Freemen

8. It is ordered by this Assembly and the authority thereof y^t all Englishmen being Protestants, y^t are settled Inhabitants and freeholders in any towne of this Province, of y^e age of 24 years, not viceous in life but of honest and good conversation, and such as have 201 Rateable estate w^thout heads of persons having also taken the oath of allegiance to his Maj^s, and no others shall be admitted to y^e liberty of being freemen of this Province, and to give theire votes for the choice of Deputies for the Generall Assembly, Constables, Selectmen, Jurors and other officers and concernes in y^e townes where they dwell; provided this order give no liberty to any pson or psons to vote in the dispossion or distribution of any lands, timber or other properties in y^e Towne, but such as have reall right thereto; and if any difference arise about s^d right of voting, it shall be judged and determined by y^e Presid^t and Councill w^th the Gen^ll Assembly of this Province.

This Body of Laws when sent to England for Royal approval was disallowed.

In Province or County of Maine.

The Colonization of what is called in the Charter granted by Charles the First to Sir Ferdinando Gorges in 1639, “The Province or Countie of Mayne,” presented many difficulties. The extraordinary governmental powers given to the Lord-Proprietary, which were transmissible with the property to his heirs and assigns, made of it a vast landed estate in which there could not be much voluntary co-operation. To assist in its government a board of Councilors was appointed who before taking office were required to “take the Oath of Allegiance according to the forme now used in this his highness’ realme of England, and shall alsoe take the Oath hereunto subscribed.”