual Elections or otherwise upon death or removal) be appointed to be the New Councillors or Assistants and all other Officers to bee hereafter chosen from time to time shall take the Oaths to their respective Offices and places belonging and also the said Oaths appointed by the said Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and shall make repeat and subscribe the declaration mentioned in the said Act before the Governor or Lieutenant or Deputy Governor or any two or more Councillors or Assistants or such other Person or Persons as shall be appointed thereunto by the Governor for the time being to whom Wee doe therefore by these presents give full power and authority from time to time to give and administer the same respectively according to Our true meaning herein before declared without any Commission or further Warrant to bee had and obtained from vs Our Heirs and Successors in that behalf And Our Will and Pleasure is and Wee doe hereby require and Command that all and every person and persons hereafter by Vs Our Heirs and Successors nominated and appointed to the respective Offices of Governor or Ieivt or Deputy Governor and Secretary of Our said Province or Territory (which said Governor or Lieutenant or Deputy Governor and Secretary of Our said Province or Territory for the time being Wee doe hereby reserve full power and Authority to Vs Our Heirs and Successors to Nominate and appoint accordingly, shall before he or they be admitted to the Execution of their respective Offices take as well the Oath for the due and faithful performance of the said Offices respectively as also the Oaths appointed by the said Act of Parliament made in the said First year of Our Reign to be taken instead of the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and shall also make repeat and subscribe the Declaration appointed by the said Act in such manner and before such persons as aforesaid

And further Our Will and Pleasure is and Wee doe hereby for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain That all and every of the Subjects of Vs Our Heirs and Successors which shall go to and Inhabit within Our said Province and Territory and every of their Children which shall happen to be born there or on the Seas in going thither or returning from thence shall have and enjoy all Liberties and Immunities of Free and natural Subjects within any of the Dominions of Vs Our Heirs and Successors to all Intents Constructions and purposes whatsoever as if they and every of them were borne within this Our Realm of England and for the greater Ease and Encouragement of Our Loving Subjects Inhabiting our said Province or Territory of the Massachusetts Bay and of such as shall come to Inhabit there Wee doe by these presents for us Our heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain that for ever hereafter there shall be a liberty of Conscience allowed in the Worship of God to all Christians (Except Papists) Inhabiting or which shall Inhabit or be Resident within our said Province or Territory And Wee doe hereby Grant and Ordain that the Governor or lieutenant or Deputy Governor of our said Province or Territory for the time being or either of them or any two or more of the Council or Assistants for the time being as shall be “hereunto appointed by the said Governor shall and may at all times and from time to time hereafter have full Power and Authority to Administer and give the Oaths appointed by the said Act of Parliament made in the first year of Our Reign to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to all and every person and persons which are now Inhabiting or residing within our said Province or Territory or which shall at any time or times hereafter go or passe thither And wee doe of our further Grace certain knowledge and mere motion Grant Establish and Ordain for Vs our heirs and Successors that the great and General Court or Assembly of our said Province or Territory for the time being Convened as aforesaid shall for ever have full Power and Authority to Erect and, Constitute Judicatories and Courts of Record or other Courts to be held in the name of Vs Our heirs and successors for the Hearing Trying and Determining of all manner of Crimes Odences Pleas Processes Plaints Actions Matters Causes and things whatsoever arising or happening within Our said Province or Territory or between persons Inhabiting or residing there whether the same be Criminal or Civil and whether the said Crimes be Capital or not Capital and whether the said Pleas be Real personal or mixed and for the awarding and making out of Execution thereupon To which Courts and Judicatories wee doe hereby for vs our heirs and Successors Give and Grant full power and Authority from time to time to Administer oaths for the better Discovery of Truth in any matter in Controversy or depending before them And wee doe for vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain that the Governor of our said Province or Territory for the time being with the Council or Assistants may doe execute or perform all that is necessary for the Probate of Wills and Granting of Administration for touching or concerning any Interest or Estate which any person or persons shall have within our said Province or Territory

And whereas Wee judge it necessary that all our Subjects should have liberty to Appeal to vs our heirs and Successors in Cases that may deserve the same Wee doe by these presents Ordain that in case either party shall not rest satisfied with the Judgement or Sentence of any Judicatories or Courts within our said Province or Territory in any Personal Action wherein the matter in difference doth exceed the value of three hundred Pounds Sterling that then he or they may appeal to vs Our heirs and Successors in our or their Privy Council Provided such Appeal be made within Fourteen days after ye Sentence or Judgement given and that before such Appeal be allowed Security be given by the party or parties appealing in the value of the matter in Difference to pay or Answer the Debt or Damages for the which Judgement or Sentence is given With such Costs and Damages as shall be Awarded by vs Our Heirs or Successors in case the Judgement or Sentence be affirmed

And Provided also that no Execution shall be stayed or suspended by reason of such Appeal unto vs our Heirs and Successors in our or their Privy Council so as the party Suing or taking out Execution doe in the like manner give Security to the value of the matter in difference to make Restitution in Case the said Judgement or Sentence be reversed or annulled upon the said Appeal

And we doe further for vs our Heirs and Successors Give and Grant to the said Governor and the great and General Court or Assembly of our said Province or Territory for the time being full power and Authority from time to time to make ordain and establish all manner of wholesome and reasonable Orders Laws Statutes and Ordinances Directions and Instructions either with penalties or without (so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to the Laws of this our Realm of England) as they shall Judge to be for the-good and welfare of our said Province or Territory And for the Government and Ordering thereof and of the People Inhabiting or who shall Inhabit the same and for the necessary support and Defense of the Government thereof

And wee doe for us our Heirs and Successors Give and grant that the said General Court or Assembly shall have full power and Authority to name and settle annually all Civil Officers within the said Province such Officers Excepted the Election and Constitution of whom we have by these presents reserved to vs Our Heirs and Successors or to the Governor of our said Province for the time being and to Sett forth the several Duties Powers and Limits of every such Officer to be appointed by the said General Court or Assembly and the forms of such Oaths not repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of this, our Realm of England as shall be respectively Administered unto them for the Execution of their several Offices and places And also to impose Fines mulcts Imprisonments and other Punishments And to impose and levy proportional and reasonable Assessments Rates and Taxes upon the Estates and Persons of all and every the Proprietors and Inhabitants of our said Province or Territory to be Issued and disposed of by Warrant under the hand of the Governor of our said Province for the time being with the advice and Consent of the Council for Our service in the necessary defense and support of our Government of our said Province or Territory and the Protection and Preservation of the Inhabitants there according to such Acts as are or shall be in force within our said Province and to dispose of matters and things whereby our Subjects inhabitants of our said Province may be Religiously peaceably and Civilly Governed Protected and Defended so as their good life and orderly Conversation may win the Indians Natives of the Country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Savior of Mankind and the Christian Faith which his Royall Majesty our Royall Grandfather king Charles the first in his said Letters Patents declared was his Royall Intentions And the Adventurers free Possession to be the Principal end of the said Plantation

And for the better securing and maintaining Liberty of Conscience hereby granted to all persons at any time being and residing within our said Province or Territory as aforesaid Willing Commanding and Requiring and by these presents for us Our heirs and Successors Ordaining and appointing that all such Orders Laws Statutes and Ordinances Instructions and Directions as shall be so made and published under our Seal of our said Province or Territory shall be Carefully and duly observed kept and performed and put in Execution according to the true intent and meaning of these presents

Provided always and Wee doe by these presents for vs Our Heirs and Successors Establish and Ordain that in the framing and passing of all such Orders Laws Statutes and Ordinances and in all Elections and Acts of Government whatsoever to be passed made or done by the said General Court or Assembly or in Council the Governor of our said Province or Territory of the Massachusetts Bay in New England for the time being shall have the Negative voice and that without his consent or Approbation signified and declared in Writing no such Orders Laws Statutes Ordinances Elections or other Acts of Government whatsoever so to be made passed or done by the said General Assembly or in Council shall be of any Force effect or validity anything herein contained to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding And wee doe for vs Our Heirs and Successors Establish and Ordain that the said Orders Laws Statutes and Ordinances be by the first opportunity after the making thereof sent or Transmitted unto vs Our Heirs and Successors under the Public Seal to be appointed by vs for Our or their approbation or Disallowance And that in case all or any of them shall at any time within the space of three years next after the same shall have presented to vs our Heirs and Successors in Our or their Privy Council be disallowed and rejected and so signified by vs Our Heirs and Successors under our or their Sign Manual and Signet or by or in our or their Privy Council unto the Governor for the time being then such and so many of them as shall be so disallowed and directed shall thenceforth cease and determine and become utterly void and of none effect

Provided always that in case Wee our Heirs or Successors shall not within the Term of Three Years after the presenting of such Orders Laws Statutes or Ordinances as aforesaid signify our or their Disallowance of the same Then the said orders Laws Statutes or Ordinances shall be and continue in full force and effect according to the true Intent and meaning of the same until the Expiration thereof or that the same shall be Repealed by the General Assembly of our said Province for the time being Provided also that it shall and may be Lawful for the said Governor and General Assembly to make or passe any Grant of Lands lying within the Bounds of the Colonies formerly called the Colonies of the Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth and province of Main in such manner as heretofore they might have done by virtue of any former Charter or Letters Patents which grants of lands within the Bounds aforesaid Wee doe hereby Will and ordain to be and continue for ever of full force and effect without our further Approbation or Consent And so as Nevertheless and it is Our Royall Will and Pleasure That no Grant or Grants of any Lands lying or extending from the River of Sagadehock to the Gulf of St: Lawrence and Canada Rivers and to the Main Sea Northward and Eastward to be made or past by the Governor and General Assembly of our said Province be of any force validity or Effect until Wee Our Heirs and Successors shall have Signified Our or their Approbation of the same

And Wee doe by these presents for vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain that the Governor of our said Province or Territory for the time being shall have full Power by himself or by any Chief Commander or other Officer or Officers to be appointed by him from time to time to train instruct Exercise and Govern the Militia there and for the special Defense and Safety of Our said Province or Territory to assemble in Martial Array and put in Warlike posture the Inhabitants of Our said Province or Territory and to lead and Conduct them and with them to Encounter Expulse Repel Resist and pursue by force of Arms as well by Sea as by Land within or without the limits of Our said Province or Territory and also to kill slay destroy and Conquer by all fitting ways Enterprises and means whatsoever all and every such Person and Persons as shall at any time hereafter Attempt or Enterprise the destruction Invasion Detriment or Annoyance of Our said Province or Territory and to use and exercise the Law Martial in time of actual War Invasion or Rebellion as occasion shall necessarily require and also from time to time to Erect Forts and to fortify any place or Places within Our said Province or Territory and the same to furnish with all necessary Ammunition Provisions and Stores of War for Offense or Defense and to commit from time to time the Custody and Government of the same to such Person or Persons as to him shall seem meet And the said Forts and Fortifications to demolish at his Pleasure and to take and surprise by all ways and means whatsoever all and every such Person or Persons with their Ships Arms Ammunition and other goods as shall in a hostile manner Invade or attempt the Invading Conquering or Annoying of Our said Province or Territory

Provided always and Wee doe by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Grant Establish and Ordain That the said Governor shall not at any time hereafter by virtue of any power hereby granted or hereafter to be granted to him Transport any of the Inhabitants of Our said Province or Territory or oblige them to march out of the Limits of the same without their Free and voluntary consent or the Consent of the Great and General Court or Assembly or Our said Province or Territory nor grant Commissions for exercising the Law Martial upon any the Inhabitants of Our said Province or Territory without the Advice and Consent of the Council or Assistants of the same

Provided in like manner and Wee doe by these presents for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Constitute and Ordain that when and as often as the Governor of Our said Province for the time being shall happen to dye or be displaced by Us Our Heirs or Successors or be absent from his Government That then and in any of the said Cases the Lieutenant or Deputy Governor of Our said Province for the time being shall have full power and authority to doe and execute all and every such Acts Matters and things which Our Governor of Our said Province for the time being might or could by virtue of these Our Letter Patents lawfully doe or execute if he were personally present until the return of the Governor so absent or Arrival or Constitution of such other Governor as shall or may be appointed by Us Our Heirs or Successors in his stead and that when and as often as the Governor and Lieutenant or Deputy Governor of Our said Province or Territory for the time being shall happen to dye or be displaced by Vs Our Heirs or Successors or be absent from Our said Province and that there shall be no person within the said Province Commissioned by Us Our Heirs or Successors to be Governor within the same Then and in every of the said cases the Council or Assistants of Our said Province shall have full power and Authority and Wee doe hereby give and grant unto the said Council or Assistants of Our said Province for the time being or the Major parse of them full power and Authority to doe and execute all and every such Acts matters and things which the said Governor or Lieutenant of Deputy Governor of Our said Province or Territory for the time being might or could lawfully doe or exercise if they or either of them were personally present until the return of the Governor Lieutenant or Deputy Governor so absent or Arrival or Constitution of such other Governor or Lieutenant or Deputy Governor as shall or may be appointed by Us Our Heirs or Successors from time to time

Provided always and it is hereby declared that nothing herein shall extend or be taken to Erect or grant or allow the Exercise of any Admiral Court Jurisdiction Power or Authority but that the same shall be and is hereby reserved to Vs and Our Successors and shall from time to time be Erected Granted and exercised by virtue of Commissions to be issued under the Great Seal of England or under the Seal of the High Admiral or the Co missioners for executing the Office of High Admiral of England

And further Our express Will and Pleasure is And Wee doe by these present for Vs Our Heirs and Successors Ordain and appoint that these Our Letters Patents shall not in any manner Enure or be taken to abridge bar or hinder any of Our loving Subjects whatsoever to use and exercise the Trade of Fishing upon the Coasts of New England but that they and every of them shall have full and free power and Liberty to continue and use their said Trade of Fishing upon the said Coasts in any of the seas thereunto adjoining or any Arms of the said Seas or Salt Water Rivers where they have been wont to fish and to build and set upon the Lands within Our said Province or Colony lying west and not then possessed by particular Proprietors such Wharves Stages and Workhouses as shall be necessary for the salting drying keeping and packing of their Fish to be taken or gotten upon that Coast And to Cut down and take such Trees and other Materials there growing or being or growing upon any parts or places lying west and not then in possession Of particular proprietors as shall be needful for that purpose and for all other necessary easements helps and advantages concerning the Trade of Fishing there in such manner and form as they have been heretofore at any time accustomed to doe without marking any Wilful Wast or Spoil any thing in these presents contended to the contrary notwithstanding

And lastly for the better providing and furnishing of Masts for Our Royall Navy Wee doe hereby reserve to Vs Our Heirs and Successors all Trees of the Diameter of Twenty Four Inches and upwards of Twelve Inches from the ground growing upon any soil or Tract of Land within Our said Province or Territory not heretofore granted to any private persons And Wee doe restrains and forbid all persons whatsoever from felling cutting or destroying any such Trees without the Royall License of Us Our Heirs and Successors first had and obtained upon penalty of Forfeiting One Hundred Pounds sterling unto Os Our Heirs and Successors for every such Tree so felled cult or destroyed without such License had and obtained in that behalf any thing in. these presents contended to the contrary in any wise Notwithstanding

In Witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness Ourselves at Westminster the Seventh Day of October in the Third year of Our Reign By Writ of Privy Seal

By Writ of Privy Seal
PIGOTT

Pro Fine in Hanaperio quadragint Marcas
J. TREVOR C. S.
K. W. RAWLINSON C. S.
L. G. HUTCHNS C. S.

Thorpe, Francis Newton. “The Federal and State constitutions: colonial charters, and other organic laws of the States, territories, and Colonies, now or heretofore forming the United States of America” Washington : Govt. Print. Off. 1909. https://archive.org/details/federalstatecons03thor/page/1846/mode/2up

(See also: https://cityofdartmouth.ca/nova-scotias-charter/)

(Translated by the Rev, Carlos Slafter, A.M., of Dedham).

JAMES, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, ‘and Defender of the Faith, to all good men, clerical and lay, of his entire realm,—greeting.

Know ye, that we have always been eager to embrace every opportunity to promote the honour and wealth of our Kingdom of Scotland, and think that no gain is easier or more safe, than what 1s made by planting new colonies in foreign and uncultivated regions where the means of living and food abound; especially, if these places were before without inhabitants or were settled by infidels whose conversion to the Christian faith most highly concerns the glory of God.

But whilst many other Kingdoms, and not very long ago, our own England, to their praise, have given their names to new lands, which they have acquired and subdued ; we, thinking how populous and crowded this land now is, by Divine Favour, and how expedient it is that it should be carefully exercised in some honourable and useful discipline, lest it deteriorate through sloth and inaction, have judged it Important that many should led forth into new territory, which they may fill with colonies; and so we think, this undertaking most fit for this Kingdom, both on account of its promptness and activity of its spirit and the strength and endurance of its men against any difficulties, if any other men anywhere dare to set themselves In opposition; and as it demands the transportation only of men and women, stock and grain, and not of money, and cannot repay at this time, when business is so depressed, a troublesome expenditure of the treasures of this realm; for these reasons, as well as on account of the good, faithful and acceptable service of our beloved Counsellor, Sir William Alexander, Knight, to us rendered ara to be rendered, who first of our subjects, at his own expense attempted to plant this foreign colony and selected for plantation the divers Iands bounded by the limits hereafter designated :—

‘We, therefore, from our Sovereign anxiety to propagate the Christian faith, and to secure the wealth, prosperity and peace of the native subjects of our said Kingdom of Scotland, as other foreign princes in such case already have done, with the advice and consent of our well-beloved co and counsellor, John, Earl of Mar, Lord Brakine and Gareoch, &., our High Treasurer, Comptroller, Collector and Treasurer of our new revenues of this ‘our Kingdom of Scotland and of the other Lords Commissioners of our same Kingdom have given, granted and conveyed, and, by the tenor of our present charter, do give, grant and convey to the aforesaid Sir William Alexander, his heirs or assigns, hereditarily, all and single, the lands of the Continent, and islands situated and lying in America, within the head or promontory commonly called Cape of Sable, tying near the forty-third degree of north latitude, or thereabouts; from this Cape stretching along the shores of the sea, westward to the roadstead of St. Mary, commonly called Saint Mary’s Bay, and thence northward by a straight line, crossing the entrance, of mouth, of that great roadstead which runs towards the eastern part of the the countries of the Suriqui and Etchimini, commonly called Suriquois and Etchemines, to the river generally known by the name of St. Croix, and to the remotest springs, or source, from the western side of the same, which empty Into the first mentioned river ; thence by an imaginary straight line which is conceived to extend through the land, or run northward to the nearest bay, river or stream emptying Into the great river of Canada; ‘and going from that eastward along the low shores of the same river of Canada, to the river, harbour, port or shore commonly known and called by the name of Gathepe or Gaspie, and thence south-southeast to the isles called Bacalaoe, or Cape Breton, leaving the said isles on the right, and the mouth of the said great river of Canada, or large bay, and the territory of Newfoundland with the islands belonging to the same lands, on the left; thence to the headland or point of Cape Breton aforesaid, lying near latitude 45 degrees, or thereabouts; and from the said point of Cape Breton toward the south and west to the above-mentioned Cape Sable, where the boundary an; including and containing within the said coasts and their circumference, from sea to sea, all lands of the continent with the rivers, fall bays, shores, islands, or lying near or within six leagues on any side of the same on the west, north or east sides of the same coasts and bounds and on the south-southeast (where Cape Breton lies) and on the south side of the same (where Cape Sable is) all seas and islands southward within forty degrees of said seashore, thereby including the large island commonly called Isle de Sable, or Sablon, lying towards Carban, in common speech, south-southeast, about thirty leagues from the said Cape Breton seaward, and being in latitude 44 degrees, or thereabouts.

The above-described lands shall in all future time bear the name of New Scotland in America, and also the aforesaid Sir William shall divide it into parts and portions as seemeth best to him, and shall give names to the same at his pleasure.

‘With all mines, both the royal ones of gold and silver, and others of tron, lead, copper, tin, brass and other minerals, with the power of mining ‘and causing to dig them from the earth, and of purifying and refining the same, and converting to his own use, or that of others as shall seem best to the said Sir William, his heirs or assigns, or to whomsoever it shall have pleased him to establish in said lands, reserving only to us and our successors a tenth part of the met silver which shall be hereafter dug or obtained from the land said Sir William and his aforesaids whatever of other metals of copper, steel, iron, tin, lead or other minerals, we or our successors may be able in any way to obtain from the earth, in order that thereby they may the more easily bear the large expense of reducing the aforesaid metals; together with margarite, termed pearl, and any other precious stones, quarries, forests, thickets, mosses, marshes, lakes, waters, fisheries, in both salt and fresh water, and of both royal and other fish, hunting, hawking, and anything that may be sold or inherited; with full power, privilege and jurisdiction of free royalty, chapelry, end chancery for ever; with the gift and right of patronage of churches, chapels and benefices; with tenants, tenancies and the services of those holding the same freely; together with the offices of justiciary and admiralty within all the bounds respectively mentioned above; also with power of setting up states, free towns, free ports, villages and barony towns, and of establishing markets and fairs within the bounds of said lands; of holding courts of Justice and admiralty within the limits of such lands, rivers, ports and seas; also with the power of Improving, levying and receiving all tolls, customs, anchor-dues and other of the said towns, marts, fairs and the free ports; and of owning and using the same as freely in all respects as any greater or lesser Baron in our Kingdom of Scotland has enjoyed in any past, or could enjoy in any future time; with all other prerogatives, privileges, Immunities, dignities, perquisites, profits, and dues concerning and belonging to said lands, seas, and the boundaries thereof, which we ourselves can give and grant, as freely and in as ample form as we or any of our noble ancestors granted any charters, letters patent, enfeoffments, gifts, or commissions to any subjects of whatever rank or character, or to any society or company leading out Such colonies into any foreign parts, or searching out foreign land in free and ample form as if the same were included in this present charter ; also we make, constitute and ordain the said Sir William Alexander, his heirs and assigns, or their deputies, our hereditary Lieutenants-General, for representing our royal person, both by sea and by land, in the regions of the sea, and on the coasts, and in the bounds aforesaid, both in seeking said lands and remaining there and returning from the same; to govern, rule, punish and acquit all our subjects who may chance to visit or inhabit the same, or who shall do business with the same, or shall tarry in the said places ; also, to pardon the same, and to establish such laws, statutes, constitutions, orders, instructions, forms of governing and ceremonies of magistrates in said bounds, as shall seem fit to Sir William Alexander himself, of his aforesaids, for the government of the said region, or of the inhabitants of the same, in all causes, both criminal and civil; also, of changing and altering the said laws, rules, forms and ceremonies, as often as he or his aforesaids shall please for the good and convenience of said region ; so that said laws may be as consistent as possible with those of our realm of Scotland, We also will that, in case of rebellion or sedition, he may use martial law against delinquents or such as withdraw themselves from his power, freely as any lieutenant whatever of our realm or dominion, by virtue of the office of lieutenant, has, or can have, the power to use, by excluding all other officers of this our Scottish realm, on land or sea, who hereafter can pretend to any claim, property, authority or interest in or to said lands or province aforesaid, or any jurisdiction therein by virtue of any prior disposal of patents; and, that a motive may be offered to noblemen for joining this expedition and planting a colony in said lands, we, for ourselves and our heirs and successors, with the advice and consent aforesaid, by virtue of our Present charter, do give and grant free and full power to the aforesaid Sir ‘William Alexander and his aforesaids, to confer favours, privileges, gifts and honours to those who deserve them, with full power to the same, or any one of them, who may have made bargains or contracts with Sir William, or hie deputies for the said lands, under his signature, or that of his deputies, and under the seal hereinafter described, to dispose of and convey any part or parcel of said lands, ports, harbours, rivers or of any part of the premises: ‘also, of erecting machines of all sorts, introducing arts or sciences or practicing the same, in whole or in part, as he shall judge to be to their advantage; also, to give, grant and bestow such offices, titles, rights and powers, make and appoint such captains, officers, bailiffs, governors, clerks and all other officers, clerks and ministers of royalty, barony and town, for the execution of justice within the bounds of said lands, or on the way to these lands by sea, and returning from the same, as shall seem necessary to him, according to the qualities, conditions and deserts of the persons who may happen to ‘dwell in any of the colonies of said province, or in any part of the same, or ‘who may risk their goods and fortunes for the advantages and increase of the ‘same ; also, of removing the same persons from office, transferring or chan; ing them, as far as it shall seem expedient to him and his aforesaide.

And, since attempts of this kind are not made without great labour and expense, and demand a large outlay of money, so that they exceed the means of any private man, and on this account the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesaids may need supplies of many kinds, with many of our subjects and other men for special enterprises and ventures therein, who may form contracts with him, his heirs, assigns or deputies for lands, fisheries, trade, or the transportation of people and their flocks, goods and effects to the said New Scotland, we will that whoever shall make such contracts with the said Sir William and his aforesaids under their names and seals, by limiting, assigning and fixing the day and place for the delivery of persons, goods and effects on shipboard, under forfeiture of a certain sum of money, and shall not perform the same contracts, but shall thwart and injure him in the proposed voyage, which thing will not only oppose and harm the said Sir ‘William and his aforesaids, but also prejudice and damage our so laudable intention; then it shall be lawful to the said Sir William and his aforesaids, or their deputies and conservators hereinafter mentioned, in such case to velze for himself, or his deputies whom he may appoint for this purpose, all such sums of money, goods and effects forfeited by the violation of these contracts. And that this may be more easily done, and the delay of the law be avoided, we have given and granted, and by the tenor of these presents ¢o give and grant full power to the Lords of our Council, that they may reduce to order and punish the violators of such contracts and agreements made for the transportation of persons. And although all such contracts ‘between the said Sir William and his aforesaids and the aforesaid adventurers shall be carried out in the risk and the conveyance of people with their goods and effects, at the set time; and they with all their cattle and goods arrive at the shore of that province with the intention of colonizing and abiding there; and yet, afterwards, shall leave the province of New Scotland altogether, and the confines of the same, without the consent of the said Sir Wlliam and his aforesaids or their deputies, or the society and colony afovesaid, where first they had been collected and joined together; and shall go away to the uncivilized natives, to live In remote and desert places; then they shall lose and forfeit all the lands previously granted them; also all their goods within the aforesaid bounds; and it shall be lawful for the said Sir William and his aforesalds to confiscate the same, and to reclaim the same lands, and to seize and convert and apply to his own use and that of his aforesaids all the same b longing to them, or any one of them.

And that all our beloved subjects, as well of our kingdoms and dominions, so also others of foreign birth who may sail to the said lands, or any part of the same, for obtaining merchandise, may the better know and obey the power and authority given by us to the aforesaid Sir William Alexander, our faithful counsellor, and his deputies, in all ‘such commissions, warrant: and contracts as he shall at any time make, grant and establish for the more fit and safe arrangement of offices, to govern said colony, grant lands and execute justice In respect to the said inhabitants, adventurers, deputies, factors or assigns, in any part of said lands, or in failing to the same, we, with the advice and consent aforesaid, do order that the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesaids shall have one common seal, pertaining to the office of Lieutenant of Justiciary and Admiralty, which by the said Sir ‘William Alexander and his aforesalds or their deputies, in all time to come, shall be safely kept; on one side of it our arms shall be engraved, with these words on the circle and margin thereof :—”Sigillur: Regis Scoliae Angliae Franclae et Hybernlae,” and on the other side our image, or that of our successors, with these words :—” Pro Novae Scotiae Locum Tenente,” ‘and a true copy of it shall be kept in the hands and care of the conservator of the privileges of New Scotland, and this he may use in his office as occasion shall require. And as it is very important that all our beloved subjects who inhabit the said province of New Scotland or its borders may live in the fear of Almighty God and at the same time in his true worship, ‘and may have an earnest purpose to establish the Christian religion therein, ‘and also to cultivate peace and quiet with the native inhabitants and savage aborigines of these lands, so that they, and any others trading there, may safely, pleasantly and quietly hold what they have got with great labour and peril, we, for ourselves and successors, do will and decree, and by our present charter give and grant to the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesaids and their deputies, or any other of our government officers and ministers whom they shall appoint, free and absolute power of arranging and securing peace, alliance, friendship, mutual conferences, assistance and Intercourse with those savage aborigines and their chiefs, and any others bearing rule and power among them; and of preserving and fostering such relations and treaties as they or their aforesaids shall form with them; provided those treaties are, on the other side, kept faithfully by these barbarians; and, unless this be done, of taking up arms against them, whereby they may be reduced to order, as shall seem fitting to the said Sir William and his aforesaids and deputies, for the honour, obedience and service of God, and the stability, defence and preservation of our authority among them; which power also to the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesaids, by themselves or their deputies, substitutes or assigns, for their defence and protection at all times and on all Just occasions hereafter, of attacking suddenly, Invading, expelling and by arms driving away, as ‘well by sea as by land, and by all means, all and singly those who, without the special license of the said Sir Willlam and his aforesaids, shall attempt to occupy these lands, or trade in the said province of New Scotland, or in any part of the same; and in like manner all other persons who presume to bring any damage, loss, destruction, injury or invasion against that province, or the inhabitants of the same: And that this may be more easily done, it shall be allowed to the said Sir William and his aforesaids, their deputies, factors and assigns to levy contributions on the adventurers and inhabitants of the same; to bring them together by proclamations, or by any other order, at such times as shall seem best to the said Sir William and his aforesaids; to assemble all our subjects living within the limits of the said New Scotland and trading there, for the better supplying of the ‘army with necessaries, and the enlargement and Increase of the people and planting of said lands: With full power, privilege, and liberty to the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesalds, by themselves or their agents of sailing over any seas whatever under our ensigns and banners, with as many ships, of as great burden, and as well furnished with ammunition, men and provisions as they are able to procure at any time, and as often as shall seem expedient ; and of carrying all persons of every quality and grade who are our subjects, or who wish to submit themselves to our sway, for entering upon such a voyage with their cattle, horses, oxen, sheep, go0ds of all kinds, furniture, machines, heavy arms, military instruments, as many as they desire, and other commodities and necessaries for the use of the same colony, for mutual commerce ‘with the natives of these provinces, or others who may trade with these plantations; and of transporting all commodities and merchandise, which shall seem to them needful, into our Kingdom of Scotland without the payment of any tax, custom and impost, for the same to us, or our custom-house offers, or thelr deputies; and of carrying away the same from thelr offices on this side, during the space of seven years. following the day of the date of our present charter; and to have this sole privilege for the space of three years next hereafter we freely have granted, and by the tenor our present charter grant and give to the sald Sir Walllam and bie aforesaids, according to the terms hereinafter mentioned.

And after these three years are ended, it shall be lawful, to us and our successors, to levy and exact from all goods and merchandise which shall be exported from this our Kingdom of Scotland to the said province of New Scotland, or imported from this province to our said Kingdom of Scotland, in any ports of this our kingdom, by the said Sir William ‘and his aforesaids, for five per cent. only, according to the old mode of reckoning, without any other impost, tax, custom or duty from them here- after; which sum of five pounds per hundred being thus paid, by the said Sir William and his aforesaids, to our officers and others appointed for this business, the said Sir William and his aforesaids may carry away the ‘said goods from this our realm of Scotland into any other foreign ports and climes, without the payment of any other custom, tax or duty to us or our heirs or successors or any other persons; provided also that said goods, within the space of thirteen months after their arrival in any part of this our kingdom, may be again placed on board a ship. We also give and grant absolute and full power to the said Sir William and his aforesaids, of taking, levying and receiving to his own proper use and that of his aforesaids, from all our subjects who shall desire to conduct colonies, follow trade, or sail to said land of New Scotland, and from the same, for goods and merchandise, five per cent. besides the sum due to us; whether on account of the exportation from this our Kingdom of Scotland to the said province of New Scotland, or of the importation from the said province to this our Kingdom of Scotland aforesaid; and in like manner, from all goods and merchandise which shall be exported by our subjects, leaders of colonies, merchants, and navigators from the said province of New Scotland, to any of our dominions or any other places; or shall be imported from our realms and elsewhere to the said New Scotland, five per cent. beyond and above the sum before appointed to us; and from the goods and merchandise of all foreigners and others not under our sway which shall be either exported from the said province of New Scotland, or shall be Imported into the same, beyond and above the said sum assigned to us, ten per cent. may be levied, taken and received, for the proper use of the said Sir William and his aforesaids, by such servants, officers or deputies, or their agents, they shall appoint and authorize for this business. And for the better security and profit of the said Sir William and his aforesaids, and of all our other subjects desiring to settle in New Scotland aforesaid, or to trade there, and of all others in general who shall not refuse to submit them- selves to our authority and power, we have decreed and willed that the said Sir William may construct, or cause to be built, one or more forts, strongholds, watch-towers, block-houses, and other bulldings, with ports and naval stations, and also ships of war: and the same shall be applied for defending the said places, as shall, to the said Sir William and his aforesaids, seem necessary to accomplish the aforesaid undertaking; and they may establish for their defence there, garrisons of soldiers, n addition to the things above mentioned; and generally may do all things for the acquisition, increase and introduction of people, and to preserve and govern the said New Scotland and the coast and land thereof, {in all its limits, features and relations, under our name and authority, as we might do if present in person; although the case may require a more particular and strict order than is prescribed in this our present charter and to this command we wish, direct and most strictly enjoin all our justices, officers and subjects frequenting these places to conform themselves, and to yield to and obey the cold Sir William and his aforesaids in all and each of the above-mentioned matters, both principal and related; and be equally obedient to them in their execution as they ought to be to us whore person the represents, under the pains of disobedience and rebellion, Moreover, we declare, by the tenor of our present charter to all Christian kings, princes any one, or any, from the said colonies, in the province of New Scotland aforesaid, or any other persons under their license and command, exercising piracy; at any future time, by land or by sea, shall carry away the goods of any person, or in a hostile manner do any injustice or wrong to any of our subjects, or those of our heirs or successors, or of other kings, princes, governors or states in alliance with us, then, upon such injury offered, or just complaint thereupon, by any king, prince, governor, state or their subjects, we, our heirs and successors will see that public proclamations are made, in any part of our said Kingdom of Scotland, just and suitable for the purpose, and that the said pirate or pirates, who shall commit such violence, at a stated time, to be determined by the aforesaid proclamation, shall fully restore all goods so carried away ; and for the said injuries shall make full satisfaction, so that the said princes ‘and others thus complaining shall deem themselves satisfied. And, if the authors of such crimes shall neither make worthy satisfaction, nor be careful that it be made within the limited time, then he, or those who have committed such plunder, neither are nor hereafter shall be under our government and protection; but it shall be permitted and lawful to all princes and others whatsoever, to proceed against such offenders, or any of them, ‘and with all hostility to invade them.

And though It is appointed that no nobleman and gentleman may depart from this country without our consent, yet we will that this our present charter be a sufficient permission and assurance to all engaging In the said voyage, save those who may be accused of treason or retained by any special order ; and according to our present charter, we declare and decree that no person may leave this country and go to the said region of New Scotland unless they have previously taken the oath of allegiance to us; for which purpose, we, by our present charter, give and grant the said Sir William and his aforesaids, or their conservators and deputies, full power and authority to exact the said oath from and administer it to all Persons proceeding into the said lands in that colony. Moreover, we for ourselves and our successors, with the advice and consent aforesaid, declare decree and ordain that all our subjects, going to the New Scotland, or living in it, and all their children and posterity born there, and all adventuring there, shall have and enjoy all the liberties, rights and privileges of free and native subjects of our Kingdom of Scotland, or of our other dominions, as if they had been born there.

Also, we for ourselves, and our successors, give and grant to the said Sir William and his aforesaids the free power of regulating and coining money for the freer commerce of those inhabiting the said province, of any metal, in what manner and of what form they shall choose and direct for the same.

And if any questions or doubts shall arise on the meaning and construction of any clause in our present charter, all these shall Be taken and explained in their amplest form, and in favour of the said Sir William and his aforesaids. Besides we, of our certain knowledge, proper motive, regal authority and kingly power, have made, united, annexed, erected, created and incorporated, and, by the tenor of our present charter, do make, unite, annex, erect, create and incorporate, the whole and undivided, the said province and lands of New Scotland, with all the seas and limits of the same, and minerals of gold and silver, lead, copper, steel, tin, brass, tron and any other mines, pearls, precious stones, quarries, forests, thickets, mosses, marshes, lakes, waters, fisheries as well in fresh waters as in salt, ‘as well of royal fishes as of others, cities, free ports, free villages, towns, barony villages, seaports, roadsteads, machines, mills, offices and jurisdlctions, and all other things generally and particularly mentioned above, in one entire and free lordship and barony which shall be called in all future time by the aforesaid name of New Scotland.

And we will and grant, and for ourselves and our successors decree and order, that one selsin now made by the said Sir William and his aforesaids, upon any part of the soil of the said lands and upon the province before described, shall in all future time be effective; and shall be a sufficient selsin for the whole region with all the parts, appendages, privileges, accidents, liberties, and immunities, of the same mentioned above, without any other special and definite selsin to be taken by himself or his aforesalds on any other part or place of tho same, And concerning this selsin and all things which have followed it, or can follow it, with the advice and consent above mentioned, for ourselves and successors have dispensed, and by the tenor of our present charter, in the manner hereafter mentioned, do dispense for ever: To hold and to possess, the whole and undivided, the said region and lordship of New Scotland, with all the bounds of the same within the ‘seas above mentioned, all minerals of gold and silver, copper, steel, tin, lead, brass and iron and any other mines, pearls, precious stones, quarries, woods, thickets, mosses, marshes, lakes, waters, fisheries, as well in fresh water as salt, as well of royal fishes as of others, states, tree towns, free ports, towns, baronial villages, seaports, roadsteads, machines, mills, offices and jurisdictions, and all other things generally and specially mentioned above ; with all other privileges, liberties, immunities and accidents, and other things above mentioned, to the aforesaid Sir Willlam Alexander, his heirs and assigns, from us and our successors, in free covenant, inheritance, lordship, barony and royalty, for ever, through, all their Just bounds and limits, as they be in length and breadth, in ‘houses, buildings erected and to be erected, bogs, plains and moors, marshes, roads, paths, waters, swamps, rivers, meadows and pastures, mines, malt-houses and their refuse, hawkings, huntings, fisheries, peat-mosses, turf-bogs, coal, coal-pits, coneys, warrens, doves, dove-cotes, workshops, maltklins, breweries and broom-woods, groves and thickets; wood, timber, quarries of stone and lime; with courts, fines, pleas, heriots, outlaws, rabbles of women, with free entrance and exit, and with fork, foss, fok, fac, theme, Infangtheiff, wrak, wair, veth, vert, vennesonn, pit and gallows; and with all other and singly, the liberties, commodities, profits, easements and their rightful pertinents of all kinds, whether mentioned or not, above or below ground, far and near belonging, or that can belong, to the aforesaid region and lordship, in any manner, for the future, freely, quietly, fully, willy, honorably, well and in peace, without any revocation, contradiction, impediment, or obstacle what- ever. Annually, at the festival of Christ’s nativity, on the foil of the said lands and of the province of New Scotland, the said Sir William Alexander and his aforesaids shall pay to us and our heirs and successors, under the name of quit-rent, one penny of Scottish money, if so much be demanded.

And because the tenure of the said lands, and of the province of New Scotland, and the quit-rent above-mentioned, may fail through want of the timely and lawful entry of any heir or heirs of the said Sir William succeeding him, a thing which they may not easily accomplish on account of the great distance from our kingdom; and these same lands and province, on Account of non-entrance, may come into our hands and those of our successors until the lawful entrance of the legitimate heir; and we being unwilling that the said lands and region at any time should fall into non- entry, or that the said Sir William and his aforesaids should be thus deprived of the benefits and profits of the same, therefore we, with the advice aforesaid, have dispensed with the said non-entry whenever it shall occur, and, by the tenor of this our charter, we, for ourselves and our successors, do dispense ; and also we have renounced and exonerated, and by the tenor of our present charter, with the consent aforesaid, we do renounce and exonerate the said Sir Willlam and his aforesaids in respect to the above-mentioned non-entrance of the said province and region whenever it shall come into our hands, or, by reason of non-entry, may fall, with all things that can follow therefrom; provided, however, that the said Sir William, his heirs and assigns, within the space of seven years after the decease and death of their predecessors, or entry to the possession of said lands, and of other things aforesaid, by themselves or their lawful agents holding power for this purpose, do homage to us and our successors, and come to and receive through us, the same lands, lordship, barony and other things aforesaid, according to the laws and statutes of our said Kingdom of Scotland. Finally, we, for ourselves, and our successors, do will, decree and ordain that this our present charter and enfeoffment above written of the lands aforesaid, lordship, and region of New Scotland, and the privileges ‘and liberties of the same, shall be ratified, approved and established in our next Parliament of our said Kingdom of Scotland whenever it shall meet, so that it shall have therein the force and efficacy of a decree; and for this we, for ourselves and our successors, declare that this our charter shall be a sufficient warrant ; and as a prince, we promise that the same shall be ratified and approved, and also we promise to alter, renew, increase and extend the same into the most ample form, as often as it shall deem necessary and expedient to the said Sir William and his aforesaids.

Moreover it has seemed best to us, and we order and enjoin our beloved . . . our sheriffs especially appointed on our part, on seeing this our charter under our great seal, so to give and grant to the aforesaid Sir William and his afforesaids, or their attorney or attorneys, possession and seisin, actual and real, of the lands, lordship, barony and other things mentioned above, with all privileges, immunities, liberties, and other things above expressed ; and this seisin we, by the tenor of our present charter, declare to be as lawful and regular as if he had a precept, under proof of our Great Seal, and in the most ample form, with all clauses requisite for ‘the aforesaid purpose ; with which we, for ourselves and our successors, do for ever dispense. In witness whereof we have commanded our Great Seal to be affixed to this our present charter. Witnesses :—Our well-beloved cousins and councillors, James, Marquis of Hamilton, Earl of Arran and Cambridge, Lord Aven and Innerdaill ; George, Earl Marischal, Lord Keith, &c. Marshal of our Kingdom ; Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline, Lord Fyvie and Urquhart, &c., our Chancellor; Thomas, Earl of Melros, Lord Binning and Byres, our Secretary :—Our beloved familiar Councillors, Baronets ; Sir Richard Cockburn, junior, of Clerkington, Keeper of our Privy Seal ; Sir George Hay, of Kinfawins, our Register of the Rolls and Clerk of the Council Sir John Cockburn, of Ormiston, Clerk of our Justiciary ; and Sir John Scott Scotstarvet, Director of our Chancery, Knights.

At our Castle of Windsor, the tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1621, and of our Reigns the fifty-fifth and nineteenth years respectively.

By signature superscribed by the hand of our Sovereign Lord the King; and subscribed by the hands of our Chancellor, Treasurer, Provincial Secretary, and of the other Lords, our Commissioners, and of our Privy Council of the said Kingdom of Scotland.

Written to the Great Seal, 29 September, 1621

Bourinot, John George. “Builders of Nova Scotia : a historical review, with an appendix containing copies of rare documents relating to the early days of the province” [S.l. : s.n., 1899?] https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.00220/163?r=0&s=2

The Bannatyne Club “Royal Letters, Charters and Tracts, relating to the colonization of New Scotland, and the institution of The Order of Knight Baronets of Nova Scotia. 1621-1638.” Edinburgh 1867 https://www.electricscotland.com/canada/fraser/royalletters.pdf