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received a charter of incorporation; 1 which though its length must make tedious, yet as it is but little known, and is the first, and perhaps only one of its kind, I will give it to my readers at full length, viz.

"WHEREAS, by an ordinance of the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, bearing date the second day of November, Anno Domini3 1643, Robert, Earl of Warwick, is constituted, and ordained governor in chief, and lord high admiral of all those islands and other plantations inhabited or planted by. or belonging to any His Majesty the King of England's subjects," (or which hereafter may be inhabited and and planted by, or belong to them) within the bounds, and upon the coasts of America. And whereas the said lords have thought fit, and thereby ordained, that Philip' Earl of Pembroke, Edward Earl of Manchester, William Viscount Say and Seal, Philip Lord of Wharton, John Lord Rolles, members of the house of Peers. Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Baronet, Sir Arthur Haslerig, Baronet, Sir (1) Dated March 14, 1643-4. But three months before this grant, a charter, (commonly known as the "Narragansett patent"), was issued to the Massachusetts government, adding to its territory lands which included all of what was afterwards incorporated as "Rhode Island." See Aspinwall's "Remarks on the Narragansett patent" (1862). Mr. Aspinwall concludes his comprehensive examination of the validity of this instrument by saying (p. 40); "I have not discovered a single instance in which the Welde Patent ever found countenance from the English authorities, either at home or in this country."

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Yet this Narragansett patent, (issued Dec. 10, 1643), expressly reserves all lands in present possession held and enjoyed by any of His Majesty's Protestant subjects," (printed in the New England Historical and Genealogical Regiter, XI. 41-43), while no similar reservation is found in the Providence patent.

Governor Hopkins's version varies from that of the late Judge Staples, ("Proceedings of the first General Assembly," p. viii-ix) in the particulars below cited. The original is unaccountably absent from

(10) Haselrige." He was afterwards a warm supporter of the Connecticut claims on Rhode Island territory. ("Publications of the Narragansett Club," VI. 255, 290; also Knowles, p. 259).

Henry Vane. jun.1 Knight, Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Knight, John Pim, Oliver Cromwell, Dennis Bond, Miles Corbet, Cornelius Holland, Samuel Vassal," John Rolle, and William Spurstow, Esqrs. members of the House of Commons, should be commissioners, to join in aid and assistance with the said earl. And whereas, for the better government and defence, it is thereby ordained, that the aforesaid governor and commissioners, or the greater number of them, shall have power, and authority, from time to time, to nominate, appoint, and constitute all such subordinate governors, counsellors," commanders, officers, and agents, as they shall judge to be best affected, and most fit and serviceable" for the said islands and plantations; and to provide for, order and dispose all things, which they shall, from time to time, find most advantageous for the said plantations; and for the better security of the owners and inhabitants thereof, to assign, ratify, and confirm, so much of their afore-mentioned authority and power, and in such manner, and to such persons as they shall judge to be fit for the better governing and preserving of the said plantations and islands, from open violences" and private disturbances and distractions. 19 And whereas there is a tract of land in the continent of America aforesaid, called by the Name of the Narraganset Bay, border

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(1) "Jr."

(2) "Rudyerd."

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(3) "Pym." He with the Earl of Manchester, (then Lord Kimbolton), Haselrige, (or Hazelrig), John Hampden, and one other, comprised the "five members" whom Charles I attempted to arrest, Jan. 4, 1642. (4) With the Lord Protector, Roger Williams was on terms of "close discourse." ("Publications of the Narragansett Club," VI. 307).

(5) Vassall."

(6) "Spurstowe.”

(7) "Esq'rs."

(8) "for the better governing and preserving of the said plantations, it is,”

etc.

(9) "governor."?

(10) "should."

(11) councils."

(12) "serviceable to govern the said islands and plantations.

(13) should."

(14) "most fit and advantageous.”

(15) [:].

(16) should."

(17) "violence."

(18)'disturbances."

(19) Here is affixed the seal, "Robert, Warwick, L. s."

(20) Narragansetts."

ing northward and northeast on the patent of the Massachusetts, east and south-east on Plymouth patent, south on the ocean, and on the west and north-west by the Indians called3 Nahigganneucks, alias Narragansets; the whole tract extending about twenty-five English miles, unto the Pequot River and country."

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"And whereas divers well affected and industrious English inhabitants of the towns of Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport, in the tract aforesaid, have adventured to make a nearer neighbourhood and society with the great body of the Narragansets, which may in time, by the blessing of God upon their endeavours, lay a sure foundation of happiness to all America. And have also purchased, and are purchasing of and amongst the said natives, some other places, which may be convenient both for plantations, and also for building of ships," supply of 12pipe staves, and other merchandise. And whereas the said English, have represented their desire to the said earl, and commissioners, to have their hopeful beginnings approved and confirmed, by granting unto them a free charter of civil incorporation and government; that they may order and govern their plantation in such a manner as to maintain justice and peace,

(1) "north."

(2) "of Massachusetts."

(3) "inhabited by Indians called Narrogunneucks."

(4) "twenty and five."

(5) It will be noticed that this patent prescribes no definite bounds on the west. That was delayed until the charter of King Charles II, in 1663, when "Pawcatuck River" and "a strait line drawn due north" were made the western bounds.

(6) Warwick is not here mentioned by name. It was however represented in the first action taken under the patent, in 1647. See R. I. Col. Records, I. 148.

(7) "Narragansetts."

(8) "endeavors."

(9) "surer."

(10) "some other places." Warwick, Pawtuxet, Kingstown, etc.

(11) building ships." It is surprising to note how long time was suffered to elapse before the colonists availed themselves of their marine opportunities. "Until the seventeenth century was waning to its close, no sloops or schooners, save those of Massachusetts or New York, enlivened the waters of the bay." Dorr's "Providence," p. 117.

(12) "pipe-staves."

(13) merchandize."

(14) "desires."

(15) beginning."

both among themselves, and towards all men with whom they shall have to do. In due consideration of the said 'premises, the said Robert Earl of Warwick, governor in chief, and lord high admiral of the said plantations, and the greater number of the said commissioners, whose names and seals are here 'under-written and subjoined, out of a desire to encourage the good beginnings of the said planters, do, by the authority of the aforesaid ordinance of the lords and commons, give, grant, and confirm, to the aforesaid inhabitants of the towns of Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport, a free an [sic] absolu te 'charter of incorporation, to be known by the name of The Incorporation of ProvidencePlantations, in the 'Narraganset-Bay, New-England. 10--Together with full power and authority," to rule themselves and such others as shall hereafter inhabit within any part of the said tract of land, by such a form of civil government, as by voluntary consent of all, or the greater part of them, they shall find most suitable to their estate and condition; and, for that end, to make and ordain such civil laws and constitutions, and to inflict such punishment upon transgressors, and for execution thereof, so to place and displace officers of justice, as they, or the greatest part of them, shall by free consent agree unto. Provided nevertheless, that the said laws, constitutions, and punishments, for the civil government of the said plantations," be conformable to the laws of England, so far as the nature and constitution of the place will admit. And always reserving to the said earl and commissioners, and their successors, power and authority for to dispose the general government of that, as it

(1) "amongst."

(2) "the premises."

(3) "governor."

(4) "under written."

(5) "the said plantations."

(6) "of lords and commons."

(7) "charter of civil incorporation."

(8) "name of Incorporation," etc.

(9) "Narragansett Bay in New England."

(10) It will be noticed that the name of Providence, here heading the official title of the colony, afterwards resigned to Rhode Island the first place in the official title of "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." (See the charter of 1663).

(11)"to govern and rule themselves."

(12) "greatest."

(13)''most serviceable to their estates."

(14) "plantation."

(15) "of that place."

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stands in relation to the rest of the plantations in America, as they shall conceive from time to time, most conducing to the general good of the said plantations, the honour of his majesty, and the service of the state." And the said earl and commissioners do further authorize, that the aforesaid inhabitants; for the better transacting of their publick affairs, to make and use a publick' seal, as the known seal of Providence-Plantations, in the Narraganset-Bay, in New-England. In testimony whereof the said Robert Earl of Warwick, and commissioners, have here unto set their hands and seals, the fourteenth day of March, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord King Charles, and in the year of our Lord God, 1643.

ROBERT WARWICK, PHILIP PEMBROKE, 10SAY AND SEAL, "P. WHARTON, 12ARTHUR HASLERIG, COR. HOLLAND,

H. VANE,

SAM. VASSAL,
JOHN ROLLE,
MILES CORBET,
13 W. SPURSTOW."

Mr. Williams having obtained this charter, how long it was before he returned is uncertain; and as there is no particular form of government established by it, nor no officers, or

(1) "in reference to."

(2) "as they shall commissionate."

(3) "plantation."

(4) "honor."

(5) "of this state."

(6) "public."

(7) "public."

(8) "Seventeenth," says Elton. ["Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society," IV. 225-26. Yet Governor Hopkins is correct. Mr. Arnold in 1846-47, examined the official manuscript of the charter preserved in the British State Paper office, at London, and found the date recorded as "14th March." (Arnold's "Rhode Island," I. 114. Note).

(9) Robert Warwick." His seal does not occur here, but as indicated above.

(10) William, Say and Seal."

(11) Philip Wharton."

(12) Haselrige."

(13) Spurstow's signature does not appear on the copy in the Colony records.