A Governor,
Deputy-Go-

vernor, and

time.

Firft Gover

nor, DeputyGovernor & Affiftants appointed.

Governor & Deputy-Governor's pow

er to call a

Gen. Affembly.

Two General

Affemblies in

a year, viz. in May and OЯober.

and their Succeffors, there fhall be One Governor, One Deputy-Governor, and Twelve Affiftants, to be from Time to Time conftituted, elected and chofen out of the Freemen of the faid Company for the Time being, in fuch 12 Affiftants Mannet and Form as hereafter in these Prefents is expreffed, which faid to be elected Officer's fhall apply themselves to take Care for the best difpofing and orderfrom time to, ing of the general Bufinefs and Affairs of and concerning the Land and Hereditaments herein after mentioned to be granted, and the Plantation thereof, and the Government of the People thereof: And for the better Execution of Our Royal Pleasure herein, We do for Us, Our Heirs, and Succeffors, affign, name, confticute and appoint the aforelaid John Winthrop to be the first and prefent Governor of the faid Company, and the faid John Mafon to be the Deputy-Governor, and the faid Samuel Wyllys, Matthew Allyn, Nathan Gold, Henry Clarke, Richard Treat, John Ogden, John Tapping, John Talcott, Thomas Wells, Henry Welcott, Richard Lord, and Daniel Clarke, to be the Twelve prefent Affiftants of the faid Company, to continue in the faid feveral Offices refpectively, until the fecond Thurfday which fhall be in the Month of October now next coming. And further, We Will, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs, and Succeffors, Do ordain and grant, That the Governor of the faid Company for the Time being, or in his Abfence by occafion of Sicknefs, or otherwife by his Leave or Permiffion, the Deputy-Governor for the Time being, fhall and may from Time to Time upon all Occafions, give Order for the affembling of the faid Company, and calling them together to confult and advife of the Bufinefs and Affairs of the faid Company, and that for ever hereafter, twice in every Year, That is to fay, On every Second Thursday in October, and on every Second Thurfday in May, or oftner in cafe it fhall be requifite; the Affiftants, and Freemen of the faid Company, or fuch of them (not exceeding Two Perfons from each Place, Town, or City) who fhall be from Time to Time thereunto elected or deputed by the major Part of the Freemen of the respective Towns, Cities, and Places for which they fhall' be elected or deputed, fhall have a General Meeting, or Affembly, then and there to confult and advise in and about the Affairs and Bufinefs of the faid Company: and that the Governor, or in his Abfence the Deputy-Governor of the faid Company for the Time being, and fuch of the Affiftants and Freemen of the faid Company as fhall be fo elected or deputed, and be prefent at fuch Meeting or Affembly, or the greatest Number of them, whereof the Governor or Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Affiftants at leaft, to be Seven, shall be called the General Affembly, and fhall have full Power and Authority to alter and change their Days and Times of Meeting, or General Affemblies, for electing the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants, or other Officers, or any other Courts, Affemblies or Meetings, and to choofe, nominate and appoint fuch and so many other Perfons as they fhall think fit, and fhall be willing to accept the fame, to be Free of the faid Company, and Body Politick, and them into the fame to admit; And to elect and conftitute fuch Officers as they fhall think fit and requifite for the ordering, managing and difpofing of the Affairs of the faid Governor and Company, and their Scceffors: And We do hereby for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, establish and ordain, That once in the Year for ever hereafter, Namely, the faid Second Thursday in May, the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affistants of the said Company, and other Officers of the faid Company, or fuch of them as the faid General Affembly fhall think fit, fhall be in the said General Court and Affembly to be held from that Day or Time, newly chofen for the Year ensuing, by fuch greater Part of the faid Company for the Time being, then and there prelent; and if the Governor, DeputyGovernor, and Affiftants by thefe Prefents appointed, or fuch as hereafter be newly chosen into their Rooms, or any of them, or any other the Officers to be appointed for the faid Company fhall die, or be removed from his or their feveral Offices or Places before the faid general Day of Election, whom we do hereby declare for any Misdemeanor or Default, to be removable by the Governor, Affiftants, and Company, or fuch greater Part of them in any of the faid public Courts to be affembled, as is aforefaid, that then,

Power to alter their days

of meeting.

To appoint freemen, and conftitute of

ficers.

Power to

chufe new of

ficers in cafe

of the death

or removal of

others.

then, and in every fuch Cafe, it fhall and may be lawful to and for the Go vernor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants, and Company aforefaid, or such greater Part of them so to be affembled, as is aforefaid, in any of their Affemblies, to proceed to a new Election of one or more of their Company, in the Room or Place, Rooms or Places of fuch Governor, Deputy-Governor, Affiftant, or other Officer or Officers fo dying or removed, according to their Difcretions, and immediately upon and after such Election or Elections made of fuch Governor, Deputy-Governor, Affiftant or Affiftants, or any other Officer of the faid Company, in Manner and Form aforefaid, the Authority, Office and Power before given to the former Governor, DeputyGovernor, or other Officer and Officers fo removed, in whofe Stead and Place new fhall be chofen, fhall as to him and them, and every of them respectively, ceafe and determine. Provided alfo, And Our Will and Pleasure is, That as well fuch as are by these Prefents appointed to be the prefent Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants of the faid Company, as those that shall fucceed them, and all other Officers to be appointed and chofen, as aforefaid, fhall before they undertake the Execution of their faid Offices and Places refpectively, take their feveral and refpective corporal Oaths for the due and faithful Performance of their Duties, in their feveral Offices and Places, before fuch Pefon or Perfons as are by these Presents hereafter appointed to take and receive the fame; That is to fay, The faid John Winthrop, who is herein before nominated and appointed the prefent Governor of the faid Company, fhall take the faid Oath before One or more of the Masters of Our Court of Chancery for the Time being, unto which Master of Chancery, We do by thefe Prefents give full Power and Authority to adminifter the faid Oath to the faid John Winthrop accordingly: And the faid John Mason, who is herein before nominated and appointed the prefent Deputy-Governor of the faid Company, fhall take the faid Oath before the faid John Winthrop, or any Two of the Affiftants of the faid Company, unto whom We do by thefe Prefents give full Power and Authority to adminifter the faid Oath to the faid John Mafon accordingly: And the faid Samuel Wyllys, Henry Clarke, Matthew Allyn, John Tapping, Nathan Gold, Richard Freat, Richard Lord, Henry Wolcott, John Talcott, Daniel Clarke, John Ogden, and Thomas Wells, who are herein before nominated and appointed the fent Affiftants of the faid Company, fhall take the Oath before the said John Winthrop, and John Mafon, or One of them, to whom We do hereby give full Power and Authority to adminifter the fame accordingly. And Our further Will and Pleasure is, that all and every Governor, or DeputyGovernor to be elected and chofen by Virtue of thefe Prefents, fhall take the faid Oath before Two or more of the Affiftants of the faid Company for the Time being, unto whom We do by these Presents give full Power and Authority to give and adminifter the faid Oath accordingly; and the faid Affiftants, and every of them, and all and every other Officer or Officers to be hereafter chofen from Time to Time, to take the faid Oath before the Governor, or Deputy-Governor for the Time being, unto which Governor, or Deputy-Governor We do by these Prefents give full Power and Authority to adminifter the fame accordingly. And further, Of Our more ample Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, We have given and granted, and by these Prefents for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, do give and grant unto the faid Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, in America, and to every Inhabitant there, and to every Perfon and Perfons trading thither, and to every fuch Perfon and Perfons as are or fhall be Free of the faid Colony, full Power and Authority from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, to take Ship, Tranfport and carry away for and towards the Plantation and Defence of the faid Colony, fuch of Our loving Subjects and Strangers, as fhall or will willingly accompany them in, and to their faid Colony and Plantation, except fuch Perfon and Perfons as are or fhall be therein reftrained by Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors; and alfo to fhip and tranfport all, and all Manner of Goods, Chattels, Merchandizes, and other Things whatfoever that are or fhall be ufeful or neceffary for the Inhabitants of the faid Colony, and may lawfully

pre

be

cers power to

Former offi

the choice of

ceafe, upon

new ones.

Governor, D:
Governor, &

Affiftants to
worn to a

be

faithful performance of

their duty &

office.

Power to

tranfport inhabitants in

to the Colo

merchandi

ny, & goods,

zes, &c.

The king's fubjects in this colony to

enjoy all the privileges of free and natural fubjects.

Power to ad

minifter the

oath of fupremacy and o

bedience.

To erect judicatories.

be transported thither; Nevertheless, not to be difcharged of Payment to Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, of the Duties, Customs and Subfidies which 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 Succeffors, ordain, declare, and grant unto the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, That all, and every the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs, or Succeffors, which hall go to inhabit within the faid Colony, and every of their Children which fhall happen to be born there, or on the Seas in going thither, or returning from thence, fhall have and enjoy all Liberties and Immunities of free and natural Subjects within any the Dominions of Us, Our Heirs or Succeffors, to all Intents, Conftructions and Purposes whatsoever, as if they and every of them were born within the Realm of England; And We do authorife and impower the Governor, or in his Abfence the Deputy-Governor for the Time being, to appoint Two or more of the faid Affiftants at any of their Courts or Affemblies to be held as aforefaid, to have Power and Authority to adminifter the Oath of Supremacy and Obedience to all and every Perfon and Perfons which fhall at any Time or Times hereafter go or pass into the faid Colony of Connecticut, unto which faid Affiftants fo to be appointed as aforefaid, We do by thefe Prefents give full Power and Authority to adminifter the faid Oath accordingly. And We do further of Our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, give, and grant unto the said Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, in America, and their Succeffors, That it fhall and may be lawful to and for the Governor, or Deputy-Governor, and fuch of the Affiftants of the faid Company for the Time being as fhall be Affembled in any of the General Courts aforefaid, or in any Courts to be especially fummoned or affembled for that Purpofe, or the greater part of them, whereof the Governor, or Deputy-Governor, and Six of the Affiftants to be always Seven, to erect and make fuch Judicatories, for the hearing, and determining of all Actions, Caufes, Matters, and Things happening within the faid Colony, or Plantation, and which fhall be in Difpute, and Depending there, as they fhall think Fit, and Convenient, and alfo from Time to Time to Make, Ordain, and Establish all manner of wholefome, and reasonable Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Directions, and Inftructions, not Contrary to the Laws of this Realm of England, as well for fettling the Forms, and Ceremonies of Government, and Magiftracy, fit and neceffagovernment, ry for the faid Plantation, and the Inhabitants there, as for Naming, and Stiling all Sorts of Officers, both Superior and Inferior, which they fhall find Needful for the Government, and Plantation of the faid Colony, and the diftinguishing and fetting forth of the feveral Duties, Powers, and Limits of every fuch Office and Place, and the Forms of fuch Oaths not being contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Realm of England, to be adminiftred for the Execution of the faid feveral Offices and Places as alfo for the difpofing and ordering of the Election of fuch of the faid Officers as are to be annually chofen, and of fuch others as fhall fucceed in cafe of Death or Removal, and adminiftring the faid Oath to the newelected Officers, and granting neceffary Commiffions, and for Impofition of lawful Fines, Mulets, Imprisonment or other Punishment upon Offenders and Delinquents according to the Courfe of other Corporations within this our Kingdom of England, and the fame Laws, Fines, Mulets and Executions, to alter, change, revoke, annul, release, or pardon under their Common Seal, as by the faid General Affembly, or the major Part of them fhall be thought fit, and for the directing, ruling and difpofing of all other Matters and Things, whereby Our faid People Inhabitants there, may be fo religiously, peaceably and civilly governed, as their good Life and orderly Converfation may win and invite the Natives of the Country to the Knowlege and Obedience of the only true GOD, and the Saviour of Mankind, and the Chriftian Faith, which in Our Royal Intentions, and the Adventurers free Poffeffion, is the only and principal End of this Plantation; willing, commanding and requiring, and by thefe Prefents for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, ordaining and appointing, that all fuch Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, Inftructions, Impofitions and Directions as fhall be fo made by the Governor,

To ordain &

eftablish laws for fettling the forms of

&c.

To impose fines, mulets, &c.

Laws to be published.

Laws to be put in Execu

tion.

Power to af femble & put in warlike pofture the Inhabitants

Law Martial

Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Affiftants as aforefaid, and published Writing under their Common Seal, fhall carefully and duly be observed, kept, performed, and put in Execution, according to the true Intent and Meaning of the fame, and thefe Our Letters Patents, or the Duplicate, or Exemplification thereof, fhall be to all and every fuch Officers, Superiors and Interiors from Time to Time, for the putting of the fame Orders, Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Inftructions, and Directions in due Execution, against Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, a fufficient Warrant and Difcharge. And We do further for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, give and grant unto the said Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, by thefe Prefents, That it fhall and may be lawful to, and for the Chief Commanders, Governors and Officers of the faid Company for the Time being, who fhall be refident in the Parts of New-England hereafter mentioned, and others inhabiting there, by their Leave, Admittance, Appointment, or Direction, from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, for their fpecial Defence and Safety, to Affemble, Martial-Array, and put in warlike Pofture the Inhabitants of the faid Colony, and to Commiffionate, Impower, and Authorize fuch Perfon or Perfons as they fhall think fit, to lead and conduct the faid Inhabitants, and to encounter, expulfe, repel and refift by Force of Arms, as well by Sea as by Land, and alfo to kill, flay, and deftroy by all fitting Ways, Enterprizes, and Means whatfoever, all and every fuch Perion or Perfons as fhall at any Time hereafter attempt or enterprize the Destruction, Invafion, Detriment, or Annoyance of the faid Inhabitants or Plantation, and to use and exercife the Law Martial in fuch Cafes only as Occafion To ufe the hall require; and to take or furprize by all Ways and Means whatfoever, all and every fuch Perfon and Perfons, with their Ships, Armour, Ammunition and other Goods of fuch as fhall in fuch hoftile Manner invade or attempt the defeating of the faid Plantation, or the hurt of the faid Company and Inhabitants, and upon juft Causes to invade and deftroy the Natives, or other Enemies of the faid Colony. Nevertheless, Our Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby declare unto all Chriftian Kings, Princes, and States, that if any Perfons 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 Sea or by Land, and do any Hurt, Violence, or unlawful Hoftility to any of the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs or Succeffors, or any of the Subjects of any Prince or State being then in League with Us, Our Heirs or Succeffors, upon Complaint of fuch Injury done to any fuch Prince or State, or their Subjects, We, Our Heirs and Succeffors will make open Proclamation within any Ps of Our Realm of England fit for that Purpose, that the Perfon or Perfons committing any fuch Robbery or Spoil, fhall within the Time limited by fuch Proclamation, make full Reftitution or Satisfaction 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 Spoil fhall not make Satisfaction accordingly, within fuch Time fo to be limited, that then it fhall and may be lawful for Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, to put fuch Perfon or Perfons out of Our Allegiance and Protection; and that 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 Procurors, Aiders, Abettors and Counsellors in that Behalf. Provided alfo, and Our exprefs Will and Pleasure is, and We do by thefe Prefents for Us, Our Heirs, and Succeffors, Ordain and Appoint, that thefe Prefents fhall not in any Manner hinder any of Our loving Subjects whatsoever to ufe and exercife the Trade of Fishing upon the Coaft of New-England, in America, but they and every or any of them fhall have full and free Power and Liberty, to continue, and ufe the faid Trade of Fishing upon the said Coast, in any of the Seas thereunto adjoining, or any Arms of the Seas, or Salt Water Rivers where they have been accustomed to fish, and to build and fet up on the wafte Land belonging to the faid Colony of Connecticut, fuch Wharves, Stages, and Work-Houfes as fhall be neceffary for the falting

Declaration. His Majefty's to all Princes and States, againft fuch as spoil by Sea or Land.

fhall rob.or

Liberty re ferved for all his Majefty's fubjects to filh

upon the coaff

To build
Wharves, &ċi
Lands
upon walte

Grant of the lands within the limits exgovernor and

preffed to the

company,

with the com

modities thereof, &c.

To be held in free and com

drying, and keeping of their Fifh to be taken, or gotten upon that Coaft any Thing in thefe Prefents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And Know Ye further, That We, of Our abundant Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, have given, granted, and confirmed, and by thefe Prefents for Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, do give, grant and confirm unto the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, all that Part of Our Dominions in New-England in America, bounded on the Eaft by NarragansetRiver, commonly called Narraganfet-Bay, where the faid River falleth into the Sea; and on the North by the Line of the Massachusetts-Plantation; and on the South by the Sea; and in Longitude as the Line of the MalfachusettsColony, running from Eaft to Weft, That is to fay, From the faid NarraganJet-Bay on the Eaft, to the South Sea on the Weft Part, with the Islands thereunto adjoining, together with all firm Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, Mines, Minerals, precious Stones, Quarries, and all and fingular other Commodities, Jurifdi&tions, Royalties, Privileges, Franchises, Preheminences, and Hereditaments whatsoever, within the faid Tract, Bounds, Lands, and Islands aforefaid, or to them or any of them belonging. To have and to hold the fame unto the faid Governor and Company, their Succeffors and Affigns for ever, upon Truft, and for the Ufe and Benefit of Themselves and their Affociates, Freemen of the faid Colony, their Heirs and Affigns, to be holden of Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, as mon foccage. of Our Manor of Eaft Greenwich, in free and common Soccage, and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service, yielding and paying therefore to Us, Our Heirs and Succeffors, only the Fifth Part of all the Ore of Gold and Silver which from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, fhall be there gotten, had, or obtained, in Lieu of all Services, Duties and Demands whatfoever, to be to Us, our Heirs, or Succeffors therefore, or thereout rendered, made, or paid. And lastly, We do for Us, our Heirs and Succeffors, grant to the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, by these Prefents, That thefe Our Letters Patents, fhall be firm, good and effectual in the Law, to all Intents, Conftructions, and Purposes whatsoever, according to Our true Intent and Meaning herein before declared, as fhall be conftrued, reputed benefit of the and adjudged moft favourable on the Behalf, and for the best Benefit, and Behoof of the faid Governor and Company, and their Succeffors, although exprefs Mention of the true Yearly Value or Certainty of the Premifes, or of any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us, or by any of Our Progenitors, or Predeceffors, heretofore made to the faid Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, in America, aforefaid, in these Presents is not made, or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provifion, Proclamation, or Restriction heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained, or provided, or any other Matter, Caufe, or Thing whatsoever, to the contrary thereof, in any wife notwithstanding. In Witness whereof, We have caufed thefe Our Letters to be made Patents. Witnefs Ourself at Westminster, the Three and Twentieth Day of April, in the Fourteenth Year of our Reign.

The patent to have the moft favorable, conftruction for the

govrnor and

company.

By Writ of Privy Seal,

HOWARD