The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-02-04
RHoDEIsLAND REPUBLICAN,
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1899

VIC sHdi ho" ploCeeu, ny giving tne uOlngs
Governor Cranfeld and his associates, who conver
ed at Smiths house, relative to the conflicting claim
of r. Island and Connecticut, to the Narraganse
country, which we extract from Trumbull's histor
of Connecticut
''As there had been long disputes relative to tn
Narragansett country, and the king, in conse
quence of the act of his commissioners in 1865
claimed it as his province, commissioners were ap
pointed to hear and determine all titles and claim
respecting that tract On the 9TH of April 1853, hi
majesty King Charles III. granted commission tc
Edward Cranfeld Esq. lieutenant governor of New
Hampshire, William Stoughton, Joseph Dudley, Ed
ward Randolph, Samuel Shrmpton, John Fitz Win
throp, Edward Palms, Nathaniel Satonsall, and
John Pyncheon, Jun, Esqs., or any three of them
of whom Edward Cranfeld or Edward Randolph
was to be of the quorum, 60 to examine and enquire
into the respective CLAIMS and titles, well of his
majesty as of all persons and corporations whatsoev-
err to the immediate jurisdiction, government or pro-
prley of the soil ola certanract of land, within his
majesty's dominion ofN. England, called the Kings
province, or Narraganset country and to call before
them any person persons and to search records Jas
they shall find requisite and the proceedings therein
ined by them to state and with all convenient speed
report thereof to make to his majesty"
The commissioners convened, on the 22d of Au-
gust, I6S3 at the house of Richard Smith, in the
Narragansett country. They summoned all persons
and corporations, i'll whatever place, who con-
cerned in the title government of that country, to
appear before them, and to produce all charters,
deeds, records letters, and orders, from his majesty
and council, of any of his commissioners, to the
respective colonies, governors, or governments
which might give information on the subject. AT
the time and place appointed the records represent
d" That there was the greatest appearance of the
most ancient English and Indians then living, to
testify the truth of their knowledge" respecting the
matters then to be determined.
The commissioners, having fully heard every
thing respecting the claims and title to that part of
New-England, adjourned to Boston, and there made
report to his majesty in an ample manner declar-
ing that the government of it belonged to Connec-
ticut. The report, far it respects this colony,
and can reflect light on the subject, followeth
&c In humble obedience to your majesty's COM
mands, your majesty's commissioners, have seri-
ously considered the several claims before u.s. We
find that your majesty by your letters parents dated
at Westminster, the three and twentieth of April in
in the fourteenth year Of your majesty reign, grant
ed to the governor and company of Connecticut,
and their SUCCESSORS all that part Of your dominions
in New England, bounded on the east by the Mar ,
raganseu Bay where the said falls into the sea-
and on the north by the line of the Massachusetts
plantation, and on the south by the sea- 7
1--WE have also had information, that some time p
after your majestys grant, and said patent was sent
to your colony of Connecticut the said country of
the Narraganset likewise, by patent, granted by II
your majesty to the governor and company of Rhode II
Island plantation and is by charter bounded by riv
called Pawcauck, which, by said charter, is forever
to be accounted and called the Narganset river
And this latter grant of your majesty, to Rhode
Island, seems to be founded upon advice submitted
70 by John Winthrop, Esquire, said to be agent for
Connecticut colony, and Mr., John Clarke,
agent for Rhode-Island; to which Connecti-
,ut plead, that Mr.. Winthorp's agency for
hem ceased, when he had obtained and sent the
,atent to them, and that submission or act of his
,ould invalidate, deprive them of any of the BEN
fits graciously granted by your maesty's charter
md that Notwithstanding the seeming boundaries,
ct by said articles, sgned ny MT. NintnroP and
Mr. Clark it is in the articles provided, that
ne proprietors and inhabitants of the Narraganse
ountry should choose to which of the two govern y
ncn,s to belong and that they unanimously chose
I'D subjected to the government Of Connecticut" co
With humble submission, cannot see any M
anse TO judge, that the said Pawcatuck river pl
nciently was, ought to be called or accounted St
he NaTaganset river. 81
Rccausc /, Ees so,,o ,,,;,,. r;,,;, tho pe,o, OF
oantry. nation, till extrpated by the English,
fIcp or always at war with the Nanagansets, and