The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-09-25
MEMOIR OF n. ISLAND.


MEMOIR OF IL. ISLAND.
"Mr. Williams returned with the char
ter he had procured to Boston. the I7,l
Of September following, and brought the
ensuing letter with him.
To the right worsliipful tho Governor
and Assistants, and the rest of our
worthy friends in the plantation of
MASSACHUSETTS Bay.
Our much honorcd friends,
"Taking notice some Of us Of long
iimo Of Mr.. Roger Williamss good nf.
fections and conscience, and Of his suf-
ferings by our common enemy and OPP
prcssors of Gods people the prclates, as
also Of his grent industry and travels in
his printed Indian labsrs in your parts
(lhe like whereof we have not scen cx-
tant from any part Of America) and in
which respect it hath pleased both
Houses Of Parliament to grant unto him
and friends with him free and absolute
charter of civil government for those
parts of his abode, und witlInl sorrow
fully resenting that amongst good men
four fricnds) driven to the ends Of the
world, exercised with the trials of will
lerness, and who mutually give good
testimony each Of the other (as we OBJ
serve you do of him, and he abundanIIy
of you,) there should be such distance;
wc thought it fit upon divers considera-
tions to profess our great desires ofbotI
your utmost cndeavo:s Of nearer closing
and of ready expressing those good af-
feciions (which we perceive you bear
each to other) in effectual performances
of nll friendly Offices. The rather be-
cause Of those bad neighbors you are
likely to find too near you IN Virginia,
and the unfriendly visits from the west
of England and from Ireland. That
howsocver it may please the most High
10 shake our foundations, yet the report
of your peaccablo and prosperous plan
iations may be some refreshings to your
true and faithful friends,
Cor. Holland, Robert Harley,
John Blackisfow, John Gurdcn,
Isaac Pennington, Northumberland,
Miles C6,bet, .P. Wharton,
Ohrer 81. .yoj!n, Thomas Harrington,
Gilbert Pickering, William Marshdm."
1t is said, "upon the receipt ofthis let
ter, the Governor and magistrates of the
Massachusetts found, upon examination
of their hearts. no reason to condemn
themselves for any former proceedings
ngainst Mr.. Williams but for any off,
COS of Christian love, and duties of l'u-
mnnity, they we're very willing to main
tain mutual correspondence with him ;
bu, us to his dangerous principles Of
separation, unless he can he brought to
lay them down, they see no reason why
TO concede to him, or any SO persuaded,
free liberty Of ingress or egrcss, lest any
Of their people should be drawn awny
with his erroneous opinions" Backus
Page l54.
1645.
"The Commissioner for the United
Colonies sent messengers to the Sachems
ofNarragansett and Mohcgan, rcquihng
their appearance Mt Boston and in the
mean time suspension Of the wars be-
tween the two nations. The Narrngan-
sstts treated the messengers kindly at
first, but soon changing their tone de-
clared their determinations TO have no
peace without the head of Uncas. Rog-
er Williams Of Providence giving notice
TO the Commissioners, that the Nara
gansctts would suddenly break out a
gninst the English, they drew up de-
claration containing those facts, which
they considered sufficient to justify them
inmaking war against the Narragansetts,
in prosecution of such n war they de-
termined Immediately to raise three
hundred men. The news ofthe prcpar-
alton Of this nrmy intimidated the Mar
ragansetts who now submit TO peace on
terms proposed to them by tho Commits
sioners. These terms were, that as their