PENNSYLVANIA CHARTER OF PRIVILEGES - 28 October 1701 - Rights and religious liberties provisions

Oct 19, 2026

Upload by Cipher

Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges dated 28 October 1701 sets out the legal framework granted and confirmed by William Penn for the governance of Pennsylvania and its territories. It addresses freedom of conscience, including religious profession and worship, and prohibits molestation or prejudice for sincere belief. It also establishes governmental participation requirements for those who believe in Jesus Christ, outlines procedures for yearly assembly elections, and grants legislative and administrative powers to the assembly.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Religious freedoms and conscience

Protection against compulsion in worship

Public service eligibility for Christian belief

Assembly structure and powers

Annual election and representation

Assembly authorities and legislative functions

PENNSYLVANIA CHARTER OF PRIVILEGES 28 October 1701 WILLIAM PENN, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and Territories thereunto belonging, To all to whom these Presents shall come, sends Greeting. WHEREAS King CHARLES the Second, by His Letters Patents, under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date the Fourth Day of March, in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty-one, was graciously pleased to give and grant unto me, and my Heirsand Assigns for ever, this Province of Pennsylvania, with divers great Powers and Jurisdictions for the well Government thereof. AND WHEREAS the King's dearest Brother, JAMES Duke ofYORK and ALBANY, etc. by his Deeds ofFeoffment, under his Hand and Seal duly perfected, bearing Date the Twenty-Fourth Day of August, One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Two, did grant unto me, my Heirs and Assigns, all that Tract of Land, now called the Territories of Pennsylvania, together with Powers and Jurisdictions for the good Government thereof. AND WHEREAS for the Encouragement of all the Freemen and Planters, that might be concerned in the said Province and Territories, and for the good Government thereof, I the said WILLIAM PENN, in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Three, for me, my Heirs and Assigns, did grant and confirm unto all the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers therein, divers Liberties, Franchisesand Properties, as by the said Grant, entitled, The FRAME of the Government of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging, in America, may appear;which Charter or Frame being found in some Parts of it, not so suitable to the present circumstances of the Inhabitants, was in the Third Month, in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred, delivered up to me, by Six Parts of Seven of the Freemen of this Province and Territories, in General Assembly met, Provision being made in the said Charter, for that End and Purpose. AND WHEREAS I was then pleased to promise, That Iwould restore the said Charter to them again, with necessary Alterations, or in lieu thereof, give them another, better adapted to answer the present Circumstances and Conditions of the said Inhabitants; which they have now, by their Representatives in General Assembly met at Philadelphia, requested me to grant. KNOW YE THEREFORE, That for the further Well-being and good Government of the said Province, and Territories; and in Pursuance of the Rights and Powers before-mentioned, I the said William Penn do declare, grant and confirm, unto all the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers, and other Inhabitants ofthis Province and Territories, these following Liberties, Franchises and Privileges, so far as in me lies, tobe held, enjoyed and kept, by the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers, and other Inhabitants of and in the said Province and Territories thereunto annexed, for ever. FIRST BECAUSE no People can be truly happy, though under the greatest Enjoyment of Civil Liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Consciences, as to their Religious Profession and Worship: And AlmightyGod being the only Lord of Conscience, Father ofLights and Spirits; and the Author as well as Object of all divine Knowledge, Faith and Worship, who only doth enlighten the Minds, and persuade and convince the Understandings of People, I do hereby grant and declare, That no Person or Persons, inhabiting in this Province or Territories, who shall confess and acknowledge One almighty God, the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the World; and profess him or themselves obliged to live quietly under the Civil Government, shall bein any Case molested or prejudiced, in his or their Person or Estate, because of his or their conscientious Persuasion or Practice, nor be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious Worship, Place or Ministry, contrary to his or their Mind, or to door suffer any other Act or Thing, contrary to their religious Persuasion. AND that all Persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ, th

FAQs

What freedom of conscience does the charter guarantee?

The charter declares that people who confess and acknowledge one almighty God may live quietly under civil government without being molested or prejudiced for conscientious persuasion or practice, and without being compelled to maintain religious worship contrary to their minds.

Who is allowed to serve the government under the charter’s terms?

Those who profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, are stated to be capable of serving this government in any capacity, both legislatively and executively, with promised allegiance and fidelity when lawfully required.

How is the yearly assembly chosen and what powers does it have?

The charter provides for an assembly yearly chosen by the freemen, consisting of representatives from each county, meeting in Philadelphia, with authority to choose officers, judge member qualifications, prepare bills, impeach criminal persons, and redress grievances.

Oct 19, 2026

Upload by Cipher