The 13 Colonies

The Important Documents of the 13 Colonies

Maryland--The Act of Toleration

   "But if such person or persons who shall at any time utter or speak any such reproachful words or language shall not have goods or chattels sufficient and overt within this Province to be taken to satisfy the penalty aforesaid or that the same bee not otherwise speedily satisfied, that then the person or persons so offending shall be publicly whipped, and shall suffer imprisonment without bail or maineprise [bail] until he, she or they respectively shall satisfy the party so offended or grieved by such reproachful language by asking him or her respectively forgiveness publicly for such his offense before the Magistrate of chief officer or officers of the town or place where such offense shall be given."

The Maryland Acts of Toleration were very important to the people of the Maryland.  As you can see from the small quote above, it was very strict because of who it was written by.  Lord Baltimore wrote this document and he came to Maryland to have a haven just for Roman Catholics, and as their religion was rather strict, their policies were strict, too.  The Act of Toleration was written to show how the Roman Catholics had a great chance to pursue their goals of continuing on their religion with no disturbances.  Anyone who did, would face the justice and punishments described in the actual document (above).
 

Connecticut--The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/10500-the-thirteen-colonies-the-colony-of-connecticut-video.htm ---Fundamental Orders of Connecticut



This video shows how this document affected Connecticut.

New Jersey--Concession and Agreement

"Annually meet on the first day of January and choose freeholders for each respective division Tribe or Parish to be the Deputies or Representatives of the same Which body of representatives or the major part of them shall with the Governor and Council aforesaid bee the general Assembly of the said Province, the Governor or his Deputy being present unless they shall willfully refuse, in which case they may appoint themselves a President during the absence of the Governor or his Deputy Governor."

The Concession and Agreement document of New Jersey was very important to it.  Because New Jersey was part of the Middle Colonies, it had many differences from the New England ones.  One thing people had that was different was religion.  Because New Jersey was a proprietary colony, many changes overcame the people during certain times.  For one thing, religion was changing fast.  That's why the Concession and Agreement document was written.  Above, the quote from the actual document states that freedom of everything else was also supported.  It proclaimed to colonists' will for a colony with religious freedom.  This document describes all the things these colonists need and should be acknowledged by relating to religion.  This inspired others across the colonies to do the same as well.