Plan of a Proposed Union of the Several Colonies of Masachusets-bay, New Hampshire, Coneticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jerseys, Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, For their Mutual Defence and Security, and for Extending the British Settlements in North America.

That the said General Government be ad-

ministred by a President General, To be ap-

pointed and Supported by the Crown, and a

Grand Council to be Chosen by the Represent-

atives of the People of the Several Colonies,

met in their respective Assemblies.

That within   Months after the passing

of such Act, The House of Representatives

in the Several Assemblies, that Happen to be

Sitting within that time or that shall be Spe-

cially for that purpose Convened, may and

Shall Choose Members for the Grand Council

in the following Proportions, that is to say.

Masachusets-Bay

7.

New Hampshire

2.

Conecticut

5.

Rhode-Island

2.

New-York

4.

New-Jerseys

3.

Pensilvania

6.

Maryland

4.

Virginia

7.

North-Carolina

4.

South-Carolina

4.

48.

Who shall meet for the first time at the City

of Philadelphia, in Pensilvania, being called

by the President General as soon as conven-

iently may be, after his Appointment.

That there shall be a New Election of Mem-

bers for the Grand Council every three years;

And on the Death or Resignation of any Mem-

ber his Place shall be Supplyed by a New

Choice at the next Sitting of the Assembly of

the Colony he represented.

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 Cho-

sen, 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).

That the Grand Council shall meet once in

every Year, and oftner if Occasion require,

at such Time and place as they shall adjourn

to at the last preceeding 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 due and

timely Notice to the whole.

That the Grand Council have Power to

Chuse their Speaker, and shall neither be Dis-

solved, prorogued nor Continue Sitting longer

than Six Weeks at one Time without their

own Consent, or the Special Command of

the Crown.

That the Members of the Grand Council

shall be Allowed for their Service ten shillings

Sterling per Diem, during their Sessions or

Journey to and from the Place of Meeting;

Twenty miles to be reckoned a days Journey.

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.

That the President General with the Advice

of the Grand Council, hold or Direct all In-

dian Treaties in which the General Interest or

Welfare of the Colony's may be Concerned;

And make Peace or Declare War with the In-

dian Nations. That they make such Laws as

they Judge Necessary for regulating all Indian

Trade. That they make all Purchases from

Indians for the Crown, of Lands not within

the Bounds of Particular Colonies, or that

shall not be within their bounds when some

of them are reduced to more Convenient Dim-

ensions. That they make New Settlements on

such Purchases, by Granting Lands in the

Kings Name, reserving a Quit Rent to the

Crown, for the use of the General Treasury.

That they make Laws for regulating and Gov-

erning such new Settlements, till the Crown

shall think fit to form them into Particular

Governments.

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 Colonies, without the Consent

of its Legislature. 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, Con-

sidering 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 discour-

aging Luxury, than Loading Industry with

unnecessary Burthens. That they may Appoint

a General Treasurer and a Particular Treas-

urer 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 Conven-

ient; Yet no money to Issue, but by joint Or-

ders of the President General and Grand

Council Except where Sums have been ap-

propriated to particular Purposes, And the

President General is previously impowered

By an Act to draw for such Sums.

That the General Accounts shall be yearly

Settled and Reported to the Several Assembly's.

That a Quorum of the Grand Council im-

power'd to Act with the President General,

do consist of Twenty-five Members, among

whom there shall be one, or more from a Ma-

jority of the Colonies. 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 trans-

mitted to the King in Council for Approba-

tion, as Soon as may be after their Passing and

if not disapproved within Three years after

Presentation to remain in Force.

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 Authority, to

Continue until the King's Pleasure be known.

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; But in Case

of Vacancy by Death or removal of any Offi-

cer Civil or Military under this Constitution,

The Governor of the Province, in which such

Vacancy happens, may Appoint till the Pleas-

ure of the President General and Grand

Council can be known. That the Particular

Military as well as Civil Establishments in

each Colony remain in their present State,

this General Constitution Notwithstanding.

And that on Sudden Emergencies any Colony

may Defend itself, and lay the Accounts of

Expence thence Arisen, before the President

General and Grand Council, who may allow

and order payment of the same As far as they

Judge such Accounts Just and reasonable.