Full text: Essays of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin [1756 
That by such charters it be granted that every 
actual settler be entitled to a tract of —— acres for 
himself, and —— acres for every poll in the family 
he carries with him; and that every contributor of 
—— guineas be entitled to a quantity of acres, equal 
to the share of a single settler, for every such sum of 
guineas contributed and paid to the colony treasurer; 
a contributor for —— shares to have an additional 
share gratis; that settlers may likewise be contribu- 
tors, and have right of land in both capacities. 
That as many and as great privileges and powers 
of government be granted to the contributors and 
settlers, as his Majesty in his wisdom shall think 
most fit for their benefit and encouragement, consis- 
tent with the general good of the British empire; for 
extraordinary privileges and liberties, with lands on 
easy terms, are strong inducements to people to 
hazard their persons and fortunes in settling new 
countries. And such powers of government as 
(though suitable to their circumstances, and fit to be 
trusted with an infant colony) might be judged unfit 
when it becomes populous and powerful, these might 
be granted for a term only; as the choice of their 
own governor for ninety-nine years; the support of 
government in the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode 
Island (which now enjoy that and other like privi- 
leges) being much less expensive than in the colonies 
under the immediate government of the crown, and 
the constitution more inviting. 
That the first contributors to the amount of —— 
guineas be empowered to choose a treasurer to re- 
ceive the contribution. 
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