The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-11-06
MEMOIR OF n. ISLAND.
For tie Propiince of Providence.

and that by virtue OF an ordinance OF the
parliament of England free and abso-
lutte Charter of civil incorporation &c.
We do jointly agree to incorporate our
selves aud so to remain body polite by
the authority thereof and therefore do
declare to own ourselves and one another
to be members of the same body, and to
have right 10 the freedom and privileges
thereofby subscribing our names to these
words following, viz:
We whose names are here under writ
ten do engage ourselves to the utmost of
our estates and strength to maintain the
authority and to enjoy the liberty grant
ed to US by our charter in the extent Of
it according to the letter and to main
tain each other by the same authority in
his lawful right'and liberty.
And now siih our charter gives us
power to govern ourselves and such 9TH
or as come among US, and by such a form
of civil government rs by the voluntary
consent &c shall be found mort suitable
TO our estate and condition, it is agreed
by this present assembly thus incorporate
and by this present act declared that the
form Of Government established in Pro-
yidence plantations is democratical that
Is to say government held by the free
aud voluntary consent Of all or the great
cr part Of the free inhabitants.
And now to the end we may give each
to other withstanding our different
conscicnces, touching the truth as it is
in Jesus, whereof upon the poin. we all
make mention) as good and hopeful as
surance as We are able touching each
mans peaceable and quiet enjoyment of
his lawful right and liberty we do agree
unto and by the authority above said,
in act establish, and confirm these or
ders following.
Touching Lars.
That no person in this Colony shall be
taken or imprisoned or he disceissd of
his lands or liberties, or be exiled, or any
otherwise molested or destroyed, but by
the lawful judgement Of his Peers, or by
some known. law and according to the
letter Of it, ratified and confirmed by the
major part Of the Gcueral Assembly
lawfully met and orderly managed.
That no person shall (but at his great
periD presume to bear or exc :ute any
Office that is not lawfully called to it,
and confirmed in it, nor though he be
lawfully called and confirmed presume
to 10 more or less than those that had
power to call him did authorise him toll
DO.
That no Assembly shall have power
so constitute any laws for the binding of
others, or to ordain officers for the exc
cution thereof, but such as are founded
upon the Charter and rightly derived
from the General Assembly lawfully met
and orderly managed.
That no person be employed in any
service for the public administration of
Justice and judgement upon offenders or
between man and man without good en-
eouragement, and dew satisfaction from
che public either out ofthe common stock
or out Of the stocks Of those that have
sccasioned his service that SO those that
are able TO serve may not DO unwilling
and those that are able, and willing may
not be disabled by being overburthsn ned
and then in case man be called unto
Office by u lawful Assembly and refuse
TO bear office, or be called by an officer
10 assist in the execution Of his office
and refuse to assist him, he shall forfeit
rs much again as his wages would have
amounted unto, or be otherwise fined by
the judgement Of his Peers and to pay
bis fine or forfeiture unless the Colony
or that lawful Assembly release him,
but in case of eminent danger no man
shall refuse.
And now for as much ms our Charter
gives US power TO mako such laws con-
siitutions penalties and officers of Justice
for the execution thereof as we or the
greater part Of us shall by free consent