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be elected

Time.

A Governor, naging of the Affairs and Bufinefs of the faid Company and their Succeffors, Deputy-Go- there fhall be One Governor, One Deputy Governor, and Twelve Affiftants, vernor, & 12 to be from Time to Time conftituted, elected and chofen out of the Freemen Affitants to of the faid Company for the Time being, in fuch Manner and Form as herefrom Time to after in thefe Prefents is expreffed, which faid Officers fhall apply themselves to take Care for the beft difpofing and ordering of the general Bufinefs and Af fairs of and concerning the Land and Hereditaments herein after mentioned to be granted, and the Plantation thereof, and the Government of the People thereof: And for the better Execution of our Royal Pleasure herein, We do for Us. Our Heirs, and Succeflors, affign, name, conftitute and appoint the First Gover- aforefaid John Winthrop to be the firft and prefent Governor of the faid Comnor, DeputyGovernor & pany, and the faid John Mafon to be the Deputy-Governor, and the faid Aflitants ap- Samuel Wyllys. Mathew Allyn, Nathan Gold, Henry Clarke, Richard Treat, pointed!

John Ogden, John Tapping, John Talcott, Thomas Wells, Henry Wolcott, Richard Lord, and Daniel Clarke, to be the Twelve prefent Affiftunts of the faid Company, to continue in the faid feveral Offices refpectively, until the fécond Thurday which fhall be in the Month of October now next coming. And further, We Will, and by thefe Prefents for Us, Our Heirs, and Succeflors, Governor and De ordain and grant, That the Governor of the faid Company for the Time Deputy-Governor Power being, or in his Abfence, by Occafion of Sickness, or otherwife by his Leave to call a Gen, or Permiffion, the Deputy-Governor for the Time being, fhall and may from Affembly. Time to Tine upon all Occafions, give Order for the affembling of the faid

Company, and calling them together to confult and advife of the Bufinefs and Affairs of the faid Company, and that forever hereafter, Twice in every Two General Year, That is to fay, On every Second Thursday in October, and on every ScAffemblies in cond Thursday in May, or oftner in cafe it fhall be requifite; the Affiftants, a Year,viz.in and Freemen of the faid Company, or fuch of them (not exceeding Two PerMay &October fons from each Place, Town, or City) who fhall be from Time to Time there

Power to al ter their Days

unto elected or deputed by the major Part of the Freemen of the refpective Towns, Cities, and Places for which they fhall be elected or deputed, shall have a General Meeting, or Affembly, then and there to confult and advice in and about the Affairs and Bufinefs of the faid Company: and that the Governor, or in his Abfence the Deputy-Governor of the faid Company, for the Time being, and fuch of the Affiftants and Freemen of the faid Company as fhall be fo elected or deputed, and be prefent at fuch Meeting or Aflembly, or the greatest Number of them, whereof the Governor or Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Aflitants at least, to be Seven, fhall be called the General Affembly, and fhall have full Power and Authority to alter and change their Days and Times of Meeting, or General Affemblies, for electing the Governor, Deputyof Meeting. Governor, and Affiftants, or other Officers, or any other Courts, Affemblies or Meetings, and to choose, nominate and appoint fuch and fo many other Perfons as they shall think fit, and fhall be willing to accept the fame, to be Free of the faid To appoint Company and Body Politick, and them into the fame to admit ; And to elect and Freemen, and conftitute fuch Officers as they fhall think fit and requifite for the ordering, managconftituteOf. ing and difpofing of the Affairs of the faid Governor and Company, and their Sucficers. ceffors: And We do hereby for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, eftablish and ordain, That once in the Year forever hereafter, Namely, the faid Second Thursday in May, the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants of the faid Company, and other Officers of the faid Company, or fuch of them as the faid General Affembly fhall think fit, fhall be in the faid General Court and Affembly to be held from that Day or Time, newly chofen for the Year enfuing, by fuch greater Part of the faid Company for the Time being, then and there prefent; and if the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants by thefe Prefents appointed, or fuch as hereafter be newly chofen into their Rooms, or any of them, or any other the Officers to be appointed for the faid Company fhall die, or be removed from his or their feveral Offices or Places before the faid general Day of Election, whom we do hereby declare for any Mifdemeanor or Default, to be removable by the Governor, Afiftants and Company, or fuch greater Part of them in any of the faid public Courts to be aflembled, as is aforefaid, that

Power to

chufe newOfficers in c.fe of the Death

or Removal of others.

Affiftants to

then and in every fuch Cafe, it hall and may be lawful to and for the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiitants, and Company aforefaid, or fuch greater Part of them fo to be affembled, as is aforefaid, in any of their Affemblies, to proceed to a new Election of one or more of their Company, in the Room or Place, Rooms or Places of fuch Governor, Deputy-Governor, Affiftant, or Former Officers Power to other Officer or Officers fo dying or removed, according to their Difcretions, cease, upon and immediately upon and after fuch Election or Elections made of fuch Go- the Choice of vernor, Deputy-Governor, Afliftant or Affiftants, or any other Officer of the new ones. faid Company, in Mariner and Form aforefaid, the Authority, Office and Power before given to the former Governor, Deputy-Governor, or other Officer and Officers fo removed, in whofe Stead and Place new fhall be chofen, fhall, as to him and them, and every of them refpectively, ceafe and determine. Provided alla, And Our Will and Pleafure is, That as well fuch as are by thefe Prefents appointed to be the prefent Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants of the faid Company, as thofe that fhall fucceed them, and all other Officers to be appointed and chofen, as aforefaid, fhall before they undertake the Execution of their faid Offices and Places refpectively, take their feveral and respective corporal Oaths for the due and faithful Performance of their Duties, in their feveral Offices and Places, before fuch Perfon or Perfons as are by thefe Prefents Governor, D. hereafter appointed to take and receive the fame; That is to jay, The faid Governor, & John Winthrop, who is herein before nominated and appointed the prefent be worn to a Governor of the faid Company, fhall take the faid Oath before One or more of faithful Perthe Masters of Our Court of Chancery for the Time being, unto which Mafter formance of of Chancery, We do by thefe Prefents give full Power and Authority to ad- their Duty & minifter the faid Oath to the faid John Winthrop accordingly: And the faid Office. John Majon, who is herein before nominated and appointed the prefent Deputv-Governor of the faid Company, thall take the faid Oath before the faid John Winthrop, or any Two of the Afiitants of the faid Company, unto whom We do by thefe Prefents give fall Power and Authority to adminifter the faid Oath to the faid John Malon accordingly: And the faid Samuel Wyllys, Henry Clarke, Matthew Allyn, John Tapping, Nathan Gold, Richard Treat, Richard Lord, Henry Wolcott, John Talcott, Daniel Clarke, John Ogden, and Thomas Wells, who are herein before nominated and appointed the prefent Afliftants of the faid Company, fhall take the Oath before the faid John Winthrop, and John Majon, or One of them, to whom We do hereby give full Power and Authority to adminifter the fame accordingly. And Our further Will and Pleasure is, that all and every Governor, or Deputy-Governor to be elected and chofen by Virtue of thefe Prefents, fhall take the faid Oath before Two or more of the Affiftants of the faid Company for the Time being, unto whom We do by these Prefents give full Power and Authority to give and adminifter the said Oath accordingly; and the faid Affiftants, and every of them, and all and every other Officer or Officers to be hereafter chofen from Time to Time, to take the faid Oath before the Governor, or Deputy-Governor for the Time being, unto which Governor, or Deputy-Governor We do by these Presents give full Power and Authority to adminifter the fame accordingly. And further, Of Our more ample Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, We have given and granted, and by thefe Pretents for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, do give and grant unto the faid Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England in America, and to every Inhabitant there, and to every Perfon Power to and Perfons Trading thither, and to ever, fuch Perfon and Perfons as are or habitantsinto transport Infhall be Free of the faid Colony, full Power and Authority from Time to Time, the Colony,& and at all Times hereafter, to take Ship, Tranfport and carry away for and to- Goods, Merwards the Plantation and Defence of the faid Colony, fuch of Our loving Sub- chandifes &c1 jetts and Strangers, as fhall or will willingly accompany them in, and to their faid Colony and Plantation, except fuch Perfon and Perfons as are or shall be therein restrained by Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors; and alfo to fhip and tranfport all, and all Manner of Good, Chattels, Merchandizes, and other Things whatfoever that are or shall be ufetul or neceffary for the Inhabitants of the faid Colony, and may lawfully be tranfported thither; Nevertheless, not to be dif

free and na

tural fubjects

charged of Payment to Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, of the Duties, Cuftoms

and Subfidies which are or ought to be paid or payable for the fame. And The King's Subjects in further, Our Will and Pieafure is, and We do for Us, Our Heirs and Succefthis Colonyto fors, ordain, declare, and grant unto the faid Governor and Company, and enjoy all the their Succeffors, That all, and every the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs, or SuccefPrivileges of fors, which thall go to inhabit within the faid Colony, and every of their Children which fhall happen to be born there, or on the Seas in going thither, or returning from thence, fhall have and enjoy all Liberties and Immunities of free and natural Subjects within any the Dominions of Us, Our Heirs or Suc ceffors, to all Intents, Conftructions and Purposes whatsoever, as if they and every of them were born within the Realm of England; And We do authorife and impower the Governor, or in his Abfence the Deputy-Governor for the Power to ad- Time being, to appoint Two or more of the faid Affiftants at any of their Courts minifter the or Affemblies to be held as aforefaid, to have Power and Authority to admiOath of Su- nifter the Oath of Supremacy and Obedience to all and every Perfon and Perpre nacy and fons which thall at any Time or Times hereafter go or pafs into the faid Co

Obedience.

dicatories.

government,

&c.

lony of Connecticut, unto which faid Aftants fo to be appointed as aforesaid, We do by thefe Prefents give full Power aud Authority to adminifter the faid Oath accordingly. And We do further of Our efpecial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, give, and grant unto the faid Governor and Company of the English Colony of Conneticut, in New-England in America, and their Succeffors, That it fhali and may be lawful to and for the Governor, or Deputy-Governor, and fuch of the Affitants of the faid Company for the Time being as fhall be Assembled in any of the General Courts aforefaid; or in To erect Ju- any Courts to be especially Summoned, or Affembled for that Purpofe, or the greater Part of them, whereof the Governor, or Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Affilants to be always Seven, to Erect, and Make fuch Judicatories, for the Hearing, and Determining of all Actions, Cautes, Matters, and Things happening within the faid Colony, or Plantation, and which shall be in Dispute, To ordain & and Depending there, as they shall think Fit, and Convenient, and alfo from eftablish laws Time to Time to Make, Ordain, and Establish all Manner of Wholesome, and for fettling Reafonable Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Directions, and Instructions, not Conthe Forms of trary to the Laws of this Realm, of England, as well for Settling the Forms, and Ceremonies of Government, and Magiftracy, Fit, and Neceffary for the faid Plantation, and the Inhabitants there, as for Naming, and Stiting all Sorts of Officers, both Superior and Inferior, which they hall Find Needful for the Government, and Plantation of the faid Colony, and the Distinguishing, and fetting forth of the several Duties, Powers, and Limits of every fuch Office, and Place, and the Forms of fuch Oaths not being Contrary to the Laws, and Statutes of this Our Realm of England, to be Adminiftred for the Execution of the faid feveral Offices, and Places, as alfo for the Difpofing, and Ordering of the Election of fuch of the faid Officers as are to be Annually Chofen, and of fuch To impofe others as fhall Succeed in cafe of Death, or Removal, and Adminiftring the Fines, Mulas faid Oath to the New-Elected Officers, and Granting Neceffary Commiffions, and for Impofition of Lawful Fines, Mulets, Imprisonment or other Punishment upon Offenders, and Delinquents according to the Courfe of other Corporations within this our Kingdom of England, and the fame Laws, Fines, Mulets, and Executions, to alter, change, revoke, annul, release, or pardon under their Common Seal, as by the faid General Affembly, or the major Part of them fhall be thought fit, and for the directing, ruling and difpofing of all other Matters and Things, whereby Our faid People, Inhabitants there, may be fo religioully, peaceably and civilly governed, as their good Life and orderly Converfaton may win and invite the Natives of the Country to the Knowledge and Obedience of the Oaly True GOD, and the Saviour of Mankind, and the Chriftian Faith, which in Oar Royal Intentions, and the Adventurers free Profeffion, is the only and principal Ead of this Plantation; willing, commanding and requiring, and by thefe Prefents for us, Our Heirs and Succeflors, ordaining and Laws to be appointing, that all fuch Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, Inftructions, Impofipublished. tions and Directions as fhall be fo made by the Governor, Deputy. Governor,

&C.

To use the

and Affiftants as aforefaid, and published in Writing under their Common Laws to be Seal, fhall carefully and duly be observed, kept, performed, and put in Execu- put in Exe tion, according to the true Intent and Meaning of the fame, and thefe Our Let- cution. ters Patents, or the Duplicate, or exemplification thereof, fhall be to all and every fuch Officers, Superiors and Inferiors from Time to Time, for the putting of the fame Orders, Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Inftructions, and Directions in due Execution, against Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, a fufficient Warrant and Discharge. And We do further for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, give and grant unto the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, by thefe Prefents, That it fhall and may be lawful to, and for the Chief Commanders, Governors and Officers of the faid Company for the Time being, who fhall be refident in the Parts of New-England hereafter mentioned, and others inhabiting there, by their Leave, Admittance, Appointment, or Direction, from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, for their special Defence and Safety, to Affemble, Martial Array, and put in warlike Pofture the Inha- Power to afbitants of the faid Colony, and to Commiffionate, Impower, and Authorize femble,& put in warlike fuch Perfon or Perfons as they fhall think fit, to lead and conduct the faid Inha- Pofture the birans, and to encounter, expulfe, repel, and refift by Force of Arms, as well Inhabitants. by Sea as by Land, and also to kill, slay, and destroy by all fitting Ways, Enterprizes, and Means whatsoever, all and every fuch Perfon or Perfons as shall at any Time hereafter Attempt or Enterprize the Deftruction, Invasion, Detriment, or Annoyance of the faid Inhabitants or Plantation, and to use and exer- Law Martial. cife the Law Martial in fuch Cafes only as Occafion fhall require; and to take or furprize by all Ways and Means whatfoever, all and every fuch Perfon and Perfons, with their Ships, Armour, Ammunition and other Goods of fuch as fhall in fuch hoftile Manner Invade, or attempt the Defeating of the faid Plantation, or the Hurt of the faid Company and Inhabitants, and upon juft Causes to invade and destroy the Natives, or other Enemies of the faid Colony. Nevertheless, Our Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby declare unto all Chriftian His Majesty's Kings, Princes, and States, that if any Perfons which fhall hereafter be of the Declaration faid Company or Plantation, or any other by appointment of the faid Governor to all Princes and Company for the Time being, fhall at any Time or Times hereafter rob or and States,against such as fpoil by Sea or by Land, and do any Hurt, Violence, or unlawful Hoftility to fhall rob or any of the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs or Succeffors, or any of the Subjects of any froil by Sea Prince or State being then in League with Us, Our Heirs or Succeffors, upon or Land. complaint of fuch Injury done to any fuch Prince or State, or their Subjects, We, Our Heirs and Succeffors will make open Proclamation within any Parts of our Realm of England fit for that Purpofe, that the Perfon or Perfons committing any fuch Robery or Spoil, fhall within the Time limited by fuch Proclamation, make full Reftitution or Satisfaction of all fuch Injuries done or committed, fo as the faid Prince, or others fo complaining may be fully fatisfied and contented; and if the said Perfon or Perfons who fhall commit any such Robbery or Spoil fhall not make Satisfaction accordingly, within fuch Time fo to be limited, that then it shall and may be lawful for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, to put fuch Perfon or Perfons out of Our Allegiance and Protection; and that it shall and may be lawful and free for all Princes or others to profecute with Hoftility fuch Offenders, and every of them, their, and every of their Procurers, Aiders, Abettors and Counsellors in that Behalf. Provided aljo, Liberty reAnd Our exprefs Will and Pleafure is, and We do by these Prefents for Us, ferved for all Our Heirs, and Succeffors, Ordain and Appoint, that these Prefents fhall not his Majefty's in any Manner hinder any of Our loving Subjects whatsoever to use and exer- fubjects to cife the Trade of Fishing upon the Coaft of New-England, in America, but they fish upon the and every or any of them fhall have full and free Power and Liberty, to contínue, and use the said Trade of Fishing upon the faid Coaft, in any of the Seas thereunto adjoining, or any Arms of the Seas, or Salt Water Rivers where they have been accustomed to fifh, and to build and fet up on the wafte Land belonging to the faid Colony of Connecticut, fuch Wharves, Stages, and Work-Houfes Wharves, &c. as shall be neceffary for the falting, drying, and keeping of their Fifh to be ta- upon wafte ken, or gotten upon that Coaft, any Thing in these Prefents contained to the Lands.

coaft.

To build

Commodi

&c.

contrary notwithstanding. And Know Ye further, That We, of Our abundant Grant of the Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, have given, granted, and conLands within firmed, and by thefe Prefents for Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, do give, granɛ the limits ex- and confirm unto the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, all preffed to the that Part of Our Dominions in New-England in America, bounden on the Enft by Gov.& Com- Narraganset-River, commonly called Narraganjet-Bay, where the laid River pany, withthe falleth into the Sea; and on the North by the Line of the Maßachujetts-Plantatities thereof, on; and on the South by the Sea; and in Longitude as the Line of the Maffa— chusetts-Colony, running from Eat to West, That is to Jay, From the faid Narraganfett-Bay on the Eaft, to the South Sea on the Weft Part, with the lands thereunto adjoining, together with all firm Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, Mines, Minerals, precious Stones, Quarries, and all and fingular other Commodities, Jurifdictions, Royalties, Privileges, Franchifes, Preheminencies, and Hereditaments whatsoever, within the faid Tract, Bounds, Lands, and Islands aforesaid, or to them or any of them belonging. To have and to hold the fame unto the faid Governor and Company, their Succeffors and Affigns forever, upon Truft, and for the Ufe and Benest of Themselves and their Affociates, Freemen of the faid Colony, their Hei and Affigns, to be holden of Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, as of Our Manor of commonSoc- East-Greenwich in free and common Soccage, and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service, yielding and paying therefor to Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, only the Fifth Part of all the Ore of Gold and Silver which from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, fhall be there gotten, had, or obtained, in Lieu of all Services, Duties and Demands whatfoever, to be to Us, our Heirs, or Succeffors therefor, or thereout rendered, made, or paid. And lastly, We do for Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, grant to the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, by these Presents, That thefe Our Letters Patents, fhall be firm, good and effectual in the Law, to all Intents, Conftructions, and Purble Conftruc. pofes whatsoever, according to Our true Intent and Meaning herein before tion for the declared, as fhall be conftrued, reputed and adjudged most favourable on the Benefit of the Behalf, and for the best Benefit, and Behoof of the faid Governor and Company, Gov. &Com. and their Succeffors, although exprefs Mention of the true Yearly Value or Cer

To be held in free and

cage.

The Patent

to have the molt favora

tainty of the Premifes, or of any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us, or by any of Our Progenitors, or Predeceffors, heretofore made to the faid Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in NewEngland, in America, aforefaid, in thefe Prefents is not made, or any Statue, Act, Ordinance, Provifion, Proclamation, or Restriction heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained, or provided, or any other Matter, Caufe, or Thing whatfoever to the contrary thereof, in any wife notwithstanding. In Witness whereof, We have caused thefe Our Letters to be made Patents. Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Three and Twentieth Day of April, in the Fourteenth Year of our Reign.

By Writ of Privy Seal,

HOWARD.

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