From John Adams to William Tudor, Jr., 9 September 1818
Quincy September 9th. 1818
Dear Sir
The Charters were quoted or alluded to by Mr Otis frequently in the whole Course of his Argument: but he made them also a more destinct and more Solemn head of his discourse. And here, these Charters ought to be Copied Verbatim.—But an immense Verbiage renders it impossible. Bishop Butler some where Complains of this enormous Abuse of Words in publick Transactions, and John Reed and Theophilus Parsons of Massachusetts have attempted to reform it. So did James Otis. All with little success. I hope however that their examples will be followed and that common sense in common Language will, in time become fashionable.—but the hope must be faint as long as Clerks are paid by the line and the number of Syllables in a Line
Some passages of these Charters must, however, be quoted; and I will endeavour to strip them as well as I can, of their Useless Words. They are recited, in the Charter of King William and Queen Mary, dated the Seventh day of October in the third year of their Reign. i.e in 1691.
Whereas King James the first, in the 18th year of his Reign, did grant to the Council at Plymouth, for the planting and Governing New England, all that Part of America, from the 40th. to the 48th. degree of Latitude, and from Sea to Sea, together with all Lands Waters, Fishings, and all and Singular other Commodities, Jurisdictions Royalties; Priveleges, Franchises and Preeminences, both within the Said Tract of Land upon the Main, and also within the Islands and Seas adjoining: to have and hold, all, unto the said Council their Heirs and Successors and Assigns forever: to be holden of his said Majesty as of his Manor of East Greenwich in free and common Socage, and not in Capite, or by Knights Service. Yeilding to the King a fifth Part of the Oar of Gold and Silver. For and in respect of all and all manner of Duties, Demands and Services whatsoever. But I cannot pursue to the end, this infinite Series of Words,—you must read the Charter again. For although you and I have read it fifty times, I believe you will find it as I do, much Stronger in favour of Mr Otis’s Argument than I expected or you will expect. I doubt Whether you will take the pains to read it again: but your Son will and to him I recommend it.—
The Council of Plymouth, on the 19th. of March, in the 3d year of the Reign of Charles the first, granted to Sir Henry Rosswell and others Part of New England by certain Boundaries, with all the Prerogatives and Privileges.
King <James> Charles 1st. on the 4th. of March, in the fourth year of his Reign confermed to Sir Henry Rosswell and others, all those Lands before granted to them by the Council of Plymouth.—
King Charles the first, created, Sir Henry Rosswell, and others a Body Corporate and Politick. And Said Body Politick, did Settle a <Body> Colony which became very populous.—
In 1684. in the 36th. year of King William and Queen Mary’s dearest Uncle, Charles the Second, a Judgment was given in the Court of Chancery, that the Letters Patent of Charles the first, should be cancelled vacated and annihilated.—
The Agents petitioned to be reincorporated, I can easily conceive their Perplexity, their Temidity, their Uncertainty, their Choice of Difficulties, their necessary Preference of the least of a multitude of Evils: for I have felt them all, as keenly as they did.—
William and Mary, Unite Massachusetts, new Plymouth Nova Scotia, and the Province of Maine into one Province, to be holden in Fee as of the Manor of East Greenwich, paying one fifth of Gold and Silver Oar.—
Liberty of Conscience to be granted at all Christians except Papists. Good God! A Grant from a King of Liberty of Conscience! Is it not a Grant of the King of Kings, which no Puppit of a <Royolest> Royolet upon Earth can give or take away?
The Records and Files of the Court of Probate in Boston were transported to Hallifax. Judge Foster Hutchinson had the Honour to return them after the Peace of 1783. But Admiralty Records have never been restored as I have heard.—
The subject may be pursued hereafter by your Servant
John Adams
MHi: Adams Papers.
RC at NNC includes the following additional passages:
]The General Court impowered to erect Judicatories and Courts of Record— The General Court impowered to make Laws,” not repugnant to the Laws of England,— Here was an unfathomable Gulph of Controversy. The Grant itself, of Liberty of Conscience was repugnant to the Laws of England Every Quaker Meeting every Presbyterian Church, every Congregational Society was repugnant to the Laws of England
]Every Thing was repugnant to the Laws of England.— The whole System of Colonization, was beyond the Limits of the Laws of England and beyond the Jurisdiction of their Nation[al] Legislature.— The General Court is authorised to in[. . .] Fines, &c and Taxes.—
]But the fell Paragraph of all, is the Provise in these Words— “Provided always, and it is hereby declared that nothing here-in shall extend or be taken to erect or grant, or allow the Exercise of any Admiralty Court Jurisdiction, Power, or Authority, but that the same shall be, and is hereby reserved to Us and our Successors, and Shall from time to time be erected granted and exercised by Virtue of Commissions to be issued under the Great Seal of England, or under the Seal of the High Admiralty or the Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral of England.”
]The History of this Court of Admiralty would require Volumes.— where are its Records and its files? It’s Libel’s and answers? It’s Interrogatories and cross, Interrogatories? All hurried away to England, and suppose never to be seen again in America, nor probably to be inspected in Europe—
]RC (NNC); addressed: “Honble. William Tudor / Boston”; internal address: “Judge Tudor.”; endorsed: “Sepr. 10. 1818. No 17.”
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