§ 4. Vesting of crown lands in the people of the state. The absolute
property of all messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments, and of
all rents, royalties, franchises, prerogatives, privileges, escheats,
forfeitures, debts, dues, duties and services by whatsoever names
respectively the same are called and known in the law, and all right and
title to the same, which next and immediately before the ninth day of
July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-six, did vest in, or belong, or was, or were due to the crown of
Great Britain be, and the same and each and every of them hereby are
declared to be, and ever since the said ninth day of July, in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, to have been,
and forever after shall be vested in the people of this state, in whom
the sovereignty and seigniory thereof, are and were united and vested,
on and from the said ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.