Download Albany Congress Plan of Union (1754) - Proposed Union of Colonies for Defense and Security and more Study notes French in PDF only on Docsity! The Albany Congress Plan of Union (1754) Throughout the colonial period British settlers, French colonists, and Native Americans were constantly in conflict with each other as they tried to expand and/or secure their territories. Advances spurred attacks that sometimes led to war. In many cases this border warfare was limited by the time, territory, and people involved. In 1754, however, a border skirmish near the Forks of the Ohio escalated into what the British colonists called the French and Indian War. Lieutenant Colonel George Washington's Virginia troops and Indian allies attacked a French detachment on 28 May. French forces then issued out from Fort Duquesne to return the favor—defeating Washington at Fort Necessity on 4 July. While Virginia conducted that military venture, delegates from seven northern colonies met at Albany, New York, to consult on defense matters and reestablish friendly relations with the Iroquois. They managed the latter to a limited degree by 9 July. The former became more complicated when the delegates decided to create a plan of union for all the colonies to ensure better common defenses and to secure the frontier as they expanded. Benjamin Franklin had advocated such a union, and it was primarily from his plan that the delegates chose to work (though they did incorporate ideas from other plans submitted). The final product was ultimately ignored or rejected by the imperial as well as colonial governments, but it served as an example and basis for later plans of union. Stephen L. Schechter, ed., Roots of the Republic: American Founding Documents Interpreted (Madison, WI: Madison House Publishers, 1990), pp. 114-117. Used by permission. [Editorial insertions that appear in square brackets are from Schechter's edition—Ed.] Plan of a proposed Union of the Several Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pensilvania, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina, for their mutual defence & Security & for the Extending the British Settlements in North America. That humble application be made for an act of the Parliament of Great Britain by virtue of which one General Government may be formed in America including all the said Colonies within & under which Government each Colony may retain it present constitution except in the Perticulars wherein a Change may be directed by the said act as Hereafter follows.— That the said General Government be administered by a President General to be appointed & supported by the Crown, & a Grand Council to be chosen by the Representatives of the People of the several Colonies met in their respective Assemblies. That within —— Months after the passing of such act, the House of Representatives in the several Assemblies that happens to be sitting within that time or that shall be exspecially for that purpose convened may & Shall chuse Members for the Grand Council in the following proportions that is to say. Massachusetts Bay 7 New Hampshire 2 Connecticut 5 Rhode Island 2 New York 4 New Jersey 3 Pensilvania 6 Maryland 4 Virginia 7 North Carolina 4 South Carolina 4 TOTAL 48 Who shall meet for the first time at the City of Philadelphia in Pensilvania being called by the President General as soon as conveniently may be after his Appointment. That there shall be a new Election of members for the Grand Council every three Years, & on the Death or resignation of any Member, his place shall be Supplyed by a new choice at the next sitting of the Assembly of the Colony he represented. That after the first three years when the proportion of Money arising out of each Colony, to the General Treasury can be known, the Number of Members to be chosen for each Colony shall from time to time in all Ensuing Elections be regulated by that proportion yet so as that the Number to be chosen by any one Province be not more than Seven nor less than two. That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year and oftener if occasion require at such time & place as they shall adjourn to at the last preceding meeting or as they shall be called to meet at by the President General on any Emergency he having first obtained in Writing the consent of Seven of the Members to such Call, & sent due & timely notice to the whole. That the Grand Council have power to chuse their Speaker & shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor
