The Royal Charters of America
New York City's charter, long criticised because.of its huge size, presents a remarkable contrast to the Royal English charters granted, to the city in early days.', Those were usually concise documents, but with the years the charters grow, until the ponderous documents of 1897 resulted, says the "New York Times." Of special interest is the first royal charter, of only 500 to 600 words, granted by Colonel Richard Nicholls. In 1664 lie had seized New Amsterdam, under Charles ll's grant of New Nethcrland to his brother, the future James 11, Duke of York, and had given tho settlement its present name. In June, 1665, he established niunicipal government in New York, according to English forms, ultimately tb become democratic government, Nicholls's charter is a straightforward, soldierly document. "Upon mature deliberation arid advice," he begins in a "whereas clause, "I have found it necessary to dischargo tho form of Government late in practice withiii this his Majesty's town of New
York,,under tho title of Schout, Burgomasters,* and Schepcns, which are not known or customary in any of his Majesty's Dominions'." Under the charter ho. himself appointed .thi. Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriff and gave them "full power to rule and govern . . . according to the general laws of this Government and such peculiar laws as are or shall be thought convenient,or necessary for the good and welfare of this his Majesty's Corporation," The Dbngan charter of 1686, lengthened out considerably, to about 8000 words. Tho Cornbury charter of, 1708 was shorter, of only about 2500 words. It dealt largely with a ferry grant. The MOntgomor'ie charter of 1730 began tho custom of stating details ad infinitum. It was about 25,000 words in length. This document gave the limits o_ the city, and divided it into wards, gave the duties of minor- officers—-in short, began that minute detailing of duties that characterises the present charter.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19330624.2.176.7
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 23
Word Count
316The Royal Charters of America Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 23
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Evening Post. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in