An instrument emanating from the sovereign power , in the nature of a grant, either to the whole nation, or to a class or portion of the people, or to a colony or dependency, and assuring to them certain rights, liberties, or powers. Such was the “Great Charter” or ” Magna Charta ,” and such also were the charters granted to certain of the English colonies in America. See Story, Const.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
