Documents relating to the territorial history of Maine, 1603-1871

Front matter

1603-1871

COMPILED BY

MISS MARY FRANCES FARNHAM

II

EXTRACTS FROM THE FIRST CHARTER OF VIRGINIA BY JAMES I. OF ENGLAND.

Sou)xes.

By the First Charter of Virginia, given by James I., April 10/20, 1606, provision was made for two distinct conipanios with separate powers and government. Tiie second, or Northern Coni])any, established English territorial riirhts to the rcijion bordering on the Gulf of Maine.

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An extract from the charter was first printed by Samuel Purchas, "His Pilgrimes " (London, 1625), IV. 1683-84.

It was first printed entire by William Stith, " History of Virginia" (Williamsburg, 1747), 1-8. As Stith had access to the records of the Virginia Company his transcript was undoubtedly from the original document. Extracts both in English and French from the original are in " Memoires des Commissaires du Roi et ceux de sa Majeste Britannique " (Paris, 1755), II. 185-192; also in ''Memorials of the English and French Commissaries Concerning the Limits of Nova Scotia or Acadia" (London, 1755), I. 545-552. The charter is also found in John Almon, " The Charters of the British Colonies in America" (London, 1775), 67-75; Ebenezer Hazard, " Historical Collections, Consisting of State Papers and Other Documents" (Philadephia, 1792), I. 51-58 ; Ben : Perley Poore, " The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters and Other Orsanic Laws of the United States" (Washington, 1877), 1888-93; John Alfred Poor, "A Vindication of the Claims of Sir Ferdinando Gorges " (New York, 1862), Appendix A, 93-97; Howard W. Preston, "Documents Illustrative of American History with Introduction and References, 1606-1863 " (New York, 1886), 2-13; and Alexander Brown, "The Genesis of the United States" (Boston and New York, 1890), I. 52-63. The text adopted is from Stith's transcript.

Text.

I. JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, <S:c. Whereas our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Thomas Grates, and Sir George Soiners, Knights, Richard Hackluit, Clerk, Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward- Maria Wingjield, Thomas Hanham, and Raleigh Gilbert, Esqrs. William Parker, and George Popham, Gentleman, and divers others of our loving Subjects, have been humble suiters unto us, that we would vouchsafe unto them our Licence, to make Habitation, Plantation, and to deduce a Colony of sundry of our People into that Part o^ 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 between the same four and thirty and five and forty Degrees, and the Islands thereunto adjacent, or within one hundred Miles of the Coast thereof;

II. And to that end, and for the more speedy Accomplishment of the 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, 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 Coasts of America aforesaid ; And the other consisting of sundry Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers, of our Cities of Bristol and Exeter, and of our Town of Plimouih, 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 Coast of Virginia and America, as that Coast lyeth :

III. 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, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Iirnorance of the true Knowledsre and

Worship of God, and may in time bi'ing 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 :

IV. 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 Wingfield, 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 Habitation, at any Place upon the said Coast of Virginia or America, where they shall think fit and convenient, between the said four and thirty and one and forty Degrees of the said Latitude ; And that they shall have all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty jNtiles of English Statute Measure, all along the said Coast of Virginia and Ame7'ica, 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, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habitation for the space of fifty like English Miles, all alongst the said Coast 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, Commodities, aud 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 suflfered, 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 Writino^ first had and obtained.

V. And we do likewise, for Us our Heirs, and Successors, by these Presents, Grant and agree, that the said Thomas Hanliam,iindL Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker , txwd 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 Habitation, at any Place upon the said Coast of Virginia and America, where they shall think fit and convenient, between eight and thirty Degrees of the said Latitude, and five and forty Degrees ot the same Latitude ; And that they shall have all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, AVoods, 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 Coast 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, tind 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 JVbrtheast, 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, Comuiodities, 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, 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 the express Licence of the Council of that Colony, in writing thereunto first had and obtained. ,

VI. 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 Plantation, as aforesaid.

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

12 DOCUMENTS EELATING TO THE

of 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, to be gotten or had, as is aforesaid, without any other Manner of Profit or Account, to be given or yielded to Us, our Heirs, or Successors, for or in Respect 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 mere Use and Traffick and Bargainino; between and amongst them and the Natives there, of such Metal, and in such Manner and Form, as the said several Councils there shall limit and appoint.

in.

GRANT OF EXCLUSIVE TRADE TO NEW NETHER- LAND BY THE STATES GENERAL OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.

Sources.

The Grant of Exclusive Trade to New Netherland, October 11/21, 1614, ])y the States General of the United Netherlands is found in E. B. O'Callaghan, editor, " Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York" (Al])any, 1853-87), 1. 11, 12, among papers collected by John Ronicyn Brodhead from the Royal Archives at The Hague and translated by Dr. O'Callaghan. The source used by Mr. Brodhead is the minute on a half-sheet of paper, "File, Loopende." A duplicate document from the " Act Book of the States General" is also in the Royal Archives.

An extract is given by Albert Bushnell Hart and Edward Channing, "American History Leaflets," No. 16; also in " Report of the Regents of the University on the Boundaries of the State of New York" (Albany, 1874), 5, 6.

The limits assigned to the company of traders extended to the forty-fifth degree of latitude, which crosses the State of Maine from Passamaquoddy Bay westwards to a point above the Rangeley Lakes.

Earlier Resolutions from "Their High Mightinesses" " granting and allowing that the Petitioners alone have the right to resort to, or cause to be frequented the aforesaid newly discovered countries situate in America between New France and Virginia " with " Figurative Maps " are found in both the above named collections.

Text.

The States General of the United Netherlands to all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting, Whereas Gerrit Jacobz Witssen, antient Burgomaster of the City Amsterdam, Jonas Witssen, Simon Morrissen, owners of the Ship named the Little Fox whereof Jan de With has been Skipper ; Hans Hongers, Paulus Pelgrom, Lambrecht van Tweenhuyzen, owners of the two ships named the Tiger and the Fortune, whereof Aedriaen Block and Henrick Corstiaenssen were Skippers ; Arnolt van Lybergen, Wessel Schenck, Hans Claessen, and Berent Sweertssen, owners of the Ship named the Nightingale, whereof Thys Volckertssen was Skipper, Merchants of the aforesaid City Amsterdam, and Pieter Clementssen Bronwer, Jan Clementssen Kies, and Cornells Volckertssen, Merchants of the City ofHoorn, owners of the Ship named the Fortuyn, whereof Cornells Jacobssen May was Skipper, all now associated in one Company, have respectfully represented to us, that they, the petitioners, after great expenses and damages by loss of ships and other dangers, had, during the present year, discovered and found with the above named five ships, certain New Lands situate in America, between New France and Virginia, the Sea coast whereof lie between forty and forty five deaTees of Latitude, and now called New Netherland : And whereas We did, in the month of March last, for the promotion and increase of Commerce, cause to be published a certain General Consent and Charter setting forth, that whosoever should thereafter discover new havens, lands, places or passages, might frequent or cause to be frequented, for four voyages, such newly discovered and found places, passages, havens or lands, to the exclusion of all others from visiting or frequenting the same from the United Netherlands, until the said first discoverers and finders shall, themselves, have completed the said four Voyages, or cause the same to be done within the time prescribed for that purpose, under the penalties expressed in the said Octroy, &c. they request that we would accord to them due Act of the aforesaid Octroy in the usual form :

Which, being considered. We, therefore, in our Assembly having heard the pertinent Keport of the Petitioners, relative to the discoveries and finding of the said new Countries between the above named limits and degrees, and also of their adventures, have consented and granted, and by these presents do consent and grant, to the said Petitioners now united into one Company, that they shall be privileged exclusively to frequent or cause to be visited, the above newly discovered lands, situate in America between New France and Viririnia, whereof the Sea coasts lie between the fortieth and forty fifth degrees of Latitude, now named New Netherland, as can be seen by a Figurative INInp hereunto annexed, and that for four Voyages within the term of three Years, connnencing the first of January, Sixteen hundred and

TERRITOEIAL HISTORY OF MAINE. 15

fifteen next ensuing, or sooner, without it being permitted to any other person from the United Netherhinds, to sail to, navigate or frequent the said newly discovered hinds, havens or places, either directly or indirectly, within the said three Years, on pain of Confiscation of the vessel and Cargo wherewith infraction hereof shall be attempted, and a fine of Fifty thousand Netherland Ducats for the benefit of said discoverers or finders ; provided nevertheless, that by these presents We do not intend to prejudice or diminish any of our former grants or charters ; And it is also Our intention, that if any disputes or differences arise from these Our Concessions, they shall be decided by Ourselves.

We therefore expressly command all Governors, Justices, Officers, Magistrates and inhabitants of the aforesaid United Countries, that they allow the said Company peaceably and quietly to enjoy the whole benefit of this Our Grant and consent, ceasing all contradictions and obstacles to the contrary. For such we have found to appertain to the public service. Given under Our Seal, paraple and signature of our Secretary at the Hague the XI*'' of October 1614.

IV

PETITION FOR A CHARTER OF NEW ENGLAND BY THE NORTHERN COMPANY OF ADVENTURERS.

Sources.

The petition to James I. by the Northern Compan}'- of " Adventurers for settling Colonies in Virginia" for a charter of "New England" is preserved among the "Trade

Papers" now lodged in the Public Record Office, Fetter Lane, London.

The text adopted is Brodhead's certified transcript from the original for Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan, editor, " Documents Relatinof to the Colonial History of the State of New York" (Albany, 1853-87), III. 2-4. The petition has also been published by John Alfred Poor, "A Vindication of the Claims of Sir Ferdinando Gorges" (New York, 1862), Appendix D, 108, 109.

Text.

To the Kinges most Excellent Majestic.

The most humble peticon of yo*" Ma"*^* counsell for the second colonic, and other the adventurers in the Western partes of England for the plantacon in the North Partes of Virg-iuia in America

Maye it please yo^ most Excellent Majestie,

Whereas it pleased yo'^ Ma*''' by yo'' most gratious L'^' patentes bearing date the of Aprill in the fowerth

yeare of yo"" Mat''^' most blessed raigne to give lycence for the establishinge of two Colonies in Virginie in America, the one called the First Colonic undertaken by certaine noble men knightes and merchants about London ; the other caled the Second Colonic likewise undertaken by certaine knightes and merchants of the western partes ; by vertue whereof some of the western partes hath at their great charg and extreme hazard continewed to endeavour to descov'^ a place fitt to entertaine such a designe, as also to find the meanes to bring to passe soe noble a worke : in the constant pursuite whereof it hath pleased God to ayde them w*" his blessing soe far as, in the confidence of the continewance of His Grace, they are resolved to pursue the same with all the power and meanes they are able to make, to His glorie, yo"" ma^'''^ honour and the publique good of the country e.

And as it pleased yo"" ma"'' to be gratious to those of the first colon e in enlarginge of the first patent two seav^'all times with many privileges & immunities according to yo' princely bountye, whereby they have bin incouraged in their proceedinges : Yo"" Peticoners doe in all humillitie desire that yo*' Ma"® will voutchsafe unto them the like, that they maye w"" more boldnes goe on as they have begun, to the satisfaction of yo'' Ma"®^ most religious expectacon, w'^ the alteracon onely of some few things & the additions here insueiuof.

First, that the territories where yo"^ peticoners makes their plantacon may be caled (as by the Prince His Highnes it hath bin named) New England, that the boundes thereof may be setled from 40 to 45 degrees of Northerly latitude & soe from sea to sea through the maine as the coast lyeth, & that yo"" Ma*' counsell residing here in England for that plantacon may consist of a President, Vicpresident. Treasurer, Secretary & other their associates, to be chosen out of the noble men & knights adventurers home about London, & others the adventurers both knightes gentlemen and merchants in the western countryes : Soe as the said counsell doe not exceede the number of 40, who as one incorporate bodye maye as often as neede requires be assembled when and where the P'sident or Vicp'sident, w"^ the Treasurer and Secretary or any two of them, to be assisted w"' five or three others of the counsell shall think most convenient for that service ; wherby yo^" ma^ most humble peticoners doth verily hope, by Gods holy assistance to settle their plantacon to the imployeing of many of yo"" Ma'^ Subjects and the content of all that are well disposed to the prosperitie of yo'' Ma*' most happie raigne.

And soe yo"" Ma*^ most humble peticoners shalbe bownd (as in duty they are) to pray for all increase of glory & perpetuall happiness to yo"^ Ma"® blessed posteritie for ever. Vol. I. 3

March 3, 1619. Upon readeinge of this petioon, their Lips, did order that the Lo. Duke of Lenox, Lc. Steward of his Ma*' Household, and the Earle of Arundell shall take notice of the peticon, consider of the demands for priviledges, and thereupon certefie their opinions to their Lips, that such further order may be taken as shalbe meete.

(Signed)

C. Edmonds.

WARRANT FOR THE PATENT OF NEW ENGLAND BY JAMES I. OF ENGLAND.

July 23 1320.

August 2

Sources.

For the warrant by James I., August f 1620, to prepare a patent for the Northern Company of Virginia, a judicial copy is, according to Brodhead, in Council Register, Jac. I, R. 16l«-20, IV. 576, now in the Public Record Office, London.

The warrant was first printed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, " A Briefe Narration" (London, 1658), 21, from which source it was reprinted by Ebenezer Hazard, " Historical Collections, Consisting of State Papers and Other Documents " (Phihidelphiai 1792),!. 99, and by John Alfred Poor, "A Vindication of the Claims of Sir Ferdinando Gorges" (New York, 1862), Appendix D, 109.

The text adopted is Brodhead's tran.'^cript from the judicial copy printed in P^dmund Bailey O'Callaghan, editor, " Documents Relating to the Colonial History of New York, procured in Holland, England, and France" (Albany 1853- 87), HL 2-4.

Text.

At Whitehall the 23 July 1620 Present.— Lo. Chancellor Lo. Digby

Lo. Privy Seale M"" Comptroler

E. of Aruudell M"" Sec^ Naunton

E. of Southampton M^ Secy Calvert

Lo. BP of Winton M-- of the Roles

M^ of the Wardes.

A LeV to Sir Thomas Coventrie, Knight, his majes Solicitor General.

Whereas it is thought fitt that a Patent of Incorporation be granted to the Adventurers of the Northern collonye in Virginia to containe the like liberties priviledges, power, authorities, Landes, and all other thinges within their lymitts viz' betvveene the degrees of 40 and 48 as were heretofore granted to the companie of Virginia, Excepting only that whereas the said companie have a freedom of custome and subsidie for XXI yeare, and of impositions for ever, this new companie is to be free of custome and subsidie tor the like term of yeares, and of Impositions for so long tyme as his ma"® shall be pleased to grant unto them.

These shal be theretofore to will and require you to prepare a Patent readie for his Ma'^^ royall signature, to the purpose aforesaid, leavinge a blanke for the tyme of freedom from Impositions to be supplied and put in by his Ma"* and for which this shall be your Warrant. Dated, &c.

VI

GREAT PATENT OF NEW ENGLAND BY JAMES I. OF

ENGLAND.

Somxes.

The Great Piitent of New England was issued by James I. of England to the "Council established at Plymouth in the County of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of New Enohmd in America." By this ijrant the Northern, or Plymouth Company, was placed on an equal footing with the Virginia Company which had been reincorporated in 1G09, and, with enlarged boundaries in 1612. The privileges of the Northern Company under the new patent were of a liberal kind, with a tenure " in free and common soccage, and not in capite, nor by knight's service." Not only were so many of the grants issued by the Great Council for New England modeled after the provisions of the patent of 1620, but many land titles in Maine were derived from that source. It is printed entire in this compendium. The name of New England which was officially given to the country by the patent was first applied by Captain John Smith in "A Description of a Voyage into New England" (London, 1616).

The grantor's copy is in the Pul)lic Record Office, Fetter Lane, London ; it is simply an unattested copy of the words of the patent. The earliest published text, which is the source adopted for this reprint, is that of Ebenezer Hazard, *' Historical Collections, Consisting of State Papers and Other Documents" (Philadelphia, 1792), L 103-118. Benjamin Truml)ull, "Complete History of Connecticut " (New Haven, 1818), I. Appendix XXVI, 546-567, gives an authentic coi)y of the })atent, which he says was " never before published in America," although Hazard had already printed it from the grantor's copy then in the " Chapel of the Rolls."

The document was also printed from the same source by John A. Poor, " A Vindication of the Chums of Sir Ferdinando Gorges" (New York, 1862) ; and by Francis Baylies, *' An Historical Memoir of the Colony of New Plymouth" (Boston, 1866), I. 160-185; again by William T. Davis, "A History of the Town of Plymouth, with a Sketch of the Origin and Growth of Separatism " (Philadelphia, 1885), Appendix V. 137-145. It is also in Ben : Perley Poore, "The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters and Other Orsjanic Laws of the United States" (Washington, 1877), 1)22-931.

Text.

Decimo Octavo.

D. Con. Ludovico Duoi Lenox, et al. Consiliar de Plymouth, Con new Colon de Newe-England, sibi et /Successorih. JAjNIES by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. to all whom these Presents shall come, Greeting, whereas, upon the humble Petition of divers of our well disposed Subjects, that intended to make several Plantations in the Parts o^ America, between the Degrees of thirty-tfoure and ffourty-five ; We according to our princel}' Inclination, favouring much their worthy Disposition, in Hope thereby to advance the in Laro^ement of Christian Eelioion, to the Glory of God Almighty, as also by that Means to streatch out the Bounds of our Dominions, and to replenish those Deserts with People governed by Lawes and Magistrates, for the peaceable Commerce of all, that in time to come shall have occasion to traffique into those Territoryes, granted unto Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Knights, Thomas Hamon, and Raleigh Gilbert, Esquires, and of their Associates, for the more speedy Accomplishment thereof, by our Letters-Pattent, bearing Date the Tenth Day of Aprill, in the Fourth Year of our Reign of

England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the ffourtieth, free Liberty to divide themselves into two several Collonyes ; the one called the first Collonye, to be undertaken and advanced by certain Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, in and about our Cyty of London ; the other called the second Collonye, to be undertaken and advanced by certaine Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, and their Associates, in and about our Citties of Bristol, Exon, and our Towne of Plymouth, and other Places, as in and by our said Letters-Pattents, amongst other Things more att large it doth and may apj)eare. And whereas, since that Time, upon the humble Petition of the said Adventurers and Planters of the said first Collonye, We have been graciously pleased to make them one distinct and entire Body by themselves, giving unto them their distinct Lymitts and Bounds, and have upon their like humble Request, granted unto them divers Liberties, Priveliges, Enlargements, and Immunityes, as in and by our severall Letters-Patents it doth and may appeare. Now forasmuch as we have been in like manner humbly petitioned unto by our trusty and well beloved Servant, S'lv fferdinando Gorges, Knight, Captain of our ffort and Island by Plymouth, and by certain the principal Knights and Gentlemen Adventurers of the said Second Collonye, and by divers other Persons of quality, who now intend to be their Associates, divers of which have been at great and extraordinary Charge, and sustained many Losses in seeking and discovering a Place fitt and convenient to lay the Foundation of a hopeful Plantation, and have divers Years past by God's Assistance, and their own Endeavours, taken actual Possession of the Continent hereafter mentioned, in our Name and to our Use, as Sovereign Lord thereof, and have settled already some of our People in Places agreeable to their Desires in those Parts, and in confidence of prosperous Success therein, by the

Continuance of God's Devine Blessing, and our Royall Permission, have resolved in a more plentifull and effectual manner to prosecute the same, and to that Purpose and Intent have desired of Us, for their better Encouragement and Satisfaction herein, and that they may avoide all Confusion, Questions, or Differences between themselves, and those of the said first Collonye, We would likewise be graciously pleased to make certaine Adventurers, intending to erect and establish ffishery. Trade, and Plantacion, within the Territoryes, Precincts, and Lymitts of the said second Colony, and their Successors, one several distinct and entire Body, and to grant unto them, such Estate, Liberties, Priveliges, Enlargements, and Immunityes there, as in these our Letters-Pattents hereafter particularly expressed and declared. And forasmuch as We have been certainly given to understand by divers of our good Subjects, that have for these many Yeares past frequented those Coasts and Territoryes, between the Degrees of Fourty and Fourty-Eight, that there is noe other the Subjects of any Christian King or State, by any Authority from their Sovereignes, Lords or Princes, actually in Possession of any of the said Lands or Precincts, whereby any Right, Claim, Interest, or Title, may, might, or ought by that Meanes accrue, belong, or appertaine unto them, or any of them. And also for that We have been further given certainly to knovve, that within these late Yeares there hath by God's Visitation raigned a wonderfull Plague, together with many horrible Slaughters, and Murthers, committed amoungst the Savages and bruitish People there, heretofore inhabiting, in a Manner to the utter Destruction, Deuastacion, and Depopulacion of that whole Territorye, so that there is not left for many I^eagues together in a Manner, any that doe claime or challenge any Kind of Interests therein, nor any other Superiour Lord or Souveraigne to make Claime thereunto, whereby We in our Judgment are persuaded and satisfied that the appointed Time is come in which Al- • mighty God in his great Goodness and Bountie towards Us and our People, hath thought fitt and determined, that those large and goodly Territoryes, deserted as it were by their naturall Inhabitants, should be possessed and enjoyed by such of our Subjects and People as heertofore have and hereafter shall by his Mercie and Favour, and by his Powerfull Arme, be directed and conducted thither.