Petition from the Governor and Council of Rhode Island, to their Majesties William and Mary, of England. Most dread Sovereign: We your Majesties' most humble subjects and supplicants of your Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, having received the joyful tidings of both your Majesties' safe arrival in England, after your your so great and hazardous undertaking, for the good of the nation, to relieve them from Popery and arbitrary power; as also concerning your accessions to the Crown. The Governor of this your Majesties' Collony, by the advice of his Councill, gave order for the proclaiming both your Majesties in each respective town in this your Collony; which accordingly was done in most solemn manner, with all alacrity, beseeching the God of heaven to continue your Majesties with a long and prosperous reign, not at all doubting but your Majesties will take care of all your subjects in this your dominion of New England, as opportunity shall present, that they may be not only freed from arbitrary power, but also may enjoy their lands and other ancient rights and privileges; and therefore we humbly petition your Most Excellent Majesties' grace and favor towards us your most humble subjects and supplicants, that you would please, being Pater Patrio nostro, to extend your fatherly care in the granting a confirmation to our Charter, which although it was submitted to his late Majesty, nevertheless it was not condemned nor taken from us; and therefore since the late Revolution, concerning Sir Edmund Andros, his being deposed from the government, we your Majesties' subjects, being destitute of government, saw cause under grace and favor, to re-assume the government according to our Charter, the 1st of May last past, being the Election day appointed by our said Charter, in which Assembly it was ordered, that the former Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistants that were in place in the year of our Lord 1686, before the coming over of Sir Edmund Andros, our late Governor, should be established in their respective places for the year ensuing, or further order from England; since which time Sir Edmund Andros made his escape from his confinement in your Majesties' Collony of the Massachusetts, unto Rhode Island, where he was speedily seized and secured until the Governor and Council of the Massachusetts Collony demanded him, by Commissioners sent for that purpose. And accordingly we, the Deputy Governor, and some of the Assistants, gave special order for his return, taking care that all moderation should be used in the conveyance of him; and we humbly conceive it hath been a great providence of God, in this Revolution, to prevent New England from partaking in Ireland's miseries. May it please your Excellent Majesties, your transcendent love and favor extended towards us, hath so radicated itself in our hearts never to be forgotten, that it obliges us to offer up ourselves, lives and fortunes to be at your Majesties' service beyond the power of any command. And we beg the God of Heaven to give both your Majesties a long and prosperous reign over us, and we humbly desire that your Majesties will be pleased to cause us to be enrolled amongst your loving subjects. Dated at Newport, on Rhode Island, your Majesty's Collony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, in New England, January the 30th, 1689-90. Subscribed by us, your loyal subjects, and most humble supplicants.* JOHN COGGESHALL, Deputy Governor, JOHN EASTON, Assistant, EDWARD THURSTON, JOHN GREENE, 66 Proceedings of the Generall Assembly held for the Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at Newport, the 26th day of February, 1689-90. An abstract of a letter from Mr. Francis Brinley, Merchant, dated the 22d Februrary, 1689-90, to his son, Mr. Thos. Brinley, Merchant, in London. At New York, Jacob Liesler rules at his will and pleasure, puts in prison whom he pleases, and there keeps them; we are here in great confusion. John Coggeshall styles himself Deputy Governor, and John Greene, of Warwick, calls himself Assistant (both being of the Governor's Councill), intend next week to call a Generall Assembly, and to rule by the sword. It is high time his Majesty would settle a government over New England. We can never govern ourselves with justice nor impartiality, unless there be a good government established here, as in the other Plantations. I must remove. 27th Do.-This day our Deputy Governor and Assistant within mentioned, with their Assembly sat, and because Walter Clarke (their Governor) refused to act, they chose another Governor, which was Chr. Almy: who refusing, they chose Henry Bull, who accepts and serves. Three days since, we heard that a town above Albany was cut off by the French and Indians, where seventy persons were killed; the rest carried captives.-J. Carter Brown's Manuscripts, Vol. V. No. 268. Mr. John Easton chosen Moderator of the Assembly. Ordered by the Assembly, That Mr. James Greene, Mr. Benedict Arnold, and Mr. Edward Thurston, Jun'r, are nominated and appointed to go to Mr. Walter Clarke, Governor, and to Mr. Walter Newbury, Assistant, and desire them to come to the Court to-morrow, by eight of the clock, which will be the 27th instant, at William Make's house; or else give in their positive answer, whether they will serve in their respective places or no. The Assembly is adjourned till to-morrow, eight of the clock in the morning. February 27th. Mr. Walter Clarke, and Mr. Walter Newbury, having made their appearance, read a paper, wherein it evidently appears they disclaim the government, as also through their neglect in disappearing at the last Assembly appointed by the Patent, and called by virtue of a warrant, subscribed Walter Clarke, Governor, to be held the last Wednesday in October last past, the said Court failed, the Assistants of the main being prevented by stormy weather, from appearing that day. Therefore, for the preventing such inconvenience for the future, it is enacted by this Assembly, unanimously, to proceed to election of a Governor and Assistants. in the room of those that refuse to serve. The Governor elected, was Mr. Christopher Almy, who being required, refused to serve in the place of a Governor; giving satisfactory reasons to the Assembly; whereupon the Assembly went to election of another, and chose Mr. Henry Bull, Governor, and elected Mr. Benedict Arnold, Assistant, in the room of Walter Newbury; and Mr. John Coggeshall, Assistant, being sent for, appeared, and refused to serve. Whereupon the Court proceeded to election of an Assistant in his room, and chose Mr. Christopher Almy, Assistant. And then proceeded to engage the Governor, Deputy Governor; and all the aforesaid Assistants, who accordingly received the same; as also elected a Generall Treasurer, viz.: Mr. John Hulmes, who was also engaged. Ordered, That Mr. Joseph Jencks, Assistant, Mr. Benedict Arnold, Assistant, Mr. Christopher Almy, Assistant, Mr. James Greene, Mr. Jonathan Holmes, and Mr. Joseph Clarke, Deputies, the Generall Recorder, the Generall Sergeant, and his Deputy, are by this Assembly appointed and empowered to go to the late Governor, Walter Clarke, Esquire, and demand and receive the Charter, and all other papers and things in his custody, belonging to this Collony, and in behalf of this Assembly to give a discharge for what they receive, and return the premises unto this Assembly. The return of the Committee is, that Walter Clarke, abovesaid, refuseth to deliver the Charter and writings, but declared that it was in a chest, and he would give leave to take it. Whereupon the Committee were ordered and empowered to take it accordingly but their return was, that he refused to let the Charter go unless the Committee would forcibly open the chest and take it. This Assembly taking into serious consideration the trouble that this Collony is put unto for want of effects to carry on the government, and to maintain their Majesties' interest against a foreign enemy, which is much to be feared in this juncture; and understanding by the former Treasurer, Mr. John Woodman, that there is a considerable sum of money, to the sum of about thirty pounds in money or upwards, in the custo dy of Major Roger Holden; as also about three hundred weight of wool, &c. Therefore, for the perfecting of the Collony's house in Newport, for which end said moneys were raised, as also for any other concerns that are for the mainten ance of their Majesties' government, we nominate, appoint and empower Mr. Edward Thurston, Assistant, Mr. Joseph Jencks, Assistant, Mr. Jonathan Holmes, Mr. James Greene, and Capt'n Clement Weaver, to go to Major Roger Holden's and demand and receive the said moneys, and wool, and give receipt; and upon refusal of delivery, they may take it by distraint, giving a receipt for what they take. This 1st of March, 1689-90. JOHN GREENE, Clerk of the Assembly. The return of the Committee is according to the receipt giv en, as followeth, viz.: Newport, on Rhode Island, March the 1st, 1689-90. By virtue of an order, given by the Generall Assembly, we whose names are under-written, have taken thirty-two pounds, eight shillings and eight pence, out of Major Holden's custody, being left there by John Woodman, General Treasurer, for the Collony's use, as witness our hands, the day and year abovewritten. This money is by tale, weight not known. EDWARD THURSTON, Assistant, And accordingly the said Committee have tendered and delivered the said money, viz.: thirty-two pounds, eight shillings and eight pence, to this Assembly; and therefore are discharged thereof by this Assembly. Ordered, That the Deputy Governor, Major John Coggeshall, and Mr. Benedict Arnold, Assistant, are appointed to tell and weigh the said money, and count it with the Treasurer Mr. John Hulmes, and deliver it unto him; he giving a receipt |