become fair Market Towns, and great Cities. London itself, which bid fair to become the Metropolis of the World, is five Times more populous than in the days of Elizabeth. This and numberless other Mutual Advantages are intirely derived from the spirit of Trade and Commerce, the planting of Colonies and some consequential Amendments in our Constitution, or rather to the Reduction of it, to its first principles. Hence it is demonstrable how much we all owe to that beautifull Form of Civil Government under which we live. It is also evidently the Interest, and ought to be the care of all those intrusted with the Administration of the Government, to see that every part of the British Empire enjoys to the full the advantages derived from the Laws, and that Freedom which is the Result of their being maintained with Impartiality and Vigour. This we have seen reduced to Practice in this and the preceding Reigns, and think we have the highest Reason (from the paternal care and goodness that his Majesty has hitherto discovered to all his dutiful and loyal subjects and to us in particular) to rest assured that our priviledges will remain sacred and inviolate: We shall ever pray that our most gracious Sovereign's life may be prolonged, and that he and his posterity may Reign in Britain, and in British America till Time shall be no more.

It must be manifest to every judicious and disinterested person, that the Connection between Britain and her Colonies is so strong and natural, as to make their mutual happiness, depend upon a mutual Support. Nothing tends more to the destruction of both, than sowing seeds of Dissention between them. From the Importance of these principles, it is presumed, that Great Britain has been induced to go through so many glorious Enterprizes during this and the last Reign, for the defence of her Colonies, and that

the Colonies have so very loyally and strenuously exerted themselves. We think it but a piece of Common Justice due to the good people of this Province, to declare that they are not behind any of the Colonies in their Duty to their King and Country.

We have the satisfaction to inform you, that altho' the, War is protracted beyond what was expected, this Province has readily complied with every Requisition made for his Majesty's service this year.

We have raised three Thousand three hundred provincials, and granted a Bounty of seven pounds Currency for Eight hundred and ninety Men more to enlist into the Regular Regiments. We shall upon all Occasions rejoice in demonstrating, even with the Sacrifice of life and Fortune, our Attachments to his Majesty's person, Family and Government. The New England Governments for many Years (without any immediate Support from England, or their neighbouring Colonies, some of which last indeed were unable) defended themselves, and protected their Brethren, from the Insults of the French, and the Ravages of the Barbarians. The particulars of these services, and the Expence and loss of Men, may be hereafter collected in one view, and transmitted you. But at present we must attend to the Subject of Legislation.

The power of Legislation is in this Province immediately derived from the Charter of King William and Queen Mary; which with a New impression of our laws will be transmitted you, by the first opportunity. This Legislative power has been ever Subject to the King's Disapprobation, as expressed in said Charter. And all antient Acts of Parliament are received here, and duly obeyed, that can

1 Province Laws, XVII. 177.

be considered as part of, or amending the Common Law; and all such Acts of Parliament as expressly mention the plantations.

By this Charter, it is granted, ordained, and established, that all and every of the Subjects, that shall come to inhabit within this Province or Territory, and every of their Children, which shall happen to be born here, or on the Seas in coming here, or returning from hence, shall have and enjoy all the Liberties and Immunities, of free and natural Subjects, within any of the dominions, to all intents, and Constructions and purposes, whatsoever, as if they had, and every of them were born within the Realm of England. This is declaratory of the Common Law, the Law of nature and nations, which all agree in this particular. There are regularly three Incidents to a subject born: I. Parents under the actual Obedience of the King. 2. That the place of his Birth, be within the King's dominions. 3. The time of his Birth, is to be chiefly considered, for he cannot be a Subject born of one Kingdom, that was born under the allegiance of the King of another Kingdom, albeit afterwards, the one Kingdom descends, to the King of the other Kingdom, see 7. Coke, Calvin's Case, and the several Acts of Parliament relating to Naturalization, from Ed: 3d to this time. By which it will evidently appear that the British American Colonies are part of the Common wealth and well entitled to the rights, liberties and benefits thereof.

It may not be amiss to observe that we were possessed of one very important branch of Liberty, before the people of England were, for by the Charter of King James 1 to the adventurers, a free profession of Religion is declared to be one of the principal ends of the plantation. This was long enough before the Acts of Toleration at home.

The said Charles proceeds,1 And we do 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 us, our heirs and Successors, or to the Governour of our said Province for the Time being; and to set 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 administred to 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 proportionable and reasonable assessments, Rates and Taxes, upon the Estates and persons, of all and every the proprietors or 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 Defence 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 Saviour of Mankind, and the Christian Faith, which his Royall Majesty, our Royal

1 What follows is from the Province Charter, 1691.

Grandfather, King Charles the First, in his said Letters Patent, declared was his Royal Intention, and the Adventurers free profession 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 we do by these presents, for us, 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; any thing herein contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. And we do for us, 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 us, our heirs and Successors, under the publick Seal, to be appointed by us, for