The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-02-12
MEMOIR OF II. ISLAND.
l64s.

A General Assembly Of the Freemen
convened a, Providence on the 10Th of
May. Being the day of the annual elec- ,
,ion Of officers. and chose
Mr.. NICHOLAS EAsroN, Moderator.
WIZ. DYRE, Clerk of the Assembly.
Dir. wM. CoppINeroN, President.
Mr. RovER WILLIAMS, Assistant.
Mr.. WILLIAM BAu.sroN, Assistant
Mr.. JoBS SMIrH, Assistant
PullIp SHERMAN, Gen. Recorder.
Mr.. ALEXANDER PARrRIpoE. General
Sergeant.
1, was ordered that Capt. Clarke and
Mr.. Barton shall go TO the Bay (Bos,on)
and carry the letter and receive their
answsr concerning Warwick business.
II was then ordered that six men Of
each town should be chosen, in whom
Tho Genera. Court shall continue, and
each town here shall have the choice Of
thsir men if they please, or if any town
refuse. the cour, shall choose them for
ihem. Ii any else besides will ierry
they may. whose help is desired. And
II was ordered that the committee should
have power to determine by the major
vote
Thus it appears that legislation by the
whole body OF the freemcn was found
inexpedient, in this early siage of the
Government md the executive power
was delegated TO the Governor md four
Assistants, and the Legislative to "a
commissioners chosen by the four towns
six from each. The names Oft the Com.
missloners were
Proridenee. Nsrport.
Thomas Olny Mr.. Easton, Moderator.
Thomas Harris WIN. Dyre
Ym. WitAenden Mr.. John Clarke
Hsrh BENEFIT James Weeaan
Robsrt W.liams James Barker
Gregory Derfer Jos'ph Clarke
WaYpick. Portsmouth.
Hr. John Smith Cpt. Morris
Erskiel Holyman John Trip
John Warner George Layton
Robert Potter IVm. Atmy
Christ. Holmes Joln Briggs
Peter Greene Samuel IVIyJor, Jc.
Mr.. jeremy Clarke aud Mr.. John
Smith were sworn.
: Mr.. Coddins,on and Mr. Bauls,or
ware suspended.
Tho Legislature or Rhode Island ha,
always bcen denomIna,ed the Genera
Assembiy, and is so termed in The enact.
ing clause Of oil its do,ngs. II received
this name from tho circumstances, iha
the Government was at first organise,
aud conducted by the whole body Of th
frecmen convened together. II was i
fact General Assembly of the frcemer
The came has continued. although TN
Government has passed from, democrl
cy to n republic.
"Mr Coddipgton abscnted himself, NJ
Dyre, the late recorder having exhibite
divers bills of fcomp!ain, against him, an
he did "not attend this court for Ill
'clearing of the accusations charged u,
ION him )" upon which the Assembl
passed an act that in such case IL
Assistant of the town where the Pres
dent lived should supply his place.'
Mr.. Coddington wrote to Govern,
Winthrop the 25ih of The same mont
May, ,ha, "Mr. Baulstonc, aud son
"others of this Island, are in disgrace VI,
1.-THE people of Providence, Warwic
land Gorton's adherenis OF the Islam
"for that we will no, ,n,erpose or nedd
"a' all IN their quarrels with the Mass
"chuset,s, aud the rest of the colonic
"and do much fear that Gorton will
thorn IN their sides, if the Lord n,
went not" And when the Commissio
ers OF the United Colonies met in Sc
'ember this year, lio and Capt. Partrid
went to them and said, sour request a,
"motion is in the behalf of our ISLAM
THAT we the Islanders of Rhodc-Isla,
may bo received into n combina,;
with all the United Colonies of Ne
England, in'o firm and perne,u
nerst. Of e. A