Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly

Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. The Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly was the elected legislative body of the Province of Pennsylvania, functioning from the colony's founding in 1682 until the American Revolution in 1776. Created under the colonial charter granted to William Penn, it evolved from a body with limited power to a central institution in the colony's governance. Its history is marked by persistent conflicts with the colony's proprietary governors and its ultimate role in rejecting British authority.

History

The Assembly was first convened in 1682 in Upland following the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania drafted by William Penn. It moved permanently to Philadelphia after the 1683 Chester Assembly. Throughout the early 18th century, the Assembly steadily increased its power, notably during the administration of Governor Sir William Keith. Key moments in its evolution included the Charter of Privileges in 1701, which cemented its legislative role, and the bitter disputes over military funding during the French and Indian War. The Assembly's final sessions were dominated by the growing crisis with Great Britain, leading to its dissolution and replacement by the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference and later the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Composition and structure

The Assembly was a unicameral body, with members known as assemblymen elected from the counties of the province. The number of representatives was originally based on the counties themselves, with the City of Philadelphia also holding representation. Elections were held annually, and the body elected its own Speaker to preside over debates. The structure was notably simpler than the bicameral legislatures of other colonies like the Virginia House of Burgesses or the Massachusetts General Court, as Pennsylvania lacked an upper house or council elected by the people, though it interacted with the appointed Provincial Council of Pennsylvania.

Powers and responsibilities

The Assembly's primary power was the authority to levy taxes and approve all expenditures, including the salaries of the governor and other officials. It held the "power of the purse," which became its most potent tool in conflicts with the executive. Its responsibilities included enacting laws for the peace, welfare, and good government of the province, regulating trade and commerce, and establishing courts. However, all legislation required the assent of the governor and was subject to review by the Privy Council in London.

Relationship with the Proprietor and Governor

The Assembly's history was defined by protracted struggle with the Penn proprietors and their appointed governors. Major conflicts arose over the proprietors' refusal to pay taxes on their lands, the Assembly's control of the militia, and the governor's veto power. Notable confrontations occurred with governors like Robert Hunter Morris and John Penn during the French and Indian War. These disputes mirrored broader colonial tensions seen in conflicts between the New York General Assembly and its governors or the Massachusetts Circular Letter controversy.

Role in the American Revolution

In the 1760s and 1770s, the Assembly became a forum for protesting British policies like the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. It initially favored a moderate course, but more radical members, influenced by bodies like the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, gained influence. The Assembly declined to send delegates to the First Continental Congress in 1774 but was compelled to by public pressure. It was ultimately superseded by the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference in 1776, which authorized Pennsylvania's delegates to the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence.

Notable members and legislation

Prominent assemblymen included Benjamin Franklin, who served as its clerk and a member for decades, and Joseph Galloway, the longtime Speaker who remained a Loyalist. John Dickinson, author of the Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, also served. Significant legislation included the 1755 Pennsylvania Militia Act, the 1764 Paper Money Act that caused controversy with the Board of Trade, and various non-importation agreements to oppose the Intolerable Acts. The Assembly also established institutions like the Pennsylvania Hospital and the Academy and College of Philadelphia.