lands; or are less expofed, being covered by others, as New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland; or have particular whims and prejudices against warlike measures in general, as Pensylvania, where the Quakers predominate; fuch colonies would have more weight in a partial union, and be better able to oppose and obftruct the measures neceffary for the general good, than where they are swallowed up in the general union.

4. The Indian trade would be better regulated by the union of the whole than by partial unions. And as Canada is chiefly supported by that trade, if it could be drawn into the hands of the English, (as it might be if the Indians. were fupplied on moderate terms, and by honeft traders appointed by and acting for the public) that alone would contribute greatly to the weakening of our enemies.

5. The establishing of new colonies weftward on the Ohio and the lakes, (a matter of confiderable importance to the increase of British trade and power, to the breaking that of the French, and to the protection and fecurity of our prefent colonies,) would best be carried on by a joint union.

6. It was alfo thought, that by the frequent meetings-together of commiffioners or reprefentatives from all the colonies, the circumftances of the whole would be better known, and the good of the whole better provided for; and that the colonies would by this connection learn to confider themfelves, not as fo many indepen

dent

dent states, but as members of the fame body; and thence be more ready to afford affistance and fupport to each other, and to make diversions in favour even of the moft diftant, and to join cordially in any expedition for the benefit of all against the common enemy.

These were the principal reasons and motives for forming the plan of union as it ftands. To which may be added this, that as the union of the

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The remainder of this article is loft.

III. Plan of a propofed Union of the feveral Colonies of Maffachuffett's Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Penfylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina for their mutual Defence and Security, and for extending the British Settlements in North America, with the Reasons and Motives for each Article of the Plan [as far as could be remembered.]

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

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America including all the faid colonies, within and under which government each colony may retain its prefent constitution, except in the particulars wherein a change may be directed by the faid act as hereafter follows *

Prefident General, and Grand Council.

That the faid general government be administered by a Prefident General to be appointed and fupported by the crown; and a Grand Council to be chofen by the reprefentatives of the people of the feveral colonies met in their respective affemblies.

It was thought that it would be beft the Prefident General should be fupported as well as appointed by the crown; that fo all difputes between him and the Grand Council concerning his falary might be prevented; as fuch difputes have been frequently of mischievous confequence in particular colonies, efpecially in time of public danger. The quit-rents of crownlands in America, might in a fhort time be suf

[The reader may perceive, by the difference of the type, which is the text of the plan, and which the reasons and motives mentioned in the title. They are thus confolidated for his convenience. The Editor has taken one or two farther liberties in tranfpofing thefe Albany papers; but the fenfe remains as before. E.]

ficient

ficient for this purpose.-The choice of members for the grand council is placed in the house of representatives of each government, in order to give the people a fhare in this new general government, as the crown has its share by the appointment of the Prefident General.

But it being propofed by the gentlemen of the council of New York, and fome other counsellors among the commiffioners, to alter the plan in this particular, and to give the governors and council of the feveral provinces a fhare in the choice of the grand council, or at least a power of approving and confirming or of difallowing the choice made by the house of representatives, it was faid:

"That the government or conftitution pro"posed to be formed by the plan, consists of two "branches; a Prefident General appointed by the "crown, and a council chofen by the people, "or by the people's reprefentatives, which is "the fame thing.

"That by a fubfequent article, the council "chofen by the people can effect nothing with" out the confent of the Prefident General ap

pointed by the crown; the crown poffeffes "therefore full one half of the power of this "conftitution.

"That in the British conftitution, the crown "is fuppofed to poffefs but one third, the Lords "having their fhare.

"That this conftitution feemed rather more "favourable for the crown.

"That

"That it is effential to English liberty, [that] the subject should not be taxed but by his own "confent or the confent of his elected reprefentatives.

"That taxes to be laid and levied by this propofed conftitution will be proposed and agreed to by the representatives of the people, if the plan in this particular be preferved: "But if the propofed alteration fhould take place, it feemed as if matters may be fo ma"naged as that the crown fhall finally have the "appointment not only of the Prefident Ge

neral, but of a majority of the grand council; for, seven out of eleven governors and coun"cils are appointed by the crown:

"And fo the people in all the colonies would in effect be taxed by their governors.

"It was therefore apprehended that fuch al"terations of the plan would give great dif"fatisfaction, and that the colonies could not "be eafy under fuch a power in governors, and "fuch an infringement of what they take to be "English liberty.

Befides, the giving a share in the choice of "the grand council would not be equal with re"fpect to all the colonies, as their conftitutions "differ. In fome, both governor and council "are appointed by the crown. In others, they "are both appointed by the proprietors. In "fome, the people have a fhare in the choice of "the council; in others, both government and "council are wholly chofen by the people. But

"the