Donald J. Surprenant
By-the Grace of Almighty God, we the people of the towns of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, are living upon the banks of the Connecticut River and the adjoining lands. Wishing to maintain peace and unity, we come together to establish a government. We will call ourselves a Public state or Commonwealth. We promise to preserve and protect the liberty and purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to maintain the discipline of our established Churches.
For our civil laws we shall be governed by the following:
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1) It is ordained that we the people will hold two courts or assemblies yearly. The first will convene on the second Thursday of April and the second Thursday in September for the purpose of choosing magistrates, other public officials and a governor. There are to be chosen six judges to administer the laws. These people are to be chosen by a major part of the freemen who have sworn allegiance to this colony.
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2) It is ordained that the election be done by secret written ballot. That the freemen will choose from those listed. The Magistrates will be those who have received the most votes. They in turn, will choose one from their own (seven magistrates) to be the Governor for the year.
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3) It is ordered that no one may be elected or chosen a Magistrate if he has not served in the General Court. The towns may nominate two people who meet the pre-requisite to represent them (in the towns).
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4) It is ordered that the Governor:
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a. be a member of an approved congregation.
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b. be chosen no more than once every two years.
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c. be a former magistrate.
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d. be not allowed to take office until duly sworn in.
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5) It is ordered that after the election the deputies, Magistrates, Governor and other public officials will conduct themselves in a public manner befitting their position.
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6) It is ordered that the Governor shall send out a notice one month before the convening of each General Court. A special session may be called on fourteen days notice, and upon shorter tine if necessary. If the Governor fails to call into session the General Court, then the Magistrates can. If the Magistrates fail to call into session the General Court, then the freemen can by agreement or a majority of them. The deputies would then choose a moderator from among themselves.
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7) It is ordered that notice of call for the General Court shall be posted by the Constables in a public place. The town’s freemen assemble to choose deputies who will represent them and that each deputy will be duly sworn in. Each town may choose three or four deputies, and these will be chosen by written ballot.
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8) It is ordered that the towns of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield may send fewer deputies. It is also ordered that new towns coming into the Commonwealth would be allowed deputies dependent upon the number of freemen residing in the town. These new towns would be bound to the laws enacted.
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9) It is ordered that the deputies will have the power and liberty to:
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a) appoint the place of meetings.
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b) deal with the things that concern the good of the public.
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c) examine their own election
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d) may throw out deputies not duly elected.
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e) may fine any intruding party.
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f) call for new elections.
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g) deputies can levy fines for infractions of the laws, these fines are to be turned over to the Treasurer of the General Court.
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10) It is ordered that the General Court, if called by the freemen will consist of the Governor, or moderator four magistrates, and a majority of the deputies. It will then be the supreme power of the Commonwealth. It will make laws, repeal laws, grant levies, admit freemen, dispose of lands previously undisposed of. It will be able to call public officials in on misdemeanors, and can throw them out of office. The moderator will grant liberty of speech and silence disorderly speaking. He will put all things to a vote and vote himself only if there is a tie.
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11) It is ordered that the committee be chosen to decide how much money should be collected from each town.
