CONSTITUTION OF THE PREAMBLE. HEREAS, it is desirable that there should be adequate celebrations commemorative of the events of Colonial history happening from the settlement of Jamestown, Va., May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, THEREFORE, The Society of Colonial Wars has been instituted to perpetuate the memory of those events, and of the men who in military, naval, and civil positions of high trust and responsibility, by their acts or counsel, assisted in the establishment, defence, and preservation of the American Colonies, and were in truth the founders of this nation. With this end in view, it seeks to collect and preserve manuscripts, rolls, relics, and records; to provide suitable commemorations or memorials relating to the American Colonial period; and to inspire in its members the fraternal and patriotic spirit of their forefathers, and in the community respect and reverence for those whose public services made our freedom and unity possible. ARTICLE I. NAME. The Society shall be known by the name and title of the "GENERAL SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS." ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP. Any male person above the age of twenty-one years, of good moral character and reputation, shall be eligible to membership in the Society of Colonial Wars, who is lineally descended in the male or female line from an ancestor : (1) Who served as a military or naval officer, or as a soldier, sailor, or marine, or as a privateersman, under the authority of the Colonies which afterwards formed the United States, or in the forces of Great Britain which participated with those of the said Colonies in any wars in which the said Colonies were engaged, or in which they enrolled men, from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775; or (2) Who held office in any of the Colonies between the dates above mentioned, either as (a) Director-General, Vice-Director-General, or a member of the Council or legislative body in the Colony of New Netherlands; (b) Governor, Lieutenant or Deputy Governor, Lord Proprietor, member of the King's or Governor's Council or legislative body in the Colonies of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; (c) Lord Proprietor, Governor, Deputy-Governor, or member of the Council or of the legislative body in Maryland and the Carolinas; (d) Governor, Deputy-Governor, Governor's Assist ant, or Commissioner to the United Colonies of New England, or member of the Council, body of Assistants, or legislative body in any of the New England Colonies. One collateral representative of an ancestor such as above specified shall be eligible to membership, providing there be no existing lineal descendant, and provided that such person be the oldest collateral representative in the male line of such ancestor, or has filed with the Secretary-General of the Society written renunciation from all other persons having nearer claims to representation. No State Society shall adopt any rule of eligibility for membership in the General Society which shall admit any person not eligible for membership in the General Society. But any State Society may, except as to members transferred from another State Society, further restrict, at its discretion, the basis of eligibility for membership in its own Society. ARTICLE III. GENERAL SOCIETY. The General Society of Colonial Wars shall consist of the Societies now existing in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and District of Columbia, and such other Societies as may from time to time be duly organized and authorized by the General Society. Whenever the word "State" occurs in this Constitution it shall be held to include within its meaning the territories of the United States, and the District of Columbia. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS. The officers of the General Society of Colonial Wars shall be a Governor-General, a Deputy GovernorGeneral, from each State Society, a Secretary-General, a Deputy Secretary-General, a Treasurer-General, a Deputy Treasurer-General, a Registrar-General, a Historian-General, a Chaplain-General, a Chancellor-General, and a Surgeon-General. With the exception of the Deputy Governor-Generals the above officers shall be elected by a plurality vote of the delegates present at a General Assembly of the Society. Vacancies occurring by death or resignation may be filled by the General Council for the unexpired term. Each Deputy GovernorGeneral shall be elected by a plurality vote of the delegates present in the General Assembly from the State from which said Deputy Governor is chosen. The above officers shall serve until the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, or until their successors are duly chosen. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS. The regular meetings of the General Society shall be termed "General Assemblies," and shall be held once every three years at such time and place as the preceding General Assembly may elect. Special General Assemblies may be held upon the order of the GovernorGeneral, or upon the order of the Governors of three of the State Societies. General Assemblies shall consist of the General Officers and five delegates from each State Society. Delegates or General Officers representing a majority of the State Societies shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and proceedings shall be in accordance |