to this Generall Assembly for what he receives, for the Collony's use. Voted, to adjourn this Assembly until Monday next, eight of the clock, in the morning. The Asssembly met accordingly. March the 3d. Ordered, That whereas, this Assembly having had a letter presented to them by Capt'n Arthur Fenner, subscribed by Benjamin Church, signifying that Capt'n Andrew Edmunds had done very good service in the late Eastern wars, and received twelve pounds; being but two-thirds of a Captain's pay. And forasmuch as he belonged to this Collony, for his encouragement for future service, this Assembly doe order, that the said Capt'n Andrew Edmunds be paid six pounds by the Generall Treasurer, out of the monies that can be raised out of the first levy. Mr. Henry Bull, Jun'r, Mr. John Watson, Mr. James Reynolds, and Mr. Henry Tibbitts, are chosen Conservators of the Peace for Kingstown; and it is ordered, that Major John Greene, Assistant, and Mr. Benjamin Smith, Assistant, do specdily send for the said Conservators, to meet them at such place as they shall appoint, to tender and receive their engagements to their respective places, in the Governor's behalf. Mr. Nicholas Carr is chosen Deputy Warden, for Conanicut, Jamestown. Mr. Joseph Clarke is chosen Conservator for Westerly, and engaged. The Deputy Governor, Major John Coggeshall, Mr. Benedict Arnold, and the Treasurer, Ensign John Hulmes, being returned, they declare that there is delivered twenty-seven pounds, twelve shillings and ten pence, to Ensign John Hulmes, Treasurer, for the Collony's use, and he in Court hath owned the receipt thereof, accordingly. It is ordered by this Assembly, Major John Coggeshall, Major John Greene, and Mr. Christopher Almy, are appointed a Committee to draw up a letter in answer to the gentlemen of Boston, relating to the wars at the Eastward, and present it to the Assembly. The said Committee being returned, have brought in a letter, which being read, was approved on, and ordered to be transcribed by the Clerk of this Assembly, and signed in their behalfe. Ordered. That the seal brought in by Mr. Arnold Collins, being the Anchor, with the motto "Hope," is appointed to be the Seal of the Collony, he having been employed by this As sembly to make it. Ordered, That the said Collony's Seal be in the Governor's custody, for the Collony's use. Ordered, Forasmuch as there is great cause of suspicion of an invasion by a foreign enemy, and assault by Indians, that therefore a military watch and ward be forthwith appointed in each respective town in the Collony. And it is ordered, That if any persons refuse or neglect, the party or parties deficient, shall pay one shilling, sixpence per night, and one shilling, sixpence per day, for defect within three days after such neglect, or else it shall be taken by dis traint, with satisfaction for distraining, as in other cases of like nature. Ordered, That the King's Proclamation for war, be forthwith published by beat of drum, by the Clerk of this Assembly in solemn manner, being against the French; and is accordingly proclaimed by beat of drum. Ordered, That the Frenchmen that reside at Narragansett, be sent for by Major John Greene, to what place in Warwick he shall appoint, to signify unto them the King's pleasure in his Proclamation of war, and his indulgence to such Frenchmen as behave themselves well, and require their engageament thereunto. Ordered, That a duplicate of the Address sent to their Maj esties by the Deputy Governor and Councill, be transcribed and sent to their Majesties, from this Assembly, and subscribed by the Clerk of this Assembly, in their behalf. Ordered, That Mr. Weston Clarke, Recorder, draw forth and fix the Seal of the Collony to the respective commissions of the Majors and all commissioned officers throughout the Collony, and shall be paid three shillings for each commission, out of the Generall Treasury. Ordered, That Major John Greene, Clerk of this Assembly for writing two Addresses to their Majesties, and a letter to the Governor of Boston, and attending and writing the origi nal copy of the Acts of this Court, be forthwith paid out of the Treasury, by Ensign John Hulmes, Treasurer, twenty shilings; and that the Clerk do with all expedition he can, send copies to each respective town, and shall have ten shillings a town, of each town of this Collony, the seal affixed. Ordered, That the Acts of this Court be forthwith proclaimed by beat of drum, and so to return to the house again, the Seal being fixed. The Court is dissolved. By the Assembly, JOHN GREENE, Clerk. A true copy, compared with the original, with the Collony Seal affixed. As attest, JOHN GREENE, Clerk. To the Honored Governor, Deputy Governor and Assistants, being the Generall Councill assembled at Newport, March 3d day, 1689-90. The humble petition of Phillip Carr, widow, and Executrix of Caleb Carr, of Jamestown, late deceased, humbly sheweth: That there being no Town Councill in the town of Jamestown, cannot therefore have my husband's will proved, and letters of administration given, without making application to your Honors. And therefore do humbly petition you that you will be pleased to give order to the Recorder to perfect the matter. And what is necessary to be done on my part, I shall be ready to perform; and your petioner shall pray for your prosperity. PHILLIP CARR. Ordered, That the said Will having been proved in the Councill, that the Recorder do take the said Will and Inventory, and place them to record in the General Councill Book, for the rea sons before [stated], and grant letters of administration unto the said Phillip Carr, as Executrix. By order of the Governor and Councill. JOHN GREENE, Clerk. Declaration of the Colony of Rhode Island. We, the Assembly of freemen of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, being assembled this first day of May, 1689, do with all due and humble submission make our humble address to the present supreme power of England, declaring that the late government of the dominion of New England, whereof Sir Edmund Andros was Governor in Chief, as we are certainly informed, is now silenced by reason his person as well as some of his Councill are seized and confined within the limits of Boston, in New England, for what cause best known to themselves. By which overture, we, the freemen aforesaid, were void of government, the consequence whereof appearing dangerous, we have thought it most safe for the keeping of the peace of our Colony to lay hold of our Charter privileges, establishing our officers according to their former station, hoping and not questioning but through grace and favor, our said Charter according to the extent of it may be confirmed unto us, we being a small Colony, distinct from the other Colonies, which our predecessors through much difficulty procured, having been a poor distressed and persecuted people, as can largely be demonstrated, if need require. Further, we humbly pray, if any ill affected person should endeavor to suggest any complaint against us, it may be so favorably constructed and suspended, so that we may make our defence. Thus humbly prostrating ourselves at your feet, humbly praying, that forasmuch as we are not only ignorant of what titles should be given in this overture, but also not so rhetorical as becomes such personages. Therefore, we humbly beg pardon, and remain your humble supplicants and servants. Signed in behalf of the Assembly, abovesaid. WALTER CLARKE, From Newport, on Rhode Island, in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, the 1st of May, 1689.* * J. Carter Brown's Manuscripts, No. 14, Vol. III. Proceedings of the Generall Assembly held for the Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at Newport, the 1st of May, 1690. Mr. John Easton, chosen Moderator. John Greene, chosen Clerk of the Assembly. The Charter being sent for from our late Governor, Walter Clarke, was produced by gentlemen appointed, to the open view of the Assembly, and as carefully returned to his custody again. Voted, It is ordered by a unanimous vote of the Assembly, that Mr. Joseph Jencks, Mr. Benedict Arnold, Mr. Ihale Lawton, Mr. James Greene, are appointed a Committee to go to Mr. Thomas Ward, and demand and receive all the Records belonging to this Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and upon receipt thereof, to give him a discharge for what they receive. They being returned, do declare, that they have demanded the said Records, and Mr. Thomas Ward refuseth to deliver them without they be taken out of his hand by distraint. Voted, It is ordered by a unanimous vote of the Assembly, nemine contradicente, that our former Governor, Walter Clarke, our former Deputy Governor, and all the former Assistants of this Collony that were in place in the year of our Lord 1686, at the coming over of Sir Edmund Andros, our late Governor, that the said Governor, Deputy Governor and Assistants, are confirmed and established in their respective places for the year ensuing, or further order from England. Voted, That a Recorder and Sergeant be elected; our former Recorder being deceased. Mr. Weston Clarke, chosen Recorder. Mr. Thomas Fry, chosen Generall Sergeant. Voted, It is ordered, that all other officers of this Collony, both civil and military, throughout the respective towns, Is |