In New Haven Colony.
“On the 4thday of the 4thmonth called June 1639, all the free planters of the town to be called a year later Newhaven, assembled together in a general meetinge to consult about settling ciuill Gouernmtaccording to God. * * * Mr. John Davenport propounded divers (6) quæries to them publiquely praying them to consider seriously * * * and to giue their answers in such sort as they would be willing they should stand upon recorde for posterity.”
These six fundamental agreements were assented to by the lifting up of hands twice: once at the proposal and again after when the written words were read unto them.
And on the 25th of October next, the following charge was given and accepted by them:
Yow shall neither plott, practise, nor consent, to any euill, or hurt, against this Jurisdiction, or any part of it, nor against The Civill Gouerment here established: And if you shall know any person or persons wchintend, plott, or conspire anything, wchtends to the hurt, or prjudice, of the same, you shall timely discouer the same to Lawfull Authority here established, and you shall assist, and be helpfull, in all the affaires of the Jurisdiction, and by all meanes shall promoue the publique wellfare of the same, according to yorplace, abillity, and opportunity; you shall giue due honorto the Lawfull Magistrats, and shall be obedient, and subject, to all the wholesome Lawes, and Orders, allready made, or wchshall be hereafter made, byLawfull Authority afforesaide, and that both in yorperson, and estate, and when you shall be duely called, to giue yorvote, or suffrage, in any Election, or touching any other matter, wchconcerneth this Common wellth, yow shall giue it, as in yorconscience, you shall judg may conduse to the best good of the same. [1639.]
At A Gen. Court held att Newhaven the 3dof Aprill 1644.
This day, a forme of an oath for the Governorand magistrats to take, and another forme of an oath to be imposed upon all the inhabitants wthin this jurisdiction was propounded to the consideratiō of the court, who, after some serious debate and consideratiō rested satisfyed wth the said formes. And therevpon ordered thatt itt should be forthwth putt in executiō, and whereas the Governordoth shortly intend a journey to Stamforde on other occasions, the Court desired him to improve thatt opportunity, both at Stamforde and att Milford, for the giveing of the oath, and the like att Guilforde in time convenient. Itt was further ordered thatt no person or persons shall hereafter be admitted as an inhabitant in this jurisdictiō or any of the plantations therein butt he or they shall take the said oath vpon his or their admittance.
On the 23 of June, 1644, The formes of two oathes were propounded to the Court to be taken the next second day in the morning, by all the inhabitants in this plantatiō, one of them is to be taken by all, and the other by the Governoronely.
Att a GenrllCourt held att Newhaven the 1tof July, 1644. The Governortooke this oath as followeth,
I [Theophilus Eaton] being att a GenrllCortin October last, chosen Governorwthin Newhaven Jurisdictiō for a yeare then to ensue, and vntill a new Governorbe chosen, do sweare by the great and dreadfull name of the ever living God, to promove the publique good and peace of the same, according to the best of my skill, and will allso maintaine all the lawfull priviledges of this comōwealth, according to the fundamentall order and agreemtmade for governmtin this jurisdictiō, and in like manner will endeuorthatt all wholsome lawes thatt are or shall be made by lawfull authority here established be duely executed, and will further the executiō of justice according to the righteous rules of Gods worde, so help me God in orLord Jesus Christ.
The Governorhaveing allso received the
as followeth,
I [Theophilus Eaton] being by the providence of God an inhabitant wthim Newhaven Jurisdictiō, doe acknowledgemyselfe to be subject to the govermtthereof, and doe sweare by the great and dreadfull name of the ever living God, to be true and faithfull vnto the same, and doe submitt both my person and my whole estate thervnto according to all the wholsome lawes and orders thatt for present are or hereafter shall be there made and established by lawfull authority, and thatt I will neither plott nor practise any evill agst the same, nor consent to any thatt shall so doe, butt will timely discover the same to lawfull authority here established, and thatt I will as I am in duety bounde, maintaine the honorof the same and off the lawfull magistrates thereoff, promoting the publique good of the same whilest I shall continue an inhabitant there. And whensoever I shall be duely called a free burgesse, according to the fundamentall order and agreemtfor governmtin this jurisdictiō to give my vote or suffrage touching any matter wch concerneth this comō wealth, I will give itt as in my conscience I shall judge may conduce to the best good of the same wthout respect of persons, So help me God in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he gave itt to all those whose names are herevnder written, [Two hundred and sixteen names.] [1644.]
In May, 1665, the Colonies of Connecticut, and New Haven were united as the Colony of Connecticut in New England.
Administered at New Haven, in May 1666, under powers granted by Governor John Winthrop, according to his MajtiesCharter granted to this Colony of Connecticut in New England.
You J[asper] C[rane], doe sweare faith and Allegeance to his MajtieCharles yeSecond, as duty binds according to yeword of God. And youdoe hereby acknowledge that the Pope, nor any other potentate hath poweror autority or iurisdiction in any of his Majtiesdominions, and ytonly his Matieour sovernLord King Charles hath under God, supreme power in his Matiesdominions. And I doe abhor yedetestable opinion ytthe pope hath powrto Depose princes. And this I doe from my hart, soe help me God.
On the 31 October, 1687, Sir Edmund Andros, Knt. took over into his hands the government of the Colony of Connecticut in New England.