[The Government of Portsmouth]
April 30, 1639
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Aprill the 30th, 1639 We, whose names are under [written doe acknowledge] ourselves the legall subjects of [his Majestie] King Charles, and in his name [doe hereby binde] ourselves into a civill body politicke, unto his lawes according to matters of justice. [Signed by William Hutchinson and thirty associates.] According to the true intent of the [foregoing instrument, wee] whose names are above particularly [recorded, do agree] joyntly or by the major voice to g[overn ourselves by the] ruler or judge amongst us in all [transactions] for the space and tearme of one [yeare, he] behaving himselfe according to the t[enor of the same.] We have freely made choice of [ ] to be ruler or judge among us. We have also, for the help and ease [of the conducting of] public business and affairs for [the colony] for one yeare, allso chosen unto him William Ballston, William Freeborne, John Porter, John [ ], Joh Wall, Philip Sherman, as allso William Aspinwall to lay out lands as they shall be disposed. We have also made choice of [ ] amongst us for this yeare ensuing. It is appoynted that there shall be [a court held every] yeare, every quarter, one for to doe right betwixt man and [man — a] jury of twelve men; as also it is [ordered, that] the eight men chosen unto him [shall hold a] meeting amongst themselves, to consult [together]; as also to put an end to any controverzy, it it amount not to the value of fortie [shillings.] The Judge, with the rest of the eight men [shall decide it] if brought to ye publicke Court. |
[J.R. Bartlett, ed.: Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England: Vol 1, 1636 to 1663 (Providence: A. Crawford Greene and Brother, State Printers, 1856), pp. 70-71. — In Colonial Origins, pp. 166-167.]