Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 23 text:

The patent of 1644, however, did not set things right immediately. A series of differences with Massachusetts concerning boundaries and the ambition of Cod- dington, among other things, prevented any satisfactory functioning of govern- ment. The Narragansett Patent of 1643 was claimed by Massachusetts to have priority over any subscquent territorial grant and Providence was declared to be rightfully part of Massachusetts. Messages were sent to the people of Rhode Island requesting that they forbear the exercise of government. These were answered forcefully in defense of the new patent. Massachusetts soon gave up the idea of pressing the issue because the legality of the Narragansett Patent was on shaky ground. William Coddington contributed to the delay in the organization by his support of Massachusetts on these matters and by his constant efforts for personal gain. Finally, on May 19, 1647 the first General Assembly convened at Portsmouth and adopted a code of laws. These laws were preceded by a compact which gives good indication of the direction of the new democracy. We, whose names are here underwritten, do engage ourselves to the utmost of our estates and strength, to maintain the authority and to enjoy the liberty granted to us by our charter, in the extent of it according to the letter, and to maintain each other by the same authority in his lawful right and liberty. It is agreed, by this present assembly, thus incorporate, and by this present act declared, that the form of government established in Providence Plantations is Democratical, that is to say, a government held by the free and voluntary consent of all the greater part of the free inhabitants. o mu'ml w'f yi, GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES AT PORTSMOUTH From a drawing by George C. Mason

Page 22 text:

Christinas Ludowic published The New England Almanack in 1645 the first almanack by a Rhode Islander Bead Bclt-King Philip Rhode Island Historical Society Eastons Beach, Newport, Rhode Island o 1695, 83 THE NEW ENGLAKD EALMANACK 1 : the Year of our Lord CHRIST, 5l M Bbe e :g, And of the WORLD, . gJgBeing the thirg after Leap year, and of 12 13 the Reign of Their Majeftics which gz o+ bepandeb.1j. 16839, Yihe Sevem b year. og S9caleulated for the Meridian of Dofion 54?3 L Resd 3 - czs N.E. 69. deg. 20. min. vo the Wefrward of ? Flondon, and 42 deg. 0. min. North Eg 25 Latitude, and may ferve for all ot o4 Peto-England, e 553 To which, are added fome feafomable 5 2 Cangons againt certain Impictics and 25 Abfurdicics in Tulley's Almanacks, giv- gis 5 inza ouer Account of what may be 5 $? expedted froth Altrological Predichans. gl sz Together with fome choice, experimented, +2 2 cheap, caly and parable Receipes, of a A o3 $ General Benetit to Comntry People. g e By C. Lodowick, Phyfician. o 'lecffun,Prmred by B Green,for 5 Phillips, a2 ,f;g the Brick Shopnear the Old Meeting-boufe 1695 . Rhode Island Historical Society

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And now to the end that we may give, each to other not withstanding our dif- ferent consciences touching the truth as it is in Jesus, whereof, upon the point we all make mention , as good and hopeful assurance as we are able, touching cach man's COMPACT OF CODE peaceable and quiet enjoyr.nent of his lanl.ll right and liberty, we do agree unt?, and by the authority above said, enact, establish and confirm these orders following: That no person in this colony shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseized of his lands or liberties, or be exiled, or any otherwise molested or destroyed, but by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by some known law, and according to the letter of it, ratified and confirmed by the major part of the General Assembly lawfully met and orderly managed. That no person shall but at his great peril presume to bear or execute any office that is not lawfully called to it, and confirmed in it; nor though he be law- fully called and confirmed, presume to do more or less than those that had power to call him, or did authorize him to do. That no Assembly shall have power to constitute any laws for the binding of others, or to ordain officers for the execution thereof but such as are founded upon the charter and rightly derived from the General Assembly lawfully met and orderly managed. Newport, Rhode Island. View from Fort Wolcott, Goat Island 20