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grant unto the faid governor and company and their fucceffors, by these prefents, that for the more peaceable and orderly government of the faid plantations, it fhall and may be lawful for the governor, deputy-governor, affiftants, and all other officers and minifters of the faid company, in the adminiftration of justice and exercise of government in the faid plantations, to ufe, exercife, and put in execution, fuch methods, rules, orders, and directions, not being contrary and repugnant to the laws and ftatutes of this our realm, as have been heretofore given, ufed, and accustomed in fuch cafes refpectively, to be put in practice, until at the next or fome other general affembly, efpecial provifion fhall be made in the cafes aforefaid. And we do further, for us, our heirs, and fucceffors, give and grant unto the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors, by thefe prefents, that it fhall and may be lawful to and for the faid governor, or in his abfence the deputy-governor and major part of the faid affiftants for the time being, at any time, when the faid general affembly is not fitting, to nominate, ap point, and conftitute fuch and fo many commanders, governors, and military officers, as to them fhall feem requifite, for the leading, conducting, and training up the inhabitants of the faid plantations in martial affairs, and for the defence and fafeguard of the faid plantations; and that it fhall and may be lawful to and for all and every fuch commander, governor, and military officer, that fhall be fo as aforefaid, or by the governor, or in his abfence the deputy-governor and fix of the affiftants, and major part of the freemen of the faid company, prefent at any general affemblies, nominated, appointed, and conftituted, according to the tenor of his and their refpective commiffions and directions, to affemble, exercife in arms, marshal, array, and put in warlike pofture, the inhabitants of the faid colony, for their efpecial defence and fafety; and to lead and conduct the faid inhabitants, and to encounter, repulfe, and refift by force of arms, as well by fea as by land, to kill, flay, and destroy, by all fitting ways, enter prizes, and means whatfoever, all and every fuch perfon or -perfons as fhall at any time hereafter attempt or enterprize the deftruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance of the faid inhabitants or plantations; and to ufe and exercife the law martial, in fuch cafes only as occafion fhall neceffarily require; and to take and surprise, by all ways and means what foever, all and every such perfon and perfons, with their fhip or fhips, armour, ammunition, or other goods of fuch perfons as fhall in hoftile manner invade or attempt the defeating of the faid plantation, or the hurt of the faid company and inhabitants; and upon juft caufes to invade and destroy the natives, Indians, or other enemies of the faid colony. Nevertheless, our will and pleafure is, and we do hereby declare, to the rest of our colonies in New-England, that it fhall not be lawful for this our faid colony of Rhode-Ifland and Providence Plantations in America, in New-England, to invade the natives inhabiting within the bounds and limits of their faid colonies,

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without the knowledge and confent of the faid other colonies. And it is hereby declared, that it fhall not be lawful to or for the rest of the colonies to invade or moleft the native Indians, or any other inhabitants, inhabiting within the bounds or limits. hereafter mentioned (they having fubjected themselves unto us, and being by us taken into our special protection), without the knowledge and confent of the governor and company of our colony of Rhode-Inland and Providence plantation. Alfo our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby declare unto all Chriftian kings, princes, and ftates, that if any perfon, which fhall hereafter be of the faid company or plantation, or any other by appointment of the faid governor and company for the time being, fhall at any time or times hereafter rob or spoil, by fea or land, or do any hurt, or unlawful hoftility, to any of the subjects of us, our heirs, and fucceffors, or to any of the fubjects of any prince or ftate being then in league with us, our heirs, and fucceffors; - upon complaint of fuch injury done to any fuch prince or ftate, or their fubjects, we, our heirs, and fucceffors, will make open proclamation, within any parts of our realm of England, fit for that purpofe, that the perfon or perfons committing any fuch robbery or fpoil, fhall, within the time limited by fuch proclamation, make full reftitution or fatisfaction of all fuch injuries done or committed, fo as the faid prince, or others fo complaining, may be fully fatisfied and contented; and if the faid perfon or perfons who fhall commit any fuch robbery or fpoil, fhall not make fatisfaction accordingly, within fuch time fo to be limited, that then we, our heirs and fucceffors, will put fuch perfon or perfons out of our allegiance and protection; and that then it fhall and may be lawful and free for all princes or others, to profecute with hoftility fuch offenders, and every of them, their and every of their procurers, aiders, abettors, and councillors, in that behalf. Provided alfo, and our exprefs will and pleafure is, and we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and fucceffors, ordain and appoint, that thefe prefents. fhall not in any manner hinder any of our loving fubjects whatsoever, from ufing and exercising the trade of fishing upon the coast of New-England, in America, but that they, and every or any of them, fhall have full and free power and liberty to continue and ufe the trade of fishing upon the faid coaft, in any of the feas thereunto adjoining, or any arms of the fea, or falt water, rivers and creeks, where they have been accustomed to fish, and to build and fet upon the wafte land belonging to the faid colony and plantations fuch wharfs, ftages, and work-houfes, as fhall be neceffary for the falting, drying, and keeping, of their fifh to be taken or gotten upon that coaft. And further, for the encouragement of the inhabitants of our faid colony of Providence plantation, to fet upon the bufinefs of taking whales, it fhall be lawful for them, or any of them, having ftruck a whale, dubertus, or other great fish, it or them to purfue unto that coast, and into any bay, river, cove, creek or fhore, belonging

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longing thereto, and it or them, upon the faid coaft, or in the faid bay, river, cove, creek, or fhore, belonging thereto, to kill and order for the best advantage, without moleftation, they making no wilful waste or fpoil; any thing in thefe prefents contained, or any other matter or thing to the contrary notwithstanding. And further alfo, we are graciously pleafed, and do hereby declare, that if any of the inhabitants of our faid colony do fet upon the planting of vineyards, (the foil and climate both feeming naturally to concur to the production of wines) or be induftrious in the difcovery of fishing-banks, in or about the faid colony, we will, from time to time, give and allow all due and fitting encouragement therein, as to others in cafes of like nature. And further, of our more ample grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given and granted, and by thefe prefents, for us, our heirs and fucceffors, do give and grant, unto the faid governor and company of the English colony of Rhode-Ifland and Providence plantation in the Narraganfet bay in New-England, in America, and to every inhabitant there, and to every person and perfons trading thither, and to every fuch perfon or perfons, as are or shall be free of the faid colony, full power and authority from time to time, and at all times hereafter, to take, fhip, tranfport, and carry away, out of any of our realms and dominions, for and towards the plantation and defence of the faid colony, fuch and fo many of our loving fubjects and ftrangers, as shall or will willingly accompany them in and to their faid colony and plantation, except fuch perfon or perfons as are or fhall be therein reftrained by us, our heirs and fucceffors, or any law or statute of this realm; and alfo to fhip and tranfport all and all manner of goods, chattels, merchandife, and other things whatsoever, that are or fhall be useful or neceffary for the faid plantations, and defence thereof, and ufually tranfported, and not prohibited by any law or ftatute of this our realm; yielding and paying unto us, our heirs and fucceffors, such the duties, customs and fubfidies, as are or ought to be paid or payable for the fame. And further, our will and pleasure is, and we do, for us, our heirs and 'fucceffors, ordain, declare, and grant, unto the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors, that all and every the fubjects of us, our heirs and fucceffors, which are already planted and fettled within our faid colony of Providence plantation, or which fhall hereafter go to inhabit within the faid colony, and all and every of their children which have been born there, or which shall happen hereafter to be born there, or on the fea going thither or returning from thence, thall have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural fubjects, within any the dominions of us, our heirs and fucceflors, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, as if they and every of them were born. within the realm of England. And further know ye, that we, of our more abundant grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given, granted, and comfirmed, and by thefe prefents,

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for us, our heirs and fucceffors, do give, grant and confirm, unto the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors, all that part of our dominions, in New-England, in America, containing the Nahantick and Nanhyganfett, alias Narraganfet bay, and countries and parts adjacent, bounded on the weft, or wefterly, to the middle or channel of a river there, commonly called and known by the name of Pawcatuck alias Paweawtuck river, and fo along the faid river, as the greater or middle ftream thereof reacheth or lies up into the north country, northward unto the head thereof, and from thence by a ftrait line drawn due north, until it meet with the fouth line of the Maflachufetts 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 eaft and north-east of the most eastern and north-eastern parts of the aforesaid 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 faid 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 strait 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 town of Providence, Patuxit, Warwicke, Mifquammacock, alias Pawcatuck, and the reft upon the main land, in the tract aforefaid, together with Rhode-Ifland, Blocke-Ifland, and all the rest of the inlands and banks in the Narraganfet-bay, and bordering upon the coast of the tract aforefaid, (Fisher's island 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-eminences and hereditaments what foever, within the faid tract, bounds, lands, and islands aforesaid, to them or any of them belonging, or in any-wife appertaining. To have and to hold the fame, unto the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors for ever, upon truft, 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 East-Greenwich in our county. of Kent, in free and common foccage, and not in capite, nor by knights fervice. Yielding and paying therefore 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, fhall be there gotten, had or obtained, in lieu and fatisfaction of all fervices, duties, fines, forfeitures, made or to be made, claims or demands whatsoever, to be to us, our heirs or succes fors, therefore or thereabout rendered, made or paid; any grant

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or claufe, 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 thefe out faid colonies, by the agents thereof, who have alfo agreed, that the faid Pawcatuck river fhall alfo be called alias Narrogancett or Narroganfett river, and to prevent future difputes that otherwife might arife thereby, for ever hereafter fhall be conftrued, 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, out will and pleafure is, that in all matters of public controverfies, which may fall out between our colony of 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 plantations, without lett or moleftation, to pafs and repafs with freedom 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, claufe, or fentence, in any of the faid colonies provided, or that fhall be provided, to the contrary in any wife notwithstanding. And laftly, we do for us, our heirs and fucceffors, ordain and grant unto the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors, by these prefents, that these our letters patents fhall be firm, good, effectual, and available, in all things in the law, to all intents, conftructions and purpofes whatfoever, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared; and fhall be conftrued, reputed and adjudged in all cafes, moft favourably on the behalf, and for the beft benefit and behoof of the faid governor and company, and their fucceffors, although exprefs mention, &c. In witnefs, &c. witnefs, &c. Per Ipfum Regem.

[Since the commencement of hoftilities by Great Britain, the ftate of Rhode-Ifland and 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 himfelf, as an acknowledgement of his fovereignty, a render of the fifth part of the gold and filver ore that fhould be found within the territory. The governor, chief magiftrates, and legiflators are chofen by the freemen as ufual, and all judicial and executive officers are annually elected by the governor and company, or upper and lower houfe of affembly. All procelles original and judicial, formerly iffued in the king's name, but they now iffue in the name of the governor and company.

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