USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 6
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" It is not barely to give you a public testimony of my grati- tude for many personal favors, nor yet that esteem and respect
--
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
which all men bear you, for your singular equity and bene- volence, not only in private life, but in all the various offices in which you have adorned your country, that I prefix your name to these papers-but because an attempt to recover some ac- count of this happy island, and to make a religious improvement of the merciful providence of God towards it, is justly due to the lineal representative of that worthy gentleman, who was the great instrument of its original settlement.
" If the following discourse has done any justice to the memory and character of the pious people who first settled this colony ; or, if it has any tendency to promote the true, original ends of this plantation, I am sure of your patronage. And, as to what relates to some articles, different from your judgment and practice in religious matters, the generosity and candor you inherit from your great ancestors, will easily bear with me in endeavoring to vindicate my own opinions on such an occasion."
Such an eulogium, from the pen of the gifted Callender, on the excellencies of character which were possessed by Col. Cod- dington, and his ancestor Gov. Coddington, place them in the first rank as the advocates of those sound and liberal principles, which operated in a most remarkable manner, in building up this colony.
It would seem from a perusal of Mr. Callender's sermon, that he was entirely free from sectarianism. While he took the liberty to think for himself, and to make his own deductions, he left to others the same inherent right, and hence a mutual good feeling existed among the different branches of Christ's Church in Newport, and which has continued to a great degree, and perhaps greater than in any other spot in New-England.
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JOHN CLARKE, AND THE CHARTER OF 1663.
Having already alluded to John Clarke, and the important part which he took in the cause of religious liberty, we now propose to enter more fully on the work, as this is a point of vital interest to the inhabitants of the ancient metropolis. Too long have the laurels been plucked from his brow to grace those of another, without one voice being raised in its condemnation.
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JOHN CLARKE, AND THE CHARTER OF 1663.
Like Americus . Vespucius, who stole the glory from Columbus, to enrich and ennoble his own character, so has the merit been bestowed on Williams, which pre-eminently belongs to Clarke. We have said that owing to the decline of commerce in New- port, which was her chief support, and which made her the second commercial emporium in the Colonies, has followed in its train, a want of self-respect, in not fearlessly asserting her just claims, of being the first in the sacred cause of human rights. Adverse providences in communities, as well as indi- viduals, are apt to lessen the interest which should ever pre- dominate in the human mind, to stand by the principles which were purchased at a great sacrifice by our pious forefathers, and never permit them to be wrested from us with impunity. This has been sadly realized in the matter now under consider- ation. There has been a spirit at work in this State which has operated most sensibly against that true independence of character, which ought most especially to distinguish this people above others. A few have assumed to have in posses. sion all the wisdom, to guide and direct the affairs both of Church and State, and to crush the least emotion of patriotism, which has occasionally burst forth from the bosom of others. It is to this cause alone that we attribute the want of talent so obviously witnessed in this State. The question is often asked by those of other States,-" Are there no minds in Rhode Island qualified to compete with men of other sections, whose abilities have assisted them to the highest posts of honor and distinc- tion ?" Our reply has ever been in the affirmative ; and that the only cause has arisen from not encouraging and putting men forward, but rather laboring to hold them back, for fear that their own ignorance would be the more apparent. What other valid reason can be offered ? Have we not facilities for education ? Is there not an institution called Brown University, which professes to rank high in the scale of literature ? Then what prevents the development of mind ? Is the moral soil sterile and unproductive ? Is this our unhappy lot ? The reason is too plain and obvious to admit of a question-it is the want of independence to speak out boldly our thoughts; every thing has become stercotyped, in morals and in politics, so that the moment a sentiment is advanced, not in agreement with previous views, such minds must be sacrificed on the altar of
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
prejudice. While they prate much of the "land of Roger Williams," as the hallowed spot where liberty of conscience is enjoyed, it is, alas, only in theory! while the practical working is restriction with a vengeance. Now, this spirit did not formerly exist to that degree in the capital of the State, and God grant that it never may. Never let it be said that on the spot which contains the ashes of a Clarke and a Coddington, the people have become so far recreant to the principles espoused by those sainted patriots, as to permit the light which emanated from them to be extinguished forever.
Mr. Clarke procured the Charter, against the combined in- fluence of Massachusetts, whose appointed agents were Edward Winslow, and John Winthrop.
1
The honor of obtaining the charter of 1663, belongs to John Clarke alone ; for, as Mr. Backus has observed, "There is not one word in the first charter about .' Religion, or Liberty of Conscience.' But John Clarke's charter of Charles the 2d, has it fully expressed."-Backus, vol. 1, p. 91. Now when it is considered that Mr. Clarke mortgaged his property to go on his mission, and was absent twelve years from his family ; and at the court of Charles 2d, labored assiduously to procure the instrument, and did procure it, -- who, we ask, has the right to share with him the honor ? It was his conciliating manners, which was the means in the accomplishment of the object. It was a most remarkable instrument, considering the source from whence it emanated. It granted every thing which Mr. Clarke wished or desired, and the State would have been far better off, had they remained under it to this day. For, in throwing it off, so far from improving their liberties, the result has been a diminution of their political rights.
In Allen's Biographical Dictionary, article, "CLARKE, JOHN, -- On the principles afterwards set forth in the ' Declaration . of American Independence,' as you have justly observed ; and, perhaps, Mr. Editor, you may not be aware of the fact, that Mr. Jefferson himself stated to a gentleman of this State, now deceased, who visited him about twenty years ago, that he derived those principles from our ancestors, with whose history and writings he seemed to be minutely acquainted, and espe- cially of Mr. Clarke, of whom he spoke, highly contrasting him with Williams, Locke, &c., and preferring him for his mild,
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JOHN CLARKE, AND THE CHARTER OF 1663.
yet firm consistency with which he maintained the great principles which he promulgated contemporaneously with Williams, (while Locke was forty years behind them,) and for his persevering, self-sacrificing, and efficient efforts in establishing them in the charter he procured of Charles II. To Mr. Clarke, he gave the credit of being the author, as well as procurer of that charter. And here I would observe, that great injustice has been done to Mr. Clarke, in ascribing to Mr. Williams the authorship of that charter; and why deprive Mr. Clarke, whose ability, diligence, and interest in the hearts of our superiors our fathers praised and confided in, of the credit due to his services ? Was he in- ferior to Mr. Williams in talents, education, weight of charac- ter, influence, or efficiency of service ? I believe it to be suscep- tible of proof, that he was not, in either.
Neither was Mr. Williams in England at the time,-he went in company with Mr. Clarke, in 1651, but returned in 1654, while Mr. Clarke continued steadily at his post, to look after the interests of the colony, contending with the agents of Massachu- setts and Connecticut, until 1663. And the charter which he procured of King Charles, contains no principles which Mr. Clarke had not maintained before he left Rhode Island. Indeed, as early as the 12th of March, 1640, long before the settlements were united, the Assembly of the island, solemnly recognized the great principles of civil and religious liberty, and passed the " first legislative act on record, relating to liberty of conscience." -Monday's Courrier, in relation to the late "New-England Festival" in New-York. .
Here is an admission which we are very happy to chronicle. Thus, the claim of Mr. Williams, resting as it does, on the sup- posed influence of Sir Henry Fane, must fall, and the charter must stand as the charter of John Clarke, and he be allowed to share equally with Mr. Williams, the high honor of establishing the first government in the world, which gave to all, equal civil and religious liberty.
To Mr. Clarke, the colony of Rhode Island was, in our opinion, indebted in a greater degree, than to any other of her founders. He was the original projector of the settlement of the island, and one of its first and oldest civilians. In reducing the government to order, Mr. Clarke was much relied on, and held the first rank in legislative intelligence. He was to the rude and boisterous materials among which his lot was east, what the pendulum is
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
to the time-piece. We never find him engaged in angry contro- versy with those of different persuasions ; but, on the contrary, endeavoring to practice and establish what he professed, tolera- tion to all .- Memoirs of Rhode Island.
After Mr. Clarke's return, he was " improved" in various public offices, was elected Deputy Governor, three years suc- cessively, in two of which he accepted the office, but all the con- cerns of the State did not prevail with him, as it has done with many, to neglect the affairs of religion.
We think that it would be fully as appropriate to call it the land of Clarke as of Williams, after having read the evidence which has been offered, of who was the actual procurer of the charter of Charles II., in 1663.
It behooves the inhabitants of Newport, to speak of his name and to venerate his worth. Let it be emblazoned on some public building, "to be known and read of all men," that our children may learn to esteem a man who has bequeathed to them, such inestimable privileges. Many scarcely know that such a one ever existed, or fulfilled his part so well. Be it our duty to rescue from oblivion, his name and noble deeds, which were appreciated by so gifted a mind as Jefferson's.
The subject is a fruitful one, and might be extended, but we are reminded that in a work like this, brevity is required, in order to glance at the various events which have occurred in our history.
Let the Plantations exult and triumph in its founder, Roger Williams, while the State of Rhode Island, of which Newport is the capital, should continue to glory in the memory of the sainted, patriotic John Clarke, its founder and benefactor, whose moral character has never been surpassed, and his piety never been questioned.
1666. Dr. John Clarke was appointed by the Assembly to digest the laws.
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THE RECEPTION OF THE CHARTER BY THE PEOPLE OF NEWPORT.
This Charter was received with great joy. It was brought from Boston by Capt. George Baxter, and was read publicly at Newport, Nov. 24, 1663. The records say :
" The said letters, with His Majesty's royal stamp, and the
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RECEPTION OF THE CHARTER BY THE PEOPLE.
broad seal, with much becoming gravity, were held up on high, and presented to the publie view of the people."
Thanks were voted to the King, to the Earl of Clarendon, and to Mr. Clarke, together with a resolution to pay all his ex- penses, and to present him with £100. It was also voted that £25 sterling be paid to Capt. George Baxter from the colony, for his services as bearer of the Charter. This was a proud day for Newport-she appeared in her true dignity, and felt her superiority.
The first Assembly under the Charter, the fundamental law of the State, was held at Newport, March 4th, 1663-4. Mr. Benedict Arnold was created by the Charter, the first Governor, William Brenton, Lieut. Governor, and William Baulston, Wil- liam Field, John Greene, John Coggeshall, Joseph Clarke, James Barker, Roger Williams, Thomas Olney, John Porter, Randal Houlden, assistants.
The following are the names of the deputies who were re- turned from Newport: John Card, Richard Tew, John Cran- ston, William Dyre, John Gould, and Caleb Car, afterwards Governor of the State.
At this session the Seal of the colony was fixed. An anchor, with the word Hope, over it, and the words Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as follows :
AND
PROVIDENCE
ISLAND
CHOPE
PLANTATI
O DE
C
1
'IONS.
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THE HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
It was voted that the island called Patience, be added and joined to Portsmouth.
This was the commencement of a new era in the history of the State, and the people continued to venerate this charter until within a few years, when it was thought that too great inequal- ity existed in the representation, and in the elective franchise, but the effects which followed the attempt to change the mode and form of government, being of so painful and ludicrous a character, has rather led us to doubt whether, on the whole, we have actually gained or lost, by throwing aside the charter and adopting a Constitution, which is now the fundamental law of the State.
An extension in theory and in practise, is quite a different thing ; there may be the semblance of liberty, while liberty does not in fact, exist. It would have been full as politic to have retained the charter, and extended suffrage to every native-born citizen, with such other improvements as were necessary, as to have abandoned an instrument which embodied so many privi- leges, and under which the State so long enjoyed peace, happi- ness, and prosperity. But steam power is now in operation, and we must get off the track.
THE CHAIR OF STATE.
The old chair of state, in which Governor Benedict Arnold sat at the reception of the charter in 1663, when it was pro- claimed in the presence of all the freemen of the Colony, at Newport, is still in being, though somewhat shorn of its pris- tine honors. It belongs to our respected fellow-citizen, Isaac Gould, Esq., at whose house in Thames-street, it may at any time be seen.
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A TALE OF TIMES PAST,-IN THE DAYS OF GOVERNOR BENEDICT ARNOLD.
1 " Old chair, no longer aches the head, Of him who sat in stately pride On thy oak seat, whilst heralds read What moderns now deride-
The ' CHARTER !' "
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THE CHAIR OF STATE.
" On a bright summer's day, as sweetly shone the sun, The streets of Newport echoed, to the sound of gun and drum ; And bravely shone each officer, with pointed bead and lace, And lovely smil'd each maiden, to all of the olden race.
ARNOLD a brave war-horse strode, which proudly tramp'd the way, Pursued his course, with tabours bright, look'd decorous and gay ; Loud cheers ascended high, from tower, and tent, and shore, As troop on troop of soldiers grim, pass'd by with trumpet's roar.
Banner and pennon, waving wide, on arquebuss and blade, Seem'd proudly brave, and shone with joy, on Newport's gay parade; On a bright canopy, covered o'er, with crimson cloth and gold, On which was wrought by skilful hands, heraldic emblems bold.
Stood this Old Chair of by-gone days, the Charter's oaken seat, Whereon emblazon'd, rich and gay, did England's arms complete The Chair,-with fitting panoply, high backed, strong, and grand, That old oak Chaïr, look'd gaily there, forever may it stand.
' Long live King Charles !' the heralds cried, and thousands did reply, While ARNOLD, with a noble grace, sat in the old chair high ; Lady high-born, and lovely maid, knight, squire, and page were seen, Disporting on that gala day, in garments rich and sheen.
The heavens smil'd, the birds sang gay, and music fill'd the air, On that bright day of pageantry, thou olden oaken Chair ; But many a year has long gone by, and all those glories fled, While he who sat upon that seat, now sleeps among the dead.
And save his crumbling grave-stone dim, with tall grass overgrown, With letters dim, to tell of him, old Chair, thou art alone ; That dream has fled, and gay no more, the world glides careless by, The Chair of State no more is great, or glitters in the eye."
Newport being the metropolis, as she was the most flourish- ing and populous town in the Colony, the freemen of the whole Colony assembled there, to vote for general officers for the year ensuing, agreeably to " An Act regulating the Elections of General Officers."
1
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
LAWS,
Made and passed by the General Assembly of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, begun and held at Newport, the first day of March, 1663-1664 :
" And that each and every person that shall vote by proxy, shall, on the Town Meeting-day next preceding the General Election, openly, in said meeting, deliver in his votes to the Town-Clerk of the town wherein he dwells, with his name written at length on the backside or the bottom thereof, which votes so taken shall be immediately sealed up by the Town- Clerk, and by him delivered either to an Assistant Justice, Warden, or Deputy of said town, who shall be by the said Town-meeting appointed for the same; by him delivered to the Governor or Deputy Governor in open Court, before the Election proceed at Newport."
This was the origin of the word " Prox," or " Proxing- day."
It will be seen that the privilege granted by the above Act of voting by proxy at the General Election at Newport, seems first to have become a law at this time. But voting in person, at Newport, (if the freeman preferred it,) was not abolished until August, 1760, nearly one hundred years afterwards.
This was done for the better accommodation of those who, living at a remote distance from Newport, could not make it convenient always to attend in person. But such were the attractions at the capital, that all that could attend, availed themselves of the privilege of being present, and enjoying the amusements, which were of the most interesting and pleasing character.
Tradition informs us, that a sloop filled with freemen, was purposely run on the Bishop Rock, in order to favor one party, at the expense of the other. It was a common practice to get some of the freemen " half-seas" over, and then land them on Prudence Island, or some other of the intermediate places, in order to prevent their voting.
The head quarters in Newport, where they immediately repaired on their arrival, was Governor Wanton's, and Governor
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ARREST OF JOHN CLARKE.
Whepple's, in Thames-street, and others, where sumptuous tables were spread, including wines and liquors of the choicest kinds, such as is rarely found at this day, and the effects fol- lowing their indulgence, often led to angry discussion, and even to fisti-cuffing between the belligerent parties.
It must have been a novel sight, to have witnessed the crowds which congregated at Newport, under their respective cham- pions, nobly " battling" for their political preferences. The largest liberty was then enjoyed, each one felt that they pos- sessed the sovereign right to speak out, and act out, their undisguised sentiments, without fear or favor. Political hypo- crites, were not then so abundant ; and political principle was not then, as now, "five loaves and two small fishes," as the late Hon. John C. Calhoun once remarked.
It should be borne in mind, that there was no " GAG LAW" in operation, and no proscription tolerated. Moral courage was a virtue, which then animated the breast of man, and which would not allow him to pay a blind devotion at the shrine of Mammon, and thereby barter away his political rights for a " mess of pottage."
Independence of character was the characteristic of the period, agreeably to the principles adopted by the early settlers of the island, and which had been sanctioned and approved by the freemen on the main.
Mr. Callender, in speaking of John Clarke, says, " He was a faithful and useful minister, courteous in all the relations of life, and an ornament to his profession, and to the several offices which he sustained. His memory is deserving of lasting honor, for his efforts towards establishing the first government in the world, which gave to all equal civil and religious liberty. To no man is Rhode Island more indebted than to him. He was the original projector of the settlement of the island, and one of its ablest legislators. No character in New England is of purer fame than John Clarke."
It could scarcely be thought possible that so good a man as Mr. Clarke could have been arrested in the godly State of Mas- sachusetts, and THRUST INTO PRISON ! and this on Lord's day, July 20th, 1651; and on the 31st of that month, by order of the Court of Assistants, held in Boston, Mr. Clarke and breth- ren, received the following sentence, viz. : Mr. Clarke pay £20,
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
or be severely whipped ; Mr. Holmes, £30, or be whipped ; and Mr. Crandall, £5, or be whipped ;- and this alone for conscience toward God, in differing from their brethren in Massachusetts, on the subject of " Infant Baptism." None suffered whipping but Mr. Holmes, who received thirty stripes, administered with the greatest imaginable severity." -- Ross's Historical Discourse.
It is no wonder that Mr. Clarke labored to procure a charter, granting to all civil and religious liberty, after having experi- enced such intolerance on the part of the Massachusett's rulers.
Mr. Clarke died on the 20th April, 1676, in the 66th year of his age. Mr. Backus says, " he was born October the 8th, 1609 ; married Elizabeth, the daughter of John Harges, Esq., of Bedfordshire, England. In a power of attorney signed by them, May 12, 1656, he styles himself, 'John Clarke, physician, of London.' It was for the recovery of a legacy of £20 per annum, that was given her by her father, out of the Manor of Westingworth, Bedfordshire. Where he had his education, I know not ; but the following clause in his will, may give some idea of his learning, viz. : 'Item,-unto my loving friend, Richard Bayley, I give and bequeath my Concordance, and Lexicon thereto belonging, written by myself, being the fruit of several years' study ; my Hebrew Bible, Buxtorff's and Parson's Lexicon, Cotton's Concordance, and all the rest of my books.' His first wife died without issue. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Fletcher, who died April 19th, 1672, leaving an only daughter, who died at the age of 11 years. His third wife was the widow, Sarah Davis, who survived him. Mr. Clarke, according to his request, was buried between his two wives, in the burial ground, on the west side of Tanner-street, (which lot he gave the Church.) He left also an estate of con- siderable value, in the hands of trustees, empowered to choose their successors, for the relief of the poor and the education of children, according to instructions given in his will,-which instructions are, 'That in the disposal of that which the Lord hath bestowed upon me, and with which I have now entrusted you, and your successors, shall have special regard and care ; to provide for those that fear the Lord ; and in all things, and at all times, so to discharge the trust which I have reposed in
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BEQUEST OF JOHN CLARKE.
you, as may be most to the glory of God, and the good and benefit of those for whom it is by me especially intended."
Mr. Clarke's estate was prized at £1080 12s., by James Barker, Thomas Ward, and Philip Edes, who made oath to the inventory, May 17, 1696. The farm and neck, they apprized at £530, and its late annual income has been $220, as Josias Lyn- don, Esq., one of the assigns, stated. The two farms in Mid- dletown, contain about one hundred and fifty acres, and the rents arising from the same, at the present time, amount to $700 per annum.
It is very evident that Mr. Clarke designed the gift to benefit the poor, and to educate the children of the church. For no language could have been employed, more significant than he has employed : " You, and your successors, shall have special regard and care to provide for those who fear the Lord." They were the objects of his regard, and he felt constrained, as a Christian, that the sheep and lambs of the flock should be pro- vided for, and not permitted to want, which would be a gross reflection on the Christian character. This will, we conceive, has been perverted from the original intent of the donor, by ap- propriating a portion of the income to the support of the minis- try, to the neglect of the poor. We are not apprised whether any case at present exists, where the poor and indigent have occasion to seek shelter in the town Asylum ; we trust, for the honor of our native town, that such is not the case. Such, how- ever, has been the painful fact, and so long as the poor of the church are not sought out and made comfortable, not one dollar of the Clarke bequest should be appropriated to the support of the ministry. The "glory of God," which has been construed to favor the diversion of this gift, can in no higher sense be pro- moted, than in feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked ; for God's glory consists essentially, in his goodness. Gov. Lyndon owned the house which he gave the Society for a parsonage, but which unfortunately has passed into other hands.
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