Fundamental Constitutions

of Carolina, an elaborate constitution for that colony, drawn up in 1667 for the proprietors by John Locke, the philosopher. It provided for a territorial aristocracy, the proprietors at the head and two orders of nobility, called landgraves and caciques, below them. These were to have entailed estates called seigniories and baronies. The proprietors were to be respectively palatine, chancellor, chief justice, constable, admiral, treasurer, high steward and chamberlain. There was to be a palatine’s court, a grand council and a parliament. Property qualifications prevailed. Some religious liberty was granted. The whole scheme was unsuited to the needs of a pioneer colony, and never went into practical operation.