and from thence by a strait line drawn due north, until it meet with the fouth line of the Maffachusetts Colony, and on the north or northerly, by the aforefaid fouth or foutherly line of the Maffachusetts Colony or Plantation, and extending towards the east or eastwardly three English miles, to the east and north-east of the most eastern and northeaftern parts of the aforefaid Narraganset Bay, as the faid Bay lieth or extendeth itself from the ocean on the fouth or fouthwardly, unto the mouth of the river which runneth towards the town of Providence, and from thence along the eastwardly fide or bank of the said river (higher called by the name of Seacunck river)

up to the Falls called Patucket Falls, being the most weftwardly line of Plymouth Colony; and fo from the faid Falls, in a ftrait line due north, until it meet with the aforefaid line of the Maffachusetts Colony, and bounded on the fouth by the ocean, and in particular the lands belonging to the towns of Providence, Patuxit, Warwicke, Mifquammacock, alias Pawcatuck, and the rest upon the main land, in the tract aforefaid, together with RhodeIfland, Blocke-Ifland, and all the reft of the

iflands

iflands and banks in the Narraganset Bay, and bordering upon the coaft of the tract aforefaid, (Fisher's Ifland only excepted) together with all firm lands, foils, grounds, havens, ports, rivers, waters, fishings, mines royal and all other mines, minerals, precious ftones, quarries, woods, wood-grounds, rocks, flates, and all and fingular other commodities, jurifdictions, royalties, privileges, franchises, pre-eminencies and hereditaments whatfoever, within the faid tract, bounds, lands, and iflands aforefaid, to them or any of them belonging, or in anywise appertaining. To have and to hold the fame unto the faid Governor and Company, and their fucceffors forever, upon trust, for the use and benefit of themselves, and their affociates, freemen of the faid Colony, their heirs and affigns. To be holden of us, our heirs and fucceffors, as of the manor of Eaft-Greenwich in our

county of

and not in

Kent, in free and common foccage, capite, nor by knights fervice. Yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and fucceffors,

only the fifth part of all the ore of gold and filver, which from time to time, and at all times hereafter, shall be there gotten, had or obtained, in lieu and fatisfaction of all fervices, duties,

fines,

fines, forfeitures, made or to be made, claims or demands whatsoever, to be to us, our heirs or fucceffors, therefor or thereabout rendered, made or paid; any grant or clause, in a late grant to the Governor and Company of Connecticut Colony in America, to the contrary thereof in any wife notwithstanding; the aforefaid Pawcatuck river having been yielded after much debate, for the fixed and certain bounds between these our faid Colonies, by the Agents thereof; who have also agreed, that the faid Pawcatuck river fhall alfo be called alias Narrogancett or Narroganfett river, and to prevent future disputes that otherwife might arise thereby, for ever hereafter fhall be construed, deemed and taken to be the Narrogancett river, in our late grant to Connecticut Colony, mentioned as the easterly bounds of that Colony. And further, our will and pleasure is, that in all matters of public controverfies, which may fall out between our Colony of Connecticut and Providence Plantation, to make their appeal therein to us, our heirs and fucceffors, for redrefs in fuch cafes, within this our realm of England and that it fhall be lawful to and for the inhabitants of the faid Colony of Providence Plantation without lett or molestation to pafs and repass with free

dom

dom into and through the rest of the English Colonies upon their lawful and civil occafions, and to converfe, and hold commerce, and trade with fuch of the inhabitants of our other English Colonies, as fhall be willing to admit them thereunto, they behaving themselves peaceably among them; any act, clause, or fentence, in any of the faid Colonies provided, or that fhall be provided, to the contrary in any wife notwithstanding. And lastly, we do for us, our heirs and fucceffors, ordain and grant unto the faid Governor and Company, and their fucceffors, by thefe prefents, that these our letters patents fhall be firm, good, effectual, and available, in all things in the law, to all intents, constructions and purposes whatfoever, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared; and shall be conArued, reputed and adjudged in all cafes, moft favourably on the behalf, and for the best benefit and behoof of the faid Governor and Company, and their fucceffors, although exprefs mention, &c. In witness, &c. witness, &c. Per Ipfum Regem.

[Since the commencement of hoftilities by Great Britain, the State of Rhode Island and Provi

K

Providence Plantations has not affumed a form of government different from that contained in the foregoing Charter. For in that, the King ceded to the Governor and Company, all powers, legislative, executive, and judicial, referving to himself, as an acknowledgement of his fovereignty, a render of the fifth part of the gold and filver ore that should be found within the territory. The Governor, chief magistrates, and legiflators are chosen by the freemen as ufual, and all judicial and executive officers are annually elected by the Governor and Company, or Upper and Lower House of Affembly. All proceffes, original and judicial, formerly iffued in the King's name, but they now iffue in the name of the Governor and Company. The oaths of allegiance and of office are made conformable to the principles of the Revolution. The Governor, in his legiflative capacity, cannot give a negative to ány act of the two Houses; but, in common with the other magistrates, has one voice only.

The State is divided into five counties, in each of which there is a Court of Common Pleas and General Seffions of the Peace, held twice every year, for the trial of all caufes not

capital,