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 influence of Massachusetts, whose appointed agents were Edward Winslow, and John Winthrop.

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,

JOHN CLARKE, AND THE CHARTER OF 1663.

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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 inferior to Mr. Williams in talents, education, weight of character, influence, or efficiency of service? I believe it to be susceptible 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 Massachusetts 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 supposed 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

to the time-piece. We never find him engaged in angry controversy with those of different persuasions; but, on the contrary, endeavoring to practice and establish what he professed, toleration to all.-Memoirs of Rhode Island.

After Mr. Clarke's return, he was "improved" in various public offices, was elected Deputy Governor, three years successively, 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.

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

RECEPTION OF THE CHARTER BY THE PEOPLE.

73

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 expenses, 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, William 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 returned from Newport: John Card, Richard Tew, John Cranston, 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:

PROVIDENC

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 privileges, and under which the State so long enjoyed peace, happiness, 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 proclaimed in the presence of all the freemen of the Colony, at Newport, is still in being, though somewhat shorn of its pristine honors. It belongs to our respected fellow-citizen, Isaac Gould, Esq., at whose house in Thames-street, it may at any time be seen.

A TALE OF TIMES PAST,-IN THE DAYS OF GOVERNOR
BENEDICT ARNOLD.

"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 !'"