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 27
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Voted, Ordered by this Assembly, and by the authority
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thereof, that all ships and other vessels of what sort soever, above ten tous, that shall belong to any of their Majesties' Col- lonies, or Plantations whatsoever, except such ship or vessel belonging to this their Majesties' Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, shall pay for each and every ton that they shall measure, according to the tonnage of shipping, one shilling per ton ; or one pound of powder to be paid to the Deputy Collector of this Collony ; to be to the disposing of the Major of the Islands, or his order, for the support of a mag- azine for the Island's use, if they unlade or break bulk in this harbor of Newport.
Ordered. That the Clerk of the Assembly shall have five shillings of each town for enpys of the Assembly's Acts, with the Seal of the Collony affixed.
Copy, per record. WESTON CLARKE, Recorder.
Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Providence, 29th of October, 1690.
The Governor chosen Moderator of this Assembly.
Major John Greene chosen Clerke of this Assembly.
Voted by the Assembly, That he shall have power to make a Deputy therein ; and he made choice of Ephraim Turner, he being then there present.
And whereas, this Assembly being met, had determined to have a copy of the Charter read, but the Recorder and several of his family being sick of the small pox. whereby the Assem- bly is prevented from reading of it ; no copy attested being present, therefore have thought meet to make record wherefore they cannot now do it.
The Court adjourned till tomorrow morning, eight of the clock, and then to meet at the house of John Whipple, afore- said.
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30th October.
The Court met. and was called over, and after some agita- tion. adjourned in the afternoon for one hour ; where, when met again and called over.
Ordered by this Court, That forasmuch as the town of Provi- denee. Greenwich, and Kingstown, by reason of sickness of the Recorder, and other more than ordinary occasion, have not had the orders of the last Court published so timely as the orders did require, that notwithstanding they shall stand good still; only allowing twenty days more after this present Court for performance thereof, either by the men nominated and appoint- ed by said Court, at Portsmouth, or by the towns, if they please to choose ; and that return of the same be made to the Generall Treasurer within twenty days after this Court.
And it is further ordered, That whereas Mr. Jeremiah Brown is dead, that Mr. William Knowles and Thomas Mumford are chosen to be in his room, to join with Capt'n Jeoffrey Champlin and Mr. Samuel Alsbrough, to make the rate for the town of Kingstown, in case they neglect to choose rate-makers in time ; and to return it to the Treasurer, according to time prefixed ; and they, or the major part of them, to do it.
Whereas, there was a rate of three hundred pounds assessed upon the Collony at a Court of Election in May last ; and whereas the men of Warwick have levied and proportioned the said rate upon the people, dwelling at and about the place called Mashantotat, and several other persons dwelling on the north side of Pawtuxet river.
It is ordered, That what part of the said rate was levied on the said people dwelling at and about the place called Mashan- totat, and all other persons also dwelling on the north side of Pawtuxet river, shall be and by this Act is remitted; and all the said persons to be levied upon by and to the town of Providence ; and what was levied upon them by the town of Warwick. The said sum to be abated out of the said town of Warwick's rates by the said Assembly assessed.
The Court adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight of the clock.
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31st of October. [1690.
The Assembly met and called over.
Upon a desire of Mary Edmonds, wife of Andrew Edmonds, that she may have six pounds allowed her in the absence of her husband, more than the six pounds formerly allowed her hus- band to have out of the rate of the town of Providence; her husband being now gone out in the wars for their Majesties' interest. The Court orders she shall have the said six pounds paid her out of the rate of the town of Providence, with the greatest expedition as the said rate can be gathered in.
Voted, That the Captains and commissioned officers of each Trained Band in this Collony have power to appoint their training day's in their several towns upon each working day as they see cause, the Election day only excepted; and not omitting the number of days appointed by law for training davs.
Voted, That there be a Committee chosen for the inspecting a way for the regular collecting of rates in the several towns in this Collony.
Voted, That the Committee above mentioned, be as fol- loweth, viz. : of the town of Newport, Mr. Phillip Smith, Mr. Jonathan Holmes; of Providence, Mr. Gideon Crof- ford, Mr. Nathaniel Waterman ; of Greenwich, Capt'n Clement Weaver, Mr. Giles Peirce ; of Westerly, Capt'n William Cham- plin, Mr. Joshua Holmes.
The said Committee's return was, that they conceive that there is law already sufficient for gathering of rates; leaving it to the Governor and Magistrates for the execution of the same ; therefore it is enacted, the Magistrates, or any two of them, have full power to regulate any thing appearing defee- tive therein ; as by the law further it is enacted, that the Treasurer of each town in this Collony shall be a Deputy to the Generall Treasurer of this Collony. All these Acts are allowed of and approved by the Generall Assembly ; and or- dered, this be immediately published under the Seal of this Collony by beat of drum, and returned back to this Assembly ; who hereby order, that Ephraim Turner, the Deputy Clerk of
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this Assembly shall have five shillings paid unto him or his or- der, for a copy hereof, under the Seal of the Collony, by each town in the Collony, and he to send a copy thereof to each town, as soon as may be. JOHN GREENE, Clerk.
Sir Edmund Andros's account of his administration and imprisonment.
To the Right Honorable, the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations :
The state of New England and the government of Sir Edmund Andros.
That in the year 1686, Sir Edmund Andros was by commission under the great seal of England, appointed to succeed the President Dudley and Councill in the government of the Massachusetts Collony, the Provinces of New Hampshire and Maine, and the Narragansett Country, to which were annexed the Collonics of Rhode Island, New Plymouth, and the County of Cornwall.
In the year 1687, the Collony of Connecticut was also annexed ; and in the year 1688, he received a new commission, for all New England, including the Province of New York, and East and West Jersey, with particular order and directions to assert and protect the five war-like nations or cantons of Indians lying west from Albany, above the heads of our rivers, as far beyond Maryland, viz. : Maquaes, Oneydes, Onondages, Caiuges, and Sennekes, as the King's subjects ; upon whom the French had made severall incursions, and to demand the setting at liberty sev- erall of them surprised and detained by the French, and reparation for sundry goods taken from severall Christians, his Majesty's subjects, in the lawfull prosecu- tion of their trade. Sir Edmund Andros, upon the receipt of his commission, went to New York, and Albany, of which the Indians having notice (although they were then met in Councill about going to Canada), came thither, and were settled and confirmed under his government.
Ile forthwith signified to the Governor of Canada his Majesty's pleasure relating to the Indians, and made demand from him pursuant to the above orders, and also to quit a considerable Fort, which by encroachment he had built at Oniagra, in the Senneka's country, southward of the Lake, within his Majesty's dominion, about one thousand miles from Quebeck, in Canada (notwithstanding all the endeavors and opposition made by the Governor of New York, before the annexation), upon au advantageous pass near the Indians' hunting places, capable greatly to annoy and awe the Indians and obstruct and hinder the trade with them. That there- upon, the Governor of Canada did accordingly withdraw the garrison and forces from the said Oniagra, and those parts, and did further signify that the Indians by him taken were sent to France, but would write to the King, his master, about their releasement.
The severall Provinces and Collonys in New England, being so united, the rev- enne continued and settled in those parts, for the support of the government, amounted to about twelve thousand pounds per annum, and all places were well and quietly settled and in good posture.
The Church of England being unprovided of a place for their public worship, he did by advice of the Councill, borrow the new Meeting House in Boston, at such times as the same was unused, until they could provide otherwise. And accordingly on Sundays, went in between eleven and twelve in the morning, and in the after-
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND,
[1690.
noon about four ; but understanding it gave offence, hastened the building of a Church, which was effected at the charge of those of the Church of England, where the chaplain of the souldiers performed divine service and preaching.
Ile was always ready to give grants of vacant lands, and confirm defective titles as authorized (the late Corporation not having passed or conveyed any, pursuant to the directions in their Charter), but not above twenty have passed the seal in the time of his government.
Courts of judicature were settled in the severall parts, so, as might be most con- venient for the ease and benefit of the subject, and Judges appointed to hold the terms, and go the circuit throughout the dominion to administer justice in the like manner and form, and according to the laws, customs and statutes of the realm of England, and some peculiar local prudential laws of the country, not repugnant thereto ; and fees regulated for all officers.
That particular care was taken for the due observance of the severall acts made for the encouragement of navigation, and regulating the Plantation trade, whereby the lawful trade and his Majesty's revenue of customs was considerably increased.
The Indians throughout the government continued in good order and subjection, until towards the latter end of theyear 1688. By some unadvised proceedings of the inhabitants in the eastern parts of New England, the late rupture with the Indians there commenced, severall being taken, and some killed. When Sir Edmund Andros was at New York, more than three hundred miles distant from that place, and upon his speedy return to Boston (having viewed and settled all parts to the westward), great part of the garrison, souldiers with stores, and other necessarys were immedi- ately sent eastward to re-inforce those parts, and vessels to secure the coast and fish- ery ; and further forces raised and appointed to be under the command of Major Generall Winthrop ; who falling sick and declining the service, by advice of the Councill, he went with them in person, and by the settlement of severall garrisons, frequent partys, marches and pursuits after the enemy, sometimes above one hun- dred miles into the desert further than any Christian settlement (in which the offi- vers and souldiers of the standing forces always employed), taking and destroying their forts and settlements, corn, provision, ammunition, and canoes, dispersed and reduced them to the utmost wants and necessitys, and so secured the country.
That from the said forces going out, untill the time of the late revolution there. and disorderly calling the forces from those parts, not the least loss, damage or, spoyl happened to the inhabitants or fishery ; and the Indians were ready to submit at merey.
About the latter end of March, 1688, Sir Edmund Andros returned for Boston, leaving the garrisons and souldiers in the castern parts in good condition, and suffi- ciently furnished with provisions, and all stores, and implements of war, and vessels for defence of the coast and fishery.
On the 18th of April, 1689, severall of his Majesty's Councill in New England having combined and conspired together with those who were Magistrates and ofii- cers in the late Charter government, annually chosen by the people, and severall other persons, to subvert and overthrow the government, and instead thereof, to introduce their former Commonwealth. And having by their false reports and as- persions, got to their assistance the greatest part of the people, whereof appeared in arms at Boston, under the command of those who were officers in the said former popular government, to the number of about two thousand horse and foot, which strange and sudden appearance being wholly a surprise to Sir Edmund Andros,
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as knowing no cause or occasion for the same. But understanding that severall of the Councill were at the Councill Chamber, where (it being the ordinary Councill day) they were to meet, and some particularly by him sent for from distant parts also there, he and those with him, went thither ; and though (as he passed) the streets were full of armed men, yet none offered him or those that were with him the least rudeness or incivility ; but on the contrary, usual respect. But when he came to the Councill Chamber, he found several of the said former popular Magis- trates and other chief persons then present, with those of the Councill, who had no suitable regard to him, nor the peace and quiet of the country. But instead of giv- ing any assistance to support the government, made him a prisoner, and also im- prisoned some members of the Councill and other officers, who in pursuance of their respective duties and stations, attended on him, and kept them for the space of' ten months under severe and close confinement, untill by his Majesty's com- mands they were sent for England, to answer what might be objected to them ; where, after summons given to the pretended agents of New England, and their twice appearance at the Council! Board, nothing being objected by them or others, they were discharge.1.
In the time of his confinement, being denyed the liberty of discourse, or conver- sition with any person, his own servants to attend him, or any conununication or correspondence with any by letters, he had no particular knowledge of their further proceedings, but hath heard and understands :
That soon after the confinement of his person, the confederates forced the fort and castle from the officers that had the command of them, whom they also imprisoned, and dispersed the few souldiers belonging to the two standing company's then there, as they did the rest, when they recalled the forces employed against the Indians castward, which two companys are upon his Majesty's establishment in England, in which service half a Company of the standing forces at New York being also em- ployed. the officers were surprised and brought prisoners to Boston, and the soul- diers dispersed, as the remaining part of them at New York were afterwards upon the revolution there. The other Company was and remained at Fort Albany, and are both upon establishment, to be paid out of his Majesty's revenue there.
And the confederates at Boston possessed themselves of all his Majesties' stores, arms, ammunition and other implements of war, and disabled their Majesties' man of war, the Rose frigate, hy seruring the Commander, and bringing her sails on shore ; and at the same time having imprisoned the Secretary and some other officers, they broke open the Secretary's office and seized and conveyed away all records, papers and writings.
Those members of his Majesties' Councill that were in confederacy with the be- fore mentioned popular Magistrates, and other chief actors in this revolution, took upon them the government by the name of a Councill, who not content with the inconvenieney they had brought on themselves in the Massachusetts Collony, but to the ruin of the poor neighbors, on the 2 4th of April gave orders for the drawing off the forces from Pemyquid, and other garrisons and places in the eastern parts, far without the limits of their Collony, and where the seat of war with the Indians was, and to seize severall of the officers, and for calling home the vessells appointed to guard the sea coast and fishery, which was done accordingly ; and the forces dis- banded, when most of the souldiers belonging to the standing Companys there, were dispersed ; of which, and their actings at Boston, the Indians having notice (and being supplied with ammunition and provision out of a vessell sent from Bos-
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[1690.
ton by some of the chief conspirators before the insurrection, to trade with them), they were encouraged and enabled to renew and pursue the war ; and by the assist- ance of some French, who have been seen amongst them, and engaging of sever- all other Indians before unconcerned, increased their number, that in a very short time severall hundreds of their Majesties' subjects were killed and carried away captive.
The fort at Pemyquid taken, the whole county of Cornwall, the greatest part of the Province of Maine, and part of the Province of New Hampshire destroyed and deserted, and the principall trade of that country, which consisted of a considerable fishery, the getting of masts, yards, &c., for the supply of his Majesty's navy Royall, and boards, and other lumber for the supply of the other West India Plantations, is almost wholly ruined.
By the encouragement and persuasion of those of the Massachusetts, the severall other Provinces and Collonys in New England, as far as New York, have disunited themselves, and set up their former separate Charter or popular governments with- out Charter, and by that means the whole revenue of the Crown continued and set- tled in the severall parts for the support of the government, is lost and destroyed.
The usual time for Election of new Magistrates at Boston coming on, in the be- ginning of May, 1689, great controversy arose about the settling of civill govern- ment ; some being for a new Election, and others, that the Magistrates chosen and sworn in 1686, before the alteration, should re-assume ; the latter of which was con- eluded on by them, and the pretended representatives of the severall towns of the Massachusetts, and assumed by the said Magistrates accordingly ; and thereup n, the old Charter government, though vacated in Westminster Hall, was re-assumed without any regard to the Crown of England, and they revived and confirmed their former laws contrary and repugnant to the laws and statutes of England ; settled their Courts of judicature, and appointed new officers ; and have presumed to try and judge all cases, eivill and criminall, and to pass sentence of death on severall of their Majesties' subjects, some of whom they have caused to be executed.
Although in the revenue continued on the Crown for the support of the govern- ment, during his time, the country paid but the old established rate of a penny in the pound per annum, as given and practisel for about fifty years past ; the present administrators have, of their own authority, for not above six months, raised and exacted from the people of the Massachusetts Collony seven rates and a half.
Since this insurrection and alteration in New England, they do tolerate an un- limited irregular trade, contrary to the severall Acts of Plantations, Trade and Navigation, now as little regarded as in the time of their former Charter govern- ments ; they esteeming no laws to be binding on them, but what are made by them- selves, nor admit English laws to be pleaded there or appeals to his Majesty, and many ships and vessels have since arrived from Scotland, Holland, Newfoundland and other places, prohibited ; they having imprisoned his Majesty's Collector, Sur- veyor and Searcher, and displaced other Custom House officers.
That they sent to Albany to treat with the Indians in those parts, particularly with the Five Nations, Maques, &c., and invited them to Boston ; which is of ill and dangerous consequence, by making the said Indians particularly acquainted with the disunion and separate governments ; and showing them the country and disor- ders thereof, as far as Boston, giving thereby the greatest advantage to the French, of gaining or subduing the said Indians, and attempting Fort Albany (the most ad-
1
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;
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vanced frontier into the country and great mart of the Beaver and Peltry trade), and of infesting other parts.
The forces raised and sent out by them the last summer, notwithstanding the great encouragement they promised of eight pounds per head, for every Indian that should be killed, besides their pay, proved neither effectual to suppress the enemy, or seeure the country from further damage and murther ; and upon the winter's ap- proaching, the forces were recalled, and the country left exposed to the enemy, who have already overrun and destroyed so great a part thereof; and now by the assist- anee of the French of Canada, may probably proceed further into the heart of the country ; being so divided and out of order, unless it shall please his Majesty by his own authority to redress the same, and put a stop to the French and Indians, and thereby prevent the rain or loss of that whole dominion of New England, and con- sequently of their Majesties' other American Plantations, endangered not only by the want of provisions, but by the many ships, vessels, seamen and other necessarys in New England, capable to supply and transport any force which may annoy or attempt those Plantations, but may be by his Majesty's authority and commands effectually settled and preserved, and of service against the French or any other their Majes- ties' enemies in those parts, with no greater land force than is necessary to be con- tinued there ; and a sufficient revenue raised to defray the charge thereof by dutys and rates as heretofore hath been practised amongst them, and is usuall in other their Majesties' Plantations. Humbly submitted by E. ANDROS.
:
At a General Assembly of this their Majesty's Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, being convened on adjourn- ment, this 2d of August, 1692.
Upon debate of matters, do find that the principal occasion of our Honored Governor's calling the Assembly at this june- ture of time, is by reason that the militia of this Collony is about to be brought into a great measure of confusion, if not timely prevented, so as to make way for the inlet of their Majesties' enemies ; and upon the scrutiny of the matter, we find the beginning of it to arise from a letter sent to our Gov- ernor and Councill from his Excellency, Sir William Phips, some time after his arrival at Boston ; said letter being dated June the 2d, last past, wherein his Excellency declared himself to be commissionated from their Majesties with the power of
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[1692.
Lieftenant and Commander in Chief of the militia, and of all the forces by sea and land, within their Majesties' several Col- lonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tion, the Narragansett Country or King's Province, and the Province of New Hampshire ; and further signifying his wil- lingness to intrust the same in the hands of persons faithful to their Majesties, as may most conduce to their service and satis- faction of their good subjects : signifying also, that he desires and expects that some fit persons be instructed and speedily sent to attend him at Boston, with an account of the militia, and what further might appear necessary for their Majesties' service. And whereupon the Governor and Councill being convened, saw cause to commissionate Major John Greene, Deputy Governor, and Mr. Henry Brightman, Assistant, to treat with his Excellency concerning his commission, as also concerning the settling of a post office for intelligence, which said Commissioners attended about five days before they could have any treaty ; and at length when they gave in their proposals, his Excellency said he would not give any answer without further advice, and then he would write to the Governor.
Whereupon, the said Commissioners returned, not obtaining a sight of his Excellency's commission, nor of an attested copy, neither hath our Governor received any letter from his Excel- lency since. But instead thereof, as we are credibly inform- ed, his Excellency hath sent up severall commissions unto Major Peleg Sanford, endeavoring thereby to put the militia into the hands of most of them that disclaim their Majesties' authority here ; thereby to depose great part of those commis- sioned officers that have stood up to support their Majesties' government and interest in this their Collony.
Therefore, this Assembly taking the premises into their serious consideration, and forasmuch as they have neither received so much as an attested copy from his Excelleney, nor any Roval letters from their Majesties, but are in daily expectation there- of in answer to our last address, sent by Major Roger Holden,
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and that their Majesties' militia in this their Collony and King's Province, be kept in a suitable posture of defense against their enemies.
Be it enacted by this Assembly and the authority thereof, that all the commissioned officers of the Trained Bands chosen on the Election days last past, throughout the whole Collony, do apply themselves to take special care that their several companies be kept in a suitable posture of defence against their Majesties's enemies, and that none of them do decline their places upon any pretence whatsoever, except by order of the Assembly of this their Majesties' Collony.
And whereas the town of Kingstown neglected to choose their commissioned officers the Election day last past, there- fore. it is hereby ordered, that Capt'n Jeoffrey Champlin, Lieut. Thomas Eldridge and Ensign John Eldridge being the officers last chosen by the people, do by virtue of their former commis- sions officiate for the ensuing year ; as also whereas the town of Jamestown have neglected to choose their commissioned offi- cers, it is further ordered, that Capt'n Thomas Paine be Cap- tain for the ensuing year, and Mr. Nicholas Carr, Lieftenant, and George Cooke, Ensign ; and for Block Island, forasmuch as Capt'n John Saunders is removed off the Island, we give them power to choose their officers speedily, and return their names to be commissionated.
It is further ordered, That all the commissions formerly grant- ed to the respective commissioned officers throughout the Collo- ny, or King's Province, remain and be as effectual to all intents and purposes as if now granted ; and that forthwith commis- sions be given forth to such as are now elected, that so this Collony may be kept in a suitable posture of defence against their Majesties' enemies.
It is further ordered, That the Address drawn up to be sent to their Majesties, be signed by the Governor and sent away with what expedition may be.
Ordered, That these acts be forthwith published, under the Seal of the Collons, in the town of Newport, by beat of drum,
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and be published in each town of the Collony and King's Pro- vince, with all convenient speed.
By order of the General Assembly, nemine contradicente. JOIIN EASTON, Recorder.
[There are no records among the public archives of the State, of the meetings of the General Assembly from this time to July, 1695.]
Address from Rhode Island to their Majesties William and Mary.
The humble address, remonstrance and petition of the Governor and Company of your Majesties' Collouy of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, or King's Province, in New England, sitting in Generall Assembly upon adjournment, Au- gust the 2d, 1692. Humbly showeth :
That your petitioners have sent severall addresses to your Majesties, an answer whereunto, we have not as yet received.
That for want of some immediate answer from your Majesties, some male- discontented persons take occasion thereby to endeavor the subversion of your Majesties' government here, presuming to affirm that those persons commissionated by Sir Edmund Andros ought to continue untill some immediate order from the Crown of England.
That upon the coming over of his Excellency, Sir William Phipps, he writ a let- ter directed to your Majesties' Governor and Councill here, a copy whereof is here- in enclosed, declaring himself to be empowered with the militia of this your Majes- ties' Collony, sending no copy of his commission, desiring us to send some persons to him, and to propose men, faithfull to their Majesties, to be commissionated, &c. Whereupon, your Majesties' Governor and Councill being convened, and perusing the letter, found that the grant was with respect to a statute made in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, of blessed memory ; and upon perus- al of our Patent granted by his then Majesty, bearing date from Westminster, July the 8th, in the fifteenth year of his reign, he gave the Governor and Company of his said Collony throughout the bounds and limits thereof, the sole power of the militia therein from him and successors, to them and their successors.
That nevertheless, we your Majesties' Governor and Councill, taking notice of your Majecties' good intentions towards us in the time of war for our better defence against the enemies, were willing to submit to your Majesties' commands when made to appear, and thernpon chose and commissionated Major John Greene, Dep- uty Governor, and Mr. Henry Britemen, Assistant, to treat with his Excellency, concerning his commission, who carried with them a list of the commissioned officers of the trained bands, chosen by the order of the Collony, which they delivered ; as also gave in a list of some of the principal persons, who together with some other their adherents were disobedient, and disclaimed this your Majesties' government, the copy of the return whereof is also herewith sent. But his Excel- leney, instead of sending an answer to the Governor, which he promised to do, he
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sent up commissions to Major Peleg Sanford, endeavoring thereby to commissionate the most of them objected against, and thereby endeavering to depose those severall of them that have stood up hitherto to support your Majesties' government here ; but the most of either of them do refuse to take such commissions, so that your Maj- esties' good intentions towards this your poor distressed Collony, in this time of war, is like to be subverted, and that which was proposed for better defence against the enemy, is like to make way for an inlet to the enemy if not timely prevented. Whereupon, your Majesties" Governor and Councill saw canse to order the Gener- all Assembly to be convened for the re-settling the militia, and to make application to your Majesties for redress herein, and the rather because our Commissioners, aforesaid, obtained not a sight of his Excellency's commission, nor of an attested copy.
That we humbly conceive the principall ground of these matters are occasioned by private interest ; some of the principall persons of his Excellency, Sir William Phipps, his Councillors, claiming interest to all the Narragansett country, by virtue of a mortgage made to Major Humphrey Atherton and associates, by the Narragansett Sachims severall years after their submission of themselves and lands to his Royall Majesty, King Charles the First : which purchase and mortgage was condemned upon a hearing by his Majesty's Honorable Commissioners, in the year 1664, and since declared against by his then Majesty, King Charles the Second, of blessed memory, by his Royall letters to all the Collonies, bearing date from Whitehall, the 12th of February, 1678-9.
That by reason of these overtures in the militia, as aforesaid, severall persons of Kingstown, in the Narragansett Country, have in a riotous manner, rescued a pris- oner (that was arrested for breach of your Majesties' peace), giving opprobrious speeches concerning the warrant granted forth by the Deputy Governor, and saying that they would answer for what they had done before Mr. Francis Brinley and Capt'n John Foanes ; both which were Justices commissionated by Sir Edmund An- dros, under the late King James ; so that we are in great doubt, that if some speedy return come not immediate from your Majesties, what will be the issue ; but in the mean time shall endeavor what we can to reform such enormities.
That by reason of these overtures, we are discapacitated to raise monies for the sup- port of your Majesties' government and interest against your enemies ; as also for sending a messenger to wait upon your Majesties, and to give a more ample relation of these matters.
That by reason hereof, a great part of the Narragansett Country and Niantick, unpurchased by the inhabitants of this your Majesties' Collony, remainsa wilderness, unpossessed and unimproved, for want of settling. Whereof many of the inhabit- ants of this your Majesties' Collony, have been forced to remove to other Collonies for accommodation, and the said wilderness, which might accommodate Plantations, lay waste.
And lastly, we, your Majesties' most humble petitioners, do most humbly beseech your most Excellent Majesties' grace and favor, that you would please to send an immediate confirmation of your Majestics' government here, according to the limits and boundaries of our Patent and decision of the Commissioners, aforesaid, which may be a means not only to stop the mouths of your Majesties' disaffected subjects, but also to encourage your loyall subjects, to go on with more alacrity to support your Majesties' government here ; and we shall pray to God, by whom Kings do reign, to give your Majesty a long and prosperous reign over us, and a happy and speedy victory over your enemies.
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JAN 83 N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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