Page:Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States (1st ed, 1833, vol I).djvu/52

 12 § 16. At the association of those who held under the grant to the second or northern colony, a new and more enlarged charter was granted to the Duke of Lennox and others, in 1620, who were denominated the Plymouth Company, conveying to them in absolute property all the lands between the 40th and 48th degrees of north latitude. Under this patent, New-England has been in a great measure settled. The company conveyed to Henry Rosewell and others, in 1627, that territory which is now Massachusetts; and, in 1628, a charter of incorporation, comprehending the powers of government, was granted to the purchasers. A great part of New-England was granted by this company, which, at length, divided their remaining lands among themselves; and, in 1635, surrendered their charter to the crown. A patent was granted to Gorges for Maine, which was allotted to him in the division of property. All the grants made by the Plymouth Company, so far as we can learn, have been respected.

§ 17. In pursuance of the same principle, the king, in 1664, granted to the Duke of York the country of New-England as far south as the Delaware bay. His royal highness transferred New-Jersey to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret.

§ 18. In 1663, the crown granted to Lord Clarendon and others, the country lying between the 36th degree of north latitude and the river St. Matties; and, in 1666, the proprietors obtained from the crown a new charter, granting to them that province in the king's dominions in North America, which lies from 36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude to the 29th degree, and from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea.