primary source document transcriptionolney, gregory dexter, john cogeshall, joseph clarke, randall...

PrimarySourceDocumentTranscriptionMadeavailablethroughtheRhodeIslandStateArchives

Thistranscriptisintendedtocapturethesubstanceofthedocument.Fordetailsofcapitalization,punctuation,spellingandspacing,werecommendconsultingtheoriginaldocument.

RhodeIslandRoyalCharter,1663In1663,RhodeIslandwasgrantedaRoyalCharterfromKingCharlesII.TheCharterwasalegaldocumentthatgaveRhodeIslanderstherighttofollowthereligionoftheirchoice,andallowedthemtogovernthemselves.ItwasthefirstchartertoofferthisdegreeoffreedomtoanEnglishcolonyandmarksaturningpointintheevolutionofhumanrightsinthemodernworld.TheChartercombineslanguagewrittenspecificallyforRhodeIslandwithstandardcharterlanguagefromtheperiod,sothereissomerepetitionwithinit.

____________________CHARLESTHESECOND,bytheGraceofGod,KingofEngland,Scotland,FranceandIreland,DefenderoftheFaithetc.

ToAlltowhomthesepresentsshallcome,greeting.

Whereas,wehavebeeninformed,bythehumblepetitionofourtrustyandwell-belovedsubject,JohnClarke,onthebehalfofBenjaminArnold,WilliamBrenton,WilliamCodington,NicholasEaston,WilliamBoulston,JohnPorter,JohnSmith,SamuelGorton,JohnWeekes,RogerWilliams,ThomasOlney,GregoryDexter,JohnCogeshall,JosephClarke,RandallHolden,JohnGreene,JohnRoome,SamuelWildbore,WilliamField,JamesBarker,RichardTew,ThomasHarris,andWilliamDyre,andtherestofthepurchasersandfreeinhabitantsofourisland,calledRhodeIsland,andtherestofthecolonyofProvidencePlantations,intheNarragansettBay,inNewEngland,inAmerica,thatthey,pursuing,withpeaceableandloyalminds,theirsober,serious,andreligiousintentions,ofgodlyedifyingthemselves,andoneanother,intheholyChristianfaithandworship,astheywerepersuaded;togetherwiththegainingoverandconversionofthepoorignorantIndiannatives,inthosepartsofAmerica,tothesincereprofessionandobedienceofthesamefaithandworship,did,notonlybytheconsentandgoodencouragementofourroyalprogenitors,transportthemselvesoutofthiskingdomofEnglandintoAmerica,butalso,sincetheirarrivalthere,aftertheirfirstsettlementamongstotheroursubjectsinthoseparts,fortheavoidingofdiscord,andthosemanyevilswhichwerelikelytoensueuponsomeofthoseoursubjectsnotbeingabletobear,intheseremoteparts,theirdifferentapprehensionsinreligiousconcernments,andinpursuanceoftheaforesaidends,didonceagainleavetheirdesirablestationsandhabitations,andwithexcessivelaborandtravel,hazardandchargedid

AgroupofRhodeIslanderswenttoEnglandin1651torequestanewcharterforthecolony.JohnClarkestayeduntilheobtainedthis1663charter.

RhodeIsland’scolonialsettlerssoughtaplacewheretheycouldworshipfreely.

SettlerstriedtoconvertthenativepeopletoChristianity.

AportraitofCharlesIIisatthetopleftoftheCharter.HewaskingofthesecountriesandtheNewEnglandcolonies.

Thistranscriptisintendedtocapturethesubstanceofthedocument.Fordetailsofgrammar,punctuation,spacing,andspelling,werecommendconsultingtheoriginaldocument.

transplantthemselvesintothemidstoftheIndiannatives,whoasweareinformed,arethemostpotentprincesandpeopleofallthatcountrywhere;

bythegoodProvidenceofGod,fromwhomthePlantationshavetakentheirname,upontheirlaborandindustry,theyhavenotonlybeenpreservedtoadmiration,buthaveincreasedandprospered,andareseizedandpossessed,bypurchaseandconsentofthesaidnatives,totheirfullcontent,ofsuchlands,islands,rivers,harborsandroads,asareveryconvenient,bothforplantations,andalsoforbuildingofships,supplyofpipe-staves,andothermerchandizeandwhichliesverycommodious,inmanyrespects,forcommerce,andtoaccommodateoursouthernplantations,andmaymuchadvancethetradeofthisourrealm,andgreatlyenlargetheterritoriesthereoftheyhavingbynearneighborhoodtoandfriendlysocietywiththegreatbodyoftheNarragansettIndians,giventhemencouragementoftheirownaccord,tosubjectthemselves,theirpeopleandlands,untouswhereby,asishoped,theremay,intime,bytheblessingofGodupontheirendeavorsbelaidasurefoundationofhappinesstoallAmerica.

Andwhereas,intheirhumbleaddress,theyhavefreelydeclared,thatitismuchontheirhearts(iftheymaybepermitted)toholdforthalivelyexperiment,thatamostflourishingcivilstatemaystandandbestbemaintained,andthatamongourEnglishsubjects,withafulllibertyinreligiousconcernmentsandthattruepietyrightlygroundedupongospelprinciples,willgivethebestandgreatestsecuritytosovereignty,andwilllayintheheartsofmenthestrongestobligationstotrueloyalty.

Now,knowye,thatwe,beingwillingtoencouragethehopefulundertakingofoursaidloyalandlovingsubjects,andtosecuretheminthefreeexerciseandenjoymentofalltheircivilandreligiousrights,appertainingtothem,asourlovingsubjectsandtopreserveuntothemthatliberty,inthetrueChristianfaithandworshipofGod,whichtheyhavesoughtwithsomuchtravail,andwithpeaceableminds,andloyalsubjectiontoourroyalprogenitorsandourselves,toenjoy;andbecausesomeofthepeopleandinhabitantsofthesamecolonycannot,intheirprivateopinions,conformtothepublicexerciseofreligion,accordingtotheliturgy,formsandceremoniesoftheChurchofEngland,ortakeorsubscribetheoathsandarticlesmadeandestablishedinthatbehalf;andforthatthesame,byreasonoftheremotedistancesofthoseplaces,will(aswehope)benobreachoftheunityanduniformityestablishedinthisnation:Havethereforethoughtfit,anddoherebypublish,grant,ordainanddeclare,thatour

Thesettlersrequestedpermissiontocontinuetheir“livelyexperiment”whichincludedfreedomofreligionforChristiansandnon-Christians.

RhodeIslandsettlersthrivedduetohardworkandprovidence.

Thenativepeopleallowedthesettlerstopurchaseland.Thekinghopedthiswouldexpandtrade.

TheKinggavethecoloniststhecivilandreligiousfreedomtheyrequested.Hehopedthatthecolony’s“experiment”wouldnotaffectpeoplelivinginEngland.

royalwillandpleasureis,thatnopersonwithinthesaidcolony,atanytimehereaftershallbeanywisemolested,punished,disquieted,orcalledinquestion,foranydifferencesinopinioninmattersofreligion,anddonotactuallydisturbthecivilpeaceofoursaidcolony;butthatallandeverypersonandpersonsmay,fromtimetotime,andatalltimeshereafter,freelyandfullyhaveandenjoyhisandtheirownjudgmentsandconsciences,inmattersofreligiousconcernments,throughoutthetractoflandhereaftermentioned,theybehavingthemselvespeaceablyandquietly,andnotusingthislibertytolicentiousnessandprofaneness,nortothecivilinjuryoroutwarddisturbanceofothers,anylaw,statute,orclausethereincontained,ortobecontained,usageorcustomofthisrealm,tothecontraryhereof,inanywisenotwithstanding.Andthattheymaybeinthebettercapacitytodefendthemselves,intheirjustrightsandliberties,againstalltheenemiesoftheChristianfaith,andothers,inallrespects,wehavefurtherthoughtfit,andatthehumblepetitionofthepersonsaforesaidaregraciouslypleasedtodeclare,Thattheyshallhaveandenjoythebenefitofourlateactofindemnityandfreepardon,astherestofoursubjectsinotherourdominionsandterritorieshave;andtocreateandmakethemabodypoliticorcorporate,withthepowersandprivilegeshereinaftermentioned.

Andaccordinglyourwillandpleasureis,andofourespecialgrace,certainknowledge,andmeremotion,wehaveordained,constitutedanddeclared,andbythesepresents,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,doordain,constituteanddeclare:ThattheythesaidWilliamBrenton,WilliamCodington,NicholasEaston,BenedictArnold,WilliamBoulston,JohnPorter,SamuelGorton,JohnSmith,JohnWeekes,RogerWilliams,ThomasOlney,GregoryDexter,JohnCogeshall,JosephClarke,RandallHolden,JohnGreene,JohnRoome,WilliamDyre,SamuelWildbore,RichardTew,WilliamField,ThomasHarris,JamesBarker,(missing)Rainsborrow,(missing)Williams,andJohnNickson,andallsuchothersasnoware,orhereaftershallbe,admittedandmadefreeofthecompanyandsocietyofourcolonyofProvidencePlantations,intheNarragansettBay,inNewEngland,shallbe,fromtimetotime,andforeverhereafter,abodycorporateandpolitic,infactandname,bythenameoftheGovernorandCompanyoftheEnglishColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations,inNewEngland,inAmerica;

andthat,bythesamename,theyandtheirsuccessorsshallandmayhaveperpetualsuccession,andshallandmaybepersonsableandcapable,inthelaw,tosueandbesued,topleadandbeimpleaded,toanswer,andbeansweredunto,todefendandtobedefended,inallandsingularsuits,causes,quarrels,

RhodeIslandwasgrantedthestatusofa“bodypolitic,“meaningitcouldhaveitsowngovernment.

Thisisalistoftherecipientsofthepatent,andthecolony’sofficialname.

RhodeIslanderswerepermittedtofollowtheirown“judgementsandconsciences”regardingreligion.

TheKingdeclaredthatthecolonistswouldnotbepunishedforpracticingdifferentreligions.

matters,actionsandthings,ofwhatkindornaturesoever;andalsotohave,take,possess,acquire,andpurchaselands,tenementsorhereditaments,oranygoodsorchattels,andthesametolease,grant,demise,aliene,bargain,sellanddisposeof,attheirownwillandpleasure,asotherourliegepeopleofthisourrealmofEngland,oranycorporationorbodypolitic,withinthesame,maylawfullydo.Andfurther,thattheythesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,shallandmay,foreverhereafterhaveacommonseal,toserveanduseforallmatters,causes,things,andaffairs,whatsoever,ofthem,andtheirsuccessors;andthesamesealtoalter,change,break,andmakenew,fromtimetotime,attheirwillandpleasure,astheyshallthinkfit.

Andfurther,wewillandordain,andbythesepresents,forus,ourheirs,andsuccessors,dodeclareandappointthat,forthebetterorderingandmanagingoftheaffairsandbusinessofthesaidCompany,andtheirsuccessors,thereshallbeoneGovernor,oneDeputy-GovernorandtenAssistants,tobefromtimetotime,constituted,electedandchosen,outofthefreemenofthesaidCompany,forthetimebeing,insuchmannerandformasishereafterinthesepresentsexpressed,whichsaidofficersshallapplythemselvestotakecareforthebestdisposingandorderingofthegeneralbusinessandaffairsofandconcerningthelands,andhereditamentshereinaftermentionedtobegranted,andtheplantationthereof,andthegovernmentofthepeoplethere.And,forthebetterexecutionofourroyalpleasureherein,Wedo,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,assign,name,constitute,andappointtheaforesaidBenedictArnoldtobethefirstandpresentGovernorofthesaidCompanyandthesaidWilliamBrentontobetheDeputy-Governor,andthesaidWilliamBoulston,JohnPorter,RogerWilliams,ThomasOlney,JohnSmith,JohnGreene,JohnCogeshall,JamesBarker,WilliamFieldandJosephClarke,tobethetenpresentAssistantsofthesaidCompany,tocontinueinthesaidseveraloffices,respectively,untilthefirstWednesdaywhichshallbeinthemonthofMaynownextcoming.Andfurther,wewill,andbythesepresents,forus,ourheirs,andsuccessors,doordainandgrantthattheGovernorofthesaidCompany,forthetimebeing,or,inhisabsence,byoccasionofsicknessorotherwise,byhisleaveandpermission,theDeputy-Governor,forthetimebeing,shallandmay,fromtimetotime,uponalloccasions,giveorderfortheassemblingofthesaidCompany,andcallingthemtogether,toconsultandadviseofthebusinessandaffairsofthesaidCompany.

Andthatforeverafterhereafter,twiceineveryyear,thatistosay,oneveryfirstWednesdayinthemonthofMay,andoneverylastWednesdayinOctober,

Thisoutlinesthenewgovernment’sauthority.

Thesearedescriptionsoftheofficesthatwillformthenewgovernment,andthenamesofthecolony’sfirstgovernorandotherofficials.

RhodeIsland’sgovernmentwouldmeettwiceayear,ormoreifnecessary.

oroftener,incaseitshallberequisite,theAssistantsandsuchofthefreemenofthesaidCompany,notexceedingsixpersonsforNewport,fourpersonsforeachoftherespectivetownsofProvidence,PortsmouthandWarwick,andtwopersonsforeachotherplace,townorcity,whoshallbefromtimetotime,thereuntoelectedordeputedbythemajorpartofthefreemenoftherespectivetownsorplacesforwhichtheyshallbesoelectedordeputed,shallhaveageneralmeetingorassembly,thenandtheretoconsult,adviseanddetermineinandabouttheaffairsandbusinessofthesaidCompanyandPlantations.And,further,wedo,ofourespecialgrace,certainknowledge,andmeremotion,giveandgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompanyoftheEnglishcolonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations,inNewEngland,inAmerica,andtheirsuccessorsthattheGovernor,or,inhisabsence,or,byhispermissiontheDeputy-GovernorofthesaidCompany,forthetimebeingtheAssistants,andsuchofthefreemenofthesaidCompanyasshallbesoasaforesaidelectedordeputed,orsomanyofthemasshallbepresentatsuchmeetingorassembly,asaforesaid,shallbecalledtheGeneralAssemblyandthatthey,orthegreatestpartofthempresent,whereoftheGovernororDeputy-Governor,andsixoftheAssistants,atleasttobesevenshallhave,andhaveherebygivenandgranteduntothem,fullpowerandauthority,fromtimetotime,andatalltimeshere-after,toappoint,alterandchangesuchdays,timesandplacesofmeetingandGeneralAssembly,astheyshallthinkfit;and

tochoose,nominateandappoint,suchandsomanyotherpersonsastheyshallthinkfit,andshallbewillingtoacceptthesame,tobefreeofthesaidCompanyandbodypolitic,andthemintothesametoadmit;and

toelectandconstitutesuchofficesandofficers,andtograntsuchneedfulcommissions,astheyshallthinkfitandrequisite,fortheordering,managing,anddispatchingoftheaffairsofthesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors;andfromtimetotime,

tomake,ordain,constituteorrepeal,suchlaws,statutes,ordersandordinances,formsandceremoniesofgovernmentandmagistracy,astothemshallseemmeet,forthegoodandwelfareofthesaidCompany,andforthegovernmentandorderingofthelandsandhereditaments,hereinaftermentionedtobegranted,andofthepeoplethatdo,oratanytimehereaftershall,inhabitorbewithinthesame;soassuchlaws,ordinancesandconstitutions,somade,benotcontraryandrepugnantunto,butasnearasmaybe,agreeabletothelawsof

Eachtownwouldhaveacertainnumberofrepresentativeswithspecificdutiesandresponsibilities.

ThelegislativebranchwasnamedtheGeneralAssembly.

TheGeneralAssemblywasgiventhepowertoholdelectionsandcreatecommissions.

RhodeIslandcouldmakeitsownlaws,butthoselawscouldnotcontradictthelawsofEngland.

thisourrealmofEngland,consideringthenatureandconstitutionoftheplaceandpeoplethere;andalso

toappoint,orderanddirect,erectandsettle,suchplacesandcourtsofjurisdiction,forthehearinganddeterminingofallactions,cases,mattersandthings,happeningwithinthesaidcolonyandplantation,andwhichshallbeindispute,anddependingthere,astheyshallthinkfit;andalsotodistinguishandsetforththeseveralnamesandtitles,duties,powersandlimits,ofeachcourt,officeandofficer,superiorandinferior;andalso

tocontriveandappointsuchformsofoathsandattestations,notrepugnant,butasnearasmaybeagreeable,asaforesaid,tothelawsandstatutesofthisourrealm,asareconvenientandrequisitewithrespecttothedueadministrationofjustice,anddueexecutionanddischargeofallofficesandplacesoftrustbythepersonsthatshallbethereinconcerned,andalso

toregulateandorderthewayandmannerofallelectionstoofficesandplacesoftrust,and

toprescribe,limitanddistinguishthenumbersandboundsofallplaces,townsorcities,withinthelimitsandboundshereinaftermentioned,andnothereinparticularlynamed,whohave,orshallhave,thepowerofelectingandsendingoffreementothesaidGeneralAssembly;andalso

toorder,directandauthorizetheimposingoflawfulandreasonablefines,mulcts,imprisonments,andexecutingotherpunishments,pecuniaryandcorporal,uponoffendersanddelinquents,accordingtothecourseofothercorporationswithinthisourkingdomofEngland;andagaintoalter,revoke,annulorpardon,undertheircommonseal,orotherwise,suchfines,mulcts,imprisonments,sentences,judgmentsandcondemnations,asshallbethoughtfit;and

todirect,rule,orderanddisposeof,allothermattersandthings,andparticularlythatwhichrelatestothemakingofpurchasesofthenativeIndians,astothemshallseemmeet;wherebyoursaidpeopleandinhabitantsinthesaidPlantations,maybesoreligiously,peaceablyandcivillygoverned,asthatbytheirgoodlifeandorderlyconversation,theymaywinandinvitethenativeIndiansofthecountrytotheknowledgeandobedienceoftheonlytrueGodandSaviourofmankind;

Thegovernmentwouldregulatetownandcityboundaries.

“Courtsofjurisdiction”werecreatedtoheartrials.

Thegovernmenthadtheauthoritytoregulateelections.

Courtofficialswererequiredtotakeoathsofoffice.

Thegovernmentcouldimposeorrevokefinesandpunishments.

Thegovernmentcouldregulatetradewiththenativepeople.TheKinghopedthatbydemonstratingpeaceandorder,thesettlerswouldinspirethenativepeopletoconverttoChristianity.

willing,commandingandrequiringandbythesepresentsforus,ourheirsandsuccessors,ordainingandappointing,thatallsuchlaws,statutes,ordersandordinances,instructions,impositionsanddirections,asshallbesomadebytheGovernor,Deputy-Governor,Assistantsandfreemen,orsuchnumberofthemasaforesaid,andpublishedinwriting,undertheircommonseal,shallbecarefullyanddulyobserved,kept,performedandputinexecution,accordingtothetrueintentandmeaningofthesame.

Andtheseourletterspatent,ortheduplicateorexemplificationthereof,shallbetoallandeverysuchofficer,superiororinferior,fromtimetotime,fortheputtingofthesameorders,laws,statutes,ordinances,instructionsanddirectionsindueexecution,againstus,ourheirsandsuccessors,asufficientwarrantanddischarge.

Andfurther,ourwillandpleasureis,andwedohereby,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,establishandordain,thatyearly,onceintheyear,foreverhereafter,namely,theaforesaidWednesdayinMay,andatthetownofNewport,orelsewhere,ifurgentoccasiondorequire,theGovernor,Deputy-GovernorandAssistantsofthesaidCompany,andotherofficersofthesaidCompany,orsuchofthemastheGeneralAssemblyshallthinkfit,shallbe,inthesaidGeneralCourtorAssemblytobeheldfromthatdayortime,newlychosenfortheyearensuing,bysuchgreaterpartofthesaidCompany,forthetimebeing,asshallbethenandtherepresent;

andifitshallhappenthatthepresentGovernor,Deputy-GovernorandAssistants,bythesepresentsappointed,oranysuchasshallhereafterbenewlychosenintotheirrooms,oranyofthem,oranyothertheofficersofthesaidCompany,shalldieorberemovedfromhisortheirseveralofficesorplacesbeforethesaidgeneraldayofelection,whomwedoherebydeclare,foranymisdemeanorordefault,toberemovablebytheGovernor,AssistantsandCompany,orsuchgreaterpartofthem,inanyofthesaidpubliccourts,tobeassembledasaforesaid,thatthen,andineverysuchcase,itshallandmaybelawfultoandforthesaidGovernor,Deputy-Governor,AssistantsandCompanyaforesaid,orsuchgreaterpartofthem,sotobeassembledasisaforesaid,inanytheirassemblies,toproceedtoanewelectionofoneormoreoftheirCompany,intheroomorplace,roomsorplaces,ofsuchofficerorofficers,sodyingorremoved,accordingtotheirdiscretions;andimmediatelyuponandaftersuchelectionorelectionsmadeofsuchGovernor,Deputy-Governor,AssistantorAssistants,oranyotherofficerofthesaidCompany,inmannerandform

Governmentofficialswouldbechosenbyannualelections.

Lawswouldbepublishedunderthesealofthecolony.

“Letterspatent”referstotheCharter,whichwasanofficialinstructionfromtheKing.

Aprocedurewasestablishedforreplacinggovernmentofficialswhodiedorwereremovedfromoffice.

aforesaid,theauthority,officeandpower,beforegiventotheformerGovernor,Deputy-Governor,andotherofficerandofficerssoremoved,inwhosesteadandplacenewshallbechosen,shall,astohimandthem,andeveryofthem,respectively,ceaseanddetermine.

Providedalways,andourwillandpleasureis,thataswellsuchasarebythesepresentsappointedtobethepresentGovernor,Deputy-GovernorandAssistantsofthesaidCompany,asthosethatshallsucceedthem,andallotherofficerstobeappointedandchosenasaforesaid,shall,beforetheundertakingtheexecutionofthesaidofficesandplacesrespectively,givetheirsolemnengagement,byoathorotherwise,forthedueandfaithfulperformanceoftheirdutiesintheirseveralofficesandplaces,beforesuchpersonorpersonsasarebythesepresentshereafterappointedtotakeandreceivethesame,thatistosay:thesaidBenedictArnold,whoishereinbeforenominatedandappointedthepresentGovernorofthesaidCompany,shallgivetheaforesaidengagementbeforeWilliamBrenton,oranytwoofthesaidAssistantsofthesaidCompany;untowhomwedobythesepresentsgivefullpowerandauthoritytorequireandreceivethesame;andthesaidWilliamBrenton,whoisherebybeforenominatedandappointedthepresentDeputy-GovernorofthesaidCompany,shallgivetheaforesaidengagementbeforethesaidBenedictArnold,oranytwooftheAssistantsofthesaidCompany;untowhomwedobythesepresentsgivefullpowerandauthoritytorequireandreceivethesame;andthesaidWilliamBoulston,JohnPorter,RogerWilliams,ThomasOlney,JohnSmith,JohnGreene,JohnCogeshall,JamesBarker,WilliamField,andJosephClarke,whoarehereinbeforenominatedandappointedthepresentAssistantsofthesaidCompany,shallgivethesaidengagementtotheirofficesandplacesrespectivelybelongingbeforethesaidBenedictArnoldandWilliamBrenton,oroneofthem;towhomrespectivelywedoherebygivefullpowerandauthoritytorequire,administer,orreceivethesame;andfurther,ourwillandpleasureis,thatallandeveryotherfutureGovernororDeputy-Governor,tobeelectedandchosenbyvirtueofthesepresents,shallgivethesaidengagementbeforetwoormoreofthesaidAssistantsofthesaidCompanyforthetimebeing;untowhomwedobythesepresentsgivefullpowerandauthoritytorequire,administerorreceivethesame;andthesaidAssistants,andeveryofthem,andallandeveryotherofficerorofficerstobehereafterelectedandchosenbyvirtueofthesepresentsfromtimetotime,shallgivethelikeengagements,totheirofficesandplacesrespectivelybelonging,beforetheGovernororDeputy-Governor,forthetimebeing;untowhichsaidGovernor,orDeputy-Governor,wedobythesepresents

Governmentofficialswererequiredtotakeoathsofoffice.

Thenamesofthefirstgovernmentofficialsarerepeated.

givefullpowerandauthoritytorequire,administerorreceivethesameaccordingly.

Andwedolikewise,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,giveandgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,bythesepresents,thatforthemorepeaceableandorderlygovernmentofthesaidPlantations,itshallandmaybelawfulfortheGovernor,Deputy-Governor,AssistantsandallotherofficersandministersofthesaidCompany,intheadministrationofjustice,andexerciseofgovernment,inthesaidPlantations,touse,exercise,andputinexecution,suchmethods,rules,ordersanddirections,notbeingcontraryorrepugnanttothelawsandstatutesofthisourrealm,ashavebeenheretoforegiven,usedandaccustomed,insuchcasesrespectively,tobeputinpractice,untilatthenextorsomeotherGeneralAssembly,specialprovisionshallbemadeandordainedinthecasesaforesaid.

Andwedofurther,forus,ourheirs,andsuccessors,giveandgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,bythesepresents;thatitshallandmaybelawfultoandforthesaidGovernor,or,inhisabsence,theDeputy-Governor,andmajorpartofthesaidAssistants,forthetimebeing,atanytimewhenthesaidGeneralAssemblyisnotsitting,tonominate,appointandconstitute,suchandsomanycommanders,governors,andmilitaryofficers,astothemshallseemrequisite,fortheleading,conductingandtraininguptheinhabitantsofthesaidPlantationsinmartialaffairs,andforthedefenseandsafeguardofthesaidPlantations;andthatitshallandmaybelawfultoandforallandeverysuchcommander,governor,andmilitaryofficer,thatshallbesoasaforesaid,orbytheGovernor,orinhisabsence,theDeputy-Governor,andsixofthesaidAssistants,andmajorpartofthefreemenofthesaidCompanypresentatanyGeneralAssemblies,nominated,appointedandconstituted,accordingtothetenorofhisandtheirrespectivecommissionsanddirectionstoassemble,exerciseinarms,martialarray,andputinwarlikeposture,theinhabitantsofthesaidcolony,fortheirspecialdefenseandsafety;andtoleadandconductthesaidinhabitants,andtoencounter,expulse,expelandresist,byforceofarms,aswellbyseaasbyland,andalsotokill,slayanddestroy,byallfittingways,enterprisesandmeans,whatsoever,allandeverysuchpersonorpersonsasshall,atanytimehereafter,attemptorenterprisethedestruction,invasion,detrimentorannoyanceofthesaidinhabitantsorPlantations;andtouseandexercisethelawmartialinsuchcasesonlyasoccasionshallnecessarilyrequire;

Governmentofficialscouldmakeandenforcerulesandlaws,providedthelawsdidnotconflictwiththelawsofEngland.

GovernmentofficialscouldnominatemilitaryofficerstotrainRhodeIslanderstodefendtheir“Plantations.”

Thecolonyhadtherighttodefenditself.

andtotakeorsurprise,byallwaysandmeanswhatsoever,allandeverysuchpersonandpersons,withtheirshiporships,armor,ammunitionorothergoodsofsuchpersons,asshall,inhostilemanner,invadeorattemptthedefeatingofthesaidPlantations,orthehurtofthesaidCompanyandinhabitants;

anduponjustcauses,toinvadeanddestroythenativeIndians,orotherenemiesofthesaidColony.

Nevertheless,ourwillandpleasureis,andwedoherebydeclaretotherestofourColoniesinNewEngland,thatitshallnotbelawfulforthisoursaidColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations,inAmerica,inNewEngland,toinvadethenativesinhabitingwithintheboundsandlimitsoftheirsaidColonies,withouttheknowledgeandconsentofthesaidotherColonies.

Anditisherebydeclared,thatitshallnotbelawfultoorfortherestoftheColoniestoinvadeormolestthenativeIndiansoranyotherinhabitantsinhabitingwithintheboundsandlimitshereaftermentioned,theyhavingsubjectedthemselvesuntous,andbeingbyustakenintoourspecialprotection,withouttheknowledgeandconsentoftheGovernorandCompanyofourColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations.

Alsoourwillandpleasureis,andwedoherebydeclareuntoallChristianKings,PrincesandStates,thatifanyperson,whichshallhereafterbeofthesaidCompanyorPlantations,oranyother,byappointmentofthesaidGovernorandCompanyforthetimebeing,shallatanytimeortimeshereafter,roborspoil,byseaorland,ordoanyhurt,orunlawfulhostilitytoanyofthesubjectsofus,ourheirsorsuccessors,oranyofthesubjectsofanyPrinceorState,beingtheninleaguewithus,ourheirsorsuccessors,uponcomplaintofsuchinjurydonetoanysuchPrinceorState,ortheirsubjects,we,ourheirsandsuccessors,willmakeopenproclamationwithinanypartsofourrealmofEngland,fitforthatpurpose,thatthepersonorpersonscommittinganysuchrobberyorspoilshall,withinthetimelimitedbysuchproclamation,makefullrestitution,orsatisfactionofallsuchinjuries,doneorcommitted,soasthesaidPrince,orotherssocomplaining,maybefullysatisfied,andcontented;andifthesaidpersonorpersonswhoshallcommitanysuchrobberyorspoilshallnotmakesatisfaction,accordingly,withinsuchtime,sotobelimited,thatthenwe,ourheirsandsuccessors,willputsuchpersonorpersons,outofourallegianceandprotection;andthatthenitshallandmaybelawfulandfreeforallPrincesor

Todefenditself,thecolonycouldattackhostileships.

Thecolonycould,with“justcauses…invadeanddestroythenativeIndians,orotherenemies.“

Colonieshadtoinformeachotheriftheyinvadednativesettlements.

Peoplewhobrokethelawwereresponsibleformakingpaymentsorotherwisecompensatinginjuriesorlosses;thosewhorefusedwerenolongerprotectedbytheKingandweresubjecttoprosecution.

Thecolonyanditsinhabitantswereunderthe“specialprotection”oftheKing.

otherstoprosecutewithhostility,suchoffenders,andeveryofthem,theirandeveryoftheirprocurers,aiders,abettors,andcounsellors,inthatbehalf:

FreedomtofishtheNewEnglandcoast

Providedalso,andourexpresswillandpleasureis,andwedo,bythesepresents,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,ordainandappointthatthesepresents,shallnot,inanymanner,hinderanyofourlovingsubjects,whatsoever,fromusingandexercisingthetradeoffishinguponthecoastofNewEngland,inAmerica;butthatthey,andeveryoranyofthem,shallhavefullandfreepowerandlibertytocontinueandusethetradeoffishinguponthesaidcoast,inanyoftheseasthereuntoadjoining,oranyarmsoftheseas,orsaltwater,riversandcreeks,wheretheyhavebeenaccustomedtofish;andtobuildandsetuponthewastelandbelongingtothesaidColonyandPlantations,suchwharves,stagesandworkhousesasshallbenecessaryforthesalting,dryingandkeepingoftheirfish,tobetakenorgottenuponthatcoast.

Andfurther,fortheencouragementoftheinhabitantsofoursaidColonyofProvidencePlantationstosetuponthebusinessoftakingwhales,itshallbelawfulforthem,oranyofthem,havingstruckwhale,dubertus,orothergreatfish,itorthemtopursueuntoanypartofthatcoast,andintoanybay,river,cove,creek,orshore,belongingthereto,anditorthem,uponthesaidcoast,orinthesaidbay,river,cove,creek,orshore,belongingthereto,tokillandorderforthebestadvantage,withoutmolestation,theymakingnowillfulwasteorspoilanythinginthesepresentscontained,oranyothermatterorthing,tothecontrary,notwithstanding.

Andfurtheralso,wearegraciouslypleased,anddoherebydeclare,thatifanyoftheinhabitantsofoursaidColonydosetupontheplantingofvineyards,thesoilandclimatebothseemingnaturallytoconcurtotheproductionofwines,orbeindustriousinthediscoveryoffishingbanks,inoraboutthesaidColony,wewill,fromtimetotime,giveandallowalldueandfittingencouragementtherein,astoothers,incasesoflikenature.

Andfurther,ofourmoreamplegrace,certainknowledge,andmeremotion,wehavegivenandgranted,andbythesepresents,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,dogiveandgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompanyoftheEnglishColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations,intheNarragansettBay,inNew

Colonistswerepermittedtohuntwhales.

Colonistswerepermittedtoplantvineyards.

Colonistswerepermittedtofish,andengageinrelatedtrades.

England,inAmerica,andtoeveryinhabitantthere;andtoeverypersonandpersons,tradingthither,andtoeverysuchpersonorpersonsasareorshallbefreeofthesaidColony,fullpowerandauthority,fromtimetotime,andatalltimeshereaftertotake,ship,transportandcarryaway,outofanyofourrealmsanddominions,forandtowardstheplantationanddefenseofthesaidColony,suchandsomanyofourlovingsubjectsandstrangersasshallorwillwillinglyaccompanytheminandtotheirsaidColonyandPlantation;exceptsuchpersonorpersonsasareorshallbethereinrestrainedbyus,ourheirsandsuccessorsoranylaworstatuteofthisrealm:andalsotoshipandtransportallandallmannerofgoods,chattels,merchandizesandotherthingswhatsoever,thatareorshallbeusefulornecessaryforthesaidPlantations,anddefensethereof,andusuallytransported,andnotprohibitedbyanylaworstatuteofthisourrealm;yieldingandpayinguntous,ourheirsandsuccessors,suchtheduties,customsandsubsidies,asareoroughttobepaidorpayableforthesame.

Andfurther,ourwillandpleasureis,andwedo,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,ordain,declare,andgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,thatallandeverythesubjectsofus,ourheirsandsuccessors,whicharealreadyplantedandsettledwithinoursaidColonyofProvidencePlantations,orwhichshallhereaftergotoinhabitwithinthesaidColony,andallandeveryoftheirchildren,whichhavebeenbornthere,orwhichshallhappenhereaftertobebornthere,oronthesea,goingthither,orreturningfromthence,shallhaveandenjoyalllibertiesandimmunitiesoffreeandnaturalsubjectswithinany[of]thedominionsofus,ourheirsandsuccessors,toallintents,constructionsandpurposes,whatsoever,asifthey,andeveryofthem,werebornwithintherealmofEngland.

Andfurther,knowye,thatwe,ofourmoreabundantgrace,certainknowledge,andmeremotion,havegiven,grantedandconfirmed,andbythesepresents,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,dogive,grantandconfirm,untothesaidGovernorandCompanyandtheirsuccessors,allthatpartofourdominionsinEngland,inAmerica,containingtheNahantickandNanhygansett,aliasNarragansettBay,andcountriesandpartsadjacent,boundedonthewestorwesterly,tothemiddleorchannelofariverthere,commonlycalledandknownbythenameofPawcatuck,aliasPawcawtuckriver;andsoalongthesaidriver,asthegreaterormiddlestreamthereofreachethorliesupintothenorthcountry,northward,untotheheadthereof,andfromthence,byastraightlinedrawnduenorth,untilitmeetswiththesouthlineoftheMassachusettsColony:andonthenorth,or

Colonistscouldbringnew,willingsettlerstoRhodeIsland,todefendandexpandthecolony.

Colonistscouldbringgoodsintothecolony,howevertheywouldhavetopaytaxestotheKingonthosegoods.

ColonistshadthesamerightsasEnglishcitizens.

Thecolony’sgeographicalboundariesweredescribed.

northerly,bytheaforesaidsouthorsoutherlylineoftheMassachusettsColonyorPlantation,andextendingtowardstheeast,oreastwardly,threeEnglishmiles,totheeastandnortheastofthemosteasternandnortheasternpartsoftheaforesaidNarragansettBay,asthesaidBaylyethorextendethitselffromtheoceanonthesouth,orsouthwardlyuntothemouthoftheriverwhichrunnethtowardsthetownofProvidence,andfromthencealongtheeasterlysideorbankofthesaidriverhighercalledbythenameofSeacunkriver,uptothefallscalledPatuckettfalls,beingthemostwestwardlylineofPlymouthColony,andsofromthesaidfalls,inastraightline,duenorthuntilitmeetwiththeaforesaidlineoftheMassachusettsColony;andboundedonthesouthbytheocean;and,inparticular,thelandsbelongingtothetownsofProvidence,Pawtuxet,Warwick,Misquammacot,aliasPawcatuck,andtherestuponthemainlandinthetractaforesaid,togetherwithRhodeIsland,BlockIsland,andalltherestoftheislandsandbanksintheNarragansettBay,andborderinguponthecoastofthetractaforesaid,Fisher’sIslandonlyexcepted,togetherwithallfirmlands,soils,grounds,havens,ports,rivers,waters,fishings,minesroyal,andallothermines,minerals,preciousstones,quarries,woods,woodgrounds,rocks,slates,andallandsingularothercommodities,jurisdictions,royalties,privileges,franchises,preheminances,andhereditaments,whatsoever,withinthesaidtract,bounds,landsandislandsaforesaid,ortothemoranyofthembelonging,orinanywiseappertaining;Tohaveandtoholdthesame,untothesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,forever,upontrust,fortheuseandbenefitofthemselvesandtheirassociates,freemenofthesaidColony,theirheirsandassigns,tobeholdenofus,ourheirsandsuccessors,asoftheManorofEastGreenwich,inourcountyofKent,infreeandcommonsoccage,andnotincapite,norbyknightservice;yieldingandpayingtherefor,tous,ourheirsandsuccessors,onlythefifthpartofalltheoreofgoldandsilverwhich,fromtimetotime,andatalltimeshereafter,shallbetheregotten,hadorobtained,inlieuandsatisfactionofallservices,duties,fines,forfeitures,madeortobemade,claimsanddemandswhatsoever,tobetous,ourheirsorsuccessors,therefororthereoutrendered,madeorpaid;anygrant,orclause,inalategrant,totheGovernorandCompanyofConnecticutColony,inAmerica,tothecontrarythereofinanywisenotwithstanding;theaforesaidPawcatuckriverhavingbeenyielded,aftermuchdebate,forthefixedandcertainboundsbetweentheseoursaidColonies,bytheAgentsthereof;whohavealsoagreed,thatthesaidPawcatuckrivershallbealsocalledaliasNorrogansettorNarrogansettriver;and,topreventfuturedisputes,thatotherwisemightarisethereby,foreverhereaftershallbeconstrued,deemedandtakentobetheNarragansettriverin

ThecolonyhadtopaytaxestotheKing.

ThePawcatuckRiverwasdeclaredtheboundarybetweenConnecticutandRhodeIsland.

ourlategranttoConnecticutColonymentionedastheeasterlyboundsofthatColony.

Andfurther,ourwillandpleasureis,thatinallmattersofpubliccontroversywhichmayfalloutbetweenourColonyofProvidencePlantations,andtherestofourColoniesinNewEngland,itshallandmaybelawfultoandfortheGovernorandCompanyofthesaidColonyofProvidencePlantationstomaketheirappealsthereintous,ourheirsandsuccessors,forredressinsuchcases,withinthisourrealmofEngland:

andthatitshallbelawfultoandfortheinhabitantsofthesaidColonyofProvidencePlantations,withoutletormolestation,topassandrepass,withfreedom,intoandthroughtherestoftheEnglishColonies,upontheirlawfulandciviloccasions,andtoconverse,andholdcommerceandtrade,withsuchoftheinhabitantsofourotherEnglishColoniesasshallbewillingtoadmitthemthereunto,theybehavingthemselvespeaceablyamongthem;anyact,clauseorsentence,inanyofthesaidColoniesprovided,orthatshallbeprovided,tothecontraryinanywisenotwithstanding.

Andlastly,wedo,forus,ourheirsandsuccessors,ordainandgrantuntothesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors,bythesepresents,thattheseourletterspatentshallbefirm,good,effectualandavailableinallthingsinthelaw,toallintents,constructionsandpurposeswhatsoever,accordingtoourtrueintentandmeaninghereinbeforedeclared;andshallbeconstrued,reputedandadjudgedinallcasesmostfavorablyonthebehalf,andforthebestbenefitandbehoof,ofthesaidGovernorandCompany,andtheirsuccessors;althoughexpressmentionofthetrueyearlyvalueorcertaintyofthepremises,oranyofthem,orofanyothergiftsorgrants,byus,orbyanyofourprogenitorsorpredecessors,heretoforemadetothesaidGovernorandCompanyoftheEnglishColonyofRhodeIslandandProvidencePlantations,intheNarragansettBay,NewEngland,inAmerica,inthesepresentsisnotmadeoranystatute,act,ordinance,provision,proclamationorrestriction,heretoforehad,made,enacted,ordainedorprovided,oranyothermatter,causeorthingwhatsoever,tothecontrarythereofinanywisenotwithstanding.Inwitnesswhereof,wehavecausedtheseourletterstobemadepatent.WitnessourselfatWestminster,theeighthdayofJuly,inthefifteenthyearofourreign.

BytheKing

HOWARD

DisputeswithothercolonieswouldbesettledbytheKing.

Colonistswerepermittedtotravelthroughandtradewithothercolonies.

TheCharterendswithastatementthatitis“firm,good,effectualandavailableinallthingsinthelaw,”andthatitisintendedtobeforthe“bestbenefit”ofRhodeIsland.

AcourtscribewouldhavewrittentheCharter.HowardmayrefertotheClerkofPatents,RobertHoward.

primary source document transcriptionolney, gregory dexter, john cogeshall, joseph clarke, randall...

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