§ 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.