Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
The Certain Consequence whereof would be That such Colonies under his Majisties immedtate Government would flourish more than the Charter Colonies now do. That would tend to make those Colonies indifferent as to their Charters and in time to give them up and to Chuse his Majesties immediate Government in the place thereof. Whereas while this Colony remains in its past uncertain State as to the Liberties and Properties of the People, Those neighboring Colonies get our people from us, and are taught by our Sufferings highly to value their Charters and to pity our Misfortunes.
Sixthly--Its not Charter Governments only that have the priviledge of frequent Election of Representatives for their General Assembly,--For we are well assured that South Carolina and North Carolina have likewise that priviledge the first an Annual Election and the last a biennial, But as to them it may be said, they had those Priviledges while they were Charter Governments, Butas to that we are informed that Barbadoes--Antigua & the other Leward Islands never were Charter Governments and yet they have the Priviledge of an Annual Election Whether any and which of the other Colonies have such :priviledges we are unacquainted, But whither they have or not we Conceive is very Little to the Question, which we think is,
Whether as this Colony is Scituated betwixt Colonies on both Sides which have it. And as this Colony has greatly Suffered and now suffers thro' the want of it, It be possible for this Colony to preserve its inhabitants and to prosper, and to keep on a footing with the neighbouring Colonies without that priviledge which 'they'enjoy so much tending to their happyness, advantage and prosperity.