The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-10
MEMOIR OF r. ISLAND.


previously I637-s. The deeds given by
Canonicus and Myantonomy to Mr.. Cod
dington and his friends Of the Island of
Aquidncck, and also to Mr.. Williams of
what was afterwards called Providence,
bear equal date, viz, the Oath day Of the
frs, month, March l637-s, so that their
ownerships of the lands commenced at
the same time; bnt government and laws
were established by those of the Island
seven months and one day sooner than
at Providence. Before the settlers, thir-
teen in number, had organized them
selves in Providence, those Of Ports
mouth had admitted in addition to the
nineteen who first incorporated them
selves, thirty others, heads Of families,
as settlers whose names appear on their
records, making forty-nine, and before
the last ofDecember following. twenty
nine more were admitted. The settlers
Of the Island had it originally in view
(before they left the Massachusetts to
establish a separate and distinct colony,
where they might be independent of III e
other colonies, and subject only TO the
Crown and their own laws. Their in
tsntioD was to go out of every Other ju-
risdiction, and with that view sent Mr..
John Clarke and two others Of their
company 10 the eastward, beyond the
Massachusetts line, 10 explore that coun-
try for place Of settlement, the winter
before their purchase Of Aquidneck, but
owing to the severity Of the cold, they
determined TO 60 westward, with Long
Island and Delaware-Bay in their view |:
nor would they purchase the Island of
Aquidneck, as recommended by Mr.. r..
Williams, until they had been TO Plym-
outh and were assured by the magis-
Hates there, that they would be consid-
cred out Of the Plymouth. jurisdiction,
at Aquidneck, (now Rhode-Island.) The
towns Of Portsmouth and Newport, G.
rected their own government, separate,
distinct, and independent Of that ofProv-
idence. There was no political connec-
ton between them from the first settle
ment Of the Island ia 1893 to l614, a
space Of six years.
We 10 not wish 70 dcirac, from the
true merits Of Mr.. Roger Williams; on
tho contrary, our respect for his name
and character, and the part ho ultimate
Iy bore in framing the free institutions
Of Rhode-Island, fill US with the warmest
acknowledgements Of gratitude and I'D
miratton. The first settlers Of the Is
land left the Massachusetts under CIR
cumstarces somew hat similar to those of
Mr.. Williams. They had been required
10 conform to the established religion
and laws wero especially made to en-
force their compliance. They had in
vestiga.ed the principles ofreligious tol-,
Grafton, in their defence, and protested
against the interference of the secular
power in matters of conscience and re-
ligion. They went into exile second
,ime-,hey encountered the dangers and
hardships Of new settlement, and the
hostility Of their former brethren Of the
Massachusetts for the sole purpose of be-
ing able to put their theory Of religious
federation into practice. Ii William Cod
dington, John Clarke and others, who
frs, established government and laws
on the Island nre entitled to divide the
honor with Roger Williams, it will be
made to appear by the institutions they
formed, and the laws .hey enacted dur
sing the first six years, which were before
they associated wish -Mv. Williams in
the government.
DIR. John Clarke, one Of their number.
was employed by the colony mauy years
afterward as their agent in London, and
talents, TO tohisfaithfulness g. perseverance,
the colony was almost wholly indebted
for procuring our present charter of
Charles, I'd. How far he was capable
Of comprehending the principles of re-
ligious federation, abundanily appears by