Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    WY869
  • Title
    Charter of Liberties given by William Penn proprietor and governor of Pennsylvania.
  • Date free text
    1701; 1717
  • Production date
    From: 1701 To: 1717
  • Scope and Content
    Recites that the original charter granted in 1683 was found in some parts “not suitable to the present circumstances”, and that Penn has been requested to alter it. First: “because no people can be truly happy though under the greatest enjoyment of civil liberties if abridged of the freedom of their consciences as to their religious profession and worship” no person acknowledging one God and professing himself “obliged to live quietly under the civil government shall be molested” or compelled to frequent or maintain any religious worship and shall be allowed to serve in the government of the province, solong as they take the “attests” established by law passed at Newcastle in 1700. Secondly: appoints yearly assembly “ to consist of four persons out of each county of most note for virtue wisdom and ability . . . . . upon the first day of October for ever. And shall sit on the 14th day of the said month at Philadelphia”; given power to choose a Speaker and other officers; powers of legislation etc. Thirdly: the freemen of each county are to elect a double number of persons to present to the Governor for sheriffs and coroners to serve for three years “if they so long behave themselves well”; also three persons from whom to choose a Clerk of the Peace when there is a vacancy. Fourthly: “that the laws of this government shall be in this style viz. (By the Governor with the consent and approbation of the Freeman in General Assembly met) and shall be after confirmation by the Governor forthwith recorded in the Rolls Office and kept at Philadelphia”. Fifthly: “that all criminals shall have the same privileges of witnesses and counsel as their prosecutors”. Sixthly: “that no person or persons shall be obliged to answer any complaint matter or thing relating to property before the Governor and Council or in any other place but in the ordinary Court of Justice.” Seventhly: “that no person within this government shall be licensed by the Governor to keep ordinary tavern or house of public entertainment but such who are first recommended to him under the hands of Justices of the respective counties”; justices empowered to suppress public houses for misbehaviour. Eighthly: “if any person through temptation of melancholy shall destroy himself his estate shall descend to his wife and children or relations as if he had died a natural death. And if any person shall be destroyed or killed by casualty or accident there shall be no forfeiture to the Governor by reason thereof.” Lastly: “I the said William Penn . . . . have solemnly declared . . . that neither I my heirs or assigns shall procure or do anything . . . . . whereby the liberties in this Charter contained . . . . . shall be infringed.” 28 October 1701. Signed on behalf and by order of the Assembly, Recorded 31 August 1701. by Joseph Growden speaker, Eward Shippen, Phineas Pemberton, Samuel Carpenter, Grif. Owen, Caleb Pusey, Thomas Story. Exemplified at the request of James Steel of Philadelphia gentleman, by Charles Brockden, Master of the Rolls, deputy at Philadelphia. 26 September 1717
  • Level of description
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