The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-10-09

I647.

dians were seized with il. Ii extended
10 the West Indies, in each Of the Islands
of Barbadoes and St. Christopher; five
or six thousand died. Ii was accompa-
MED with great drouth which caused
an extreme scarcity Of provisions"
Mr.. Roger Williams having brought
over the charter Of Incorporation for the
Colony Of Providence Plantations in the
year 1914, as has been before stated
the people of the Colony did not unite
in civil government under it until this
year. On the 10Th of May l647 the
people met in General Assembly, in the
town Of Portsmouth and remained there
in session three days.
In Baylies Memoir Of New Plymouth
it is stated, that "by their charter, the
form Of the Government was to be left TO
tho choice of the people. A Chief Mag
istratc was constituted who was called
President, and Mr.. Williams became
the first political President ever known
in America"
That Rhode-Islaud gave the first cx-
ample, in America, Of denominating a
Chief Magistrate President, is true, but
Mr.. Williams was not the first President
but John Coggeshall, las appears by the
records,) and Roger Williams first as
sistant
Acts and orders made and agreed up
on mt the General Court of Election held
mt Portsmouth in Rhode Island the 10Th,
Goth and 2lst of May A d l647 for the
Colony and Province of Providence.
.lst Mr.. John Coggeshall is chosen
Moderator of the present Assembly.
2nd. 1t was voted and found that the
major part of tho Colony was present at
this Assembly, whereby there was full
power to transact.
Sd. 1t was further agreed, that in case
the Assembly depart unto the number Of
forty, these foity shall stay and act as il
the whole were present, and be of as full
authority.
9TH. 1t was agreed. that all should set
their hands to an engagement to the
Charter.
9th. 1t was agreed and ordered, that
week before any General Court, notice
sho Ild bc given to every town by the
head officer, that they choose Commit
tee for the transaction of the affairs there
except it be for tho election Of General
Officers, and such as go not may send
their votes sealed.
9Th. 1t was voted upon the request Of
the Commissioners Of the town of Provi-
dence, that their second instruction
should be granted aud established unto
thcm-viz. We do voluntarily assent
and are freely willing to receive and to
be governed by the laws Of England, to-
gether with the way Of the administra-
ton Of them SO far as the nature and
constitution Of this plantation will admit,
desiring ESQ far as possible may be) to
hold correspondence with the whole
colony ia the model that hath been late
Iy shown unto us by our worthy friends
Of the Island, ,f the General Court shall
complete and confirm the same, or any
other model as the General Court shall
agree upon according to our charter
7th. Ii was unanimously agreed, that
we do oil own and submit to the laws as
they are contracted in the bulk with the
administration ofjustice according there
TO, which are to stand in force till the
next General Court Of Election, and ev-
cry town to have copy Of them, and
then to present what shall appear therein
not to be suitable to the constitution OF
the place, aud then TO amend il.
Sth. 1t was agreed that Warwick
should have the Same privilege as Provi.
dence.
9th. 1t was agreed that tho General
Court OF Trial should be at Newpor,
upon the second Tuesday Of June mex,
ensuing.
10th. II was agreed that the election
Of fofficers should be by papers.
Mr. John Coggeshall is chosen Presi-