The Frame of the Government of Pennsylvania. Having received a substantial grant of lands in 1681 in what would become known as Pennsylvania; William Penn set about devising a constitution for his new colony; which became The Frame of the Government of Pennsylvania. That document; and its accompanying 鈥楲aws agreed upon in England'; contained many provisionsbased on Magna Carta; including that 鈥榓ll fines shall be moderate' (Law XVIII). Law XVIII in turn reflected clause 20; stating that fines should be proportionate to the offence committed. This was the first time that an American colony hadexpressly adopted elements of Magna Carta as part of the initial act of colonisation.1682.From: The Frame of the Government of the Province of Pennsilvania. [Subscribed; William Penn.]. Together with certain laws agreed upon in England by the Governour and divers Free-men of the aforesaid Province; etc.C. 32. l. 2. (3.); page 9 London; British Library.