Theoretically then when the covenant between the king and the colonies were broken the colonies became free and independent states. This returned the colonies to a state of nature. Unfortunately in a state of nature, natural rights aren’t secure from the invasion from others. The Founders thus had to draw upon history to design their republican structure. In theory, the correction of these ills was worked out through ancient tradition and customs. To solidify these English customs Americans believed that they needed to be written. Wood states “Ever since the seventeenth century they had repeatedly used their written colonial charters as defensive barriers against royal authority” (Wood, 66). Historically this was used in documents such as
