The FRAME of the Government of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto annexed in America.
TO ALL PERSONS, To whom these Presents may come. WHEREAS King CHARLES the Second, by his Letters Patents, under the great Seal of England, bearing Date the fourth Day of March, in the thirty and third Year of the King, for divers Considerations therein mentioned, hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (by the Name of William Penn, Esq; Son and Heir of Sir William Penn deceased) and to my Heirs and Assigns for ever, all that Tract of Land, or Province called Pensylvania, in America, with divers great Powers, Preheminences, Royalties, Jurisdictions, and Authorities, necessary for the Well-being and Government thereof. AND WHEREAS the King's dearest Brother, James Duke of York and Albany, &c. by his Deeds of Feoffment, under his Hand and Seal, duly perfected, bearing Date the four and twentieth Day of August, 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 Newcastle upon Delaware River, in America, to Cape Hinlopen, upon the said River and Bay of Delaware Southward, together with all Royalties, Franchises, Duties, Jurisdictions, Liberties and Privileges thereunto belonging.
NOW KNOW 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 Pursuance of the Rights and Powers afore-mentioned, 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 Pensylvania and Territories thereunto annexed, for ever.
IMPRIMIS.
THAT the Government of this Province and Territories thereof shall, from Time to Time, according to the Powers of the Patent and Deeds of Feoffment aforesaid, consist of the Proprietary and Governor, and Freemen of the said Province and Territories thereof, in Form of provincial Council and Assembly, which provincial Council shall consist of eighteen Persons, being three out of each County, and which Assembly shall consist of thirty-six Persons, being six out of each County, Men of most Note for their Virtue, Wisdom and Ability, by whom all Laws shall be made, Officers chosen, and publick Affairs transacted, as is hereafter limited and declared.
II.
THERE being three Persons already chosen for every respective County of this Province and Territories thereof, to serve in the provincial Council, one of them for three Years, one for two Years, and one for one Year; and one of them being to go off yearly in every County; that on the tenth Day of the first Month yearly, for ever after, the Freemen of the said Province and Territories thereof shall meet together in the most convenient Place in every County of this Province and Territories thereof, then and there to chuse one Person, qualified as aforesaid, in every County, being one third of the Number to serve in provincial Council, for three Years; it being intended, that one third of the whole provincial Council, consisting and to consist of eighteen Persons, falling off yearly, it shall be yearly supplied with such yearly Elections, as aforesaid; and that one Person shall not continue in longer than three Years; and in Case any Member shall decease before the last Election, during his Time, that then at the next Election ensuing his Decease, another shall be chosen to supply his Place for the remaining Time he was to have served, and no longer.
III.
THAT after the first seven Years, every one of the said third Parts that goeth yearly off, shall be incapable of being chosen again for one whole Year following, that so all that are capable and qualified as aforesaid, may be fitted for Government, and have a Share of the Care and Burthen of it.