The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-08


tations in New-England, relating to the
boundaries between them and the colony of
Connecticut, and praying that the same
might be settled and confirmed TO them,
according to their charter the Lords OF
the Committe, in pursuance of your MaJes-
tvs order, have taken the said petition into
consideration, together with an answer
thereto from Mr.. Dummer, agent for the
Colony of Connecticut, and having receiv-
ed the opinion of the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations upon this affair,
their Lordships did several times summons
the agents,concerned to appear before them,
in order to be heard thereupon but the a
gent for Connecticut. Incorporating till the
2d day of August last, and he then not of
fering any thing to indnce their Lordships
to differ in opinion with said Lords Com
missioners for Trade and Plantations, the
Lords of the Committee did then order a
report of the whole matter to be drawn up
and laid before your Majesty. Yet the said
Mr.. Dummer desiring further opportunity
to be heard, their Lordships have hitherto
deferred making their said report TO your
Majesty, and the said agent not having APP
peared since that time, though twice sum
moned to attend, nor desired to be heard
thereupon by his counsel; their Lordshlps
do now agree humbly to report TO your
Majesty, the state of the case as it appears
to them from the said reports of the Lords
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations,
viz: That on the 18th of March, l643,
grant was made by the Earl of Warwick
and others at that time appointed Commits
sioners by the Parliament, for the govern
ment and regulations of the plantations 10
the people of Rhode-Island and Providence
Plantations, of tract of land bounded as
| followeth, viz. north and north east on the
patient of Massachusetts east and south-
east on Plymouth patient, south on the o.
cean, and on the west and northwest in
habitedby Indians called dNarrawganneuchs,
alias Narragansets, the whole tract extend
ing about twenty-five English mile unto the
Pequot river and county, which instrument
though it cannot be reputed valid IN law,
vet i'm some measure. is an evidence of what
was then reputed to be the boundary OF
that Province.
That after the restoration, application
was made to his Majesty, King Charles H.,
by the agents Of Connecticut and Rhode
Island, for charters to fix the respective
governments and boundaries of the said
Provinces, and charters were accordingly
granted for that purpose.
But the charter for Connecticut being
obtained previous to that of Rhode-island
and Providence Plantations, the bounda-
ries Of Connecticut were endeavored TO be
fixed to their advantage.
That the said charter for Connection
bears date the Odd Of April, 1862; ant
their bounds are described in the following
manner, VIZ: "All that part of our. .domin
ions in New-England in America, BOUNDED
J on the cast by the Narrdganset river, com
d monty called Narraganset bay, where thu
: said river falleth into the sea, and on th'
> north by the line of the Massachusetts
Plantation, and on the south by the sea
!. and in longitude as the line of the Massa
chusetts Colony, running from east to west
that is to say, from the said Narraganse
= bay OH the east TO the south sea on tn
west part, with the islands thereunto ad
joining, together with oil firm lands, sole:
grounds, &c.
That the people of Rhode-island an
Providence Plantations, apprehendng tina
the said Connecticut charter, so bounded
might unjustly swallow up great part G
their territories, and cut off all their preten
tons to any thing upon the Continent, thi
grievance they complained of soon afte
the second charter was obtained. And
doth appear,
That John Winthrop and John Clark
their agents for the respective colonies {
Connecticut and Rhode Island and Prov
dence Plantations, Notwithstanding th
said charter TO Connecticu) did in Apr
1863, submit to arbitration what should b