30 AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 



No. 4. 



The Frame of the Government of the Province of Pennsylvania and Terri- 

 tories thereunto annexed^ in America. 1683. 



To all persons^ to whom these presents may come. Whereas^ king 

 Charles the Second, by his letters patents, under the great seal of Eng- 

 land^ bearing date the fourth day of March, in the thirty and third year 

 of the king, for divers considerations therein mentioned, hath been gra- 

 ciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (by the name 

 of William Penn^ Esquire, son and heir of Sir William Penn^ deceased) 

 and to my heirs and assigns for ever, all that tract of land, or province, 

 called Pennsylvania, in America, with divers great powers, preheminen- 

 cies, royalties, jurisdictions and authorities, necessary for the well-being 

 and government thereof. And, lohereas, the king's dearest brother James, 

 duke of York and Albany, kc, by his deeds of feoffment, under his hand 

 and seal, duly perfected, bearing date the four and twentieth day of Au- 

 gust, one thousand six hundred eighty and two, did grant unto me, my 

 heirs and assigns, all that tract of land, lying and being from twelve 

 miles northward of Neivcastle, upon Delaware river, in America, to Cape 

 Hinlopen, upon the said river and bay of Delaivare southward, together 

 with all royalties, franchises, duties, jurisdictions, liberties and privileges 

 thereunto belonging. 



Now knoiv ye. That for the well-being and good government of the said 

 province and territories thereunto annexed, and for the encouragement 

 of all the freemen and planters, that may be therein concerned, in pursu- 

 ance of the rights and powers aforementioned, I, the said William Penn, 

 have declared, granted, and confirmed, and by these presents, for me, 

 my heirs and assigns, do declare, grant and confirm unto all the freemen, 

 planters and adventurers of, in and to the said province and territories 

 thereof, these liberties, franchises and properties, so far as in me lieth, 

 to be held, enjoyed and kept by the freemen, planters and adventurers 

 of and in the said province of Pennsylvania, and territories thereunto 

 annexed, for ever. 



Imjnimis, That the government of this province and territories there- 

 of, shall, from time to time, according to the powers of the patent and 

 deeds of feoffment aforesaid, consist of the Proprietary and Grovernor, 

 and freemen of the said province and territories thereof, in form of pro- 

 vincial Council and General Assembly; which provincial Council shall 

 consist of eighteen persons, being three out of each county, and which 



