The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-11-07

'o" Snaries the firs'. Ihis Is the origi-
nal patent of Connecticut. The settlers of
the new colony, by this conveyance, be-
came patentees Of Lord Say and Seal.
Notwithstanding The right conferred upon
them by their patent, it became necessary
before they could open plantations, to pur-
chase The Indian title to the lands. This
was not finally effected until 1860, when
the distinguished Sachem Uncas, chief &C
the Mohegans, for "certain presents to his
sntisfaction," surrendered his last rescrya-
ton OF hunting grounds, and gave the pa
'entees clear and ample deed of all the
territory covered by their patent
The colony having added the nafire title
to their patent, determined in general as
semb'y to make application for n Charter
under the royal signature. Formally avow--
ing their allegiance To his Majesty Charles
the Second, and declaring in well set terms,
that all the inhabitants of the colony were
faithful and loving subjects, (it being soon
after the government of England was set
tied in King and Parlinmenr,) they petit
toned him for his grace and countenance,
aud the confirmation of their rights and
privileges. John Winthrop, Esquire, Goy-
ernor oi the colony, was appointed the IL
gent TO present the petition to his Majesty.
In the petition it was humbly represented,
that the greatest part of the colony had
been obtained from the Indians by grant,
and valuable considerations that some
part thereof had been obtained by conquest.
" Governor Winthrop" saws the courteous
historian, Trumbull, a" was a gentleman of
address and elegant manners"
Ga being presented to the King, he took
from his finger an extraordinary ring, of
great price and beauty, and kueelng, snid:
"WiII your Majesty graciously condos.
ccnd to accept this ring, which was n gift
TO my grandfather, from your Majcsiy's
father 7"
The King took the ring, gnzed upon it
for few moments with n sad countenance,'
and tear was observed by those that stood
around to fall upon the jewel ms he placed
it reverenlly upon lis finger. Turning to
the petitioner, he said, with pleasing voice
but with melancholy air.
No gift could have been so accepisEle,
fair sir, as this little memorial of my unhup-
py sire. shall hold it very dear"
Under these suspicious circumstances the
petition was presented, and received with
uncommon grace and favor. On the twelfth
of April, IGG2, his Majesty granted the col
ony his letters patent, conveying TO it the
most ample privileges under the great seal
Of England, and confirming It to the whole
tract of country originally granted by
Charles the First to the Earl of Warwick;
md by him conveyed to Lords Say and
Seol, and Lord Brook, in free and common
'occagc. II ordered nineteen Gentlemen ns
me body corporate aud polite, by the name
If the Governor and Company of the En-.
ylish Colony of Connecticut. in New En-
,land, in America" in perpetual succession,
With the right Of exercising all the powers
Inherent to a free corporation. II was ex-
,ressly ordained by the Charter, that the
.olonists should share equally with the free
md natural subjects Of the realm of England,
u the privileges Of the British constitution.
The Charter thus formally granted re-
nnincd inviolate, until King James the Sec
md came TO the crown n period Of twen-
y-three years. This monarch brought to
he throne n disposition cruel and iyranni--
al hc was obstInnte in his opinion, strong
n his prejudces and withnl, bigo,ed
Roman Catholic. lie began his reign by n
yanton violation of the constitution of the
hree Kingdoms, and by ramPipg on the
avs and liberties of the people. In all
transactions between the crown aud the
,eople, he eviDced remarkable destituton
f the principles of honor aud common
nth not only exhibiting frequent instan-
cs Of nagrant injustice, bu, often times The
ant of humanity. More than forty cor
orations in England he deprived of their
harters, including ibut of The city Of Lon
on. The charters Of Massachusetts and
Rhode Island were demanded, and were
ither vacated or surrendered and, with
he exception alone Of Cont ecticut, King
ames had appointed general government
,yer all New England. In this open and
violation Of kirgly faith, the col
,nis,s of Connecticut could not, being pro-
cstanis, hope to escape; and hourly trem-
led for the security Of their Charter. n
,ngth, in July, 1856, the expected man.
ate came, in the shape ofs writ Of quo
,arranto, issued against the Governor md
company, requiring their appearance before
is Majesty, to show by what warrant.
iey exercised certain powers and privi-
ges.
In this alarming crisis, the Governor call
q a special assembly to consult the means
be employed for the preservation Of the
,lony. The result of this council was q
ettion to the crown, humhly but resolute-
praying the continuance Of the rights Of
e colonists. Insiead Of a reply, Edward
andoIph, mn interchangeable enemy to the
royinces, came over from England bear
'g two wri,s more imperative than the first,
nd the December following, fourth writ
'as served on the Governor and colony,
squring their appearance before his Maj
siy, " within eiek, days Of the publication
G the blessed Virgin" In this affair the
uplicity characteristic of most Of the pub
C acts Of james the Second wns remnrka-
ly exempli6ed: for the wriis named no
x.,rcr iiuae Coz iLcir auaeaxsnec ,sl,ieL