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Government where such lands lie, and from the Indians in a body, in their public councils. That the patentees or possessors of large unsettled territories be enjoined to cause them to be settled in a reasonable time, on pain of forfeiture. That the complaints of the Indians relative to any grants or possessions of their lands fraudulently obtained be inquired into, and all injuries redressed; that the bounds of those Colonies which extend to the South Sea be contracted, and limited by the Alleghany or Apalachian mountains; and that measures be taken for settling from time to time Colonies of his Majesty's Protestant subjects westward of said mountains, in convenient cantons to be assigned for that purpose; and finally that there be a Union of his Majesty's several Governments on the continent, that so their counsels, treasure and strength may be employed in due proportion against their common enemy. All which is submitted.

Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.

At a meeting in the Court House at Albany on Wednesday, the 10th July, 1754, A. M. Present,

All the Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay; all the Commissioners for New Hampshire, except Mr. Sherburne ; all the Commissioners for Connecticut; the Commissioners for Rhode Island; all the Commissioners for Pennsylvania. Mr. Murray and Mr. Smith took their seats.

Mr Franklin reported the draught, in a new form, of a Plan of a Union, agreeable to the determination of yesterday; which was read paragraph by paragraph, and debated, and the further consideration of it deferred to the afternoon. Adjourned to 3 o'clock this afternoon.

At a meeting, &c. on Wednesday, the 10th July, 1754, P. M. Present,

His Honor the Lieut. Governor and the four gentlemen of the Council of New York, and all the Commissioners for the respective Governments.

The consideration of the Plan of a Union was resumed; which Plan is as follows:

[Here the MS. breaks off abruptly. Whether the remainder of the Journal is now in existence, we have not been able to ascertain. The Plan of Union adopted by the Congress is inserted below, as copied from the Writings of Franklin.-Pub. Čom.]

PLAN OF UNION.

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.

President-General and Grand Council.

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.

That within

Election of Members.

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 | Pennsylvania,
New Hampshire,

Connecticut,

Rhode Island,

New York,

New Jersey,

2

Maryland,

5 Virginia,

6

4

7

4

2 | North Carolina,
South Carolina,

4

4

со

48

Place of First Meeting.

Who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, being called by the President-General as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment. New Election.

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.

Proportion of Members after the first three years.

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.

Meetings of the Grand Council, and Call.

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 due and timely notice to the whole.

Continuance.

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.

Members' Allowance.

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.

Assent of President-General and his Duty.

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.

Power of President-General and Grand Council; Treaties of Peace and War.

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.

Indian Trade.

That they make such laws as they judge necessary for regulating all Indian trade.

Indian Purchases.

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.

New Settlements.

That they make new settlements on such purchases, by granting lands in the King's name, reserving a quit-rent to the crown for the use of the general treasury.

Laws to govern them.

That they make laws for regulating and governing such new settlements, till the crown shall think fit to form them into particular governments.

Raise Soldiers, and equip Vessels, &c.

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.

Power to make Laws, lay Duties, &c.

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 burthens.

General Treasurer and Particular Treasurer.

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.

Money, how to issue.

Yet no money to issue but by joint orders of the PresidentGeneral 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.

Accounts.

That the general accounts shall be yearly settled and reported to the several Assemblies.

Quorum.

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.

Laws to be Transmitted.

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.

Death of the President-General.

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.

Officers, how Appointed.

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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