USA > Rhode Island > Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. Printed by order of the General Assembly, Vol. III pt 1 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
JOIIN PYNCHON, BARTHOLOMEW GIDNEY, JONATHAN TYNG.
Letter from Edward Randolph to Governor Hinckley, of Plymouth, relative to Taxes for the support of Ministers.
Rhode Island, June 22d, 1686.
Sir : I am come hither in my way to Narragansett, and am here entertained with an unpleasing story (if true), that is, about three weeks since some persons of this place were at Scituate, where a Constable came and demanded three pounds of Ed- ward Wanlaye, for to pay the Minister ; and have treated others in the same man- ner. Truly, I am very sorry, since his Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant liberty of Conscience in our government, that it should be restrained in your Collony, without any particular directions from Whitehall.
Sir, let us bring the matter to the square, and perhaps 't will be as reasonable to move that your Collony should be rated to pay our Minister of the Church of Eng- land, who now preaches in Boston, and you hear him not, as to make the Quakers pay in your Collony, when what is a rule for us, is a very good direction to others ; and may be applied securely if not practiced to the [rest] of his Majesty's subjects, who are all entitled to that blessing and favor ; which I leave to your very serious con- sideration, and am your assured friend, ED. RANDOLPHI.
To Francis Hinckley, Esq'r,
Governor of New Plymouth Collony.
* This refers to the summons, calling the meeting of the Narragansett Commissioners, their report, and the King's commission to Edward Cranfield.
t Letters and Papers (Rev. T. Prince's Collection), 1680-1720, p. 3.
200
RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND,
[1686.
Commission to Edward Randolph, Secretary of the Governor and Council of the New England Colonies.
September 21, 1685.
JAMES REX.
James the Second, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting :
Whereas, we have thought fit to appoint a President and Council, until we shall send over a Governor in Chief to take care of all our territory and dominion in New England, commonly called or known by the names of the Collony of the Mas- sachusetts Bay, the Province of New Hampshire and Maine, and the Narragansett Country, otherwise called the King's Province, with all the islands, rights and mem- bers thereunto belonging ; know ye, that we reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty and abilities of our trusty and well beloved Edward Randolph, Esq'r, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant unto him, the said Edward Randolph, the several and respective places and offices of Secretary and sole Register of our Governor and Council, and of our government there, for the time being, of and in our territories and dominion aforesaid, and him (the said Edward Randolph, Secretary and Register of our said territory and dominions), we do, by these presents, make, ordain and constitute, to have, hold, exercise and enjoy the said places and offices, or to him, the said Edward Randolph, by himself or his deputy or deputies during our pleasure, together with all fees, rights, privi- leges, profits, perquisites and advantages, to the said places and offices, or either of them, belonging or in any wise appertaining in as full and ample manner to all in- tents and purposes, as the Secretary and Register of our Island of Jamaica, or of any other our Plantations in America, have had or do now receive and enjoy. And hereof all persons, whom it may concern, are to take due notice, and yield obedi- ence thereunto accordingly.
Given at our Court at Windsor, the 21st day of September, 1685, in the first year of our reign .*
Proceedings of a Court held by the Commissioners.
King's Province, June 23, 1686.
At a Court held by his Majesty's Commissioners and Justices, at Major Richard Smith's, in Rochester, in the King's Provice. Present,
Joseph Dudley, President, Joli Winthrop, Esq., Edward Randolph, Esq., Richard Wharton, Esq.,
-
of her Majesty'sCouncil.
* Mass. ITist. Col. Vol. VIC., p. 161.
201
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1686.]
John Blackwell, Elisha Hutchinson, Richard Smith, Francis Brinley, John Saf- fin, Esq'rs. ; John Fones, Thomas Ward, James Pendleton, gentlemen.
Imprimis, The power and commission of the President, and the rest of the hon- orable gentlemen commissionated and for that purpose, was read, and the President and all the Justices there assembled, took the oath prescribed in said commission, and the Justices' oath ; also Capt'n John Blackwell, Capt'n Elisha Hutchinson, Francis Brinley, John Saflin, Esqr's, and Mr. Thomas Ward, took the oath of al- legiance.
John Fones sworn unto the office of Clerk to said Court, and all Courts which shall hereafter be held in the King's Province for the time being : the King's com- mission to the President and Council of his territories and dominions in New Eng- land, openly read.
Commissions unto all the commissioned officers of the respective companies of the militia in the King's Province, delivered by the President, they having formerly taken the oath of allegiance.
Ordered, That the three towns now in the King's Province, shall be called Roch- ester : the first and chief, formerly called Kingston.
Haversham, the second, formerly called Westerly.
Dedford, the third, formerly called Greenwich.
Elisha Hutchinson, Esq'r, having exhibited a book and reference, and report thereon, under the hands of John Pynchon, Bartholomew Gidney, and Jonathan Tyng. Esq'rs, and the orders for allowance by the President and Council at Boston, dated the 17th day of this instant month June, it is ordered, that the said book and report, and allowance thereon, be committed to Capt'n John Fones, Clerk and Re- corder of this Province ; and that the matters entered in the said book stand and re- main as authentic records of the Province; and in the same book the Clerk is or- dered to enter such further records, grants, and bargains of lands, &e., as shall be acknowledged and allowed before the President, or some members of his Majesty's Council, from time to time, under their hands, with several other deeds as have been allowed by former authorities.
Ordered, That two Courts of Pleas shall be held yearly at Rochester. The first Court to be held the second Wednesday in October, and the second the last Wednes- day in May.
And for the impartial issue of titles of land within this Province, and that absent claims may not be impeded, nor exception made against the Judges, several of his Majesty's Council and Justices assigned to hold his Majesty's Court here, being con- cerned in the general titles :
It is ordered, That all original writs in real actions shall be served at least thirty days before the session of the Court that shall try the case ; and that declarations be filed in six days after the process is served, and that the Clerk of the Court for the time being, shall at least eighteen days before the session of the Court, transmit to the President or Deputy President, an account of all actions entered and depending on the general files.
Ordered, That in all other cases, the proceedings of the Court in this Province, be agreeable to the general order and directions for the administration of justice in other parts of his Majesty's territory and dominion under this government.
For the settlement of precincts of towns and the government of the militia, it is ordered, that the bounds of the town of Rochester, in the King's Province, shall be accounted to begin at Mill River, to the eastward of James Reynolds, Sen'r, his VOL. II. 14
202
RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RIIODE ISLAND,
[1686.
house, and to extend to the westermost bounds of the tract of land commonly known by the name of Pettequamscot, as it is bounded by the agreement made the 25th of December, 1679, including the northern and southern tracts, purchased by the late John Winthrop, Esq'r, and others ; also said Pettequamscot tract, and the inhabitants thereof.
Ordered, That the bounds of the town of Haversham, in the King's Province, shall be accounted to begin at Rochester, and extend to Paucatuck River, including all the lands in the King's Province, to the westward of the said town of Rochester.
Ordered, That the bounds of Dedford, in the King's Province, shall begin at Rochester bounds, to extend unto the bounds of Warwick, including all the lands in the King's Province, to the eastward of the said town of Rochester, viz. : the lands formerly called East Greenwich, Cowesett, Pottowomack, and inhabitants thereof.
Ordered, That other inhabitants in the King's Province shall belong to and at- tend their respective duties in such of the abovesaid towns as their habitations lye nearest, until further order.
Forasmuch as sundry persons have been deluded, whilst no government was set- tled upon the place, having been encouraged, without license from the proprietors, to build and make improvement upon the lands called the mortgage lands; to the end, therefore, that all such persons may have seasonable time to make their composi- tions, that so they may, either upon purchase, rents, or other good agreements, en- joy their respective improvements, where they seem not prejudicial to townships nor highways, it is ordered, that no possessor, as incumbent of or upon any such lands, shall be molested, nor any action upon the title of land brought against them before the 20th day of August next. In case upon any treaty with the proprietors, or their committee, they receive not satisfaction in the terms, the said possessors or incumbents shall, upon their complaints, be heard by the President and Council at Boston, and relieved so far as may be consistent with common justice, and his Maj- esty's service, who will further direct to the trial and issue of the differences.
June 24th.
Ordered, That thirty, or any less number of wild or unmarked horses of two years old or upwards, shall be taken up, and by the order of two of the Justices of the Peace sold ; and the produce employed for building a prison and erecting stocks. And that Daniel Vernon be appointed Marshall of the Province, and prison keeper.
Ordered, That copies of all publick acts and orders of this Court be fairly drawn and sent to the Constables, to be published in the several towns of this Province.
In answer to the complaint of James Corrse, late servant to John Carr, showing his indenture, and complaining that he is dismissed after many years service by the said indenture, without necessary apparel ; all which doth also appear unto the Court.
It is therefore ordered by the Court, That the said John Carr, the master, do provide and deliver unto the said servant one suit of clothes, one shirt, stockings and shoes as is mecte for such a servant for his body, within ten days next, or pay unto him four pounds, to provide for himself.
203
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1686.]
Ordered, That four days in the year be appointed for trayning ; and that the penalty for non-appearance be six shillings, eight pence per head.
Rochester, July 5th, 1686. Copie, per JOIIN FONES, Clerk.
Letter from the Court [of Massachusetts] to Dudley.
Gentlemen : We have perused what you left us as a copy of his Majesty's com- mission, showed us the 17th instant, empowering you for the governing of his Maj- esty's subjects, inhabiting this Collony, and other places therein mentioned. You then applied yourselves to us, not as a Governor and Company, but (as you were pleased to term us) some of the principal gentlemen and chief of the inhabitants of the several towns of the Massachusetts-amongst other discourse, saying, it con- cerned us to consider what therein might be thought hard and uneasy. Upon pe- rusal whereof, we find, as we conceive :
1. That there is no certain determinate rule for your administration of justice; and that which is, seems to be too arbitrary.
2. That the subjects are abridged of their liberties, as Englishimen, both in the matter of legislation, and the laying of taxes ; and indeed the whole unquestioned privilege of the subject transferred upon yourselves ; there being not the least men- tion of an Assembly in the commission. And therefore we think it highly concerns you to consider whether such a commission be safe either for you or us. But if you are so satisfied therein, as that you hold yourselves obliged thereby, and do take upon you the government of this people, although we cannot give our assent there- to; yet hope we shall demean ourselves as true and loyal subjects of his Majesty, and humbly make our address unto God, and in due time to our gracious Prince, for our relief .*
Passt by the whole Court, May 20, 1686, nemine contradicente.
Attest, EDW: RAWSON, Sec'ry.
Randolph to the Board of Trade on the state of the Colonics.
Boston, in New England, July 28th, 1686.
May it please your Lordships : Pursuant to his Majesty's order in Councill of the 15th of July, 1685, directing Mr. Attorney Generall to cause writs of Quo War- ranto to be brought against the Charters of the Collonys of Rhode Island and Con- necticut, in New England, I accordingly served those writs; though by a tedious passage of almost six months from London to this place, the time of their return was lapsed. However the Governor of Connecticut, upon my delivering the writ to him at Hartford, on the 21st instant, has appointed a meeting of the Generall Court of that Collony to be called together to surrender their Charter to his Majesty, if not persuaded by the factions party here (who are unwilling to depend upon his Majes- ty's favor) to stand a tryall, only to gain time, and delay his Majesty's sending over a Generall Governor. Upon my giving the Governor of Rhode Island the sum-
* Mass. IList. Col. Vol. VIII., p. 179.
204
RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND,
[168G.
mons of the writ, he assembled the freemen, and they have drawn a petition and address to be forthwith humbly presented to his Majesty.
I intended long before this time humbly to lay before your Lordships a more carly account of the present state of this government ; but have forbore, to see what ef- feets his Majesty's gracious commission of a new constitution of government, con- taining liberty of conscience, would have upon the people of this Collony, which at my first arrival was received with all out ward show of satisfaction, and a compliment of gratitude was returned his Majesty for that favor. But since, the proceedings of the President and Councill, whatever they write or pretend in their letters to your Lordships, are managed to the encouragement of the independent faction, and utter discountenancing both the minister and those gentlemen and others, who dare openly profess themselves to be of the Church of England ; not having any allow- ance for our ministers, more than we raise by contribution amongst ourselves; the form of this government is only changed ; for our Independent ministers flourish and expect to be advised with, in publick affairs. I need no other arguments to confirm the truth hereof to your Lordships, than to say, that but two of the present members of the Councill, viz. : Mr. Mason and myself, are of the Church of Eng- land; that of above sixty officers in the militia of this whole government, there are not above two Captains and two or three inferior officers but are either Church members, or such as constantly frequent those meetings, which makes con-conforni- ists from all places resort hither.
About two months ago, Mr. Mourton, an excommunicated minister, came hither from Newington Greeen ; he was welcomed by our President, and designed to be made head of our College ; but not daring to proveed at first by such large steps, he is called to be minister at Charles Town, a very good living, and is ready at hand to be the President of the College.
Two brothers of the name of' Baylys, great and daring non-conformist ministers, at Limerick, in Ireland, have been here these two years, and well provided for. In the time of Monmouth's rebellion, most part of the ministers animated the people, say- ing the time of their deliverance was at hand, and not one of them prayed for his Majesty, and would not give credit to his Majesty's gracious letter, signifying the overthrow of the rebels.
I humbly propose, as greatly for the quiet and welfare of this Plantation of New England, that no minister from England be admitted to land without the license of the Generall Governor ; and that he have power to license or restrain from preach- ing publiekly such as are already upon the place. From all which, it will appear very needful, that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to send us over a Gen- erall Governor, to unite and settle this distracted country ; and also to make good, what is newly begun in this Collony, the delays whereof may be of evil conse- quence, and give way to the factious people here to re-assume the government ; which they openly declare they have not passed withall, but expect an opportunity to be restored.
And as to the discharge of the trust reposed in me, I humbly represent to your Lordships, that under color of his Majesty's authority, the President takes great lib- erty to impose upon me in my station, and would not assist me to make a seizure of a vessel in the harbor, which my officers were not permitted to board. I am by all accounted the sole enemy of the country, having been for eleven years attending his Majesty's commands in this affair, and by serving the writs upon the other Col- lonies, my life will be made very uneasy, unless his Majesty shall be pleased gra-
205
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1686.]
ciously to recommend me to the care and protection of his Generall Governor, for whose speedy arrival all good men heartily pray. All which is humbly submitted by Your Lordships' most humble servant,
ED. RANDOLPH.
To the Honorable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations.
Randolph to the Board of Trade on the state of the Colony.
Boston, in New England, August 23, 1686.
May it please your Lordships : In my letter of the 28th of July last, I humbly represented to your Lordships my serving the writs of Quo Warranto against the Collonies of Rhode Island and Connecticut, and that they intended to make their humble submission of their Charters to his Majesty, unless underhandedly diverted by the faction in this government, who are countenanced, and are not out of hopes to be restored to the exercise of their former authority by Charter, the late Generall Court being upon an adjournment, continued, made upon the 21st of May last, and are to meet at S o'clock, in the morning, upon the second Wednesday in October next, and as yet the President and Councill, though often moved by my self, that their adjournment ought to be declared illegal, have done nothing to discountenance that act, but on the contrary, have preferred divers of the Magistrates and others of the late government, to commands in the present militia, and Justices of the Peace in severall of the towns in this country.
His Majesty having been graciously pleased to grant me the office of Secretary and Register of this government, I demanded the Records of the Generall Court, and other books of public concern, which ought to be lodged in my office, and had an order to that purpose ; but some of the Councill and others, looking upon me as the only enemy of their country, have encouraged the former Secretary to keep them in his custody ; to the end your Lordships might know what large tracts of land they have bestowed upon each other, and are at this day making sure to themselves all the land in this government not yet disposed of, in which perjeet is one Capt'n Blackwell, Treasurer to the army in Cromwell's time, and son-in-law to Lambert, aud now made Justice of the Peace, although excepted in the free and generall pardon in the twelfth of his late Majesty.
They likewise refuse to let me have an account of the receipts and disbursements of their late Treasurers, which I have often demanded, the better to discover to your Lordships the rates and taxes imposed upon the people (against the wills of' most of the inhabitants) to defend their Charter and continne themselves in goverment. The great favor of liberty of conscience granted this people may in a short time be of ill consequence to this government, unless it be in the power of his Majesty's Generall Governor to put some limitation to their extravagant use of it. -
It plainly appears, that although his Majesty has been graciously pleased to ap- point severall of the late government to be of his Council here, yet they retain their old principles ; and I humbly propose it very necessary for the good governing of this Plantation, that his Majesty's Generall Governor be likewise impowered to displace such persons in the Councill who oppose his Majesty's interest, and elect
206
RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RIIODE ISLAND,
[1686.
others in their stead; otherwise, 't will not be possible to raise a revenue for sup- port of this government.
Great numbers of people are transplanting themselves from England, Scotland, &c., to this country ; one ship has now brought us sixty passengers, with two non- Conformists Ministers. I have pressed that all persons above sixteen years old should present their names and give an account of themselves, and also be obliged to take the oath of allegiance ; but this being looked upon as a great discourage- ment to good people, is referred to the directions of his Majesty's Generall Governor.
I find the country dissatified for want of an Assembly of Representatives from the severall towns in the government, with power to raise money, and make laws, &c. The great matters they aim at, are a generall pardon, a confirmation to them of all their lands and possessions whatsoever, and to settle independency by a law ; but are very cold and backward to my proposalls of raising his Majesty a revenue upon quit rents, and the consumption of all liquors, wines, and other merchandize imported into this country; which upon the addition of the Collonys of Connecticut and Rhode Island to this government, may amount to nigh $4000 a year, some part of which ought necessarily to be applyed to maintain officers in the severall ports of this government (as in New York), to take care that the Acts of Trade be duly executed, otherwise no men of credit will undertake that trust, unless they have a competent allowance for their service.
We have lately had a pirate of fourteen guns, and one hundred men upon our coasts ; and Capt'n George, commander of the Rose Frigate, was ordered to find him out, but he came too late ; for the pirate having first robbed two sloops laden with pork, peas, and other provisions, was gone away to the West Indies. Not long since, Gramond, a Frenchman, of fifty guns, lay off Carolina, and desired leave to trade, which was denied him. We have advice that a small sloop of' twen- ty men have been seen upon our coasts. These very much disturb our trade .*
All which is most humbly submitted by
E. RANDOLPHI.
To the Right Honorable the Lords of the Committee for Trade.
Letter from Randolph to the Lord Treasurer, after issucing the writs of Quo Warranto.
Boston, in New England, August 23, 1686.
May it please your Lordship : By the blessing of God, and your Lordship's fa- vor, I have performed his Majesty's commands, and brought this people to a nearer dependance upon the Crown. I have likewise served two writs of Quo Warranto, upon the other two Collonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who are preparing to make their humble submission to his Majesty. But unless his Majesty please, in a very short time, to send us over a General Governor from England, all that is already done, will be of little advantage to his Majesty's interest. The independ- ent faction still prevails, and persons of dangerous principles from England, Ireland and other places, are here received and highly encouraged. They have put Capt'n
* J. Carter Brown's Manuscripts, Nos. 210, 213, Vol. IV.
207
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1686.]
Blackwell Oliver, Treasurer in London, son-in-law to Lambert, excepted in the Act of Indemnity, and a violent Commonwealth's man, to be of the Commission of the Peace, and a man consulted with in all public affairs. The independent min- isters and others, make every ill use of his Majesty's indulgence and liberty of con- science, some of them have spoken treasonable words in their pulpits, of which (to no purpose) I have complained to the President and Council, so that I am humbly of opinion, that liberty of conscience will much obstruet the settlement of this place, unless duly regulated by the authority of a prudent Governor sent hither. Your Lordship may please to remember, that this commission was but temporary, and served only to unhinge the Commonwealth, which, for many years, was usurped and managed by a faction. All the members of the present Council, Mr. Mason and myself excepted, are either Church members, or strong abettors of that party ; and even Mr. Dudley, our President, was not long since a zealous preacher amongt us, and though, while in London, he pretended to be of the Church of England, yet, since he is made President, courts and keeps private cabals with these factions min- isters and others, who, in the time of Monmouth's Rebellion, refused to pray for his Majesty. His Majesty hath been graciously pleased to make me Secretary of his Council here, but the accounts of the late Treasurer and whatever relates to the discovery of his Majesty's revenue, is kept from my knowledge. The public records, and all the grants and settlement of lands in this country, which ought to be lodged in my office, are otherwise disposed of, not being willing to entrust them with me, who have been, and (as they say) am still the grand enemy of their coun- try. Mr. Wharton, a member of the Council, did openly declare, that his Majesty in appointing me his Secretary and Register, intended to inthrall this people in vas- salage. I have proposed the raising a revenue, yet cannot be heard in Council. I have likewise pressed the making of strict orders to prevent the irrregular trade of this place ; but some of the Council are traders, and others by marriage or other- wise, so nearly related, that, without a General Governor, interlopers will be coun- tenaneed, notwithstanding all my endeavors to the contrary. Here have been five or six ships seized and condemned, which inflames the people's malice against me. And the President, who by his office and duty is obliged to assist me, has openly re- fused, to his Majesty's great disservice. I question not but by his Majesty's uniting the several Collonies under one government, to raise his Majesty a considerable revenue by quit rents towards the support of the government, which will yearly in- crease. Of this the President, Mr. Wharton and several others, who have engross- cd great tracts of land are sensible, and are therefore, unwilling to admit me to dis- cover their estates. It was by your Lordship's favor, that his Majesty, in consider- ation of my past services, was pleased to grant me the office of Register and Seere- tary of this his government, a place in his Majesty's other Plantations of considera- ble advantage ; but they have taken so great prejudice against me, that they have disposed of the perquisites of that office to persons of their own stamp, so that, for all my trouble and attending the Councill here, I am not like to make £20 a-year. My earnest expectation of a General Governor, supports me under all these diffi- culties and disappointments ; and though they treat me so rudely, yet I shall con- tinue to assert his Majesty's interest in the station I am placed in, and remain, Right Honorable, Your Lordship's most humble and most obedient servant,*
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.