Whereas Our most Dear and Royal Fa­ther, A Reference to a former Pattent Grant­ed by K James.King James of Blessed Memory, by his Highness Letters, Pattents, bear­ing Date the third day of November, in the Eighteenth Year of his Reign, at Westminster, hath given and granted to the Councilat Ply­mouth in the County of Devon, for the Planting, Ruling, Ordering and Governing of New-England in America, and to their Successors and Assignes for ever: All that part in America lying and being in the breadth from Forty De­grees of North Latitude from the Aequinoctial Line, to the [Page 2] 48 Degree of the said North Latitude, Eight Degrees Granted.inclusively, and of length of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout all the Main Lands from Sea, to Sea, together with all the firm Lands, Soyls, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, Mines, Minerals, as well Royal Mines of Gold and Silver, as of all other Mines and Minerals what­soever: Precious Stones, Quarries, and all and singular o­ther Commodities, Jurisdictions, Royalties, Priviledges, Franchises and Pre-heminences both within the said Tract of Land upon the Main, and also within the Islands and Seas adjoyning.

Provided always that the said Islands, Provided not postest beforeor any of the Premises by the said Letters, Pattents, intended and meant to be Granted, were not actually then possessed or inhabi­ted by any other Christian Prince or State, nor within the Bounds, Limits, or Territories of the Southern Colony, then before Granted by Our said Dear Father, to be Planted by divers of His Majesties Loving Subjects in the South Parts.

To have and to hold, Possess and Enjoy all and singular the aforesaid Contment, Lands, Territories, Islands, Here­ditaments, and Precincts, Seas, Waters, Fishings, with all and all manner of their Commodities, Royalties, Liberties, Pre-heminences and Profits, that should from thenceforth arise with all and singular their Appurtenances, and eve­ry part and parcel thereof, unto the said Council, and their Successors and Assigns for ever, to the sole and proper use, benefit and behoof of them the said Council, their Successors and Assigns for ever.

Is he holden of our said most dear and Royal Fa­ther, [...] Soccagehis Heirs and Successors, as of his Mannor of East Greenwick, in the County of Kent in free and common Soc­cage, and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service.

Yielding and Paying therefore to the said Late King, To pay the fifth part of [...]old & Silver [...].his Heirs and Successors the fifth part of the Oar [Page 3] of Gold and Silver, which should from time to time, and at all times then after happen to be found, gotten, had and obatined, in, at, or within, any of the said Lands, Limits and Territories or Precincts, or in, or within any part or parcel thereof, for, or in respect of all, and all manner of Duties, Demands and Services whatsoever to be done, made or paid to our said Dear Father the late King: his Heirs, and Successors, as in and by the said Letters, Pat­tents amongst sundry other Clauses, Powers, The sale of Plymouth [...] to six menPriviledges and Grants therein contained more at large appeareth.

And whereas the said Council Established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the Planting, Ruling Ordering and Governing of New-England in America, have by their Deed Indented under their Common Seal, bearing Date the 19th. Day of March last past, in the Third Year of our Reign, given, Granted, Bargained, Sold, Enfoefed, Aliened and Confirmed to Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Knights: Thomas Southcot, their namesJohn Humfry, John Endicot, and Simon Whet­comb, their Heirs and Assigns, and their Associates for ever, all that part of New-England in America aforesaid, which lyes and extends between a great River there commonly called Monomack alias Merrimack, The Extent North and South. and a certain other River there, called Charles River, being in the bottom of a certain Bay, there commonly called Massachusets, alias Mattachusets, alias Massatuset Bay, and also all and singular, those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever; lying, within the space of three English Miles on the south part of the said Charles River or of any or every part thereof: and also all and singular these Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying and being within the space of three English Miles, to the Southward of the Souther­most part of the said Bay, called Massachusets, alias Mas­sachusets, alias Massatusets Bay: And also all those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever, which lye and be within the space of three English Miles to the Northward of the said River, called [Page 4] Monomack, Extent East & West. alias Merrimack, or to the Northward of any and every part thereof. And all Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying within the Limits aforesaid, North and South in Latitude, and breadth and in length and Longitude of, and within all the breadth aforesaid, through the Main Lands there, from the Atlantique and Western Sea and Ocean on the East part to the South Sea on the West part; and all Lands and Grounds, Place and Places, Soyles, Woods & Wood-grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying within the said Bounds and Limits, and every part and parcel there­of; and also all Islands lying in America aforesaid in the said Seas or either of them, on the Western or Estern Coasts or Parts of the said Tracts of Lands by the said Indenture mentioned, to be Given, Granted, Bargained Sold Enfoefed, Aliened and Confirmed or any of them And also all Mines and Minerals, as well Royal Mines of Gold and Silver, as other Mines and Minerals whatsoever, in the said Lands and Pre­mises, or any part thereof; and all Jurisdictions, Rights Roy­alties, Liberties, Freedoms, Immunities, Priviledges, Fran­chises, Preheminences and Commodities whatsoever, which they the said Council Established at Plimouth in the County of Devon, for the Planting, Ruling, Ordering and Governing of New-England in America▪ then had or might use, exercise or enjoy, in or within the said Lands and Premises by the said Indenture mentioned to be Given, Granted Bargained, Sold, Enfoefed and Confirmed or in or within any part of parcel thereof.

To have and to hold the said parts of New-England in America, which lies and extends, and is abutted as afore­said; and every part and parcel thereof; and all the said Islands, Rivers, Ports, Havens, Waters, Fishings, Mines, Minerals, Jurisdictions, Franchises, Royalties, Liberties, Priviledges, Commodities, Hereditaments and Premises [Page 5] whatsoever, with the Apurtenances unto the said Sr. Henry Roswel, Sr. John Young, Thomas Southcot, John Humphrey, John Endicot and Simon Whetcomb, their Heirs and Assigns, and their Associates for evermore.

To be holden of us, our Heirs and Successors, as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, Free Soccagein free and common Soccage, and not in Capite nor by Knights Service.

yielding and paying therefore unto Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, the fifth part of the Oar of Gold and Silver which shall from time to time, and at all times hereafter happen to be found, gotten, had and obtained in any of the said Lands within the said Limits, or in or within any part thereof, for and in satisfaction of all manner of Du­ties, Demands and Services whatsoever, to be done, made or paid to us, our Heirs or Successors, as in and by the said recited Indenture, more at large may appear:

now know ye that we at the humble Suit and Pe­tition of the said Sir Henry Roswel, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcot, John Humphrey, John Endicot and Simon Whet­comb, K. Charles Confirmation & of others whom they have associated unto them, have for divers good causes and considerations us moving Granted and Confirmed, and by these presents, of our special Grace certain knowledg and meer motion, do Grant and Confirm unto the said Sir Henry Roswel, Sir John Young, Tho Southcot, John Humphrey, John E ndicot and Simon Whetcomb and to their Associates hereafter named viz, The 6 men take 20 Associates or Patentees, their NamesSir R ichard Saltonstal Kt. Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Ven Matthew Craddock, George H arwood, Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, S amuel Vassal Theophilus E aton, Thomas Goff, Tho. Adams, John Brown, S am B rown, Tho. Hutchins, William Vassal, W. Pynchon & George Foxcroft, their Heirs & Assigns, all the said [Page 6] part of New-England in America, lying & extending between the bounds and limits in the said recited Indenture is expressed, and all Lands and Grounds, place and places, Soyls, Woods and Wood grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Mines Minerals Jurisdictions, Rights, Royalties, Liberties, Freedoms, Immunities, Priviledges, Franchises, Pre-heminences, Hereditaments and Commodities what­soever, to them the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, patentees names Tho. Southcot, John Humfry, John Endicot, & Simon Whetcomb, their Heirs & Assigns, and to their Associates, by the said recited Indenture, given, granted, bargained, Sold Enfoefed, Aliened and Confirmed, or mentioned or intended, thereby to be given, granted bargained, sold, enfoefed, Aliened and Confirmed.

To have and to hold the said part of New-England in America, and other the Premises hereby mentioned to be granted and confirmed, and every part and parcel thereof with the Apurtenances to the said Sir Henry Roswel, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Tho. Southcot, John Humfry, John E ndicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Al­dersey, John Venn, Matthew Craddock, George Harwood, In­crease Nowel, Richard Perry, R ichard Bellingham, Nathan, Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus E aton, Thomas Goffe, patentees names Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutch­ins, William Vassall, William Pinchon, and George Foxcroft, their Heirs and Assigns for ever, to their only proper and absolute use and behoof, for evermore; to be holden of Us, our Heirs and Successors as of Our Mannor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent aforesaid, in free and common Soccage, and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service, and also yielding and paying therefore, to us, free & com­mon Soccage our Heirs and Successors the fifth part only of all the Dar of Gold and Silver which from time to time, and at all times hereafter shall be there gotten, had, or obtained; [Page 7] for all Services, Exactions and Demands whatsoever, ac­cording to the Tenour and Reservation in the said Recit­ed Indenture expressed.

And farther know ye that of our more special Grace; The several extents are re­newed & confirmed. certain knowledg, and meer motion, we have given and granted; and by these Presents do for us, our Heirs and Successors, give and grant, to the said Sir H enry R oswell, Sr. John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Thomas southcot, John Humphrey, John Endicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac John­son, Patensees names Samuel Aldersey, John Venn, Matthew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, R ichard Perry, Richard B ellingham, Nath▪Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Eaton, Tho. Goffe, Thomas Adams, John B rown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Huchins, William Vassall, William Pinchon, and George Foxcroft, their Heirs and Assigns, all that part of New-England in America, which lies and extends betwixt a great River there commonly called Monomack, alias, Mer­rimack River, and a certain other River there called Charles River, being in the bottom of a certain Bay, there com­monly called Massachusets, alias Mattachusets, alias Massatu­sets Bay, and also all and singular those Lands and He­reditaments whatsoever lying within the space of three English miles in the South part of the said River called Charles River, or of any or every part thereof; and also all and singular the Lands and Hereditaments whatsoe­ver, South Extent lying and being within the space of three English miles to the Southward of the Southermost part of the said Bay called Massachusets, alias Mattathusets, alias Massatusets Bay; and also all those Lands and Hereditaments whatso­ever, which lie and be within the space of three English miles, to the Northward of the said River called Mono­mack, alias Merrimack or to the northward of any and every part thereof; And all Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the Limits aforesaid, North and [Page 8] South in Latitude and breadth: And in Length and Lon­gitude of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the main Land there, from the Atlantick or Western Sea and Ocean, Extent East & Weston the East part to the South Sea, on the West part, And all Lands and Grounds, place and places, Soyles, Woods, and Wood-grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the said Bounds, and every part and parcel thereof; and also all Islands in America aforesaid, in the said Seas or either of them, on the Western or Eastern Coasts or Parts of the said Tracts of Lands hereby mentioned, to be given, granted, or any of them; And all Mines, and Minerals, as well Royal Mines of Gold and Silver, as other Mines and Mi­nerals whatsoever in the said Lands and Premises, or any part thereof: And free liberty of Fishing in or within any of the Rivers or Waters within the Bounds and Li­mits aforesaid, and the Seas thereunto adjoyning; and all Fishes, Grant of fish­ingRoyal Fishes, Whales, Ball [...]ne, Sturgeons and other Fishes of what kind or nature soever, that shall at any time hereafter be taken for within the said Seas or Wa­ters, or any of them, by the said Sr. Henry Roswell, Sr. John Young, Sr. Richard Saltonstal, Thomas Southcot, John Humphrey, John Endicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Venn, Matthew Cradock, George Harwood, Increase Nawel, Richard Perry, Richard Belling­ham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Goffe, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassal, William Pynchon, and George Foxcroft, their Heirs or Assigns, or by any other person there Inhabiting, by them or any of them to be appointed to Fish therein.

Provided Always that if the said Lands, Islands, or a­ny other the Premises herein before mentioned, and by these Presents intended and meant to be granted, were at [Page 9] the time of the granting of the said former Letters, Pat­tents, Dated the Third Day of November, in the Eighteenth Year of our said Dear Fathers Reign aforesaid, actually possessed or inhabited by any other Christian Prince, or State; or were within the bounds, limits or Territories, of that Southern Collony, then before granted, by our said late Father, to be Planted by divers of his Loving Subjects, in the South parts of America that then this present Grant shall not extend to any such parts or parcels thereof so formerly Inhabited, or lying within the bound of he Southern Plantations as aforesaid, But as to those parts or parcels so possessed by such Christian Prince or State: or being within the bounds aforesaid, shall be utterly v [...]id: These Presents, or any thing therein contained to the con­tary notwithstanding.

To have and to hold, Possess and enjoy the said parts of New-England in America, which lye, extend, and are Abutted as aforesaid and every part and parcel thereof, and all the Islands, Rivers Parts Havens Waters, Fishings, Fishes, Mines, Minerals, Jurisdictions Franchises, Royalties, Liberties, Priviledges, Commodities, and Premises whatsoe­ver: with the Apurtenances unto the said Sir Henry Ros­well, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Thomas Southcot, John Humfrey, John Endicot, Simon Whet­comb, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Venn, Mat­thew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowel, Ric. Parry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Goff, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassal, William Pinchon, and George Foxcroft; their Heirs and Assigns for ever to the only proper and absolute use and behoof of the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstal, Thomas Southcot, John Humfry, John Endicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac John­son [Page 10] Samuel Aldersey, John Ven, Matthew Craddock, George Harwood; Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, Rich­ard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, The­ophilus Eaton, Thomas Goff, Thomas Adams, Joh Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassal, W. Pinchon, and George Foxcroft, their Heirs and Assigns for evermore.

To be holden. of Us, our Heirs and Successors, as of our Mannor of East Greenwich, in our County of Kent, with­in our Realm of England; in free and common Soccage, Common Soc­cage. and not in Capite, nor by Knights Service.

And also Yielding and Paying therefore to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, the fifth part only of all the Oar of Gold and Silver, which from time to time, [...] fifth of Oar and at all times hereafter shall be there gotten, had or obtained, for all Services, Exactions, and Demands whatsoever.

Provided always, and our Express Will and Mean­ing is, hat only one fifth part of the Gold and Silver Oar above mentioned, in the Whole and no more, be reserved or payable unto us, our Heirs and Successors, by colour or vertue of these Presents, the double Reservations or Recitals aforesaid, or any thing herein Contained not­withstanding.

And for asmuch as the good and prosperous success of the Plantation of the said Part of New-England aforesaid, in­tended by the said Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Thomas Southcot, John Humfry, John Endicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Vean, Matthew Craddock, George Har­wood, Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, Richard Belling­ham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Ea­ton, Thomas Goff, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassal, William Pinchon, and George, Foxcroft, to be speedily set upon, [Page 11] cannot but chiefly depend next under the blessing of the Al­mighty God, and the support of our Royal Authority upon the good Government of the same.

To the end that the Affairs and Businesses which from time to time shall happen and arise concerning the said Lands and the Plantation of the same may be better ma­naged and ordered:

We have further hereby of our special Grace certain knowledge and meer motion Given, Granted and Confirm­ed, and for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, do Give, Grant and Confirm, unto Our trusty and well-beloved Subjects, Sir Henry Roswel, Sir John Young, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Tho. southcot, John Humfry, John E ndicot, Simon Whet­comb, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Venn, Matthew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, R ichard Bellingham, Nathan Wright, Samuel Vassal, The­ophilus E aton, Thomas Goffe, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pinchon, and George Foxcroft, and for us, our Heirs and Successors: We Will and Ordain that the said Sr. Henry Roswel, Sr. John Young, Sr. Richard Saltonstal, Tho. Southcot, John H umphrey, John E ndicot, Simon Whetcomb, Isaac Johnson, S amuel Aldersey, John Venn, Matthew Craddock, George H arwood, Increase Nowel, R ichard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus E aton, Thomas Goff, Tho. Adams, John Brown, S am. B rown, Tho. Hutchins, William Vassal, Will Pynchon, George Fox­croft, and all such others as shall hereafter be admitted, and made free of the Company and Society hereafter mention­ed, shall from time to tiem, and at all times, for ever here­after be, by vertue of these presents on Body Corporate and Politick in Fact and Name, by the Name of the Go­vernour and Company of the Massachusets Bay in New-En­gland, [Page 12] And them by the name of the Governour and Company of the Massachusets Bay in New-England, one Body politick and corporate, in deed, fact and name; We do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, make, ordain, consti­tute and confirm by these presents, and that by that name they shall have perpetual succession, and that by the same name they and their Successors shall and may be capable and enabled as well to Implead, and to be Impleaded, and to prosecute demand and answer, and be answered unto, in all and singular Suits, Cause, Quarrels and Actions, of what kind and nature soever; and also, to have, take, possess, acquire and purchase any Lands, Tenements, Here­ditaments, or any Goods or Chattels; and the same to Lease, Grant, Demise, Alien, Bargain, Sell and dispose of as other Our Leig People of this our Realm of England, or any other Corporation, or Body Politick of the same, may lawfully do.

And farther, One common Sealthat the said Governour and Company, and their Successors, may have for ever, one common Seal, to be used in all causes and occasions of the said Company; and the same Seal may after, change, break and new make from time to time at their pleasures;

And Dur will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Ordain and Grant that from henceforth for ever, there shall be one Governour, one Deputy Governour, and eighteen Assistants of the same Company, to be from time to time Constituted, Eiected and Chosen out of the Freemen of the said Company, for the time being, in such manner and form as hereafter in these presents is expressed, which said Officers shall apply themselves to take care for the best disposing and ordering the general business and affairs or, for, and concerning the said Lands and Premises hereby mentioned to be Granted, and the Plantation thereof, and the Government of the People there.

[Page 13] And for the better E xecution of our Royal Pleasure, and Grant in this behalf; we do by these Presents for us our Heirs and Successors, Nominate, Ordain, Make and Constitute our Well-beloved the said Matthew Craddock, to be the first and present Governour of the said Company, and the said Thomas Goff, to be Deputy Governour of the said Company; and the said Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Alder­sey, John Venn, John Humfrey, John Endicot, Simon Whetcomb, Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, Nat. Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Adams, Tho. Hutchins, John Brown, George Foxcroft, William Vassal, and William Pinchon, to be the present Assistants of the said Company, to continue in the said several Offices respect­tively for such time, and in such manner as in and by these Pre­sents is hereafter Declared and Appointed.

And Further, We will, and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors, do Ordain and Grant, That the Gover­nour of the said Company for the time being, or in his Absence by occasion of sickness, or otherwise the Deputy Governour for the time being shall have Authority from time to time upon all occasions to give order for the Assembling of the said Company, and calling them together to Consult and Advise of the buisinesses and Affairs of the said Company, And that the said Governour, Deputy Governour, and Assistants of the said Company for the time being, Court once Moneth shall or may once every Month, or oftner, at their Pleasure, Assemble, and H old and Keep a Court or Assembly of themselves, for the better Or­dering and Directing of their Affairs: And that any Seven or more Persons of the Assistants together with the Governour or Deputy Governour so Assembled, shall be said, taken, held, and reputed to be and shall be, a full and sufficient Court or Assembly of the said Company, for the Handling, Ordering, and Dispatching of all such Buisinesses, and Occurrances, as shall from time happen, touching or concerning the said Com­pany or Plantations.

[Page 14] And that there shall or may be Held and Kept by the Governour, or Deputy Governour, of the said Company, & seven or more of the said Assistants for the time being, up­on every last Wednesday in Hillary Easter Trinity, and Michaelmas Terms respecttively for ever; one Great General and Solemn Assembly, which four General As­semblies shall be stiled and called the four great and Gene­ral Courts of the said Company, in all and every, or any of which said Great and General Courts so Assembled; we do for Us, our Heirs and Successors, Give and Grant unto the said Governour and Company, and their Successors, that the Governour, or in his Absence, the Deputy Go­vernour of the said Company for the time being, and such of the Assistants and Freemen of the said Company, as shall be present, or the greater number of them so As­sembled; whereof the Governour or Deputy Governour, and six of the Assistants, at the least to be seven, shall have full power and Authority, to Chuse, Nominate and Appoint, such, and so many others as they shall think fit, and that shall be willing to accept the same to be free of the said Company and Body, and them into the same to admit, and to Elect and Constitute such Officers as they shall think fit and requisite for the Ordering, Man­aging, and dispatching of the Affairs of the said Gover­nour and Company, and their Successors: And to make Laws and Ordinances for the good and welfare of the said Company, and for the Government and Ordering of the said Lands and Plantations, and the people inhabiting and to inhabit the same as to them, from time to time shall be thought meet, so as such Laws and Ordinances, be not contrary or Repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Realm of England.

And our will and Pleasure is, and we do hereby for [Page 15] Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Establish and Ordain, that yearly once in a year for ever hereafter, namely, the last Wednesday in E aster Term yearly, the Governour, Deputy Governour, and Assistants of the said Company, and all other Officers of the said Company shall be in the Gene­ral Court or Assembly to be held for that Day or Time, Yearly Electi­ons newly Chosen for the Year ensuing, by such greater part of the said Company for the time being, then and there present as is aforesaid.

And if it shall happen the present Governour, Deputy Governour and Assistants, by these presents appointed, or such as shall hereafter be newly chosen into their Rooms, or any of them, or any other of the Officers to be appointed for the said Company, to dye or to be removed from his or their several Offices or Places before the general Day of Election (whom We do hereby Declare for any misdemean­our or defect, to be removable by the Governour, Deputy Governour, Assistants and Company, or such greater part of them in any of the publick Courts to be Assembled, as is aforesaid) that then and in every such case it shall and may be lawful, to, and for the Governour, Deputy Gover­nour, Assistants and Company aforesaid, or such greater part of them so to be Assembled, as is aforesaid in any of their Assemblies to proceed to a new Electi­on of any or more others of their Company in the room or place, rooms or places of such Officer or Officers so dying or removed, according to their Discretions; and immediately upon, and after such Election and Elections, made so such Governour, Deputy Governour, Assistant or Assistants, or any other Officer of the said Company, in manner and form aforesaid, the Authority, Office and Po­wer before given to the former Governour, Deputy Go­vernour, or other Officer and Officers so removed, in whose stead and place new shall be so chosen, shall as to him and them, and every of them cease and determine.

[Page 16] Provided also, and Our Will and Pleasure is, that as well such as are by these presents appointed to be the Pre­sent Governour, Deputy Governour and Assistants of the said Company, as those that shall succeed them, and all other Officers to be appointed and chosen as aforesaid, shall before they undertake the Execution of their said O ffices and Places respectively, take their corporal Oathes for their due and faithful performance of their Duty, in their se­veral O ffices and Places, before such person or persons as are by these presents here under appointed, to take and receive the same (that is to say) the said Matthew Craddock, who is hereby nominated and appointed the present Governour of the said Company, shall take the said Oathes before one or more of the Masters of Our Court of Chancery for the time being; unto which Master or Masters of the Chan­cery, We do by these Presents, give full Power and Au­thority to take and Administer the said Oath to the said Governour accordingly: And after the said Governour shall be so sworn, then the said Deputy Governour and Assistants before by these presents Nominated and Ap­pointed shall take the said several Oathes to their offices and Places respectively belonging before the said Matthew Craddock the present Governour so formerly Sworn as a­foresaid, and every such Person as shall be at any time of the annual Election, or otherwise upon Death or Remo­val be appointed to be the new Governour of the said Company, shall take the Oathes to that place belonging, before the Deputy Governour or two of the Assistants of the said Company at the least, for the time being, and the new Elected Deputy Governour and Assistants, and all other Officers to be hereafter chosen, as aforesaid, from time to time, to take the Oathes to their places respective­ly belonging, before the Governour of the said company, for the time being; unto which said Governour, Deputy [Page 17] Governour, and Assistants, We do by these Presents give full Power and Authority to give and to Administer the said Oaths Respecttively according to the true Meaning herein before Declared, without any Commission or further Warrant to be had and obtained of us, our Heirs or Suc­cessors in that behalf.

And farther we do of our Especial Grace, certain know­ledg and meer motion, for Us Our Heirs and Successors, Give and Grant unto the said Governour and their Succes­sors for ever by these Presents, that it shall be lawful and free for them and their Assigns, at all and every time and times hereafter, out of any of our Realms and Dominions whatsoever; to Take, Carry, Lead, and Transport, for in and into their Voyages, and for and towards the said Plan­tation in New-England, all such, and so many of our Lo­ving Subjects, or any other Strangers, that will become our Loving Subjects, and live under our Allegiance; as shall willingly accompany them in the said Voyages and Plantations: Also Shipping, Armour, [...]hat to TransportWeapons, Ordinance, Munition, Powder, Shot, Corn, Victuals, and all manner of Cloathing, Implements, Furniture, Beasts, Cattle, Hor­ses, Mares, Merchandizes, and all other things necessary for the said Plantation, and for their use and defence, and for Trade with the people there, and in passing and retur­ning to and fro; any Law or Statute to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.

And without Paying or Yielding, any Custome or Subsidue, either inward or outward, to Us, our Heirs or Successors, for the same, by the space of seven years from the Day of the Date of these Presents.

Provided, That none of the said Persons be such as shall be hereafter by special name restrained by Us our H eirs or Successors.

And for their farther Encouragement of our Especial [Page 18] Grace and Favour: We do by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, Yield and Grant to the said Gover­nour and Company, and their Successors, and every of them their Factors and Assigns, that they, and every of them shall be free, and quit from all Taxes, Subsidies and Customs, in New-England, for the like space of seven years, and from all Taxes and Impositions for the space of one and twenty years, upon all Goods and Merchandizes, at any time or times hereafter, either upon Importation thither, or Exportation from thence, into our Realm of England, or into any other our Dominions; by the said Governour, [...]om from Taxes-7 Yearsor Company, and their Successors, their De­puties, Factors, and Assigns, or any of them, excepting only the Five Pounds Per Cent. due for the Custom upon all such Goods and Merchandizes as after the said seven years shall be expired, shall be brought or imported into our Realm of England, or any other of our Dominions, according to the Antient Trade of Merchants, which five Pound Per Cent. only being paid, it shall be thenceforth lawful and free for the said Adventurers, the same Goods and Merchandizes to Export, and Carry out of our said Dominions into Forreign Ports, without any Custome, Tax, or other Duty to be paid to Us, our Heirs or Suc­cessors, or to any other Officers or Ministers of Us, Our Heirs and Successors.

Provided that the said Goods and Merchandizes be [...]hipt off in months.Shipped off within Thirteen Months after their first Land­ing within any part of the said Dominion.

And we do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Give and Grant, unto the said Governour and Company, and their Suc­cessors, that whensoever, or so often as any Custom or Subsidie shall grow due, or payable unto Us, our Heirs and Successors, according to the Limitation and Appointment aforesaid, by reason of any Goods, Wares or Merchandizes to be Shipped [Page 19] out or any return to be made of any Goods, Wares or Merchan­dizes unto, or from the said Parts of New-England, hereby mentioned, to be Granted as aforesaid; or any the Lands or Territories aforesaid, that then, and so often and in such case, the Farmers, Customers, and Officers of Our Customs of England and Ireland, and every of them for the time being, upon request made to them, by the said Governour and Company, or their Successors, Factors or Assigns, and upon convenient Security to be given in that behalf, shall give and allow unto the said Governour and Company, and their Successors, and to all and every person and persons, free of that Company, as aforesaid six Moneths time for the payment of the one half of all such Custome and Subsidie as shall be due and payable un­to Us, Our Heirs and Successors for the same, for which these Our Letters, Patents, or the Duplicate, or the Enrollment thereof shall be unto Our said Officers sufficient Warrant and Discharge;

Nevertheless, Our Will and Pleasure is, That if any of the said Goods, Wares and Merchandizes, which be or shall be at any time hereafter Landed, or Exported out of any of Our Realms aforesaid, and shall be Shipped with a purpose not to be carryed to the parts of New-England aforesaid, but to some other places, that then such Payment, Duty, Custome, Imposition or Forfeiture, shall be paid or belong to Us, Our Heirs and Suc­cessors, for the said Goods, Wares, and Merchandizes so fraudi­lently sought to be transported, as if this Our Grant had not been Made nor Granted.

And we do farther Will, and by these present, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, firmly enjoyn and command, The Patent of Duplicate is to be shewed as well the Treasurer, Chancellor and Barons of the Ex­chequer, of Us Our Heirs and Successors, as also all and singular the Customers, Farmers and Collectors of the Customes, Subsidies and Imposts, and other the Officers and Ministers of Us, Our Heirs and Successors whatsoever [Page 20] for the time being, that they and every of them upon the shewing forth unto them of these Letters, Patents or the Duplicate or Exemplification of the same, without any o­ther Writ or Warrant whatsoever, from Us, Our Heirs or Sucessors to be obtained or sued forth, do and shall make full, whole, intire, and due allowances, and clear discharge unto the said Governour and Company, and their succes­sors of all Customes, Subsidies, Impositions, Taxes and Duties whatsoever, that shall or may be claimed by Us, Our Heirs or Successors, of, or from the said Governour and Company, and their Successors, for, or by reason of the said Goods, Chattels, Wares, Merchandizes and Premi­ses, to be experted out of Our said Dominions, or any of them into any part of the said Lands or Premises hereby mentioned, to be given, granted and confirmed, or for, or by, reason of any of the said Goods, Chattels, Wares or Merchandizes to be imported from the said Lands and Premises hereby mentioned, to be given, granted and con­firmed into any of our said Dominions, or any part thereof, as aforesaid.

(Excepting only the said five pounds percent. hereby reserved and payable, after the expiration of the said term of seven years, as aforesaid, and not before:) And these our Letters, Patents, or the Enrollment, Duplicate, or Ex­emplification of the same, shall be for ever hereafter, from time to time, as well to the Treasurer, Chancellor, and Borons of the Exchequer, of Us, Our Heirs and Succes­sors, as to all & singular the Customers, Farmers, and Colle­ctors of the Customes, Subsidies and Imposts of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and all Searchers, and other the Offi­cers. and Ministers whatsoever of Us, Our Heirs, & Suc­cessors for the time being, a sufficient Warrant and Dis­charge in this behalf.

And farther Our Will and Pleasure is, and hereby [Page 21] for Us, our Heirs and Successors, Ordain, Declare, and Grant, to the said Governour and Company, and their Successors, that all and every the Subjects of Us, our Heirs or Successors, which shall go to, and inhabit within the said Lands and Premises hereby mentioned to be Granted, and every of their Children, which shall happen to be born there, or on the Seas in going thither, or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all Liberties, and Immunities of free and natural Subjects, within any of the Dominions of us, our Heirs or Successors, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, as if they, and every of them were born within the Realm of England.

And that the Governour, and Deputy Governour of the said Company, for the time being, or either of them Or­dain, two or more, of such of the said Assistants, as shall be thereunto appointed by the said Governour and Com­pany, at any of their Courts, or Assemblies to be Held as aforesaid, shall, and may at all times, and from time to time hereafter have full Power and Authority, to minister and give the Oath and Oaths of Supremacy, Allegiance, or either of them, to all and every person and persons, which shall at any time or times hereafter, go or pass to the Lands and Premises hereby mentioned to be Granted, to inhabit in the same.

And we do of our farther Grace, certain knowledg, and meer motion, Give and Grant to the said Governour and Com­pany, and their Successors, that it shall and may be Lawful to, and for the Governour, Deputy Governour, and such of the Assistants and Freemen of the said Company for time being, as shall be Assembled in any of their General Courts aforesaid, or in [...] other Courts to be specially Summoned and Assembled for that purpose, or the greater part of them (whereof the Governour, and Deputy Governour and six of the Assistants, to be always seven) from time [Page 22] to time to Make, Ordain and Establish all manner of wholsome and reasonable Orders, Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances, Di­rections and Instructions, not contrary to the Laws of this our Realm of England, as well for settling of the Forms and Ceremonies of Government, and Majestracy sit and necessary for the said Plantation, and the Inhabitants there: And for naming and stiling of all sorts of Officers, both Superiour and Inferiour, which they shall find needful for that Government and Plantation, and the distinguishing, and setting forth of the se­veral Duties, Powers and Limits of every such Office and Place; and the Forms of such Oaths, warrantable by the Laws and Sta­tutes of this our Realm of England, as shall be respectively mi­nistred unto them, for the Execution of the said several Offices and Places; as also for the disposing and ordering of the Ele­ctions of such of the said Officers as shall be Annual, and of such others as shall be to succeed in case of Death or Removal; Administring the said Oaths to the new Elected Officers, and for Impositions of lawful Fines, Mulcts, Imprisonments, or o­ther lawful Correction, according to the course of other Corpo­rations in this our Realm of England; and for the Directing Ruling, and Disposing of all other matters and things whereby our said People Inhabitants there, may be so R eligiously, peace­ably and civilly Governed, as their good life, and orderly Con­versation, may win and invite the Natives of the Country, to the Knowledg and Obedience of the Only True God, and Savi­our of Mankind, and the Christian Faith, which in our Royal Intention, and the Adventures, free Profession, is the principal end of this Plantation.

Willing, and Commanding, and Requiring, and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, Ordaining and Appointing, that all such Orders, Laws, Statutes, and Ordi­nances, Instructions, and Directions, as shall be so made by the Governour, or Deputy Governour of the said Company, and such of the Assistants and Freemen as aforesaid, and Published in [Page 23] Writing under their common Seal, shall be carefully and duely observed, kept performed, and put in Execution, according to the true intent and meaning of the same. And these our Letters, Patents, or the Duplicate, or Exemplification there­of, shall be to all and every such Officers, Superiour and Inferiour from time to time, for the putting of the same Orders, Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, Instructions and Directions, in due Execution against Us, our Heirs and Successors, Full & absolute Power a sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

And we do farther for Us, our Heirs and Successors, Give and Grant to the said Governour and Company, and their Successors by these Presents, that all and every each chief Commanders, Captains, Governour and other Offi­cers and Ministers, as by the said Orders, Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Instructions and Directions of the said Gover­nour and Company for the time being, shall be from time to time hereafter imployed either in the Government of the said Inhabitants and Plantation, or in the way by Sea thither, or from thence, according to the natures and li­mits of their Offices and Places respectively, shall from time to time hereafter, for ever, within the Precincts and Parts of New-E ngland, hereby mentioned to be granted and confirmed, or in the way by Sea thither, or from thence have full and absolute Power and Authority, to Correct, Punish, Pardon, Govern and Rule all such the Subjects of Us, our Heirs and Successors, as shall from time to time adventure themselves in any Voyage thither, or from thence, or that shall from any time hereafter inhabit within the precincts and parts of New-England aforesaid, according to the Orders, Laws, Ordinances, Instructions and Directions, aforesaid, not being repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of our Realm of England as aforesaid.

And we do farther, for us, our Heirs and Successors, give and Grant to the said Governour and Company, and their [Page 24] Successors by these presents, that it shall and may be law­ful to and for the chief Commanders, Governours, and Of­ficers of the said Company for the time being, who shall be resident in the said part of New-England in America, by these presents Granted; and others there inhabiting, by their appointment and direction from time to time, and at all times hereafter, for their special Defence and Safety to encounter, expulse, repel, and resist by force of Arms, as well by Sea as by Land, and by all the fitting wayes and means whatsoever, all such person and persons which shall at any time hereafter attempt or enterprize the destructi­on, Invasion, Detriment or Annoyance of the said Plan­tation or Inhabitants, and to take and surprize by all ways and means whatsoever, all and every such person and persons, with their Ships, Armours, Munition and other Goods, as shall in hostile manner Invade or Attempt the defeating of the said Plantation or the hurt of the said Company and Inhabitants. Nevertheless Our Will and Pleasure is, Robbers to make satisfactionand We do hereby Declare to all Christian Kings, and Princes, and States, that if any person or persons which shall be hereafter of the said Company or Plantati­on, or any other by Licence or Appointment of the said Governour and Company for the time being, shall at any time or times hereafter, Rob or Spoyl by Sea or by Land, or do any hurt or violence, or unlawful Hostility to any of the Subjects of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, or any of the Subjects of any Prince or State; being then in League and Amity with us, our Heirs and Successors: And that upon such injury done, and upon just complaint of such Prince or State, or their Subjects; We Our Heirs or Suc­cessors, shall make open Proclamation, within any of the parts within our Realm of England. Commodions for that purpose, that the Person or Persons, having commit­ted my such Robbery or Spoyl, shall within the time li­mited [Page 25] by such a Proclamation, make such 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 Spoyl shall not make or cause to be made satisfaction accordingly, within such time so to be limited, That then it shall be lawful for Us, Our Heirs, or Successors, to put the said Person or Per­sons out of our Allegiance and Protection, and that it shal be lawful and free for all Princes to prosecute with Hosti­lity the said Offenders and every of them, their and eve­ry of their Procurers, Aiders, Abetters, and Comforters in that behalf.

Provided also, and our express Will and Pleasure is, and we do by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Succes­sors, Ordain and Appoint, that these Presents shall not in any manner injure or be taken to abridge, bar or hinder any of our Loving Subjects whatsoever to use and exercise the Trade of Fishing upon that Coast of New-England in A­merica. by these Presents mentioned to be granted, but they and every, or any of them shall have full and free power, & liberty to continue and use their said Trade of Fishing upon the said Coasts in any of the Seas thereunto Adjoyning, or any Arms of the Seas or salt Water Rivers where they have been wont to Fish, and to build, and to set up upon the lands by these Present Granted, such Wharfs, Stages, and Work-houses, as shall be necessary for the salting, dry­ing, keeping and packing up of their Fish to be taken or gotten upon that Coast, and to cut down, and take such Trees, and other Materials there growing, or being as shall be needful for that purpose, and for all their necessary Ease­ments, helps and advantages concerning their said Trade of Fishing there in such manner and form as they have been heretofore at any time accustomed to do, without [Page 26] making any wilful waste or spoyl; any thing in these pre­sents contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

And we do further, for us our Heirs and Successors, All to be Con­strued most favourableOrdain and Grant to the said Governour and Company, and their Successors by these Presents, that these our Letters, Pattents shall be firm, good, effectual and available in all things, and to all intents and Constructions of Law, according to our true meaning herein before Declared, and shall be Construed Repu­ted, and Adjudged, in all cases most favourable on the behalf, and for the benefit and behoof of the late Governour and Com­pany, and their Successors, although express mention of the true yearly vallue or certainty of the Premises, or any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us, or any other of our Pro­genitors or Predecessors, to the said aforesaid Governour or Com­pany, and their Successors, before this time made in these Pre­sents, is not made, or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provision, Proclamation or Restraint to the Contrary thereof heretofore had, made, set forth, ordained and provided, or any other thing matter or cause whatsoever, to the contrary thereof in any wise Notwithstanding.