# Concessions and Agreements of the Lords Proprietors of the Province of Carolina (1665)

CONCESSIONS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE LORDS PROPRIETORS OF THE PROVINCE OF CAROLINA, 1665
The Concessions and Agreement of the Lords Propryators of the Province of Carolina to and with the adventurers of the Island of Barbados and their associates of England New England the Carribbia Islands and Barmothos to the Province of Carolina and all that shall plant there In order to the setling and planting of the Countye of Clarendine the County of Albermarle and the County which latter is to bee to the southward or westward of Cape Romania all within the Province aforesaid.
1. Imp$^{ris}$ Wee doe consent and agree that the Governor of each County hath power by the advise of his Councill to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removall to continue untill our further order unless wee have commissionated one before.
2. Item That he hath likewayes power to choyce of and to take to him six Councillors at least or twelve at moast or any even Number between six and twelve with whose advise and consent or with at least three of the six or fower of a greater Number all being summoned he is to govern according to the Lymitacons and Instructions following during our pleasure;
3. Item That the chiefe Registers or Secretarys which wee have chosen or shall chuse wee fayling that hee shall chuse shall keepe exact entereyes in faire bookes of all publicke affaires of the said Countyes and to avoyde deceiptes and lawsuits shall record and enter all Graunts of Land from the Lords to the planter and all conveyances of Land howse or howses from man to man, As alsoe all leases for Land howse or howses made or to be made by the Landlord to any tenant for more than one yeare, which conveyance or Lease shalbe first acknowledged by the Grant$^r$ or Leasor or proved by the oath of two witnesses to the conveyance or Lease before the Governor or some Cheife Judge of a Court for the time being whoe shall under our hand us grant upon the backside of the said deeds or Lease attest the acknowledgement or proofe as aforesaid which shalbe our grant for the Registers to record the same which Conveyance or Lease soe recorded shalbe good and effectual in Law notwithstanding any other conveyance deede or Lease for the said Land howse or howses or for any part there although dated before the Conveyance deede or Lease soe recorded as aforesaid And the said Registers shall doe all other thing or things that wee by our instructions shall direct and y$^e$ Governors Councell and Assembly shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Countyes;
4. Item That the surveyor Gen$^{ll}$ that wee have chosen or shall chuse wee fayling that the Governor shall chuse, shall have power by himself or Deputy to survey ley out and bound all such Lands as shalbe granted from the Lords to the Planters (and all other Lands within the said Countyes &c which may concerne particular men as he shalbe desired to doe) And a particular thereof certifie to the Registers and Surveyors or either of them shall soe misbehave themselves as that the Governor and Councill or Deputy Governor ​and Councill or the maj$^r$ pte of them shall finde it reasonable to suspend their Actings in their respective Imployments it shalbe lawful for them soe to doe untill further order from us;
5. Item That all choise of officers made by the Governor shalbe for noe longer time then during our pleasure;
6. Item That the Governors Councillors Assemblymen Secretarys Surveyors and all other officers of trust shall sware or subscribe (in a booke to be provided for that purpose) that they will bare trew allegance to the King of England his heires and successors and that they wilbe faithfull to the Interest of the Lords Propryat$^{rs}$ of the said Province and their heires executors and assignes and evdeavor the peace and wellfaire of the said Province and that they will trewly and faithfully discharge their respective trusts in their respective offices and doe equall justice to all men according to their best skill and judg$^{mt}$ without corruption favor or affection, and the names of all that have sworne or subscribed to be entred in a booke; And whosoever shall subscribe and not sware, and shall vyolate his promis in that Subscription shalbe lyable to the same punishm$^t$ that the persons are or may be that have sworne and broken their oathes;
7. Item That all persons that are or shalbecome subjects to the King of England and sware or subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords as above shalbe admitted to plant and become freemen of the Province and enjoy the freedomes and Immunityes hereafter exprest until some stop or Contradicc̄on be made by us the Lords or else by the Governor Councill and Assembly w$^{ch}$ shalbe in force untill the Lords see Cause to the Contrary provided y$^t$ such stop shall not anywayes prejudice y$^e$ right or Continewance of any person that hath beene rec$^d$ before such stop or order come from the Lords or Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly.
8. Item That noe person or persons quallifyed as aforesaid within the Province or all or any of the Countyes before exprest at any time shalbe anywayes molested punished disquieted or called in question for any differences in opinion or practice in matters of religious concernment whoe doe not actually disturbe the civill peace of the said Province or Countyes byt that all and every such person and persons from to time and at all times freely and fully have and enjoye his and their judgements and contiences in matt$^{rs}$ of religion throughout all the s$^d$ Province they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly and not using this Liberty to Lycentiousness nor to the Civill Injury or outward disturbance of others, any Law statute or clause conteyned or to be conteyned usuage or custom of this realme of England to the contrary hereof in anywise notwithstanding.
9. Item That noe pretence may be taken by us our heries or assignes for or by reason of o$^r$ right of patronage and pow$^r$ of advowson graunted unto us by his Maj$^{ties}$ Letters pattents aforesaid to infringe thereby y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ clause of Liberty of Contience aforemenc̄oned We doe hereby graunt unto the Gen$^{ll}$ assemblyes of y$^e$ sev$^{ll}$ Countyes power by act to constitute and appoint such and soe many Ministers or preach$^{rs}$ as they shall thinke fitt, and to establish their maintenance Giving Liberty besides to any person or persons to keepe and mainteyne w$^t$ preachers or Ministers they please.
10. Item That the inhabitants being freemen or chiefe agents to others of y$^e$ Countyes afores$^d$ doe as soone as this our Comission shall arrive by virtue or a writt in our names by the Governor to be for y$^e$ ​present (untill our seale comes) sealed and syned make choice of twelve Deputyes or representatives from amongst themselves whoe being chosen are to joyne with him the s$^d$ Governor and Councill for the makeing of such Lawes Ordinances and Constitutions as shalbe necessary for the present good and welfare of the severall Countyes afores$^d$ but as soone as Parishes Divisions tribes or districc̄ons of y$^e$ said Countyes are made that then y$^e$ Inhabitants or Freeholders of the sev$^{ll}$ and respective Parishes Tribes Divisions or Districc̄ons of the Countyes afores$^d$ doe (by our writts under our Seale w$^{ch}$ wee Ingage shalbe in due time issued) annually meete on y$^e$ first day of January and chuse freeholders for each respective denizon Tribe or parish to be y$^e$ Deputyes or representatives of y$^e$ same, which body of Representatives or y$^e$ Maj$^r$ parte of them shall wth the Governor and Councill afores$^d$ by y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly of the County for which they shalbe chosen, the Governor or his Deputy being present unless they shall wilfully refuse in w$^{ch}$ case they may appoint themselves a president during the absence of the Governor or his Deputy Governor.
Which Assemblyes are to have power.
1. Item To appoint their own times of meeting and to adjorne their sessions from time to time to such times and places as they shall thinke Convenient as alsoe to ascertaine y$^e$ Number of their Quorum Provided that such members be not less than y$^e$ third p$^{te}$ of the whole in whome or more shalbe y$^e$ full power of the Generall Assembly (viz$^t$)
2. Item To enact and make all such Lawes Acts and Constitutions as shalbe necessary for the well Government of y$^e$ County for w$^{ch}$ they shalbe chosen and them to repeale provided that the same be consonant to reason and as near as they may be conveniently agreable to the Lawes and Customes of his Maj$^{ties}$ Kingdom of England provided alsoe that they be not against y$^e$ Interest of us the Lords Propryators our heires or assignes nor any of these our present concessions Espetially that they be not against the Article for Liberty of Contience abovemenc̄oned, which Lawes &c soe made shall receave publication from the Governor and Councill (but as the Lawes of us and our Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly) and be in force for the space of one yeare and a halfe and noe more; Unless contradicted by the Lords Propryators within which time thay are to be presented to us our heries, &c, for our ratification and being confirmed by us they shalbe in continuall force till expired by their owne Limitac̄on or by Act of Repeale in like manner as afores$^d$ to be passed and confirmed;
3. Item by act as afores$^d$ to constitute all Courts for their respective Countyes, together wth y$^e$ Lymitts powers and jurisdicc̄ons of y$^e$ said Courts as also y$^e$ severall offices & Number of Officers belonging to each of the s$^d$ respective Courts together with their severall and respective salleryes fees and perquisites Theire appellations and dignities with the penalltyes that shalbe due to them for breach of their severall and respective dutyes and Trusts.
4. Item by act as afores$^d$ to ley equall taxes and assessments equally to rayse Moneyes or goods upon all Lands (excepting the lands of us the Lords Propryators before setling) or persons within the severall precincts Hundreds Parishes Manōrs or whatsoever other denizons shall hereafter be made and established in y$^e$ said Countyes as oft as necessity shall require and in such manner as to them shall seeme most equall and easye for y$^e$ s$^d$ Inhabitants in order to the better ​supporting of the publicke Charge of the said Government, and for the mutuaall safety defense and security of y$^e$ Countyes.
5. Item by act as afores$^e$ to erect within y$^e$ said Countyes such soe many Baronyes and Manōrs with their necessary Courts, jurisdicc̄ons freedomes and priviledges as to them shall seeme convenient, as alsoe to devide y$^e$ s$^d$ Countyes into Hundreds Parishes Tribes or such other denizons and districc̄ons as they shall thinke fitt and the said Divisions to distinguish by what names we shall order or direct, and in default thereof by such names as they please As also within any part of y$^e$ said Countyes to create and appoint such and soe many harbours Creekes and other places for y$^e$ convenient ladeing and unlading of goods and merchandize out of shipps, boates and other vessells as they shall see expedient with such jurisdicc̄ons priveledges and francheses to such ports &c belonging as they shall judge most convenient to the gen$^l$ good of y$^e$ said plantac̄on or Countyes.
6. Item by these enacting to be confirmed as afores$^d$ to erect rayse and build within the s$^d$ Countyes or any part thereof such and soe many Forts Fortresses Castles Cittyes Corporac̄ons Borroughs Townes Villages and other places of strenkt and defence and them or any of them to incorporate with such Charters and priveledges as to them shall seeme good and our Charter will permit and the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such Proportions of ordinance powder shott Armor and all other Weapons Ammunition and Habillaments of warr both offensive and defensive as shalbe thought necessary and convenient for the safety and welfare of y$^e$ s$^d$ Countyes, but they may not at any time demolish dismantle or disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governor and the Major parte of the Councill of the County where such Forts Fortresses &c. shalbe erected and built.
7. Item by act as afores$^d$ to constitute trayne bands and Companys with the number of souldiers for the safety strength and defence of the said Countyes and Province and of the Forts Castles Cityes &c to suppress all meutinyes and Rebellions. To make warr offensive and defensive with all Indians Strangers and Foraigners as they shall see cause and to persue any Enemy by sea as well as by land if need be out of y$^e$ Lymitts and Jurisdicc̄ons of y$^e$ s$^d$ County with the perticculer consent of the Governor and under the Conduct of our Leut: Gen: or Commander in Cheife or whome he shall appoint.
8. Item by act as afores$^d$ to give unto all strangers as to them shall seeme meete a Naturalizion and all such freedomes and priveledges within the s$^d$ Countyes as to his Maj$^{ties}$ subjects doe of right belong they swearing or subscribing as afores$^d$ w$^{ch}$ said strangers soe naturallized and priveledged shall alsoe have the same Imunityes from Customes as is granted by the Kinge to us and by us to y$^e$ said Countyes and shall not be lyable to any other Customes then the rest of his Maj$^{ties}$ subjects in the s$^d$ Counties are but be in all respects accompted in the Province and Countyes aforesaid as the King’s naturall subjects.
9. Item by act as afores$^d$ to prescribe y$^e$ quantities of land which shalbe from time to time alotted to eavery free or Sarv$^t$ male or female and to make and ordaine Rules for the casting of Lotts for Land and leying out of y$^e$ same provided y$^t$ these doe not their said prescriptions exceed y$^e$ severall proportions which are hereby graunted ​by us to all persons arriveing in the said Countyes or adventuring theither;
10. Item the Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly by act as afores$^d$ shall make provision for the maintenance and Support of the Governor and for the defraying for all necessary Charges of the Government as alsoe that the Cunstables of the respective Countyes shall collect the halfe penny per acre payable to y$^e$ Lords in theire Countyes and pay y$^e$ same to y$^e$ receavor y$^t$ y$^e$ Lords shall appoint to receave the same unless y$^e$ s$^d$ Generall Assembly shall prescribe some other way whereby the Lords may have their rents duely collected wthout charge or trouble to them.
11. Lastly to enact constitute and ordaine all such other Lawes actes and constitutions as shall or may be necessary for the good prosperity and setlement of y$^e$ said Countyes excepting w$^t$ by these pesents are excepted and conformeing to Limitacons herein exprest,
The Governors are with the Councill before exprest:
1. Item to see that all Courts established by the Lawes of y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly and all Ministers and offices Civill or Military doe and execute their severall dutyes and offices respectively according to the Lawes in force and to punish them from swerveing from the Lawes or acting contrary to their trust as the nature of their offence shall require.
2. Item according to the constitutions of the Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly to nominate and comissionate the severall Judges, Members and Officers of Courts wheither Majistraticall or Ministeriall and all other civill officers as Justices Coroners &c the Comissions and powers and Privrledges to revoake at pleasure provided that they appoint none but such as are freeholders in the Countyes afores$^d$ unless the Generall Assembly consent;
3. Item according to the constitutions of the Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly to appoint Courts and officers in Cases Cryminall and to impower them to inflict penaltyes upon offenders against any of y$^e$ said Lawes in force in y$^e$ said Countyes as y$^e$ said Lawes shall ordaine wheither by fine Imprisonment Banishm$^t$ corporall punishm$^t$ or to y$^e$ taking away of member of or Life itselfe if there be cause for it.
4. Item to place officers and soldiers for the safety strenkt and defence of the Forts Castles Cittyes &c according y$^e$ number appointed by the Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly to nominate place and commissionate all military officers under y$^e$ dignity of y$^e$ Leut: Gen$^{ll}$ whoe is commissionated by us, over the sev$^{ll}$ trayned bands and Companys constituted by y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly as Collonels Capts: &c and theire comissions to revoake at pleasure, y$^e$ Leut: Gen: with the advise of his Councill unless some present danger will soe permit him to advize to muster and trayne all y$^e$ soldiers wthin the said County of Countyes to presecute warr persue an Enemy suppress rebel$^l$ons and mewtinies as well by sea as Land and to exercise the whole Millitia as fully as by our Letters pattents from the kinge wee can impower him or them to doe Provided y$^t$ they appoint noe Military officers but w$^t$ are freeholders in the s$^d$ Countyes unless y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly shall consent.
5. Item where they see cause after condemnacon to reprieve untill the Case may be presented with a Coppy of y$^e$ whole tryall proceedings and proofes to y$^e$ Lords who will accordingly eather pardon or comand execution of y$^e$ sentence on the offender offender who is in y$^e$ ​meane time to be kept in safe custody till the pleasure of y$^e$ Lords be knowne.
6. Item in case of death or other removall of any of the representatives within the yeare to issue summons by writt to y$^e$ respective division or divisions for which he or they were chosen comanding the freeholders of y$^e$ same to chuse others in their steade;
7. Item to make warrants and to seale Grants of Land according to theis our Concessions and the prescriptions by y$^e$ advice of y$^e$ Gen$^{ll}$ Assembly in such forme as shalbe at large set down in our Instrucons to y$^e$ Governor in his Comission and which are hereafter expressed.
8. Item to act and doe all other thing or things y$^t$ may conduce to y$^e$ safety peace and well Government of y$^e$ said Countyes as they shall see fitt soe as they be not contrary to y$^e$ Lawes of y$^e$ Countyes aforesaid;
For the better security of the proprietyes of all the Inhabitants.
1. Item they are not to impose nor suffer to be imposed any tax Custome Subsidy Tallage Assessment or any other duty w$^t$soever upon any Culler or pretence upon y$^e$ s$^d$ County or Countyes and the Inhabitants thereof other then what shalbe imposed by y$^e$ Authority and consent of y$^e$ Generall Assembly and then only in manner as aforesaid;
2. They are to take care y$^e$ land quietly held planted and possessed seaven yeares after its bing first duely surveyed by the Surveyor Generall or his order shall not be subject to any review resurvey or alteration of bounds on w$^t$ pretence soever or by any of us or any offic$^{rs}$ or Ministers under us.
3. Item they are to be taken care y$^t$ noe man if his Catle straye range or graze on any ground wthin the s$^d$ Countyes not actually appropryated or sett out to particuler persons shalbe lyable to pay any trespass for y$^e$ same to us our heires &c Provided y$^t$ Custome of Comons be not thereby pretended to; nor any person hindred from taking up and appropriating any Lands soe grazed upon and y$^t$ noe person purposely doe suffer his Catle to graze on such land.
4. It is our will and desire that y$^e$ Inhabitants of the said Countyes and adventurers theither shall enjoye all the same Immunityes from Customes for exporting certine goods from these Realmes of England &c theither as y$^e$ Kinge hath been graciously pleased to graunt to us as alsoe for y$^e$ Incorragement of the Manufact$^{rs}$ of wine silke oyle ollives fruite almonds &c. menconed in the pattent have priveledge for bringing them Custome free into any of his Maj$^{ties}$ dominions for y$^e$ same time and upon y$^e$ same tearmes as we ourselves may by our Pattent.
* ↑ Text in the Colonial Records of North Carolina. Vol. I., pp. 79–86. (Raleigh, 1886).
* ↑ The remaining articles of the Concessions relate to the distribution of land, land titles, etc.
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