the colonists at Providence and Rhode Island. Accordingly, in the year 1643, they sent Mr. Roger Williams to England, as their agent, to procure for thein a charter from the crown. On his arrival at London, he found that King Charles I. had been driven from his capital; he of course applied to those who had assumed the power. Sir Henry Vane, his former associ ate and friend in America, received him kindly, and aided his views. In March, 1644, through the Earl of Warwick, then governor and admiral of all the plantations, he obtained from Parliament," a free and absolute charter of civil incorporation of Providence plantations in Narraganset bay," investing the inhabitants with the requisite authority to govern themselves, but according to the laws of England. Mr. Williams was welt received by some of the leading members of Parliament, and when he was about to embark for America they gave him a let ter of recommendation to the governor and assistants of Massachusetts, in which they represented the merits of Mr. Williams, and advised to the performance of all friendly offices toward him. This letter had the effect to ameliorate the differences which had subsisted between Mr. Williams and the Massachusetts colony; and there was afterwards a profession of Christian love and mutual correspondence between them. Yet while Mr. Williams retained what were deemed dangerous principles, the governor and assistants of Massachusetts thought it inexpedient to grant him liberty of ingress and egress, lest the people should be drawn away with his erroneous opinions.

When, in 1643, the dangers and necessities of the New Eng land colonies induced them to think of forming a confederacy for their mutual support and defence, Providence and Rhode Island plantations were desirous of uniting in the plan, but Massachusetts, disliking their religious sentiments, opposed their motion, and refused them a seat in the convention for forming the confederacy. Thus forsaken of their neighbours, they found it necessary to devise other means of safety. They accordingly cultivated the friendship of the neighbouring sachems with assiduity and success, and in a short time acquired, such an influence with them as to procure from the Narraganset chiefs, in 1644, a formal surrender of their country to King Charles I. in right of his crown, in consideration of his protection of them against their enemies. This territory was afterwards called the King's Province. The people of these planta. tions, thus empowered to manage their own affairs, in the true spirit of democracy, convened an assembly in May, 1647, com

posed of the body of freemen in the several plantations. Several salutary regulations were adopted. The executive power, by this assembly, was vested in a president. This form of government, so agreeable to their inclinations and views, they did not long enjoy in tranquillity. It was suspended in October, 1652, by an order of the council of state for the Commonwealth. The Parliament wished to acquire a participation, at least, in the administration of affairs, by establishing here those plans of reformation, which they attempted in Massachusetts, and which they actually effected in Virginia and Maryland, But Providence and Rhode Island, deriving the same advan tages from the distractions which soon after ensued in England, that the colonies have always taken of the disorders of the sovereign state, resumed its form of government. And this it continued to enjoy without farther interruption till the Resto

ration.

That event gave great satisfaction to these plantations. They immediately proclaimed Charles II, and not long after sent Mr. Clark, as their agent, to the court of that monarch, to solicit for a patent, which was deemed in New England so essential to real jurisdiction; and September, 1662, he obtained the object of his wishes. Yet, owing to the opposition of Connec ticut, the present charter was not finally passed till July, 1663. The emigrations, beforementioned, from Massachusetts, and the subsequent settlements at Providence and Rhode Island, were recapitulated; "which being convenient for commerce," says the patent," may much advance the trade of this realm, and greatly enlarge the territories thereof;" and being willing to encourage the undertaking of his subjects, and to secure to them the free enjoyment of their civil and religious rights, which belonged to them as Englishmen, he conferred on them ample liberty in religion, and special privileges with regard to jurisdiction. The patentees, and such as should be admitted free of the society, were incorporated by the name of " The Governor and Company of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence." The supreme, or legislative power, was invested in an assembly; the constituent members were ta consist of the governor, the assistants, and such of the freemen as should be chosen by the towns; but the governor or deputy governor, and six assistants were to be always present. Thus constituted, the assembly was empowered to make ordinances and forms of government and magistracy, for the rule of the lands and inhabitants; so that they should not be repugnant,

Contents of the Charter.

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but agreeable to the laws of England, considering the nature of the place and people; to erect such courts of justice for determining all acts within the colony as they should think fit; to regulate the manner of elections to places of trust, and of freemen to the assembly; to impose lawful punishments, pecuniary and corporal, according to the course of other corporations within the realm; and to pardon such criminals as they should think fit. That the inhabitants might be religiously and civilly governed, a governor, deputy governor, and ten assistants were appointed for the management of their affairs; and they were authorised to execute the ordinances beforementioned, which every one was commanded to obey.

The governor and company were enabled to transport such merchandize and persons, as were not prohibited by any statute of the kingdom; and "paying such customs as are and ought to be paid for the same.' They were empowered to exercise martial law, and upon just causes, to invade and destroy the native Indians and other enemies. There was granted to the governor and company, and their "that successors, part of the dominions of the crown, in New England, containing the is lands in Narraganset bay, and the countries and parts adjacent. To be holden of the manor of East Greenwich, in com mon soccage." The inhabitants of those territories and their children, were declared fully intitled to the same immunities as if they had resided, or had been born within the realm; and to guard against the experienced oppressions of Massachusetts, they were enabled to pass and repass through any other En glish colonies, and to traffic with them. But with this proviso, that nothing should hinder any subjects whatsoever from fish ing on the coasts of New England.

Such was the substance of the charter of Rhode Island, and such were the privileges conferred by it. The government of this Province was administered to the satisfaction of Charles II. during the remainder of his reign. By the charter of this province, None were at any time thereafter to be molested for any difference in matters of religion;" yet the first assembly that convened under this charter, in March, 1663, among a va❤ riety of other ordinances and laws, enacted one declarative of the privileges of his Majesty's subjects; in which they say, “that all men of competent estates, and of civil conversation, Roman Catholics only excepted, shall be admitted freemen, or may choose, or be chosen, colonial officers." By this act, per secution of the Roman Catholics immediately commenced, by

depriving them of the rights of citizens, in violation of their charter privileges. This is a remarkable fact in the history of a people, who have been singular for their attachment to, and zealous in defending, the doctrine of universal freedom of opinion in matters of religion.

Upon the accession of James II. to the throne, the colonists of Rhode Island and Providence immediately transmitted to him an addresss in which they acknowledged their subjection to him, pledged themselves to obey his authority, and asked in return, for the protection of their chartered privileges. This address, did not, however, avail to protect them against the effects of the plans of reform in New England, resolved on by the British court. Articles of" high misdemeanour were exhi bited to the Lords of the Committee of Foreign Plantations, against the governor and company of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence," in which, among other things, they are charged with neglecting to keep an authentic record of their laws; with refusing to permit the inhabitants to have copies of them; with rasing or cancelling their laws as they please, without consent of the assembly, and with administering the government, and justice, without taking the legal oaths. These charges were referred to the attorney general, July 1685, with orders immediately to issue a writ of quo warranto against their patent. The governor and company were served with a regu lar notice of the process, which had been issued against them, and they were put upou their defence; they declined standing a suit with their king. In full assembly, they passed an act formally surrendering to his majesty their charter, with all the powers it contained. This act, it is said, was afterwards made way with, agreeably to a common practice."

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The governor and company afterwards assembled, and, on serious consideration of the the suit instituted against them, agreed upon an address to his majesty, in which they pray, that their charter privileges civil, and religious, might be continued; that," all things wherein they had been weak and short, through ignorance, may be remitted and pardoned." They conclude, by "prostrating their all at his majesty's feet, with entire resolution to serve him with faithful hearts. Such servile language was improper for freemen to use, or for the ruler of a free people to receive. It failed of its intended effect. No sooner was the address received, than the committee of the colonies, with the approbation of the king, ordered, that Sir Edmund Andros, the governor of Massachusetts,

should demand the surrender of their charter, and govern them in the manner the other colonies of New England were governed. At the same time they were assured of his majesty's protection, and of his determination to exercise no other authority over them, than what was common to the other plantations. Accordingly, in December, 1686, Andros formally dissolved the government of Rhode Island, broke their seal, assumed the reins of government, and selected five of the citizens, and formed them into a legislative council. This state of things continued scarcely two years, when the revolution of 1688, put an end to the tyrannic authority of Andros, in this and the other colonies. Their charter was resumed, and has ever since continued to be the basis of the civil administration of their government.

CHAP. XIV.

War with the Pequot Indians.

IN 1634, the Indians murdered Captain Stone and Captain Norton, with six others, in a bark sailing up, Connecticut river, The next year they killed part of a crew, who had been shipwrecked on Long Island. In the year 1636, at Block Island, they killed Mr. Oldham. To obtain satisfaction for these injuries, the governor and council of Massachusetts sent ninety men, who sailed under the command of Captains Endicot, Underhill, and Turner. They had commission to put to death the men of Block Island, but to spare the women and children, to make them prisoners, and take possession of the island. Then they were to visit the Pequots, and demand the murderers of Captain Stone, and the other English; and a thousand fathom of wampum for damages, and some of their children for hostages. Force was to be employed if they refused. They arrived in September at Block Island; the wind being north-east, and a high surf, it was difficult landing. About forty Indians gave a shot from their bows, and fled. The island was cover ed with bushes, but had no good timber. They traversed it for two days, burned two villages of wigwams, and some corn, of which there was about two hundred acres, and then retired.

They first directed their course for Connecticut river; thence they took twenty men, and two shallops to assist them, and returned to Pequot river, (now the Thaines)" landing in much