Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-03-12
HISTORICAL OUTLINE
Of the Government of Rhode Island, from tn
first settlement of the State to the granting O
the Charter of ChariesII
CONSTITUTION !

first settlement Of the State to the granting of
the Charter Of ChariesII.
In the summer of 1886, Roger Williams, being
exiled from Massachusetts, embarked IN company
with five others, in canoe, the shores Of See
konk, passed round India Point and Fox Point,
proceeded up the river, and landed at spot near
the episcopal church; he called the landing place
Provdence;" and this was the first settlement Of
Providence, and of the State. The venerable foun-
der of Rhode Island now received cession of the
territory from the Indians, which he conveyed to
twelve men who accompanied, or soon after joined
him. The number Of the earliest colonists were
shortly increased by persons from Massachusetts
and from Europe, who were admitted without re.
gard to religious opinions, the privileges of c-
zenship. Every was required to sign the fol
lowing compact. "We, whose names ore here un-
der written, being desrous to nhabit in the town of
Providence, do promise to submit ourselves in act
i've passive obedience, to all such orders or agree
mcnts shall be made for the public good Of the
body, in an orderly way, by the major consent of
the present inhabitants, masters of familcs incor-
porated together into township, and such others
whom they shall admit unto the same, only in ciuil
things"
This was the first establishment Of civil govern
ment in our State. 1t viii be observed to be strict
ly democratic, and to allow full liberty of conscience
in matters of religion. The legislative the judicial
and the executive functions were exercised, by tie
citizens in town-meeting for several years. This
mode of administering government could of course
only exist in small community. The people were
all agricultursts, and they and their descendants
remained almost exclusively so for at least CEN
tury.
The same ecclesiastical tyranny which drove Will
liams from Massachusetts, also drove Clarke, Cod
dington, and the other of the first settlers of the
island of Rhode-Island. These were Hospitality re-
ceived by Williams, at Providence and by his
friendly assistance, and intimacy and influence with
the Indians, they were enabled tc purchase of Che
Sachems Canonicus and Miantonomo, the beautiful
island now SO celebrated. The cession was made
by an instrument bearing date March "a, 1875.
In the mean time there had been drawn up and
signed by Clarke, Coddington and seventeen others,
the following political obligation
"We, whose names are underwritten, do swear
solemnly the presence of Jehovah, to incorporate
ourselves into body polite, and as he shall help
us, will submit persons, lives and estates, unto
our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords, and to all those most perfect and absolute
laws of His, given us in His holy word of truth, to
be guided and judged thereby"
This seems to have been an imitation of the form
Of government which for time existed among the
Jews. Coddington chosen the first magistrate
with the title of Judge and he had three Elders to
assist him. The northern portion of the island,
Portsmouth) was first occupied The spring after
the settlement of Portsmouth, portion of the inhab
ants moved to the southwesterly part of the island
and founded the town Of Newport. Both towns
were regarded, however, as subject to the govern
ment just named
Under such simple form of government, contin-
ued the towns of Newport and Portsmouth, till l64O
when another was substituted for it, under which
Coddington was chosen Governor of the island, and
Brenton, deputy Governor; and there were also ad-
ded four Assistants, Treasurer and Secretary.
In this manner was the State governed until the
towns of Providence, Newport, Portsmouth and
Warwick became united under the first Charter OBJ
tained by Roger Williams in 1643 Though ample
powers were granted by this Charter it prescribed
no form of government. 1t gave full power and
authority to rule themselves, by such form of civil
government, as by voluntary consent of all, or the
greater part Of them they shall find most suitable to
their state and condition" 1t was some time, it
appears, before the plan Of government could be
adopted by voluntary CONSENT" though a plan
was eventually agreed upon. The town of War
wick, though not named in the charter with Provi-
dence, Newport and Portsmouth, joined with those
towns, under the sanction Of the British Govern
ment, in forming civil government, under the char
ter. The government adopted was that there should
be President and four Assistants elected annually,