*

From these and similar misinformations, which seem to be credited, I think it likely that no thorough redress of grievances will be afforded to America this session. This may inflame matters still more in that country; farther rash measures there may create more resentment here, that may produce not merely illadvised dissolutions of their Assemblies, as last year, but attempts to dissolve their constitution; more troops may be sent over, which will create more uneasiness; to justify the measures of government, your writers will revile the Americans in your newspapers, as they have already begun to do; treating them as miscreants, rogues, dastards, rebels, &c., to alienate the minds of the people here from them, and which will tend farther to diminish their affections to this country. Possibly, too, some of their warm patriots may be distracted enough to expose themselves by some mad action to be sent for hither; and government here be indiscreet enough to hang them, on the act of Henry the Eighth.†

Mutual provocations will thus go on to complete the separation; and instead of that cordial affection that once and so long existed, and that harmony, so suitable to the circumstances, and so necessary to the happiness, strength, safety, and welfare of both countries; an implacable malice and mutual hatred, such as we now see subsisting between the Spaniards and Portuguese, the Genoese and Corsicans, from the same original misconduct in the superior governments, will take place; the sameness of nation, the similarity of religion,

* This was afterwards attempted by the British legislature, in the case of the Massachusetts Bay province. — B. V.

The Lords and Commons very prudently concurred in an address for this purpose; and the King graciously assured them of his compliance with their wishes.-B. V.

manners, and language not in the least preventing in our case, more than it did in theirs.

I hope, however, that this may all prove false prophecy, and that you and I may live to see as sincere and perfect a friendship established between our respective countries, as has so many years subsisted between Mr. Strahan and his truly affectionate old friend,

B. FRANKLIN.

W*

STATE

OF THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE COLONIES,

BY GOVERNOR POWNALL;

WITH REMARKS BY DR. FRANKLIN.

This State of the Constitution of the Colonies was printed at the close of 1769, and communicated to various persons, with a view to prevent mischief from the misunderstandings between the government of Great Britain and the people of America. I have taken the liberty of ascribing it to Governor Pownall, as his name could have been no secret at the time. Dr. Franklin's Remarks (which from their early date are the more curious) are in manuscript; and, from an observation in reply, signed T. P., appear to have been communicated to Governor Pownall.-B. V. The paragraphs within quotation marks are by Governor Pownall, and the remarks immediately following each paragraph are by Dr. Franklin.EDITOR.

"1. WHEREVER any Englishmen go forth without the realm, and make settlements in partibus exteris, 'These settlements as English settlements, and these inhabitants as English subjects, (carrying with them the laws of the land wherever they form colonies, and receiving his Majesty's protection by virtue of his royal charter'* or commissions of government,) have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever; as if they and every of them were born within the realm;'† and are bound by the like allegiance as every other subject of the realm."

"Pratt and York."

"General words in all charters."

Remark. The settlers of colonies in America did not carry with them the laws of the land, as being bound by them wherever they should settle. They left the realm to avoid the inconveniences and hardships they were under, where some of those laws were in force; particularly ecclesiastical laws, those for payment of tithes, and others. Had it been understood that they were to carry these laws with them, they had better have stayed at home among their friends, unexposed to the risk and toils of a new settlement. They carried with them a right to such parts of laws of the land, as they should judge advantageous or useful to them; a right to be free from those they thought hurtful; and a right to make such others, as they should think necessary, not infringing the general rights of Englishmen; and such new laws they were to form as agreeable as might be to the laws of England.

"2. Therefore, the common law of England, and all such statutes as were enacted and in force at the time in which such settlers went forth, and such colonies and plantations were established, (except as hereafter excepted,) together with all such alterations and amendments as the said common law may have received; is from time to time, and at all times, the law of those colonies and plantations."

Rem. So far as they have adopted it; by express laws or by practice.

"3. Therefore all statutes touching the right of the succession, and settlement of the crown, with the statutes of treason relating thereto;* all statutes regulating

“That is, all statutes respecting the general relation between the crown and the subject; not such as respect any particular or peculiar establishment of the realm of England. As, for instance; by 13th and 14th of Car. II. ch. 2, the supreme military power is declared to be in general, without limitation, in his Majesty, and to have always been of right

or limiting the general powers and authority of the crown, and the exercise of jurisdiction thereof; all statutes declaratory of the rights and liberty of the subject; do extend to all British subjects in the colonies and plantations as of common right, and as if they and every of them were born within the realm."

Rem. It is doubted whether any settlement of the crown by Parliament takes place in the colonies, otherwise than by the consent of the Assemblies there. Had the rebellion in 1745 succeeded so far as to settle the Stuart family again on the throne, by act of Parliament, I think the colonies would not have thought themselves bound by such an act. They would still have adhered to the present family, as long as they

could.

[Observation in Reply. They are bound to the King and his successors, and we know no succession but by act of Parliament. —T. P.]

"4. All statutes enacted since the establishment of colonies and plantations, do extend to and operate within the said colonies and plantations, in which statutes the same are specially named."

Rem. It is doubted whether any act of Parliament should of right operate in the colonies; in fact, several of them have and do operate.

annexed to the office of King of England, throughout all his Majesty's realms and dominions; yet the enacting clause, which respects only the peculiar establishment of the militia of England, extends to the realm of England only; so that the supreme military power of the crown in all other his Majesty's realms and dominions stands, as to this statute, on the basis of its general power, unlimited. However, the several legislatures of his Majesty's kingdom of Ireland, of his dominions of Virginia, and of the several colonies and plantations in America, have, by laws to which the King hath given his consent, operating within the precincts of their several jurisdictions, limited the powers of it, and regulated the exercise thereof."