Few Revolutionary concepts are expressed as succinctly as the principle contained in the first three words of the United States Constitution: "We, th, Washington's Farewell Address (17 September 1796) Article xxxix created the first formal amendment process in history. Although anyone who professed a belief in God could live undisturbed, one had to believe in Jesus Christ in order to vote and hold office (see the Pennsylvania Frame of Government [59], Articles xxxiv and xxxv of the Laws Agreed Upon in England). 1 (Pamphlet), 1796: George Washingtons Farewell Address (Speech), 1798-1992: US Bill of Rights Amendments (XI-XXVII), 1798: Counter-resolutions of Other States, 1798: Kentucky Resolutions (Jeffersons Draft), 1799: Report of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1802: Jefferson, Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association (Letter), 1865: U.S. Constitution, Thirteenth Amendment, Pocket Guide to Political and Civic Rights. 2. And in case any person so called to evidence, shall be convicted of wilful falsehood, such person shall suffer and undergo such damage or penalty, as the person, or persons, against whom he or she bore false witness, did, or should, undergo; and shall also make satisfaction to the party wronged, and be publicly exposed as a false witness, never to be credited in any court, or before any Magistrate, in the said province. They weakly err, that think there is no other use of government, than correction, which is the coarsest part of it: daily experience tells us, that the care and regulation of many other affairs, more soft, and daily necessary, makeup much of the greatest part of government; and which must have followed the peopling of the world, had Adam never fell, and will continue among men, on earth, under the highest attainments they may arrive at, by the coming of the blessed Second Adam, the Lord from heaven. William Penn: Political Writings To carry this evenness is partly owing to the constitution, and partly to the magistracy: where either of these fail, government will be subject to convulsions: but where both are wanting, it must be totally subverted: then where both meet, the government is like to endure. XXI. And, to the end that all officers chosen to serve within this province, may, with more care and dilligence, answer the trust reposed in them, it is agreed, that no such person shall enjoy more than one public office, at one time. WebWILLIAM PENN 517 his colony had far more influence on the great American heritage of the relationship between church and state. WebWilliam Penn was a celebrated English philosopher, founder of the State of Pennsylvania, real estate entrepreneur, and early Quaker. Government incorporated in the Great Law of the province. WebAfter Penn had drafted his First Frame of Government, he established four committees, the first of which was the forerunner of the modern-day Department of State. 1,544 Sq. William Penn: Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, xxviii. 27 Apr. For, if it does not directly remove the cause, it crushes the effects of evil, and is as such, (though a lower, yet) an emanation of the same Divine Power, that is both author and object of pure religion; the difference lying here, that the one is more free and mental, the other more corporal and compulsive in its operations: but that is only to evil doers; government itself being otherwise as capable of kindness, goodness and charity, as a more private society. On 10 April He is also renowned for his successful treaties and amiable relations with the Lenape Native Americans. And, to the end that all laws prepared by the Governor and provincial Council aforesaid, may yet have the more full concurrence of the freemen of the province, it is declared, granted and confirmed, that, at the time and place or places, for the choices of a provincial council, as aforesaid, the said freemen shall yearly chuse Members to serve in a General Assembly, as their representatives, not exceeding two hundred persons, who shall yearly meet on the twentieth day of the second month, which shall be in the year one thousand six hundred eighty and three following, in the capital town, or city, of the said province, where, during eight days, the several Members may freely confer with one another; and, if any of them see meet, with a committee of the provincial Council (consisting of three out of each of the four committees aforesaid, being twelve in all) which shall be, at that time, purposely appointed to receive from any of them proposals, for the alterations or amendment of any of the said proposed and promulgated bills: and on the ninth day from their so meeting, the said General Assembly, after reading over the proposed bills by the Clerk of the provincial Council, and the occasions and motives for them being opened by the Governor or his Deputy, shall give their affirmative or negative, which to them seemeth best, in such manner as hereinafter is expressed. Social studies Middle Colonies That, for the establishment of the government and laws of this province, and to the end there may be an universal satisfaction in the laying of the fundamentals thereof: the General Assembly shall, or may, for the first year, consist of all the freemen of and in the said province; and ever after it shall be yearly chosen, as aforesaid; which number of two hundred shall be enlarged as the country shall increase in people, so as it do not exceed five hundred, at any time; the appointment and proportioning of which, as also the laying and methodizing of the choice of the provincial Council and General Assembly, in future times most equally to the divisions of the hundreds and counties, which the country shall hereafter be divided into, shall be in the power of the provincial Council to propose, and the General Assembly to resolve. An allusion to a saying of Jesus quoted in all the synoptic gospels: Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, and Luke 20:25. The powers that be are ordained of God: whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. In practice, the government outlined in the Frame of Government proved in some respects to be unworkable. Frame of Government That all other matters and things not herein provided for, which shall, and may, concern the public justice, peace, or safety of the said province; and the raising and imposing taxes, customs, duties, or other charges whatsoever, shall be, and are, hereby referred to the order, prudence and determination of the Governor and freemen, in Provincial Council and General Assembly, to be held, from time to time, in the said province. LAWS AGREED UPON IN ENGLAND, &c.I. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness; and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bosom, was the guide and keeper of his innocency. Nearby homes similar to 1228 William Penn Dr have recently sold between $225K to $595K at an average of $220 per square foot. Fleshly desires corrupted this balance, which put mans self before his duties. questions. Liberty Fund, Inc. All rights reserved. Taken from Votes and Proceedings, vol. Charter of Delaware WebWilliam Penn, an English entrepreneur, had an unforeseen impact on the history of the United States of America. Goethals $600 XVI.That seven years quiet possession shall give an unquestionable right, except in cases of infants, lunatics, married women, or persons beyond the seas. The Frame of Government was an expression of Penn's religious and political ideas. Source: Colonial Origins of the American Constitution: A Documentary History, ed. I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, which are the rule of one, a few, and many, and are the three common ideas of government, when men discourse on the subject. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil: wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? That for the encouragement of the planters and traders in this province, who are incorporated into a society, the patent granted to them by William Penn, Governor of the said province, is hereby ratified and confirmed. The Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, granted by William Penn in 1701, gave many powers to the colonial government of Pennsylvania. Thirdly, I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, which are the rule of one, a few, and Web1682 - Penn's Charter of Libertie - April 25; 1682 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania - May 5; 1683 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania - February 2; 1696 - Frame of Government of Pennsylvania; 1701 - Charter of Privileges Granted by William Penn, esq. The Charter of Privileges recognized the authority of the King and Parliament over the colony, while creating a That servants be not kept longer than their time, and such as are careful, be both justly and kindly used in their service, and put in fitting equipage at the expiration thereof, according to custom. Penn For particular frames and models, it will become me to say little; and comparatively I will say nothing. By William Penn; London: A. Sowles, 1682. No compulsory religion was to be enforced. "Frame of Government But I chuse to solve the controversy with this small distinction, and it belongs to all three: Any government is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion. My reasons are: First. xxii. William Penn WebWilliam Penn's frame of government gave its citizens important rights, what state was that? Pennsylvania But, if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. Penn named the territory New Wales. That there shall be, at no time, any alteration of any of these laws, without the consent of the Governor, his heirs, or assigns, and six parts of seven of the freemen, met in provincial Council and General Assembly. 1682: Charter of the Liberties and Frame of Government of Which I humbly pray and hope God will please to make the lot of this Pensilvania. William Penn and the Quaker Legacy In each version of the story, Jesus resolves a dilemma posed by the Roman requirement that the That all witnesses, coming, or called, to testify their knowledge in or to any matter or thing, in any court, or before any lawful authority, within the said province, shall there give or deliver in The Common Law and Covenanting Traditions 55 their evidence, or testimony, by solemnly promising to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the matter, or thing in In witness whereof, I, the said William Penn, have unto this present character of liberties set my hand and broad seal, this five and twentieth day of the second month, vulgarly called April, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and eighty-two. It was given to William Penn by King Charles II in 1681 to pay off a debt. The Pennsylvania Constitution was also heavily influenced by Penn's Charter, which was a proprietary government outline written by William Penn. That servants be not kept longer than their time, and such as are careful, be both justly and kindly used in their service, and put in fitting equipage at the expiration thereof, according to custom. Imprimis. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. But, if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. On October 28, he signed a new Charter of WebWilliam Penn (October 14, 1644July 30, 1718) founded the Province of Pennsylvania, the British North American colony that became the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Rights and Liberties. That all fines shall be moderate, and saving mens contenements, merchandize, or wainage. William Penn, 1682. The frame of the government of the province of Pennsylvania, in America: together with certain laws agreed upon in England, by the Governor and divers freemen of the aforesaid province. That all pleadings, processes and records in courts, shall be short, and in English, and in an ordinary and plain character, that they may be understood, and justice speedily administered. Frame of Government of Pennsylvania - WikiSummaries For, if it does not directly remove the cause, it crushes the effects of evil, and is as such, (though a lower, yet) an emanation of the same Divine Power, that is both author and object of pure religion; the difference lying here, that the one is more free and mental, the other more corporal and compulsive in its operations: but that is only to evil doers; government itself being otherwise as capable of kindness, goodness and charity, as a more private society. vii. I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, which are the rule of one, a few, and many, and are the three common ideas of government, when men discourse on the subject. William Penn (April 27, 2023). That all children, within this province, of the age of twelve years, shall be taught some useful trade or skill, to the end none may be idle, but the poor may work to live, and the rich, if they become poor may not want. XXIV. Signed and sealed by the Governor and freemen aforesaid, the fifth day of the third month, called May, one thousand six hundred and eighty-two. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. xxiv. 25 SECTION 2. And, to the end that all officers chosen to serve within this province, may, with more care and diligence, answer the trust reposed in them, it is agreed, that no such person shall enjoy more than one public office at one time. That all marriages (not forbidden by the law of God, as to nearness of blood and affinity by marriage) shall be encouraged; but the parents, or guardians, shall be first consulted, and the marriage shall be published before it be solemnized; and it shall be solemnized by taking one another as husband and wife, before credible witnesses; and a certificate of the whole, under the hands of parties and witnesses, shall be brought to the proper register of that county, and shall be registered in his office. 1228 William Penn Dr I do not find a model in the world, that time, place, and some singular emergences have not necessarily altered; nor is it easy to frame a civil government, that shall serve all places alike. xv. WebKing Charles II of England owed $80,000 to Admiral Sir William Penn. My reasons are: First. Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges - Encyclopedia of Greater State Government. That all lands and goods of felons shall be liable, to make satisfaction to the party wronged twice the value; and for want of lands or goods, the felons shall be bondmen to work in the common prison, or work-house, or otherwise, till the party injured be satisfied. WebThis charter was the governing document of William Penn's Pennsylvania until the American Revolution, outstanding among other colonial constitutions in that it granted religious freedom, separated church and state, and asserted the right of self-governence, second only to the authority of the Crown. WebHe opens and carries the matter of government a little further: let every soul be subject to the higher powers for there is no power but of God. SOLD APR 1, 2023. Constitution. xxvi. III. That the laws so prepared and proposed, as aforesaid, that are assented to by the General Assembly, shall be enrolled as laws of the Province, with this stile: By the Governor, with the assent and approbation of the freemen in provincial Council and General Assembly. Hillsdale Dialogues 03-12-21 William Penn & The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania. File : William Penn - The First Draft of the Frame of Government So that government seems to me a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and end. XXXV. VII. That as a careless and corrupt administration of justice draws the wrath of God upon magistrates, so the wildness and looseness of the people provoke the indignation of God against a country: therefore, that all such offences against God, as swearing, cursing, lying, prophane talking, drunkenness, drinking of healths, obscene words, incest, sodomy, rapes, whoredom, fornication, and other uncleanness (not to be repeated) all treasons, misprisons, murders, duels, felony, seditions, maims, forcible entries, and other violences, to the persons and estates of the inhabitants within this province; al prizes, stage-plays, cards, dice, May-games, gamesters, masques, revels, bull-baitings, cock-fightings, bear-baitings, and the like, which excite the people to rudeness, cruelty, looseness, and irreligion, shall be respectively discouraged, and severely punished, according to the appointment of the Governor and freemen in provincial Council and General Assembly; as also all proceedings contrary to these laws, that are not here made expressly penal.
