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Category: Pre-Colonial

The Charter of Massachusetts Bay, 1629

The Charter of Massachusetts Bay, 1629

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Massachusetts Bay 1629 CHARLES, BY THE, GRACE, OF GOD, Kinge of England, Scotland, Fraunce, and Ireland, Defendor of the Fayth, &c. To all to whome theis Presents shall come Greeting. WHEREAS, our most Deare and Royall Father, Kinge James, of blessed Memory, by his Highnes Letters-patents bearing Date at Westminster the third Day of November, in the eighteenth Yeare of His Raigne, HATH given and graunted vnto the Councell established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the planting,…

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The Charter of Maryland, 1632

The Charter of Maryland, 1632

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Maryland 1632 Charles, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, king, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these Presents come, Greeting. II. Whereas our well beloved and right trusty Subject Caecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore, in our Kingdom of Ireland, Son and Heir of George Calvert, Knight, late Baron of Baltimore, in our said Kingdom of Ireland, treading in the steps of his Father, being animated with a laudable, and pious Zeal for…

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Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

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Maryland 1649 Though Maryland was founded as America’s lone bastion for Catholics, the state nonetheless put strong restrictions on religious freedom Forasmuch as in a well governed and Xpian Comon Weath matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideracon and endeavoured to bee settled. Be it therefore ordered and enacted by the Right Hoble Cecilius Lord Baron of Baltemore absolute Lord and Proprietary of this Province with the advise…

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A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

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John Winthrop 1630 OD ALMIGHTY in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.The Reason hereof: 1st Reason. First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power…

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Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

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John Cotton 1636 This leading Puritan advocated theocracy over democracy: “I do not conceyve that ever God did ordeyne as a fitt government eyther for church or commonwealth” The word of God doe conteyne a short … platforme, not onely of theology, but also of other sacred sciences … attendants, and hand maids thereunto, which he maketh ethicks, eoconomicks, politics, church-government, prophecy, academy. It is very suitable to Gods all-sufficient wisdome, and to the fulnes and perfection of Holy Scriptures,…

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Diary of John Adams, March 07, 1756

Diary of John Adams, March 07, 1756

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John Adams March 7, 1756 Adams believes in a free market of religious ideas, in which the best ones emerge from an open discussion. Heard Mr. Maccarty all day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Greenes, with Thayer. Honesty, Sincerity and openness, I esteem essential marks of a good mind. I am therefore of opinion, that men ought, (after they have examined with unbiassed judgments, every System of Religion, and chosen one System on their own Authority, for themselves)…

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Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 22, 1756

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John Adams February 22, 1756 February 22 SUNDAY. Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony,…

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Diary of John Adams, February 13, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 13, 1756

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John Adams February 13, 1756 Adams doesn’t think much of the idea that Christ wiped away the sins of others. pleasant morning. Saw my classmates Gardner, and Wheeler. Wheeler dined, spent the afternoon, and drank Tea with me. Supped at Major Gardiners, and ingag’d to keep School at Bristol, provided Worcester People, at their insuing March meeting, should change this into a moving School, not otherwise. Major Greene this Evening fell into some conversation with me about the Divinity and…

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Diary of John Adams, February 02, 1756

Diary of John Adams, February 02, 1756

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John Adams February 2, 1756 Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony, drunkenness, or Lust-no…

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Charter of Connecticut, 1662

Charter of Connecticut, 1662

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Connecticut 1662   CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of GOD, KING of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. Whereas by the several Navigations, Discoveries, and Successful Plantations of divers of Our loving Subjects of this Our Realm of England, several lands, Islands, Places, Colonies, and Plantations have been obtained and settled in that Part of the Continent of America called New-England, and thereby the Trade and…

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