Other colonies, especially in New England, with this example
before them of a social contract entered into similar compacts or
"plantation covenants," as they were called. But the colonists
were also accustomed to having written charters granted which
continued for a time at least to mark the extent of governmental
powers. Through this intermingling of theory and practice it was
the most natural thing in the world, when Americans came to form
their new State Governments, that they should provide written
instruments framed by their own representatives, which not only
bound them to be governed in this way but also placed limitations
upon the governing bodies. As the first great series of written
constitutions, these frames of government attracted wide
attention. Congress printed a set for general distribution, and
numerous editions were circulated both at home and abroad.

The constitutions were brief documents, varying from one thousand
to twelve thousand words in length, which established the
framework of the governmental machinery. Most of them, before
proceeding to practical working details, enunciated a series of
general principles upon the subject of government and political
morality in what were called declarations or bills of rights. The
character of these declarations may be gathered from the
following excerpts:

"That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and
have certain inherent rights, . . . the enjoyment of life and
liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and
pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. "That no man, or set
of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or
privileges from the community, but in consideration of public