It is proposed that humble application be made for an act of Parliament
of Great Britain, by virtue of which one general government may be
formed in America, including all the said colonies, within and under
which government each colony may retain its present constitution, except
in the particulars wherein a change may be directed by the said act, as
hereafter follows.
1.That the said general government be administered by a
President-General, to be appointed and supported by the crown; and a
Grand Council, to be chosen by the representatives of the people of the
several Colonies met in their respective assemblies.
2.That within ___ months after the passing such act, the House of Representatives that
happen to be sitting within that time, or that shall be especially for
that purpose convened, may and shall choose members for the Grand
Council, in the following proportion, that is to say,
3.-----who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia, being called by the
President-General as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment.
4.That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand Council
every three years; and, on the death or resignation of any member, his
place should be supplied by a new choice at the next sitting of the
Assembly of the Colony he represented.
5.That after the first three years, when the proportion of money arising out of each Colony to the
general treasury can be known, the number of members to be chosen for
each Colony shall, from time to time, in all ensuing elections, be
regulated by that proportion, yet so as that the number to be chosen by
any one Province be not more than seven, nor less than two.
6.That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, and oftener if occasion
require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to at the last
preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at by the
President-General on any emergency; he having first obtained in writing
the consent of seven of the members to such call, and sent duly and
timely notice to the whole.
7.That the Grand Council have power to
choose their speaker; and shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor
continued sitting longer than six weeks at one time, without their own
consent or the special command of the crown.
8.That the members of the
Grand Council shall be allowed for their service ten shillings sterling
per diem, during their session and journey to and from the place of
meeting; twenty miles to be reckoned a day's journey.
9.That the assent
of the President-General be requisite to all acts of the Grand Council,
and that it be his office and duty to cause them to be carried into
execution.
10.That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand
Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the general
interest of the Colonies may be concerned; and make peace or declare war
with Indian nations.
11.That they make all purchases from Indians, for
the crown, of lands not now within the bounds of particular Colonies, or
that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are reduced to
more convenient dimensions.
12.That they make new settlements on such
purchases, by granting lands in the King's name, reserving a quitrent to
the crown for the use of the general treasury.
13.That they make laws
for regulating and governing such new settlements, till the crown shall
think fit to form them into particular governments.
14.That they raise
and pay soldiers and build forts for the defence of any of the Colonies,
and equip vessels of force to guard the coasts and protect the trade on
the ocean, lakes, or great rivers; but they shall not impress men in any
Colony, without the consent of the Legislature.
15.That for these
purposes they have power to make laws, and lay and levy such general
duties, imposts, or taxes, as to them shall appear most equal and just
(considering the ability and other circumstances of the inhabitants in
the several Colonies), and such as may be collected with the least
inconvenience to the people; rather discouraging luxury, than loading
industry with unnecessary burdens.
16.That they may appoint a General
Treasurer and Particular Treasurer in each government when necessary;
and, from time to time, may order the sums in the treasuries of each
government into the general treasury; or draw on them for special
payments, as they find most convenient.
17.Yet no money to issue but by
joint orders of the President-General and Grand Council; except where
sums have been appropriated to particular purposes, and the
President-General is previously empowered by an act to draw such sums.
18.That the general accounts shall be yearly settled and reported to the
several Assemblies.
19.That a quorum of the Grand Council, empowered to
act with the President-General, do consist of twenty-five members; among
whom there shall be one or more from a majority of the Colonies.
20.That
the laws made by them for the purposes aforesaid shall not be repugnant,
but, as near as may be, agreeable to the laws of England, and shall be
transmitted to the King in Council for approbation, as soon as may be
after their passing; and if not disapproved within three years after
presentation, to remain in force.
21.That, in case of the death of the
President-General, the Speaker of the Grand Council for the time being
shall succeed, and be vested with the same powers and authorities, to
continue till the King's pleasure be known.
22.That all military
commission officers, whether for land or sea service, to act under this
general constitution, shall be nominated by the President-General; but
the approbation of the Grand Council is to be obtained, before they
receive their commissions. And all civil officers are to be nominated by
the Grand Council, and to receive the President-General's approbation
before they officiate.
23.But, in case of vacancy by death or removal of
any officer, civil or military, under this constitution, the Governor of
the Province in which such vacancy happens may appoint, till the
pleasure of the President-General and Grand Council can be known.
24.
That the particular military as well as civil establishments in each
Colony remain in their present state, the general constitution
notwithstanding; and that on sudden emergencies any Colony may defend
itself, and lay the accounts of expense thence arising before the
President-General and General Council, who may allow and order payment
of the same, as far as they judge such accounts just and reasonable.
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