On the Method of Plants

and Order in the Printed Book of Laws, where it is appointed that a formal Oath shall be advised and administered to all Officers of the said Company, for the true and faithful execution and performance of their several services, etc. And therefore we humbly pray, that all persons concerned in Judgment of our persons and estates, or such like affairs, may, with the rest of the Officers, take the Oath ordered.

And whereas many of us, the FreeholdersIndividuals who own their land outright, rather than renting it, giving them specific legal and voting rights. and Inhabitants of these Islands, have been formerly very grievously vexed and damaged in our persons and Estates, by Illegal Orders from the Court at home Referring to the Company's governing body in London., to the ruin of some, and great impoverishment of others, no redress for the same being provided:

Be it Enacted, that no Order that is, or shall be sent to these Islands, may compel or enforce us in our bodies or estates to suffer any pain, penalty, damage, or forfeiture, without a legal trial in these Islands, according to his Majesty’s Laws, by Twelve of our Peers or VicinityA jury of twelve men from the local area who are of equal social standing to the accused..

And seeing it hath pleased his Majesty King James of blessed memory, by his Letters PatentsA public document from the Monarch granting specific rights, monopolies, or titles; here referring to the original charter of the colony., to make us a free people; and it hath seemed also good to our now dread Sovereign King Charles I. so to account us, having suffered many injuries, wrongs, and detriments, both in our Persons and Estates by former deputed Governors, and subordinate Officers in these Islands, and not having power to redress ourselves, and to prevent abuses for the future:

Be it Enacted, That all Officers whatsoever resident in these Islands, that have been, are, or hereafter shall be, of what degree soever, may, and shall be liable to any Action or Actions Legal lawsuits., that may, or ought to be commenced against them; and to make satisfaction to the parties sustaining wrongs and damages by them, according to the verdict of Twelve men: any former Custom or Usage to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. Provided always, that the Governor here for the time being, shall not have any Presentment, Action, or Suit, commenced against him during the time of his Government.

Hammond Johnson

Clerk to the Assembly.