PREFACE IN preparing this collection of historical material for publication, I have had in mind chiefly the needs of the average undergraduate. Believing that the so-called "case system has a distinct disciplinary value and may be applied profitably, within certain limits, to the study of constitutional history, I have tested for some years in my classes a variety of documents drawn from many sources. The matter contained within the covers of this volume may be viewed as the survival of the fittest. So far as possible, a unity and coherence have been given to the selections by careful grouping and by brief introductory comments. The phrase "constitutional history" has been used rather broadly to mean not only the development of Federal and State Constitutions, but also the history of governmental processes. Readings in the history of American polity" would have been a not inappropriate title for the book. Formal documentary matter-such as legislative bills, acts, and general statutes-has been omitted. Selected statutes are now accessible in several collections, notably in the excellent series edited by Professor William MacDonald. In conclusion, I will say that wherever a choice has been possible, I have selected material with an eye to literary form as well as to historical content. YALE UNIVERSITY June, 1912 A. J. CONTENTS Connecticut Colonial Records, II, 3-11 passim. 2. DEFENCE OF CHARTER GOVERNMENTS 4. REPORT OF GOVERNOR TRYON ON NEW YORK O'Callaghan, Documentary History of the State of New York, 1, 752- 5. REPORT OF GOVERNOR GOOCH ON VIRGINIA "Queries from ye Lds of Trade to Sr Wm. Gooch Govr of Virginia & his Answers Abridged," in Virginia Magazine of History, III, CHAPTER III. THE POWERS OF A ROYAL GOVERNOR 6. COMMISSION OF FRANCIS BERNARD AS GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY Ricord and Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, IX, 23-34 passim. 7. INSTRUCTIONS TO GOVERNOR BERNARD OF NEW JERSEY Ricord and Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of CHAPTER IV. ROYAL GOVERNOR AND REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY 8. THE POINTS AT ISSUE BETWEEN THE COLONIES AND THE CROWN. 26 Pownall, Administration of the Colonies (1765), 39-47 passim. 9. "EVERY PROPRIETARY GOVERNOR HAS TWO MASTERS" Franklin, An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government |