FRtR > Documents > Albany Plan of Union
Albany Plan of Union
*** Quote ***
It is proposed that humble application be made for an
act of Parliament of Great Britain, by virtue of which one
general government may be formed in America, including all the
said colonies, within and under which government each colony
may retain its present constitution, except in the particulars
wherein a change may be directed by the said act, as hereafter
follows.
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That the said general government be administered by a
President-General, to be appointed and supported by the crown;
and a Grand Council, to be chosen by the representatives of
the people of the several Colonies met in their respective
assemblies.
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That within ___ months after the passing such act, the House
of Representatives that happen to be sitting within that time,
or that shall be especially for that purpose convened, may and
shall choose members for the Grand Council, in the following
proportion, that is to say,
Massachusetts Bay |
7 |
New Hampshire |
2 |
Connecticus |
5 |
Rhode Island |
2 |
New York |
4 |
New Jersey |
3 |
Pennsylvania |
6 |
Maryland |
4 |
Virginia |
7 |
North Carolina |
4 |
South Carolina |
4 |
|
48 |
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-----who shall meet for the first time at the city of
Philadelphia, being called by the President-General as soon as
conveniently may be after his appointment.
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That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand
Council every three years; and, on the death or resignation of
any member, his place should be supplied by a new choice at
the next sitting of the Assembly of the Colony he represented.
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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 chosen 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.
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That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, and
oftener if occasion require, at such time and place as they
shall adjourn to at the last preceding 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 duly and timely
notice to the whole.
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That the Grand Council have power to choose their speaker;
and shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor continued
sitting longer than six weeks at one time, without their own
consent or the special command of the crown.
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That the members of the Grand Council shall be allowed for
their service ten shillings sterling per diem, during their
session and journey to and from the place of meeting; twenty
miles to be reckoned a day's journey.
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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.
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That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand
Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the
general interest of the Colonies may be concerned; and make
peace or declare war with Indian nations.
- That they make such laws as they judge necessary for regulating all Indian trde.
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That they make all purchases from Indians, for the crown, of
lands not now within the bounds of particular Colonies, or
that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are
reduced to more convenient dimensions.
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That they make new settlements on such purchases, by granting
lands in the King's name, reserving a quitrent to the crown
for the use of the general treasury.
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That they make laws for regulating and governing such new
settlements, till the crown shall think fit to form them into
particular governments.
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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 Colony,
without the consent of the Legislature.
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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 (considering 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 discouraging luxury, than
loading industry with unnecessary burdens.
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That they may appoint a General Treasurer and Particular
Treasurer 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 convenient.
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Yet no money to issue but by joint orders of the
President-General and Grand Council; except where sums have
been appropriated to particular purposes, and the
President-General is previously empowered by an act to draw
such sums.
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That the general accounts shall be yearly settled and reported
to the several Assemblies.
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That a quorum of the Grand Council, empowered to act with the
President-General, do consist of twenty-five members; among
whom there shall be one or more from a majority of the
Colonies.
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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 transmitted to the King in
Council for approbation, as soon as may be after their
passing; and if not disapproved within three years after
presentation, to remain in force.
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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 authorities, to
continue till the King's pleasure be known.
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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.
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But, in case of vacancy by death or removal of any officer,
civil or military, under this constitution, the Governor of
the Province in which such vacancy happens may appoint, till
the pleasure of the President-General and Grand Council can be
known.
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That the particular military as well as civil establishments
in each Colony remain in their present state, the general
constitution notwithstanding; and that on sudden emergencies
any Colony may defend itself, and lay the accounts of expense
thence arising before the President-General and General
Council, who may allow and order payment of the same, as far
as they judge such accounts just and reasonable.