Documents illustrative of American History, 1606-1863; with introduction and references, by H. W. Preston

Preface

. In his inaugural lecture at Oxford, October, 1884, Prof. Freeman declared that the historical professor " must ever bear in mind himself and ever strive to impress on the minds of others that the most ingenious and most eloquent of modern historical discourses can after all be nothing more than a comment on a text." A conviction of this truth was the incentive to this work. It is hoped that this presentation of a few of the more important documents, the original authorities and sources of our history, may promote in some degree a more accu rate knowledge of American history. Should this hope be realized the editor will be well repaid. Howard W. Preston. Providence, R. I. February 13, 1886. CONTENTS.

PAGE First Virginia Charter — 1606 1 Second Virginia Charter — 1609 14 Third Virginia Charter — 1612 22 ■ Mayflower Compact — 1620 29 ..Ordinance for Virginia — 1621 32 , Massachusetts Charter — 1629 36 Maryland Charter — 1632 62 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut — 1639 78 New England Confederation — 1643 85 Connecticut Charter — 1662 96 - Rhode Island Charter — 1663 no Pennsylvania Charter — 1681 130 Penn's Plan of Union — 1697 146 Georgia Charter — 1732 148 Franklin's Plan of Union — 1754 170 Declaration of Rights — 1765 188 Declaration of Rights — 1774 192 Non-Importation Agreement — 17*74 I99 Virginia Bill of Rights — 1776 206 Declaration of Independence — 1776 210 Articles of Confederation — 1777 218 Treaty of Peace — 1783 232 Northwest Ordinance — 1787 240 Constitution — 1787 251 Alien and Sedition Laws — 1798 277 Virginia Resolutions — 1798 283 Kentucky Resolutions — 1798 287 Kentucky Resolutions — 1799 295 Nullification Ordinance — 1832 299 Ordinance of Secession — 1860 304 South Carolina Declaration of Independence — 1S60 305 Emancipation Proclamation — 1S63 313 References 317 Index of Documents OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

FIRST VIRGINIA CHARTER— 1606. The favorable report of the country brought home by the early English explorers, joined to English activity, led to the formation of the Vir ginia Company, on a plan somewhat similar to the famous East India Company. In 1606 James I. granted the necessary charter, and in the spring of the following year Jamestown was founded. " The first written charter of a permanent American colony, which was to be the chosen abode of liberty, gave to the mercantile corporation nothing but a desert territory, with the right of peopling it and defending it, and reserved to the monarch absolute legislative authority, the con trol of all appointments, and a hope of an ultimate revenue. The emigrants were subjected to the ordinances of a commercial corporation, of which they could not be members ; to the dominions of a domestic council, in appointing which they had no voice ; to the control of a superior council in England, which had no sympathies with their rights ; and finally, to the arbitrary legislation of the sovereign."

(Bancroft.) This charter is of especial interest as the first under which a permanent English settlement was planted in America. Consult Bancroft's U. S., ist ed., I., 120; Cente nary ed., I., 95 ; lasted., I., 85 ; Hildreth's U. S, I., 94; Doyle's English Colonies in America, 109; Bryant and Gay's U. S., I., 267 ; Cooke's Va.,16; Neil's Va. Co., 3 ; Slit It's Va.; Chalmers Political Annals, 12. THE FIRST CHARTER OF VIRGINIA— 1606. JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scot land, France and Irela7id, Defender of the Faith, etc. Whereas our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Tltomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, Knights, Richard Hackhtit, Clerk, Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward- Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, and Ralegh Gilbert, Esqrs.

William Parker, and George Popham, Gentlemen, and divers others of our loving Subjects, have been humble Suitors unto us, that We would vouchsafe unto them our Licence, to make Habitation, Plantation, and to de duce a colony of sundry of our People into that part of America commonly called VIRGINIA, and other parts and Territories in America, either appertaining unto us, or which are not now actually possessed by any Christian Prince or People, situate, lying, and being all along the Sea Coasts, between four and thirty Degrees of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial Line, and five and forty Degrees of the same Latitude, and in the main Land be tween the same four and thirty and five and forty Degrees, and the Islands thereunto adjacent, or within one hundred Miles of the Coast thereof ; And to that End, and for the more speedy Accomplish ment of their said intended Plantation and Habitation there, are desirous to divide themselves into two several Colonies and Companies ; the one consisting of certain Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers, of our City of London and elsewhere, which are, and from time to time shall be, joined unto them, which do desire to begin their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and convenient Place, between four and thirty and one and forty Degrees of the said Latitude, alongst the Coasts of Virginia, and the Coasts of America aforesaid: And the other consisting of sundry Knights, Gentlemen, Mer chants, and other Adventurers, of our Cities of Bristol and Exeter, and of our Town of Plimouth, and of other Places, which do join themselves unto that Colony, which do desire to begin their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and convenient Place, between eight and thirty Degrees and five and forty Degrees of the said Latitude, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and America, as that Coast lyeth : We, greatly commending, and graciously accepting of, their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, here after tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propa gating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowl edge and Worship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Savages, living in those parts, to human Civility, and to a settled and quiet Government : DO, by these our Letters Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble and well-intended Desires ; And do therefore, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, GRANT and agree, that the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, and Edward-Maria Wings eld, Adventurers of and for our City of London, and all such others, as are, or shall be, joined unto them of that Colony, shall be called the first Colony ; And they shall and may begin their said first Plantation and Habi tation, at any Place upon the said Coast of Virginia or America, where they shall think fit and convenient, be tween the said four and thirty and one

and forty De grees of the said Latitude ; And that they shall have all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodi ties, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty Miles of EnglisJt Statute Measure, all along the said Coast of Virgittia and America, towards the West and Southwest, as the Coast lyeth, with all the Islands within one hundred Miles directly over against the same Sea Coast ; And also all the Lands, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habita tion for the space of fifty like English Miles, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and America, towards the East and Northeast, or towards the North, as the Coast lyeth, together with all the Islands within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said Sea Coast ; And also all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodi ties, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the same fifty Miles every way on the Sea Coast, directly into the main Land by the Space of one hundred like English Miles ; And shall and may inhabit and remain there ; and shall and may also build and fortify within any the same, for their better Safeguard and Defence, according to their best Discretion, and the Discretion of the Council of that Colony ; And that.no other of our Subjects shall be permitted, or suffered, to plant or inhabit behind, or on the Backside of them, towards the main Land, without the Express Licence or Consent of the Council of that Colony, thereunto in Writing first had and obtained.

And we do likewise, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, by these Presents, GRANT and agree, that the said Thomas Hanham, and Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and all others of the Town of Plimouth in the County of Devon, or elsewhere, which are, or shall be, joined unto them of that Colony, shall be called the second Colony ; And that they shall and may begin their said Plantation and Seat of their first Abode and Habi tation, at any Place upon the said Coast of Virginia and America, where they shall think fit and convenient, be tween eight and thirty Degrees of the said Latitude, and five and forty Degrees of the same Latitude ; And that they shall have all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty like English Miles, as is aforesaid, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia and America, towards the West and Southwest, or towards the South, as the Coast lyeth, and all the Islands within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said Sea Coast ; And also all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habitation for the Space of fifty like Miles, all alongst the said Coast of Virginia and America, towards the East and North east, or towards the North, as the Coast lyeth, and all the Islands also within one hundred Miles directly over against the same Sea Coast ; And also all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Woods, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the same fifty Miles everyway on the Sea Coast, directly into the main Land, by the Space of one hundred like English Miles ; And shall and may inhabit and remain there ; and shall and may also build and fortify within any the same for their better Safeguard, according to their best Discretion, and the Discretion of the Council of that Colony ; And that none of our Subjects shall be permitted, or suffered, to plant or inhabit behind, or on the back of them, towards the main Land, without express Licence of the Council of that Colony, in Writing thereunto first had and obtained.

Provided always, and our Will and Pleasure herein is, that the Plantation and Habitation of such of the said Colonies, as shall last plant themselves, as aforesaid, shall not be made within one hundred like English Miles of the other of them, that first began to make their Plan tation, as aforesaid. And we do also ordain, establish, and agree, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, that each of the said Colonies shall have a Council, which shall govern and order all Matters and Causes, which shall arise, grow, or happen, to or within the same several Colonies, according to such Laws, Ordinances, and Instructions, as shall be, in that behalf, given and signed with Our Hand or Sign Man ual, and pass under the Privy Seal of our realm of Eng land; Each of which Councils shall consist of thirteen Persons, to be ordained, made, and removed, from time to time, according as shall be directed and comprised in the same instructions ; And shall have a several Seal, for all Matters that shall pass or concern the same several Coun cils ; Each of which Seals, shall have the King's Arms engraven on the one Side thereof, and his Portraiture on the other; And that the Seal for the Council of the said first Colony shall have engraven round about, on the one Side, these Words ; Sigillum Regis Magnœ Brit annia?, Franciæ, & Hiberniœ ; on the other Side this Inscription round about ; Pro Concilio primœ Coloniœ Virginiœ.

And the Seal for the Council of the said second Colony shall also have engraven, round about the one Side thereof, the aforesaid Words ; Sigillum Regis Magnce Britannia?, Franciœ, & Hibernio? ; and on the other Side ; Pro Cottcilio secundœ Coloniæ Virginia? : And that also there shall be a Council, established here in England, which shall, in like Manner, consist of thirteen Persons, to be, for that Purpose, appointed by Us, our Heirs and Successors, which shall be called our Coun cil of Virginia ; And shall, from time to time, have the superior Managing and Direction, only of and for all Mat ters that shall or may concern the Government as well as of the said several Colonies, as of and for any other Part or Place, within the aforesaid Precincts of four and thirty and five and forty Degrees above mentioned ; Which Council shall, in like manner, have a Seal, for Matters con cerning the Council or Colonies, with the like Arms and Portraiture, as aforesaid, with this inscription, engraven round about on the one Side ; Sigillum Regis Magna?

Britannia?, Franciœ, & Hibernio? ; and round about on the other Side, Pro Concilio suo Virginia?. And moreover, we do GRANT and agree, for Us, our Heirs and Successors; that the said several Councils of and for the said several Colonies, shall and lawfully may, by Virtue hereof, from time to time, without any Interruption of Us, our Heirs or Successors, give and take Order, to dig, mine, and search for all Manner of Mines of Gold, Silver, and Copper, as well within any part of their said several Colonies, as for the said main Lands on the Backside of the same Colonies ; And to Have and enjoy the Gold, Silver, and Copper, to be gotten thereof, to the Use and Behoof of the same Colonies, and the Plantations thereof ; Yielding therefore to Us, our Heirs and Successors, the fifth Part only of all the same Gold and Silver, and the fifteenth Part of all the same Copper, so to be gotten or had, as is aforesaid, with out any other Manner of Profit or Account, to be given or yielded to Us, our Heirs, or Successors, for or in Re spect of the same : And that they shall, or lawfully may, establish and cause to be made a Coin, to pass current there between the people of those several Colonies, for the more Ease of Traffick and Bargaining between and amongst them and the Natives there, of such Metal, and in such Man ner and Form, as the said several Councils there shall limit and appoint.

And we do likewise, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, by these Presents, give full Power and Authority to the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hack luit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and to every of them, and to the said several Companies, Plan tations, and Colonies, that they, and every of them, shall and may, at all and every time and times hereafter, have, take, and lead in the said Voyage, and for and towards the said several Plantations, and Colonies, and to travel thitherward, and to abide and inhabit there, in every the said Colonies and Plantations, such and so many of our Subjects, as shall willingly accompany them or any of them, in the said Voyages and Plantations ; With sufficient Shipping, and Furniture of Armour, Weapons, Ordinance, Powder, Victual, and all other things, necessary for the said Plantations, and for their Use and De fence there : Provided always, that none of the said Persons be such, as shall hereafter be specially restrained by Us, our Heirs, or Successors.

Moreover, we do, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors Give AND grant Licence unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gil bert, William Parker, and George Popham, and to every of the said Colonies, that they, and every of them, shall and may, from time to time, and at all times forever here after, for their several Defences, encounter, expulse, repel, and resist, as well by Sea as by Land, by all Ways and Means whatsoever, all and every such Person and Per- HISTOR Y. 9 sons, as without the especial Licence of the said several Colonies and Plantations, shall attempt to inhabit within the said several Precincts and Limits of the said several Colonies and Plantations, or any of them, or that shall enterprise or attempt, at any time hereafter, the Hurt, Detriment, or Annoyance, of the said several Colonies or Plantations: Giving and granting, by these Presents, unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, and their Associates of the said first Colony, and unto the said Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and their Associates of the said second Colony, and to every of them, from time to time, and at all times for ever hereafter, Power and Authority to take and surprise, by all Ways and Means whatsoever, all and every Person and Persons, with their Ships, Vessels, Goods and other Furniture, which shall be found trafficking, into any Harbour or Harbours, Creek or Creeks, or Place, within the Limits or Precincts of the said several Colonies and Plantations, not being of the same Colony, until such time, as they, being of any Realms, or Dominions under our Obedience, shall pay, or agree to pay, to the Hands of the Treasurer of that Colony, within whose Limits and Precincts they shall so traffick, two and a half upon every Hundred, of any thing, so by them trafficked, bought, or sold ; And being Strangers, and not Subjects under our Obeysance, until they shall pay five upon every Hundred, of such Wares and Merchandise, as they shall traffick, buy, or sell, within the Precincts of the said several Colonies, wherein they shall so traffick, buy, or sell, as aforesaid ; Which Sums of Money, or Bene fit, as aforesaid, for and during the Space of one and twenty Years, next ensuing the Date hereof, shall be wholly employed to the Use, Benefit, and Behoof of the said several Plantations, where such Traffick shall be made ; And after the said one and twenty Years ended, the same shall be taken to the Use of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, by such Officers and Ministers as by Us, our Heirs, and Successors, shall be thereunto assigned or appointed.

And we do further, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, GIVE AND GRANT unto the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluitr and Edward-Maria Wingfield, and to their Associates of the said first Colony and Plantation, and to the said Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and their Associates of the .said second Colony and Plantation, that they, and every of them, by their Deputies, Ministers, and Factors, may transport the Goods, Chattels, Armour, Munition, and Furniture, needful to be used by them, for their said Apparel, Food, Defence, or otherwise in Respect of the said Plan tations, out of our Realms of England and Lreland, and all other our Dominions, from time to time, for and during the Time of seven Years, next ensuing the Date hereof, for the better Relief of the said several Colonies and Plantations, without any Customs, Subsidy, or other Duty, unto Us, our Heirs, or Successors, to be yielded or payed for the same.

Also we do, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, De clare, by these Presents, that all and every the Persons being our Subjects, which shall dwell and inhabit within every or any of the said several Colonies and Planta tions, and every of their children, which shall happen to be born within any of the Limits and Precincts of the said several Colonies and Plantations, shall have and enjoy all Liberties, Franchises, and Immunities, within any of our other Dominions, to all Intents and Pur poses, as if they had been abiding and born, within this our Realm of England, or any other of our said Domin ions. Moreover, our gracious Will and Pleasure is, and we do, by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, declare and set forth, that if any Person or Persons, which shall be of any of the said Colonies and Planta tions, or any other which shall traffick to the said Col onies and Plantations, or any of them, shall, at any time or times hereafter, transport any Wares, Merchandises, or Commodities, out of any of our Dominions, with a Pretence to land, sell, or otherwise dispose of the same, within any the Limits and Precincts of any of the said Colonies and Plantations, and yet nevertheless, being at Sea, or after he hath landed the same within any of the said Colonies and Plantations, shall carry the same into any other Foreign Country, with a Purpose there to sell or dispose of the same, without the Licence of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, in that Behalf first had and obtained ; That then, all the Goods and Chattels of such Person or Persons, so offending and transporting, together with the said Ship or Vessel, wherein such Transportation was made, shall be forfeited to Us, our Heirs, and Successors.

Provided always, and our Will and Pleasure is, and we do hereby declare to all Christian Kings, Princes, and States, that if any Person or Persons which ;hall here after be of any of the said several Colonies and Planta tions, or any other, by his, their, or any of their Licence and Appointment, shall, at any Time or Times hereafter, rob or spoil, by Sea or Land, or do any Act of unjust and unlawful Hostility to any the Subjects of Us, our Heirs, or Successors, or any the Subjects of any King, Prince, Ruler, Governor, or State, being then in League or Amitie with Us, our Heirs, or Successors, and that upon such Injury, or upon just Complaint of such Prince, Ruler, Governor, or State, or their Subjects, We, our Heirs, or Successors, shall make open Proclamation, within any of the Ports of our Realm of England, com modious for that purpose, That the said Person or Per sons, having committed any such Robbery, or Spoil, shall. within the term to be limited by such Proclamations, make full Restitution or Satisfaction of all such Injuries done, so as the said Princes, or others so complaining, may hold themselves fully satisfied and contented ; And, that if the said Person or Persons, having committed such Robbery or Spoil, shall not make, or cause to be made Satisfaction accordingly, within such Time so to be limited, That then it shall be lawful to Us, our Heirs, and Successors, to put the said Person or Persons, having committed such Robbery or Spoil, and their Procur ers, Abettors, and Comforters, out of our Allegiance and Protection ; And that it shall be lawful and free, for all Princes, and others to pursue with hostility the said of fenders, and every of them, and their and every of their Procurers, Aiders, abettors, and comforters, in that be half.

And finally, we do for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, Grant and agree, to and with the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, and all others of the said first colony, that We, our Heirs and Successors, upon Petition in that Be half to be made, shall, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England, Give and Grant, unto such Per sons, their Heirs and Assigns, as the Council of that Col ony, or the most part of them, shall, for that Purpose, nominate and assign all the Lands, Tenements, and Her editaments, which shall be within the Precincts limited for that Colony, as is aforesaid, To BE HOLDEN of Us, our Heirs and Successors, as of our Manor at East-Green wich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soc cage only, and not in Capite : And do in like Manner, Grant and Agree, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, to and with the said Thomas Han ham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, and all others of the said second Colony, That We, our Heirs, and Successors, upon Petition in that Behalf to be made, shall, by Letters-Patent, under the Great Seal of England, Give and Grant, unto such Persons, their Heirs and Assigns, as the Council of that Colony, or the most Part of them, shall for that Purpose nominate and assign, all the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, which shall be within the Precincts limited for that Col ony, as is aforesaid, To BE HOLDEN of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as of our Manor of East-Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soccage only, and not in Capite : All which Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, so to be passed by the said several Letters-Patent, shall be sufficient Assurance from the said Patentees, so distrib uted and divided amongst the Undertakers for the Plan tation of the said several Colonies, and such as shall make their Plantations in either of the said several Col onies, in such Manner and Form, and for such Estates, as shall be ordered and set down by the Council of the said Colony, or the most part of them, respectively, within which the same Lands, Tenements, and Hered itaments shall lye or be ; Although express Mention of the true yearly Value or Certainty of the Premisses, or any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants, by Us or any of our Progenitors or Predecessors, to the aforesaid Sir Thomas Gates, Knt.

Sir George Somers, Knt. Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, or any of them, heretofore made, in these Presents, is not made ; Or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, or Provision, Proclamation, or Restraint, to the contrary hereof had, made, ordained, or any other Thing, Cause, or Matter whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding. In Witness whereof, we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents ; Witness Ourself at Westminster, the tenth Day of April, in the fourth Year of our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the nine and thir tieth. LUKIN Per breve de privato Sigillo. SECOND VIRGINIA CHARTER— 1609. In the hope of improving the wretched state of affairs the Virginia Company, in 1609, obtained a more specific charter, extending their authority and transferring to the company powers previously reserved to the king.

The government now vested in " The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and Planters of the City of London, for the first Colony in Virginia." The company left no means untried, and the general interest in the adventure is shown by the long list of patentees, numbering over 650 names, together with 59 of the London companies. The social standing of the patentees ranged from the great lords of the realm to the fishmongers. The Lord Mayor is said to have urged upon the great livery companies the neces sity of aiding the enterprise, and the indefatigable Hakluyt published " Virginia Newly Valued," to excite interest in the undertaking. The charter was sealed May 23, 1609. Only the more important provisions of this charter are here inserted. THE SECOND CHARTER OF VIRGINIA— 1609. JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scot land, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all, to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.

Whereas, at the humble Suit and Request of sundry our loving and well-disposed Subjects, intending to de duce a Colony, and to make Habitation and Plantation of sundry our People in that Part of America commonly called VIRGINIA, and other Parts and Territories in America, either appertaining unto Us, or which are not actually possessed of any Christian Prince or People, within certain Bounds and Regions, We have formerly, by our Letters patents, bearing Date the tenth Day of April, in the fourth Year of our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the nine and thirti eth, GRANTED to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and others, for the more speedy Accomplishment of the said Plantation and Habitation, that they should divide themselves into two Colonies (the one consisting of divers Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and others, of our City of London, called the First COLONY; And the other consisting of divers Knights, Gentlemen, and others, of our Cities of Bristol, Exeter, and Town of Plimouth, and other Places, called the SECOND Colony).

And have yielded and granted many and sundry Privileges and Liberties to each Colony, for their quiet settling and good Government therein, as by the said Letters-patents more at large appeareth. Now, forasmuch as divers and sundry of our loving Subjects, as well Adventurers, as Planters, of the said first Colony, which have already engaged themselves in furthering the Business of the said Colony and Planta tion, and do further intend, by the Assistance of Al mighty God, to prosecute the same to a happy End, have of late been humble Suitors unto Us, that (in Re spect of their great Charges and the Adventure of many of their Lives, which they have hazarded in the said Discovery and Plantation of the said Country) We would be pleased to grant them a further Enlargement and Ex planation of the said Grant, Privileges, and Liberties, and that such Counsellors, and other Officers, may be appointed amongst them, to manage and direct their affairs, as are willing and ready to adventure with them, as also whose Dwellings are not so far remote from the City of London, but they may, at convenient Times, be ready at Hand, to give their Advice and Assistance, upon all Occasions requisite.