8. It is ordered by this Assembly and the authority thereof y^t all
Englishmen being Protestants, y^t are settled Inhabitants and
freeholders in any towne of this Province, of y^e age of 24 years,
not viceous in life but of honest and good conversation, and such as
have 201 Rateable estate w^{th}out heads of persons having also
taken the oath of allegiance to his Maj^s, and no others shall be
admitted to y^e liberty of being freemen of this Province, and to
give theire votes for the choice of Deputies for the Generall
Assembly, Constables, Selectmen, Jurors and other officers and
concernes in y^e townes where they dwell; provided this order give
no liberty to any pson or psons to vote in the dispossion or
distribution of any lands, timber or other properties in y^e Towne,
but such as have reall right thereto; and if any difference arise
about s^d right of voting, it shall be judged and determined by y^e
Presid^t and Councill w^{th} the Gen^{ll} Assembly of this Province.
This Body of Laws when sent to England for Royal approval was
disallowed.
_In Province or County of Maine._
The Colonization of what is called in the Charter granted by Charles the
First to Sir Ferdinando Gorges in 1639, “The Province or Countie of
Mayne,” presented many difficulties. The extraordinary governmental
powers given to the Lord-Proprietary, which were transmissible with the
property to his heirs and assigns, made of it a vast landed estate in
which there could not be much voluntary co-operation. To assist in its
government a board of Councilors was appointed who before taking office
were required to “take the Oath of Allegiance according to the forme now
used in this his highness’ realme of England, and shall alsoe take the
Oath hereunto subscribed.”