A D E N I A L Of the Charges Of Forgery in connectio n With the

’ Sachems D eed to i m Roger Will a s .

m

G E O R G E T P A I N E .

A P AP ER READ B EF ORE TH E

H I S L AND HIS TOR I CAL S C Y R ODE O IET ,

V M B I 1 8 6 . NO E ER 7 , 9 TWO H! D D AND F IF T Y C P S N RE O IE .

COP YR I GHT B Y

T . GEO RGE PAI NE ,

1 8 96 .

6 l ' R IN ' rl N Q 9 CO M P A N Y

6 v R OV IDB c , R . x. Y PRELIMINAR NOTE.

A tract has lately been written and published entitled The Forgeries connected with the Original Deed

a given to Roger Williams by the S chems. “ This deed in a mutilated condition has been very nicely “ inlaid or protected by a wide margin of strong

a r and is ar r s r at a p pe , c efully p e e ved the City H ll, in

is o o r a or Providence. It b und with the Indi n deeds ( papers signed by Indians) in a book special ly prepared

for a r os . a e r s a er th t pu p e On the p g p eceding thi p p , s ne Canonicus and Miantonomi is r s r a ig d by , p e e ved paper which was apparently used as a cover to the

“ i rs N I as s o O. rom a deed, it end ed DEED f Con ni ” us a a s to o r a s c Indi n S chem R ge Willi m . ! nlike the ” s a r i s r and r s ar s W deed, thi p pe enti e ; the que ie i e : as “ it originally a part of the sheet on which the deed was “ ” written ? Was the paper on which the deed is written originally of the same size as the paper of the cover ?

As s is a m i a e the deed it elf b dly ut l ted, the edg s being ra and is m r a o r ar s gged, uch inju ed in m ny the p t , it i s not probable that the cover was originally a por the “ or s sam mu tion of deed, it would how the e

i i of sa is and one ila on. s t t It the me width, but it two

alf es o r a the a r and h inch l nge th n p pe of the deed, “ the presumption is that the paper of the deed was

as a of o originally of the same length th t the c ver.

a r s r r n a s n The p pe of the deed f om the othe I di n , k own

! as “ o r a e s is s ar t r and the C nfi m tion De d , imil in tex u e

s o s s r and s s r s the im dimen i n to thi cove , thi t engthen “ ” r a a r of l was of p ession th t the p pe the deed same size. This two and one-half inches of missing paper would be sufficient for the writing of the clause which i s

a m was n r o a and a r er if ri n in the cl i ed i te p l ted fo g y, w tte

an ar an wr n r ia s the en open, gul h d iti g of Roge Will m , p “ ’ ” f e “ man o the Sachem s Deed . A lin Of this deed of an average length has about thirty-six letters and

r s e a s and spaces. By w iting the di put d cl u e dividing it as nearly as possible into lines of this average length of r -six rs and s a s and a out as thi ty lette p ce , le ving the l t “ ” or of a s r r as s is o r w d the cl u e, ive , thi upon the l we

r o of a s s of r po ti n the deed, it t ke eight line Roge Wil

’ liam s s h s s handwriting. Thi eight line will occupy t e two and one-half inches of space of the width of the

e s r a a e f a writing of the deed . Do s not thi c e te b lie th t a clause of equal length was originally a part of the “ deed And what clause so likely as that which Wil “ liam Arnold certified in 1 658 was the true words of

wri h in the g t g .

s c a s “As al so ra o of ma Thi l u e, in Conside ti n the ny Kindnesses services he hath continually done for us both with our friends of Mas sachusetts as also at Quinitikticutt And Apaum or Plimouth wee doe freely give unto him all that land from those Rivers Reaching to Pawtuxett r as a s e rass meaddowes Rive , l o y G e ” o Pawtuxett er was a up n Riv , pl ced upon the town records in connection with the undisputed portion Of “ and was at m of r the deed, the whole the ti e en oll “ ” “ r a the o rt as r ment, ce tified in the f ce of C u the t ue ” “ words of the wrighting cal led the Town Evidence of Providence.

a or the ra r of s a s The uth of t ct, in w iting thi cl u e,

“ asserts that it is a forgery the question that it is a “ r r i not a a is a fi a . a so fo ge y s deb t ble, it xed f ct He l “ r the s a r Of r i ams is a or r w ites, ign tu e Roge Will f ge y , and the signatu re of Benedict Arnold is probably a

asm as s r a r rs a forgery. And in uch hi to ic l w ite h ve heretofore accepted the clause and the signatures as “ e ofiers a a men m s ase genuin , he the ch llenge th t u t ce repeating these . hoary lies or historically destroy this

(his) tract.

e ar r ar s and e r Th se e ve y sweeping ch ge , b fo e they

3 are accepted and considered to be ‘ fifix ed f acts the r a r is as to oo o s r a e de ked l k int the hi to y Of the St te, and examine certain contemporary documents as to

r ear o s s and not be arri thei b ing up n thi que tion, c ed a a n er of M r w y by the forceful a d enthusiastic mann .

has r. not s em to Mr r Ride It does e me that . Ride

ro his a s as to r r s or a his p ved cl im the fo ge ie , th t

os is or o a p ition fixed unquesti n ble . The name of William H arris i s very prominent in the ra r r sm was one of the men t ct unde c itici . He five who ventured into the wilderness with Roger Wil liams to found a state striving for its fundamental prin “ ci le b or er s e was p to ould f th Lib ty of Con cienc . He one of the thirteen original proprietors or purchasers of r and a tu e ro n a s P ovidence P w x t f m the I di n , depend

“ al a s s e for his r ing w y upon thi de d unde lying title, and through a long life resisting through the courts all a a s his ome and r r e o ers tt ck upon h p ope ty. Wh n th attempted to belittle the foundations of his possessions

a a e r s r t at his e s he m int in d thei t eng h own exp n e, although the fight was for the benefit of his detractors

f He n man as well as or himself. was the stro g in the emer gency.

-five ars a o had for a o Some twenty ye g , I quite l ng period the possession of what are known as the Harris

4 a rs and i m a s ma s of all P pe , wh le in y h nd I de copie of i m. rs a a M r r has h s the I unde t nd th t . Ride now in

ss s o a r a o an po e si n the p pe s th t I then c pied. Nothing c

o s a ers and a e a to be f und in tho e p p , I h v been un ble

a e se re a ou a an find nything l whe , th t c ld h ve given him y foundation for his statements that William H arris ” and his partners had any land scheme between them by which they could or did attempt to defraud the original thirt een purchasers or their heirs or assigns from the rightful ownership of the Providence and Paw tuxet a re is a rs l nds. And the nothing in the p pe ma arr s a ar er of iam r o am king H i p tn Will A n ld, Willi Carpenter or ! achary Rhodes or Benedict Arnold in an of ”ai a me as to a arr s y r l nd sche s. And Willi m H i being in any way connected with the actions which M r. r a s r er s a o ass r m Ride c ll fo g ie , c nn t be umed f o a o e a rs and m r s is ere nything in th s p pe , y p ote t h e a a m u a ntered g i nst that i p t tion. To my mind William H arris was superior in intellect

an his asso a s and a r his o to y of ci te , lthough du ing l ng

was o al a on was a a s life he c ntinu ly in litig ti , it lw y in

was defense of his home and estate. I think he con tinuously successful in proving that his position was r a man s r omm a s ight . Such hould eceive c end tion ,

m r a ra r a r roa s ro h s . the th n ep che , f the i to i n

5 r s who e r se M . Rider says that tho e h reafte prepo

’ to malign Williams for his ‘ quarrel with H arris will first have to overthrow the positions taken by him in

s os s is clairn d r r hi tract. These p ition it e a e ove ” ro no n ro ha caus mal n th wn, but o e should f m t t e ig

r s and is mali n ar Roge William , Williams in h g ity tow ds

ia a r s h n r se . Will m H r i , as i ju ed him lf My attention having thus been drawn to the Paw

x a c r ers a e r of tu et l nd ont ov y, the pp arance in p int a a es ref rr a ec s n e that ny rticl e ing to th t subj t, has i c

r e of r s me n il a t firm p ov d inte e t to . He ce, wh e I c nno i e r. r in h s s s I a a agr e with M Ride conclu ion , am gl d th t the tract has been printed ; and if his Opinions on the

r er es n s e ra fo g y qu tion do not sta d critici m, th t ct

n a i w r r s i co tains much th t s o thy of p e ervat on.

G. T. P. CONTENTS .

PAGI .

TE E W V D C TO NE E I EN E,

V S F OR G Y MOTI E FOR ER ,

I LD TREACII E RV T IE ARNO ,

TE E D G AT V D C L A A OIN S PRO I EN E P NT TIONS,

THE H F ORGE R I ES OT ER ,

L M OF D F F C SETT E ENT I EREN ES,

CL! S CON ION,

“ THE TOWNE EVIDENCE.

Forgery is the attempt by one or a number of per sons to fraudulently make or produce a writing which

’ i t i r s o be used to the injury of another s r ghts . Inte

olatin or s o a a r or ar or p g w d int p pe , the te ing out “ cra o or s r a a er was s r ti n Of w d f om p p , con ide ed during the seventeenth century as equivalent to

or r and a r or was r ars f ge y, the pen lty the ef c opping of e ,

A e 1 l r and m r s me . s a as 822 aw of pillo y, i p i on nt l t the

o s a was e ual s er as the e al f r Rh de I l nd q ly ev e, p n ty o al er or n or o r an r cor or t ing, f gi g c unte feiting y e d, deed, e e wa o o he e tc tc. s a n t r r s , , , th t convicti n fo g hould, “ the r r a a of while on pillo y, be c opped by h ving piece “ each of his ears cut off and be branded with the

ra of e r and m r s not b nd the l tte C, be i p i oned exceed ing Six years and fined not exceeding four thousand dollars — al l or any of these penalties at the discretion of a the court . The l ws of Elizabeth define the word “ ” cra o as act of or er ti n one f g y. “ It must be accepted as a fixed fact and not de bateable that a forgery must have a specific time of

9 ss and a ere s a moti ve for th e commi ion, th t th mu t be

o ss o of or c mmi i n the f gery. “ The enrollment of the deed in question was made

h 1 h m — A on t 2t r ar 1 6 8 . t the 7 of the onth (Feb u y) , 5 9 the same tirne William Arnold gave his testimony be fore the Court as to the cause of the mutilated con

a r— a w s owl n dition of the p pe th t it a by accident . H o g

r the i of r r r s leer r a o Fenne , w fe A thu Fenne , give el ti n ’ “ in 1 08 as to the cause of the a z e ose h 7 ccident ; . . J p Carpenter sai d that his Grandfather (William Arnold) told him that he had the original deed of the Town in his keeping and his Grandmother thoug ht it was a piece of waste paper and wrapped up garden seeds in

W e had s e her d s She re a a the it . h n She ow d See th w w y

e as as e a er and o n and a liein d ed w t p p he f u d it, th t g ! he wet s m of he e re t t out . out in o e d ed to , etc

a arr s his a Of Petuxet Pur Willi m H i , in Ple the

“ A e as rs etc. 1 6 sa s : S to th rs a Our ch e , , 77, I y fi t th t grant was consealed we prove by a record of the Town

w wa o w a ne a by which ( hat s L st) as Obt i d. At th t Time our said grants were so long conceal ed that

al m s all e not r er nor wher to o t kn w whe e they w e,

r af r m e a ra e Enqui e te the . Se ing wh t St ng Acting

it sec u a ons f . s or a e o er O 1 . o 1 8 P blic ti R Hi t ic l S ci ty, Oct b , 94,

I . p . 97

- S ee ro ee n s of the . . s or a o e 1 8 3 t P c di g R I Hi t ic l S ci ty, 9 93,

— 20 20 . pp . 4 5 I 0

The charge of forgery in this case consists in

a m a o r s are re or cl i ing th t the f llowing wo d , which c ded “ “ as d ere the ori nal e and in the dee , w not in gi de d ' “ d r f r s s o z As r a o r . e. we e pl ce the e pu po e of decepti n ; , also in consideration of the many Kindnesses services he hath continual ly done for us both with our friends of Massachusett as also at Quinitikticutt And Apaum or

Plimouth wee r all a la , doe f eely Give unto him th t nd

r m se ers a to Pautuxett r as f o tho Riv Re ching Rive ,

wes o Pau uxe r al so the Grasse and meaddo up n t tt Rive . “ This wrighting was called the Town Evidence “ and i s dated the 24 of the first month commonly called March y° second yeare of our plantation or

e or planting at Mooshausick or Provid nce. Acc ding

th ra s ar was 1 6 8 and so r a to e t ct, thi ye 3 , the inte pol tion or forgery must have been done between March

2 1 6 8 and r ar 1 6 8- 4, 3 , Feb u y 7, 5 9 “ It is clairned that the words many kindnesses 8:

r es he a a n . re r ac se vic h th continu lly do e, etc , fe to

o s on for a s su bse uent to M are/t 1 6 ti n d e the Indi n q , 3 8, and on that account the clause must have been added

1 6 8 a a a er a a ar . t l t d te th n M ch, 3

ra r a r to Gov . ro a e Gov. B dfo d, in lette Winth p, d t d

k s f Mr ms e at m r I I 1 6 8 a o . a Ap il , 3 , Spe Willi b ing Ply outh

1 2 “ ! o s e i r Cottin ton and rs not l ng inc w th M . g othe urging the government of Plymouth to permit a settle

at S owams was e d and ment , which d nie them, they

ere r f rr to a s and assa se s w e e ed the Indi n , to M chu tt in relation to a settlement at Aquidneck Island In Win

’ thro s s r New a n r a e of 1 6 6 p Hi to y of Engl nd, u de d t 3 , i it s recorded that Miantinomi was at Boston . Articles of peace between Massachusetts Colony and the Narra

ansetts had e re ar and was a r a a g b en p p ed, it g eed th t

o m e Mr a s ou C py of the Should b sent to . Willi m who c ld

s a o er Wil be t interpret it to them (the Indi ns). R g

ams ’ es es mo 1 682 a a a li 1 giv t ti ny in , th t h ving bout fifty years before found a great contest in Narragansett Country between Sachems Canonicus and Miantinomi “ against Ousamequin he was forced to travel between m i ” w e f e s s 1 6 . ree to a sa s tc. a th th p c y, to ti fy, Thi in 3 5

his er ro 2 1 6 6 . o In lett of Oct. 4, 3 , I to Gov J hn Winth p, “ ” wr w Pe u s ess he ites : I as abroad about the q t bu in .

Ma 1 6 he a a wr es to Gov . r In y, 37, g in it Winth op “ The latter end of last week I gave notice to our neigbor princes of your intentions and preparations ” i Miantun aga nst the common enemy the Pequots. ! m ohn ar e was one see 1 11. News ro New n an . J Cl k , f E gl d ‘ N rr V u Vol . I 06 . I a . . . Cl b, , p 4

Narr V l . . u o . . . I Cl b , VI , p 7

N r u l . . 1 6 . a r. Vo § Cl b, VI , p .

1 3 hi ar aro s o a e m m e s r at o s etc. no u k pt b b u c u t l t ly y h u e, “ ” e was a e ar 2 1 6 8 his so r e If the de d d t d M ch 4, 3 , ec nt actions would have been present to the minds of the

a s as o r ams ro the a er and Indi n , but R ge Willi w te p p , it

was his usual self-glorifying habit to call attention to

mse and his a s a s r s is a hi lf ction , the c u e of the wo d p

H e o no er nd parent . c uld t be Rog William s a not be

s l - or e f gl ious.

“ The words of the deed descriptive of the property

e e es e e i “ n ar as s . e a s conv y d unqu tion d follow ; . , the l d and medowes upon the 2 fresh rivers called Mooshaus

and Wanas uatuck ut doe now se r se s Suck q q , by the p e nt establish and confirm y'= bounds of Those Lands from the river and fields of Pawtuckqut ye great hill of

° Notaquonchanet on y N orwest — and the town of

Mausha o on ye s i s s n n e p g We t . Th give o bou dari s

the s or as “ on outh e t . On the cast was the great

a S ea or arra ans Ba and or er to e e S lt N g ett y, , in d d fin “ s ern n ar r a e the r s all a the outh bou d y, we e dd d wo d th t

a r m s rs r a n a t r as l nd f o tho e Rive e chi g to P w uxet Rive ,

a s he rasse and P w e r l o t g meadows upon a tux tt Rive . Thi s is the reasonable inference and the conveyance is

mani es m r e o s a se f tly i pe f ct with ut thi cl u . F or a better understanding it is well to consult the

a r s the ra w r l be rea pl t fu ni hed in t ct, he eby it wi l dily

1 4 seen that these words were necessary to a complete

w er the r r of desc ription of the land . But h e could w ite ” the “deed have been when he described the boundaries ” mentioned in the “deed ? If he was at Providence as far so as x s now o Nota uonchanet uth Fo e Hill ( Fox P int), q Hill was at the southwest (not Norwest and Mansha pog still further southwest (not To make this a proper description Roger Williams and Mianto “ om if set the o s his own erso n i, he b und in p n by

ra e r the r n not a e ese s t v lling ove g ou d, could m k th point have their proper compass positions unless the writer

’ was at s me a e s of e s o e r on o pl c outh Fi ld P int, ithe the

as of ba at S owams r a s or n ar the e t Side the y, , pe h p , e mo f he e n es e of the a uth o t Pawtux t o the w t Sid b y . This ma a e no ar on the or er r a s s y h v be ing f g y, but pe h p give s me l r a e e o ight on the desc iption of the l nd conv y d . “ The additional Memorandum of 3 mon 9 die this was all agai ne confirmed by Miantenomy he acknowledged this his act and hand up the streame of Patuckett Patuxet without Limitt we might have for our use of Cattell in no way changes the d esert} ti f the es on o boundari . It is clai med that the present appearance of the “ ” deed precludes the possibility of the al leged writing ” e er a n ee on ee as the s v h vi g b n up the d d, fold would not

I S r of and a r s the a er is e r pe mit it, th t the e t of p p nti ely i occupied by the writing that s upon it . Was not the

a r r o s ns a of two and m l p pe in th ee f ld i te d , the idd e fold now missing ? Did not the interpolation or forgery

o the o of s m and was no ccupy wh le thi iddle fold, it t

mme e as a new se e and se co nc d nt nce, not in clo con “ ” tinuation of the first part of the deed ?

“ By a careful examination of the fac-simile of the deed

us ra and a so s the construc given in the t ct, l by tudy of

the a r o is e a ere tion Of h ndw iting up n it, it evid nt th t th

was no r a a a s was a ar of inte pol tion, but th t the cl u e p t

e “ ee th original d d .

” er ams who r ma the Rog Willi , w ote the deed, in king

a a e er arr e s m e er e the c pit l l tt P, c i d the te of the l tt b low

e r and s e a ross e s lin Of w iting fini h d with c lin , thu By examination of the first line of the lower por “ n of the a er on the or a e or wo tio p p , w d h ve b f e the rd “ ” “ ere o the s ro e of the er has h unt , up t k lett h upon it

r ms i s sam r ss e em o e M . a h s thi e c o lin , pl y d by Willi in

he r writing t capital lette P. Suppose the word Pawtuxet should be written in

’ m a n f r ams a r and a a o i it tio o M . Willi h ndw iting pl ced b ve “ ” a or a e and a n e essar ross th t w d h v , th t u n c y c line will

r Mr ms x i e a e e s d . a a d . s r be e pl ne Thi p culi l tt , u e by Willi , “ ” be the r Pawtuck ut a few i s will found in wo d q , l ne

1 6 s the r a me i above the break acros pape . In the cl i d h terpolated clause the word Pawtuxett precedes the “ word river I n order to explain the cause of this “ “ ! word river appearing upon the deed and not on the “ ” r r of 1 662 the or r er is ass r to be in eco d , w d iv e ted a r an wr and is a an r a o or a nothe h d iting, c lled inte pol ti n,

was n a r at the of s forgery. If it o the p pe time igna

re was o or of som s and tu , it the c ncluding w d e entence, William Arnold testified that the clause of which it “ was the termination was part of the true words Is this the proper explanation ? I S this word river in the handwriting of Roger Williams ? This is the expressed opinion of all when a comparison of the “ ” writing of this word river with the same word in “ another portion of the deed has been requested of

rs om e n e pe ons c p te t to judg . “ Judge Staples says the body of the deed is in the “ a r of o er iams and a a s h ndw iting R g Will , th t the cl u e s him is in a r of omas ame igned by the h ndw iting Th J s . ” It is evident that the word “ river is on the paper and

ro as ee r i n e o p bably h b n f om ts i c pti n . Y MOTIVES FOR FORGER .

L et us now follow the history of Providence and

a u e in ro o o a or r and w o n so P wt x t ch n l gic l de , hile d i g see if any motive could exist for an interpolation of “ ” su a in m e r he e ch clause the deed . A otiv fo t rasure or ar n out s a a se is er a are te i g uch cl u v y pp nt .

Gov ra r w n . o r a o o r ams s a es B df d, iti g b ut R ge Willi , t t that he has many precious parts but very unsettled in m n m h r n n e . a s ad a o o s one judg e t Willi peculi ti ,

n a was wron to a e rom the r of bei g, th t it g d t f bi th Christ or according to the year of the reign of the

n In i ll o his e rs w en he u . a n near a f s s Ki g f ct, ly l tte , h e “ “ ” any date he adds the words ut vulgo or SO called.

ome of his asso a es sed the same ras oss S ci t u ph e, p ibly in om men to or as o o n his ea his con c pli t , f ll wi g, l d, but

r e a e S O e tempora i s in other colonies r r ly did us it . William H arris explains the reason for this in his

ea to the o r of omm ss oners o m er 1 Pl C u t C i i , N ve b 7 ,

1 6 arr s a ers in his re a of the s or of 77 (H i P p ), cit l hi t y

e w e H e w e a the r Providenc and Pa tux t . rit s th t pu

f a for ms and we e ar n rs chase o the l nd hi elf t lv p t e , by

1 8

of tire L and s (5: ground s R eachi ng f rom the aforesai d R i vers unto the grea t R i ver pa wtuxett wi t/z tlze “i grasse meadowes titere upon w was s o lately g i ven

(5: ranted b t/ze a oresa id ac/rims to me s g y f S . Thi Shows that Roger Williams understood in 1 638 (and also in 1 666) that th e Sachems had conveyed to him the lands unto and upon the Pawtuxet river and the

w he s he u not grass and meado s t reupon. Thi co ld

“ a one he re e u on the owne en e h ve d if li d p T Evid c , unless the claimed interpolated clause was originally a ar of the o men as the wor s of h s ee are p t d cu t, d t i d d very nearly identical with those of the clause Claimed

e ou the ause e in as interpolat d . With t cl b ing the

“ o e e his o a e ou a e rans T wn Evidenc , c nvey nc c ld h v t

rre no a s sou as a u fe d l nd th of M h pa g.

I n o n I s a r a r l ! V . s o a s Vo . . Rh de I l d Hi t ic l T ct , , p 5 5, i s printed a letter supposed to have been written by

liam nd is e 1 1 o er s a a o em r 6 . R g Wil d t d N v be 7, 77 The

“ Copy of the letter was found among the H arris

r a i s wr e in s e f o r Papers . It ce t inly itt n the tyl o R ge

i i m n ear f he H e W ll a s a d b s the stamp o aut nticity. writes : Pawtuxet I parted with at a small addition

to a had r e e to ro e e for en a ( wh t he ec iv d) P vid nc , th th t monstrous bound or business of up stream without ” w t f Limits as no thought o .

20 Note that he claims to have owned Pawtuxet land and so but not tlzen no the ffe of the ld it, did k w e ct

rase ! S treames o m s er he ph p with ut Li it . Wh e did

an e to a an e e r ue the get y titl P wtuxet l d, xc pt by vi t of “ SO- a e or e or r a a s the o n c ll d f g d, inte pol ted, cl u e in T w e Evidence

Vol I e o . . o o a or s . . . 20 can b u In R I C l ni l Rec d , , p , f nd the following agreement made between the Several in

a a s of the o ro en e 8 of the 8 h bit nt T wn Of P vid c , the th th mo 1 6 8 w is the a e of the o a e a o e nth, 3 , hich d t c nvey nc b v , from Roger Williams to hi s neighbors It is agreed this day abovesaid that all t/ze meadow g round a t P a w tux et boundi n u on tlze reslz ri ver u on bot/zsi d es is to , g p f p be impropriated unto these thirteen persons being now

r ora e n o our of ro e viz ze e inco p t i t town P vid nce . E ki l

ol man ran s es ar a er a omas H y , F ci W ton, Rich d W t m n, Th

o er o s am ar en r i iam ar Olney, R b t C le , Willi C p te , W ll H ris o hro mor o R o er Wi lli ams reen , J hn T ck t n, g , John G e,

omas ames am r o S tukel s o and Th J , Willi A n ld, y We c tt, to e ua e amo em et an to h s c. d be q lly divid d ng th , , t i Roger Williams adds his a cknowledgment that all the men a he him have p id t ir dues to . Thirteen persons had by an agreement among them selves been incorporated into th e Town of Provi

and u r al ee so a rom dence, nde the Initi D d ( c lled) f

2 1 Roger Williams were the owners Of all the land he had

ese men were es ro s received from the Sachems . Th d i u of e ar in e r um r and in or er a the new nl g g th i n be , d th t

om rs r has shares in r v e s ou not c e , pu c ing P o id nce, h ld

“ e o e ua ossess o w ems es s mea o nj y q l p i n ith th elv , thi d w ground at Pawtuxet was thus set apart from the Grand Purchase for the special ownership of this s r n men and was es a e as a e elect thi tee , d ign t d P wtux t or w e Pa tux t Lands. The remaining lands of Providence were then in the mar The or na r e ew o s and had ket . igi l thi te n dr l t

“ assigned to each of them a home lot and a “ Six acre lot for a o rema n n w e o cultiv ti n . All the i i g lands er t be he in ommon or as “ ommo an new ld c c n l d . The “ “ mers ur ase h r ome s and arms and co p ch d t ei h lot f , took their interest in the common lands as part of

“ e e ame r “ th ir purchase. Th y bec prop ietors or pur

ser Of r v en e a few ar man cha s P o id c . In ye s y differ emees arose wee the nha an s and ssa s a o bet n i bit t , di ti f cti n as to the proper area of their lands and as to the bound

ar s e es a es . On u 2 1 6 0 o er y line betw en t t J ly 7, 4 , R b t

o a ro am arr s and o ar r C le, Ch d B wn, Willi H i J hn W ne , who had been appointed a committee to settle the mat

ers s u ma r or to the own of ro n e t in di p te, de ep t T P vide c . The first question on which the committee had agreed

22 “ was on the parting those particcler proprieties which some o ou r nei bbours a e Patuxitt rom the f g h v in , f

e ra omm n f o r own of e n o o u ro e . a d g ne l C t e P vid nc , etc , they proposed ru nning a line between Wonasqua

u e and a tu e ers of an s an e — all t ck t P w x t Riv even di t c , sou of ne to e on to a s re o th the li b l g P wtuxet, thu c g

“ nizing the clause in the Towne Evidence relating to the e n Pawtux t la d .

o s a reemen a een ma e and the W uld thi g t h ve b d , money been paid and the committee appointed and

e r re or a o e un ess was e un ers oo th i p t d pt d, l it w ll d t d by Roger Williams and his twelve associates and the after comers that they had good title to the Pawtuxet lands

“ ” under this clause in the Towne Evidence ? “ s me the o e e e had not een At thi ti T wn Evid nc , b r or e an ere but was are for some one ec d d ywh , c d by . There had been no vote passed authorizing the record

a erw r and o nor an re or oo ro e . a s s y c d b k p vid d It ft d , p

i l h me w in an s of am rn s b at s as o . y t i ti , h d Willi A ld

s was th e ou rs a o e at ew or as am Thi c e d pt d N p t, Willi

o n o 1 6 2 es e a the ee rom th e C ddi gt n, in 5 , t tifi d th t d d f Indians of the I sland of Aquidnick had been in his h n h h se a ds since t e purc a .

mon the a ers in ossess on of the A g Field P p , p i i I l e n Vol . i h o e s an s or a o . . s a R d I l d Hi t ic S ci ty, , p 3 ,

3 conveyan ce Of land in the handwriting of Roger Wil

m s h is u sed ha the a s and wi ne sed im. s o li , t by It pp t t

a r has ne r een re or ed nor her o ore ri n ed p pe ve b c d et f p t ,

and is ther ore n rod e here om e line for , ef , i t uc d c pl te,

ne and the s n as r ten li , pelli g w it

r i n 0th f e : t Kall h P ov de ce the 2 o th 1 mon. : ed M arc 8: in '2 r a y y ea e (so c lled) 1 639 . M emorand . Yt I Thomas James of Providence d oe by th ese pres ents sell u nto \Vill iam Field of P ro vid ence my dwell ing h owse 81 all my bowsing i n Providence as all so my Field Gard en wi th ye inclosures thereof As allso my porti on of Med ow lying beyond S as safras Hill betwee ne ye med owes of Francis Wes ton Willi am Carpenter AS allso my Porti on of Med ow on Pawtu xet river togeth er wi th ye Land th ere allotted 8: further to be all otted unto me As all so my field of old cleare ground on S ass afras Hill As allso my interes t i n the Ware and stammrs on M ossh aws i ck river As allso all oth er Rights dues or P rivil edg es belon ging to me Thomas J ames as an l nhabitan t of vi n Pro de ce . And 1 th e aforesaid Willi am Field doe promise to P a to e sa homas ames i n consid eraci on of y y id T J , the said howse 8: Particu lars aforesaid th e full s umme of si xti e Pounds of Lawfu l! money of Eng land in 2 Payments : na mely thirti e Pound at th e dwell ing h ouse of ye said Th omas James i n Quinni pi ucke the firs t day of th e 4 d!

24 month called June next ensuing : i n yr yeare 1 640 And thirti e Pound in L money the firs t day of the third mon : called M ay ye yeare after (so u i n w ness whereo we ha e i nterchan called) 1 64 1 at Qunnipi ck. it f v g eably hereunto set our hands I n the presence of Thomas James Roger Williams William Field Ni cholas power

” I n the same Field Papers is a deed from Thomas “ a th da of th mo n Olney, d ted 9 y 7 nth conveyi g to am e a s ar in m a s at aw x Willi Fi ld h e e dow P tuxet , ne t to a share of meadow lately in the hands Of Thomas ” am and now in an ll J es the h ds of Wi iam Field. In l I i ar or s Vo . . . 1 0 s r r a e r E ly Rec d , , p 3, eco ded de d f om

omas a a ar 1 1 1 6 2 o Th Olney, d ted J nu y , 4 , c nveying to ” i iam r of r en or awtuxett all his W ll A nold p ovid ce p , interest in certai n land that lieth between the great

res er a e autuxett on and f h Riv C ll d p the South, ( the “ divis ion line on the North) the great Salt River on the

Eas and the r a e auchaset on s t Rive C ll d p the We t, excepting certai n Shares of meadow sold by him to

am e Willi Fi ld, etc . What interest could Thomas Olney have in commit ting forgery by interpolation of the clause when his interest in the Pawtuxet lands had ceased ? Yet his “ ” ” Copy Of the deed was called the “ true writing at

2 5 ro me and is ar e o e er the time Of en ll nt, he ch g d, t g th

am arr s as m s n on s er an with Willi H i , i po i g po t ity

r u ntrue reco d. I s it possible that these deeds or transfers could have been drawn (one of them by Roger Williams) without a knowledge that the foundation title was the ” ow e i e e w a e no o rs at Paw T n Ev d nc , hich g v wne hip tuxet r or so of as a au u nl ess the lzras e Rive uth M h p g, p (called aforg cry) i n s uclz deed was tltere at i ts i ncepti on The date of the Towne Evidence is presumed to be o er 8 1 6 8 The at of the rom h mas Oct b , 3 . d e deed f T o

m e i 2 o r ames to a s ar 0 1 6 . J Willi Fi ld M ch , 39 Did R ge

ams who re h s n rsta at a me Willi , d w t i deed, u de nd th t ti that the Sachems had given him their land reaching ” the a u e er or was he o a rau to P wt x t Riv , j ining in f d ? upon the Indians H e must have then so understood

but su an n ers a is not a or his it, ch u d t nding in cc d with ‘ r en s mon near or ars a er w itt te ti y, given ly f ty ye l t , w e his e n s were s ro em er d r u h n f eli g t ngly t p e by p ej dice. Experience in reading the letters and writings of Roger Williams does not convince one of his accuracy of s a m n ne e t te e t . O c rtainly questions his expressed self-esteem that his testimony was val ued as much as

“ c l S ee arr. m; P u . o V . VI b . 8 s e . N , , p . 3 7 u q

THE ARNOLD TREACHERY.

i l a r o rt and am ar W l i m A n ld, Robe Cole Willi C pen ter were three of the original proprietors of Providence

and a a r o r in a of P wtuxet . Willi m A n ld, bo n Engl nd in

1 8 was r a the s r ur as rs 5 7, p ob bly Olde t of the thi teen p ch e , and has been reputed to have been the weal thi est of

His s a r za illiam . arr d them elde t d ughte , Eli beth, m ie W

ar r and his o s oa a arr ed ! a ar C pente ; y unge t, J nn , m i ch y w had o s s nd . a s. t d a Rho de He on , Bene ict Stephen These sons and sons-in-law formed a family circle for

ffe s and s o ra s and a was n o n ive defen ive pe tion , wh t do e w l by one as generally followed by all or joined in by al .

a ar r he 1 68 had ou i d Willi m C pente , when died, in 5 , tl ve

all n of 1 a o er his compamo s 636 t Providence. R b t Cole

to ! ar oa s 1 6 in 1 6 . so a died 5 5 He ld ch y Rh de , in 53,

his o s at a and all his er a s h lding P wtuxet, oth l nd , except

his a a a meadow at M sh p ug.

22 1 6 Pumham and S ocananoco two rom June , 43, , p i

a ms o aril su m hems s and nent S che , v lunt y b itted t elve their followers to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts

r was r re r. s Colony. Benedict A nold the inte p te Thi

is significant . “ Judge Staples says William Arnold had a deep interest in establishing the independency of Pumham and Saccononoco a ri to r a , by ende vo ng p ove th t they w f re not s s o or r u ar to o r a ems. e ubject , t ib t y , the S ch

a us om a m e the to By Indi n c t , the chief S che h ld title all lands and the occupation of land by inferior S a

ms was hi s ou r e a che by s con ent . If it c ld be p ov d th t Pumham and S ocananoco were not tributary to Mian

o om or Canonicus s rom of a s occu t n i , deed f them, l nd

m o a s had re o s pied by the , might c nvey l nd which p vi u ly i been sold by Miantonom to Williams.

S o r re e e r s m ss n i iam Ar in Ap il p c ding th i ub i io , W ll nold and Iti s partners purchased Of S ocananoco tracts of an ar a e as a ears rom e s re r l d ne P wtux t, pp f d ed co ded

in ffo o or s er I at os o . 6 . B t n Su lk C unty Rec d , Lib . , p 3

One ears a a ar 1 6 1 and o e s to b d te J nu y 30, 4 , c nv y

am r o o er o e and i am ar e r Willi A n ld, R b t C l , W lli C p nte “ all a s ars s medowes s an s rs o s the l nd M he , I l d Rive p nd lyeing betweene the great fresh or salt River called

Patuxset r o a o e and w a s the Rive , b th b v belo the f ll , River called Pachasett and the River called Wanasqua tuckett the great salt River that is betweene Provi

e e and Patuxi s la was ear the an d nc t. Thi nd cl ly l d

‘ ’ Reprint of Gorton s Simplicities Defence against Seven ” ea e o . o e. H d d P licy , p 95 , N t that was conveyed by Canoni cus and Miantonomi to

o er a s the s u a se of the “ ee R g Willi m by di p ted cl u d d.

o r e was a s re r rov e The the d ed l o co ded in P id nce, but

no a e e r a a ou It is a eh d t giv n, p ob bly b t d ted F

ruar 1 1 6 and o e s to en r o “ y 5 , 44, c nv y B edict A n ld a certai ne parcel! of land on the south side Of the great

res a er r r e n bredh rom r f h w t Rive , Rive b i g in f the highe top of the banks southwards three hundred and twen tie polls 81 the length from Robert Coles on the East unto the furdest shallow that is in the River 81 is neerest the fardest Indian field westward at Tueskeunckinck As also all my pper right of feeding cattle in all the

“ r l N mu h S ee ar e o s Vo . . . 1 60 . ot a en on E ly R c d , IV , p c tt ti a at h s eri o to a r i n r r n s Th was p id t i p d ccu acy eco di g deed . e au ses as uo e a o e are a en rom th e uffol Rec cl , q t d b v , t k f S k m u r r or s . The sa e a ses as e or e at o en e are as d cl , c d d P vid c ,

o ows i . e. hi s h i n al l h a an h a e h u on the f ll ; , Rig t t t l d , t t li t p sou th side of th e great fresh Water Ri ver called P autuxet er e n i n rea h rom the h her to of the an es Riv , b i g b dt f ig p b k r s h r hun r an tw nti o s n h n sou thwa d t ee d ed d e e p le . A d t e le gth of is rom th e an h a so un o o er o es on the it f l d t t I ld t R b t C l , Eas t E nd of it Reaching from thence unto the farth est Shal low that i s i n the River i s Neerest the farthest I ndian field un As ll m r r h f Wes tward at Toske ckni ck . also a y P ope Rig t o fe eding of cattle i n all the lands that doe belong unto him on ” r h r r r th e sou th S ide of th e rive . T e eco d at P ovidence i s about s xt ears a er h an th e one at Bos on and the a t ona i y y l t t t , ddi i l n h n r r words may not have bee on the deed w e o iginally ecorded.

i s not nown where th e or na ee i s or i s i n ex s en e. It k igi l d d , if it i t c lands that belong to him on the south side of the

e et o of e s r c. s e ere a o e Riv , B th the d ed w ckn wledg d

e or rease o e on o er 8 1 6 . b f e Inc N w ll Oct b , 45 “ ” ro en e o a rs er o i . 0 s a In P vid c T wn P pe , und N 99, copy of a deed that does not seem to have been recorded e er rov e e r o o i ith at P id nc o B st n . It s dated 2 7 day of

us 1 6 and is rom Oseme uin e Aug t, 45 , f q , the chi f ” a hem Pokanotuk for 1 8 sh s a “ R ed S c of , illing (p id in

“ on e i n to am r o of a u all c v y g Willi A n ld P wt xet, my proper Right title or int erest that did belong or any wise appert aine u nt o me in all that land which lieth on the West side of the Great Salt River which floweth

to ro e e e ween the o s of the an up p vid nc , b t b und L d that was once in the tenure u se or occ upation of Soca nanoco on the o e of th e ame and the a S uth Sid S , S lt

ver on th e as ar and the nort s e of the rea Ri E t p t , h id g t Goave which cometh on the north Side of that necke of Land cal led S axefraxe and from thence u nto the nor h e of the o a e Massa a ue and so t Sid p nd c ll d p g ,

n e n e a all an en withi th sd bou ds w stw rd d G erall .

e w e f ro e ert homas r. o r o T Oln y, J , T n Cl k P videnc , c i

i h rr e s of he ere fies n 1 66 to t e o s t . , 3 , c ectn Copy Th appears to be no record of the deed from Pumham as m entioned by J udge Staples .

s am rno o r o e i am ar n Thu Willi A ld, R be t C l , W lli C pe

3 1 ter and Benedict Arnold have the appearance of trying to erm e he e er rom o er ams und in t titl d ived f R g Willi , and to wrest from William H arris and his associates the lands they had Obtained from Miantonomi and

f r o s e his e to a u e Canonicus . I A n ld ucc eded, titl P wt x t would have been thirteen-thirteenths rather than one

be se n a er a the s ro wer thirteenth . It will e l t th t t ng po of Massachusetts was j oined to aid Arnold and hi s

re partners in this di ction .

1 6 2 se o r rso s the two r o s o e In 4 , the f u pe n , A n ld , C l , and ar e er on h r own o wer a e r C p nt , t ei petiti n, e t k n unde ! protection of Massachusetts William Arnold and the o r r e men re to see to ee the a e in r the th e , we k p pe c thei land .

o ro re or s r a e of e 2 1 6 J hn Winth p c d unde d t Jun 3, 44, that the Massachusetts Court ordered ten men to be se to Pumham to a sa o s e em nt help build p li d e . S pt ber 1 1 6 a a o e ‘ r of es 5 , 43 , R nd ll H ld n, 1 in w iting th e

n a s sa s Pomham is an as r er o a e I di n , y pi ing p s n s b comes a prince of his profession ; for having c rept into

’ one of our e or s o s s a se e of the n ighb h u e , in the b nc

eo e and e o o s r f the same he was a e p pl f l ni u ly i led , t k n

om out a ai ne at the m e t ocan no o c ing g chi n y op. S a c “ ass . Col . e r V l . . o s o . 26. M R c d , I I , p ’ S ta les m s D f e e en e . 26 . p Si pliciti f c , p 7 also hath entered in like manner into one of our

o d s s etc. c r a s rou es an hou e , H then el te the t bl me

om r a of I a s and es s : d inee ing ctions the ndi n , continu thu “ and if we speak to them to amend their manners they can presently vaunt it out that the Massachusetts is all one with them let the villan y they do be what it will ;

s s r etc. they think them elve Secu e,

ar 1 1 6 o r il am s n On M ch 7, 44, R ge W li , the in Eng

a a a art r of or ra and l nd, Obt ined ch e civil inc po tion , the

wns r or s and r re to of P ovidence, P t mouth Newpo t we united in the charter as a body corporate under the name of The Incorporation of Providence Plantations

r a B s o s r in the Na r gansett ay . The e t wn we e not

or al til 1 6 and had r tr and f m ly united un 47, no cou t to y m decide titles to land or other i portant issues . Such

ff r s w r r di e ence ere generally settled by a bit ation.

on of Massachusettts Ba s s 6 The Col y y ent, Augu t ,

1 6 r M f o inf r a to r. a s o r 45 , lette Willi m P vidence o ming him a a o had r a ar er a th t th t col ny eceived ch t , d ted De cember 1 0 1 6 assa s s a r o er , 43 , giving M chu ett utho ity v

arra a s Ba ro o n and s an N g n ett y, P vidence C lo y the I l d of uid A uidneck and ai i r sd as Q y ( q ), cl m ng ju i iction, their chart er antedated the one brought from England

o er il m rs r n by R g W lia s. ! nsuccessful endeavo we e the “ . . Col . e or l V . I . s o . 1 . R I R c d , , p 3 3

33 made to get the Indians to acknowledg e thei r s llegi

l n On r l 1 1 6 PerS icus o the Ba o o . ance t y C y Ap i 9, 44, ,

an d the o er hi ef ac ems rin es or Canoni cus th c S h , P c Gov ernors of the Nanhigansets made voluntary s ub

n in ar es sa e oul not ild missio to K g Ch l , ying th y c d ye ” rsel es o an tha are su ec s themsel es and ou v unt y t bj t v , nominating as thei r attorneys four men of the then new

I n Ma hes e same ac ems o n ar k. 1 6 t t w of W wic y, 44, S h

line o a e the r ect n of assa setts dec d t cc pt p ot io M chu , and notified that colony that they were subj ects of his

Maj esty in England.

assa se s o al ecords Vol. . . 1 6 In M chu tt C loni R , III , p 9 ,

er a of Ma 2 1 6 0 is a a oti e to und d te y 3 , 5 , Copy of n c

be e to su oa Ilan d ar S hawamett giv n ch of R d , W wicke, , Pautuxit an d Providence as it may concerne tof orbea re ps ccnti ng c any su i tes amongs t y orselves against the

sa llia r ol Wil iam ar r Pumh om 81 id Wi m A n d, l C pente ,

! d in e h S ocananocho or oe t m an ur etc. t e , g he y inj y , On

same da omm ss oners w r se r m as sa se s y, c i i e e nt f o M chu tt to Plymouth to agree with Plymouth as to the ti tle of

a at awome and awt e as to w o on l nd Sh t P ux t, hich c l y

a Shoul d h ve jurisdiction. ’ The e eral ourt of assa us s n er a e G n C M ch ett , u d d t of

e 1 1 6 0 a t or z t e r a is ra es reat wi Jun 9, 5 , u h i ed h i M g t t to t th “ l l . I I V . ass . Co . e or s o I . 203 M R c d , , p

34 swer to petition of Wil liam Arnold and other th e ih

a a s Patuxit n wi t our r s n h bit nt of bei g hin ju i dictio , that a letter or protest be sent from this Court to and agai nst all such as shal l usurpe uppon the inhabitants of Patuxit either by chal lenging jurisdiction over them or

v n ra s . n a an s of awtux to le yi g te , etc The i h bit t P et have authority to arrest parties and have their cases

r in r s of a se was a so t ied the Cou t M ssachu tts. Notice l sent to Roger WillIams and others that they would he proceeded against if they attempted to molest or

r r obst uct any one at Pawtuxet o Shawomet .

a s r es on a s o 26 of St ple ecit the petiti , d ted Bo t n

an a r 3 mo. of William Arnold d William C rpente “ for a full discharge from submission to the Massa

chusetts o rn e as “ a so all a an s of g ve m nt, l the inh bit t Pawtuxet with us our lands and estates there Note

a B r o had r m e e or and th t enedict A n ld e ov d to N wp t, having been elected President of the Colony of Provi ” e an a s Ma 1 1 6 had re denc Pl t tion , on y 9, 57, nounced

i a a sa s not to h s llegi nce to Mas chusett . It would do

a e a a and so h rs o ow his h v divided f mily, the ot e f ll ed

F on e I 1 8 is a r e a . or 6 le d Jun , 5 , nothe p tition of s ar m or s to assa se s S l a imil i p t ent M chu tt , igned by Wil i m

ar r ! a ar R s and e r o and C pente , ch y hode St phen A n ld,

‘ m es n e 2 . De e . 06 Si pliciti f c , p t ree hers of assac u s are e n i h ot M h sett , who now b gi n ng ” a at a e to inh bit P wtux t.

“ d the n e n e nd 2 8 . r ra a On 3 mo , petitio s we g t d, thus ended the pretensions of Massachusetts to j uri s

ti n of a a d s r i e la a dic o l nd n person in P ov denc P nt tions. It has been necessary to be thus prolix in quoting the a of assa set s r r S ction M chu t Colony, in o de to how the status at Pawtuxet from the first settlement to

1 6 8 n the r r had co e su 5 , whe fo ge y been mmitt d, if ch

was the a H ad assac se s n s ss u in f ct. M hu tt bee ucce f l

o ai n str e r r a an s bt ni g unob uct d cont ol ove P wtuxet l d , William Arnold and his associates would have relied on the deeds from S ocananoco and Osemequin for their

av kole of an and title which g e them the w the l d, the parties who obtained their titles from the deed of

Canonicus and Miantonomi an d had se d s , who ttle outh

the i vis o e rovi and a of d i n line betw en P dence P wtuxet,

e r ss ss o ne would have been oust d from thei po e i ns. O of the lawsuits that William Harris had to defend was commenced by the Arnold party in the Massachusetts

ur and for r s s ss ss arr s who Co t, the pu po e of di po e ing H i ,

h d et on h la nd his u e a s tled t e nd a built ho s .

e r the a s to r ll a or The de d f om S chem Roge Wi i ms, ” ne i e e had e n osse ss Tow Ev d nc , b e in the p ion of William Arnold until he appeared before the town

37 r ar 1 2 1 6 8 ess an r s court on Feb u y , 5 (l th fou month after Massachusetts had relinquished her attempted con

ro a and ha o and r a as s t l of P wtuxet S w met, p ob bly oon as the laws of Providence Plan tations could Operate

and s e a a er had upon him), te tifi d th t the p p been muti

a a and a true word s l ted by ccident, th t the of the Towne Evidence were such as were then and there

w an e d ai s of rec r e . as a an o d d If it ccid nt, the det l the accident were such as are on record in the handwriting

owlon er as r o r r f rr to of H g Fenn , he et fo e e e ed , the

s l a r s s an s o te timony of Wi li m A nold mu t t d unque ti ned, “ “ and the true words of the writing or Towne Evi ” to him s a e s as s . dence, te tified by , mu t be cc pted The e

ru t e words included the clauses under debate . The circumstances Showing his actions while in pos

sess of a r s r to di f r ion the p pe , t ongly point cupi ty o

s l or for his a and ss il a him e f f mily, to the po ib ity th t if al l mention of the conveyance of land south of the town Of Mashapauge should be torn out or erased from

” ’ a his nd his ar rs the Towne Evidence, th t then a p tne deeds from S ocananoco and Osemequin woul d give

e u s e al l an s of a t th m unq e tioned titl to the l d P w uxet.

s s a ss if r a e r Thi give po ible, not the p ob bl , motive fo the

s e or era ur mutilation. Nothing has yet been discov

r r the r r as x a o at r s s e ed f om eco d, e hibited b ve, th fu ni he any moti ve for the Arnold family or for William Harris “ to cause the interpolation or forgery of this clause n v e e i s er o and in the Tow e E id nc , up to th p i d ; if this clause is an interpolation or a forgery it must have been previously committed or committed at this time if at all and are not t res e a r ates as to , we in e t d in l te d the question of forgeri es. s and ar cu ar at s o n is In thi connection, p ti l ly thi p i t, it interesting to know that while a number of conveyances of lan d in Providence and Pawtuxet are extant that

ar a ar r ha r ar 1 2 1 6 — be d te e lie t n Feb u y , 58 9, when the n v e was r l s is a t Tow e E idenc en o led, yet thi , in f c , the first record of any enrollment in Providence Land o f rv r of Rec rds . It was the custom or the su eyo the town to set Off the lots of land to the difierent pur chasers and then to have the consent of the town oh tai ned and r r at n e in and eco ded the next tow me t g, e a s had ass w e r a o ers wh n convey nce p ed bet e n p iv te wn , notice of same was given at town meeting an d consent e r o em giv n the et by vote of the fre en. Of the transfers recorded in the Town of Provi e e as s w in o m s ar d nc , ho n the ten v lu e of the E ly ” e or s r -s ear a e ar r R c d , now p inted, twenty even b d t e lie

a r ar 1 2 1 6 8— a or a one ea th n Feb u y , 5 9, little m e th n ch The year ; but none of them were recorded until later. o e is the r n e an d T wne Evid nce unde lyi g titl , it s an s as rs o r r t d fi t n the eco ds.

39 THE DOINGS AT PROVIDENCE PLAN TA I N T O S .

Ma 2 2 1 6 the ra o r at War On y , 49, Gene l C u t, held

or re a a mess r se Pumham wick, de d th t enge be nt to “ and the er sa em to r r to om to oth ch , equi e them c e ” h s o r and a t rs be s to Ar t i c u t , th t le te ent Benedict “ nold and his father and the rest of Pawtuxet about

e o s o be r m th ir subjecting t thi Col ny . It will eme bered that the sachems and the Arnold party had given

a an e to assa se ts 1 . a llegi c M chu t , in 643 No ttention seems to have been paid to this action by either the

wo r r he n se s ai me t A nolds o t I dians . Massachu tt cl d jurisdiction but did not enforce the orders of its

es and ro e a a o s was too m in judg , P vid nce Pl nt ti n uch timidated from fear of war with the Plymouth and Bay Colonies to take a firm stand and sustain tlzei r

e ore o a courts. Parties to actions b f the c urts ccepted

er s met t e r eas re or e the v dict if it wi h th i pl u , d fied

ffi er re rr a o rse the O c if they p fe ed th t c u .

1 6 8 a r o r e mor in In July, 4 , Willi m A n ld, with th e e, terf ered with William Field and his Servants who were

’ r n on e wo ki g Field s land. Fi ld brought action against Arnold laying his damages at Hugh Bewett was a or e for r and his s r to a tt n y A nold, in An we , bove

n “ h as u r a of t . s a s suit, de d te 4 of 3 mo he t te

o o “ e sa a f ll ws : About the Town Evidence, the id pl in tive (Field) in commencing the sute in his owne partic ular name Sheweth himself to me more willq y faltie than he can prove the defendant to be i n the acci dent or tlze miscarei ng of tire wri ti ng wlticb li e bimself call s ” t/ze Tawne E vi e. s is r s a s denc Thi , it now p e umed, m ke “ ” it a fixed fact that some accident had previously

a to an d r a s h ppened the Towne Evidence, p ep re the

’ wa for Mr r s e mon . s ars r y A nold t ti y eight ye late . ” M r Bew in h “ . ett r r on is s r s a s , fu the , An we , t te that Arnold may be held in damages by the Town of Provi

n on a o n “ de ce cc u t of this accident . And further the defendant is informed that the Towne or some neigh bours of the Towne have several copies of the Towne Evidence compleate and the defendant William Arnold his owne a wi not e h nd, which ll be d nied by the De

en a nor an one his e a e a f d nt y b h lf, wh n they bee leg lly or fairly shown to him or otherwise orderly presented

to V e . s was in 1 6 0 and s ws a at publick i w Thi 5 , ho th t this early date William Arnold was under criticism for

‘ ro en e wn o a ers o. 02 2 . P vid c T P p , N ro en wn e To a ers o. 0 . !P vid c P p , N 35

4 1 ’ M i l ara the a . o r. e d s ccident C uld F decl tion be found, m it might reveal so e facts now hidden .

il a arr s af r re a i the a of a W li m H i , te l t ng f ct the cci

n to “ o n n and he a a no de t the T w e Evide ce, t f ct th t mention of Pawtuxet river or lands was in the mutil ated “ a er a s as o o s : er s me of Paw p p , ple d f ll w Aft which o

tuxet re e we had no n for a xe p tend d thi g p wtu t, then they that sai d we had nothing to shew pretended that the Narragansett Sachem s were tyrants sold their

mens Lands — And then got one S orononoco to submit himself Land to the English 81 then made a pre tended purchase Of S orononoco of that Land which they with us had pai d for divided held by the Narragan sett Sachems summoned me to appear at Boston to

answer e r eman w er o n of the mos r th i D d, h e I f u d t ve y

dl en s mos s al Mr. good Ju tice, but t e peci ly of Du ey th Governor whose ears could S O try words (inspiritiv ely) that he without any witness told my adversary he

e his a s was o m a rsar doubt d C u e n ught, which y dve y

on s C fes ed. Does this look as if “ William H arris and his part ners were attempting to forge or interpolate a clause into the “ Town Evidence on which to found a land scheme ? Does it connect William H arris in any con ‘ l s r n s V . . 20 R . . o a o et ro ee o 1 8 . I Hi t ic l S ci y P c di g , 93 , p 3

42

years previous. This committee consisted of John

ro o as n a i a and r B wn, Th m Ol ey, V lentine Wh tm n Roge

i a s W lli m . These Confirmation Titles were obtained during

1 d 1 1 and can in u 6 an 66 . the 59 , be found Vol me V of

ar r the r E ly Reco ds of Town of P ovidence. In the

ra n e sm i M Har r r s s a . 2 r. t ct now u d c itici , it t ted (p 7 ) ri and hi e ra or a m a r a s s s f llow conspi t s cl i ed th t M . Willi m ” no msel o hi r a did t hi f know the sc pe of s fi st purch se, and “ in proof of the fact and that their construction of the meaning of the phrase was the correct interpreta

tlzree s re r In tion, new deed we p oduced given by the ” m “ e e e arr s dian sache s then living. They w r h ld by H i

his ss ss o and r or l 1 662 a in own po e i n not ec ded unti ,

er o of mor an ree ars s a p i d e th th ye , notwith t nding the

o was w r 5 r an n a t wn the o ne . I the e y evide ce ext nt

ha arr s e as a ai s w or su t t H i held th m g n t the to n, p pressed them for more than three years ? Or that Wil “ am arr s had an ow s ra rs at s li H i y fell con pi to thi time, or at any other time ? If he was joined with other par

’ ties in a legal defence of his and his associates land

s a o s not ma a s ra r. title , th t d e ke him con pi to And why are only tlzree of these Confirmation Deeds produced out of seven recorded ? Why was the mutilated “ Towne Evidence and three of these Confirmation

44

ed s all r rd r 1 662 ? Is r an De eco ed on Ap il 4, the e y significance in the fact that Roger Williams gives his

es a e e r 20 1 66 1 r a to the t timony, d t d Dec mbe , , in el tion

r i r r pu chase, and that that test mony was ecorded Ap il

1 662 sa da as r r a ee s ? 4, , the me y the th ee Confi m tion D d The remaining four Confirmation Deed s were obtained in ars 1 66 1 and 1 662 r all r a the ye , but we e en olled J nu

w . ar 22 and 2 1 66 . a s o y 4, 7 They l o belonged to the t n What Conspirator or conspirators retained tbese for their own wrong purposes for five and six years ? This withholding by William Harris Of these Con “ ” firm i i a s are at on Deeds s all fiction. The fixed f ct ” se : “ ee r Cau ani uanet is a M a the The d d f om j q d ted y,

1 6 a r aussuck uansh and Nenekelah Au 59 ; th t f om C q ,

s 1 d a r S catta e and ue ua un gu t, 659 ; an th t f om p Q q q

i 1 nuette s a r 6 . a , d ted Decembe I , 59 The d te of the Town Meeting at which the following vote was passed is ar 26 1 660 ss an r m s r M ch , , le th fou onth f om the “ ” date of the last deed as above not three years as

“ e r i B a a arr s Th reco d s ! pon A . ill th t Willi m H i put in whether the Towne would owne the line be tweene providence and pautuxett to run betweene the Two Rivers Wanasquatuckett and pawtuxett of an

1! ar e or s Vol . . 1 2 . E ly R c d , . I I , p 5

45 equal ! distance Twentey miles according to Ganj ana

uane es ra or as arr as men ro i q tt g nt f the of p v dence, and the men of pautuxett S ee fitt according to the Rest of the other S achirns ; the Voate carried itt that they would so owne itt Twenty Miles

ar r ur r 2 1 660 was At the next Qu te Co t, Ap il 7, , it ordred that this Towne Shal l give unto Caujanaquants

son Yaaua uaomitt 0 S hillin es in eau e ro d q 3 g p g , p vide he Sett his hand unto the deede which his father Sub ” - m of s r in ownein his a rs act. fac s c ibed, g f the (See i ile “ the deed . Ordered that J ohn Sayles and William H arris shall state the matter concerneing the payment of the money

a disbursted for o r a or r ase L tely the c nfi m tion of pu ch , and these aforesaid Two men shal l Levey what Every man s al a for hi s s ar o r as rs and h l p y h e, b th pu ch e five and a r men Twenty co . It is unfortunate that assertions that are so directly contrary to the facts should be so strongly pressed as

a a and a a ril a s r undeb t ble, th t b li nt mind well to ed with historical information should be employed in per

r s r to s r a m s a r ve ting hi to y uppo t i t ken theo y.

essar to rom s “ s It will be nec y quote f the e deed ,

as il a as is oss m to but little w l be t ken p ible, Si ply

1! r r Vol a e o s . . . 1 26 . E ly R c d , I I , p identify the grantors and the description of the lands

and ir r a of a which they conveyed, the ce tific tion wh t had been conveyed to Roger Williams from Canonicus

n Mian n i was ir o a d to om . x ra s , which the bject The e t ct

l r e V. ar s o ro . ar rom Vo . f , E ly Reco d of T wn of P vidence “ a 2 a Ma 2 da 1 6 P g e 97, d te, 3 month ( y) 9 y, 59 I, Caujaniquanet Sachim of the Nanhiggansick ; Ratefie and confirme to the of providence and the men of ‘ Men pautuxett theire landes and deede that My Brother

Meantenomeah a o r and e a all , M de ve Sign d ; N mely the landes betweene pautuckett River and pautuxett Riv er up the S treames Without lirnittes for theire use of a as a s doe for m r and n r C ttle, I l o Su e Wi te feeding of theire Cattle ; and plowing and al l Nessesarey Im

ro m as for farmes and all a r of a a on p ve ent, M nne pl nt ti whatso Ev er ; This Land I say abovesaid I confirme to the af r sa at s resant w s o e id Men thi p , T enty full Mile ,

e nin o eas r rom a a s u n b gin g t M u e f hill C lled foxe hill, po A Strai ght line running up into the Contrey betweene

k r S ee fac-s l of pautuc ett and pautuxett Rive . ( imi e

e ra de d in this t ct . )

n ril 28 1 660 Aia uaomitt son of the a ov e O Ap , , q , b “ ” w a em asse to the a o r t n . s e as S ch , nted b ve w i i g Thi de d

w a are o a n ro e r 1 662 . as en ll d Ap il 4, It pp ntly bt i ed by John Sailes and Valentine Whitman (one of the Com

47 mitte as s a saw a r r a and e), they te tify th t they the p pe e d

a uo ani uond e or i n n S ee fac expl ined to Q j q b f e S g i g. ( simile of

“ ‘ a a 00 a 6 m l ye 1 da 1 6 a s P ge 3 , d te, y 5 y 59. C u suckquansh and Nenekelah chiefe sachims over the In deans in these partes of the Countrey Rattefie and con

firme a or a re me a ian onomi cc ding to g e nt m de with M t , That i s all the landes betweene pautuckett and pau tuxett betweene the streames of se rs and the Rive , up the streames ou lirnittes or as far as e s a with t , th y h ll

fitt. ro ril 1 662 . think En lled Ap 4, ” This deed was delivered to William H arris for the use o tbc men o rov idence and tire men o u tux tt f f p f pa e , as was s to ar m one of te tified by Rich d S ith, the w s to ee a arr s was s con itne ses the d d . Willi m H i till sidered a r s o s man n s a he was e p n ible , otwith t nding

r n in 1 6 r ams n unde i dictment 57, by Roge Willi , the

res of for re o o aso . P ident the C l ny, high t n

a e “ S a d 0 a e e er 1 1 6 . c tta e an P g 3 3 , d t , D cemb , 59 pp

ue ua unnuette s to Meakcaw son unnaune Q q q Son , to Q called by y° English Qunnounicusse ! nkle to meante “ o e ou e nd u iefe a n m . This r Grandfath r a Co sin ch S

iru s ra to o r l ams a n for the ch g nted R ge Wi li , ge t men of providence 81 ye men of pautuxett a tract of land r a ro autuckett er to autuxett r all e ching f m p Riv p Rive ,

48

lingly unto the Contents made by wesauamog on ye

“ r s and r ro a othe Side. Thi the deed we e en lled J nuary

1 22, 667 .

ia e 1 Call . Wu t a 2 8 a I o. . 1 66 so d t P g 5 , d ted 3 ( ) shant sachim formerly living at wachiq ut now at ” “ kaukauchuwad shad doe give up 81 Resigne my In terest 81 Claime to a Certaine Tract or Lordship of land lying west northwest or theare about from providence Cal led wayunkeke ye bounds of ye sayd land from ye Indian field of wayu nckeke ar Eastward to a ridge of hills Called paméchipsk westward to a River called Toyaskqut w'=h runs downe to paii tuckqut southward to a way in the midst of a plaine ground betweene wayan keke 81 mishovosakit pond Northward to a place Called ” n kani nuin e w utto c t tc. s a s as r a Q g, Thi , l o, p ob bly the

or r il ams and was nro a ar 2 w k of Roge W li , e lled J nu y 4,

1 667 .

2 e “ 2 1 d Call . a 86 a . 1 0. 6 Mau in P ge , d t , 7 (So ) I g Cald Tom of wauchimoqfit Doe freely Give up all my Claime of Right to any Lands about Notacunckanet 81

e aki 81 Pa and S O rom so forward to S ak s t ugatchat. f thence forward Mihosakit unto the Towne of provi dence 81 promise to helpe the men of providence to Cleare the Indians from their fields at y places afore ” r ad hi w ams h s a s. as sai d. Roge Willi h nd in thi It

50 - r a s 6 0 a c er 20 1 66 1 . Confi P ge 30 3 9, d te, De emb , A

r r W ia s nro l e r mation Deed f om Roge ill m , e l d on Ap il

1 62 sa e da as rs ree ee s a 4, 6 , the m y the fi t th d d bove

scr es he r ase a mentioned. He de ib how pu ch d the l nd “ and 1 6 and the sa s havein in 1 634 35 , two chem g by A

e e handes eares a t r ° a Deede under th ir , two y f e y S le thereof Established 81 confirmed the boundes of those

reas as in eare sa landes . And whe the y one thou nd six hundred thirt y seven (so called) I delivered the . deede e er e urchassers s unto y whole Numb of y p ,

d “ onfirme m r r r s na ‘ e etc. an c , y fo me e ig tion of y de de of

e an s aforesai . r s a t r u s y l de P eviou ly, in le te of A gu t,

1 6 r i r i a s 54, to the Town of P ov dence, Roge W lli m “ had written : I have been blamed for parting with

Moshassuck and af r ar Pautuxet r , te w d , (which we e mine ” own as truly as any mans coat upon his back )

es r at ed s or a s a Th e Confi m ion De , quitt nce , c nnot

r r r be passed over as of Slight value. They we e eco ded

c r s as orta and a on the Town Re o d being imp nt, h ving “ stood the wear and tear of nearly two and a half

r s s s r as or of centu ie , hould not now be con ide ed the w k

men who needed them to confirm a forged title — nor

i' Narr. u . P ub . Vol . . 26 . Cl b , VI , p . 3

5 1 s a a as s r a r ha the t tement be ccepted hi to ic lly t ue, t t William H arris and his partners obtai ned these

rma s rt ra r a sc m Confi tion Deed in fu he nce of thei l nd he e, “ had r r which been in incubation p ior to 1 660. The e is no r t uth in it . R RIE THE OTHER FO GE S .

Importance seems to be placed on the fact that the

a r is a ri i Miantonomi and a p pe not in the h ndw t ng of , th t

o se wa Pre c n quently he s not legally bound by it . sum bl r r is a a s “ a s . y, efe ence thu m de to the cl u e 3 mo ” 9th die as no question is raised as to the sig na tu res or ar s a s Canoni cus and Mianto m k of the two S chem , m . s as a s assed and is a no i Thi l t cl u e p no title, pl inly and s m s r e a had ee r e a o i ply de c iptiv of wh t b n w itt n b ve,

e e na e not e d ov r th sig tures of the Sach ms . It did n e

ir s a r s and had se to e the ign tu e , if they en fit d ny

i a a r ra . a s it, it would h ve p oved inope tive No cl im m de “ that it is not a part of the Towne Evidence and was

i e d is not a a r 1 6 8. s s o on th t p pe in 5 Thi c nc de , but it asserted in the strongest terms that the signatures of

re r Roger Williams and Benedict Arnold a forge ies. If

Mr a w e he was on com so . s , why did not Willi m h n the mittee to obtain the Confirmation Deeds and when he r his own o rma e was w ote C nfi tion De d, which “ recorded on the day of record of the mutilated Towne Evidence — why did he not then declare his name to

5 3 have been placed there by others than he ? There can n it s a s i a o r ot, would eem, be que t on but th t R ge Wil liams and Benedict Arnold both put their Signatures to

l a a r r 1 8 1 6 a r. s the p pe Wi li m , in lette of Octobe , 77}

ar rt ars af r ra a and ne ly fo y ye te the t ns ction, full of bit

rn ai a arr s i n te ess ag nst Willi m H is, denie the Sent me t

or an of a s but does not den bis si na ture. me ing the cl u e, y g

sa s “ am s us not r r a s m or He y , one ong t ( I) eco ded te ti ony ” memorandum of a Courtesy requested and granted

the a and s is s r as his by S chem, thi con t ued denying

l m r was s a r . s a s r ign tu e Thi cl u e, it wi l be e embe ed,

r mas a s and r w itten by Tho J me , the two men, Roge

ll a s and r r er r rs Wi i m Benedict A nold, we e the int p ete

m w is s radi an s. u ually e ployed in t ng ith the Indi It ,

re r s r a a r ss s the fo e, mo t p ob ble th t they we e witne e to

“ e the concession of the court sy.

r r s r ams has n a In othe wo d , Roge Willi not de ied th t

a s was a r Miantonomi nor a the cl u e g eed to by , th t he,

’ as r r r rme a s inte p ete , confi d it to be the S chem mean ing ; but he does deny that he (Williams) conceived the “ ” ea or r s o r es or “ r r id , eque ted the c u t y, eco ded the

s i s te t mony. He doe not in that letter deny his

As s a m a r o a as to the t te ent th t Benedict A n ld, in c e

‘ arr. u P ub. ol V . . 0 . N Cl b , VI , p . 39

54 r rt ars af r r a s d t ied fo y ye te the w iting of the cl u e, denie bis s a r a the r s ign tu e, no quot tion of wo d employed by i f r o s nor a o a r r s . A n ld given, Copy the p pe p e ented We ought not to be thus asked to accept this as a

or er w t o s e a r and the er f g y i h ut om utho ity, Scotch v dict “ not proven Should be the judgment on this charge of r r fo ge y. “ It is stated that the Towne Evidence was recorded ” in 1 “ r a t h 6 8 ar s r . a as 5 , by the H i p y Wh t evidence

res n a am arr s had 1 6 8 an been p e ted th t Willi H i , in 5 , y party or following ? Do not the authorities bere pre sented prove that he was not a partner of the Arnold famil y It is known that William Harris had written a paper

1 6 so a r o r i ia s a all in 57, which nge ed R ge W ll m th t

t r l e e e e e e e e through their af e iv s th y w r positiv n mi s . This paper was read before the General Court of Com

am arr s was e er ar e missioners . Willi H i indict d und ch g of r as and al l the a rs as se to high t e on, p pe in the c e nt

o ar a of the o o o on for J hn Cl ke, the then gent C l ny in L nd ,

i the as a o em e e e him to do w th c e wh t he Sh uld de xp di nt .

a ers sa ear and i m ar e . The p p di pp ed, w th the , the ch g All w a he r e n ar of a a ere os at se t ss . l t , ve el neve b i g he d g in

Yet in 1 6 l am arr s a ars to a , 59, Wi li H i ppe be cting in

a the of ro e as his r ues is beh lf Of Town P vid nce, eq t

5 5 ra o n t a ma a e CO es g nted by the T w , h t he y h v ppy of

eral ! a rs o the s ar or at Sev p pe up n Towne Ch ge, the

s ow and ar 6 i s a s expen e of the T n, on M ch , he l o “ granted the privilege of taking the Towne Evidence

“ i n to e r a ocat o use at o r . N wpo t, h ving to it the C u t With the feeling that must have then existed in Provi

e ese r e s a n ra d nce, would th p ivil ge h ve bee g nted to

a r o am ar r or an ers Willi m A n ld, Willi C pente , y oth who had been of the party which so lately had tried to destroy the autonomy of Providence Plantations ? And where

is ra a s l am arr s was the g nd l nd cheme, of which Wi li H i the leader As the date 1 639 appears on both the 1 658 and 1 662 “ re ords of w and is not to c the To ne Evidence, be

o on or na a er s is al a r r and f und the igi l p p , thi c led fo ge y,

m o n e as on s and oss a s o s r . p ibly y be c ide d B ed thi , on the theory that the other clause was interpolated and was a so a r er ra has e r l fo g y, the t ct b en p inted, but it

a to ex ana o f s r o of the a f ils give pl ti n or the in e ti n d te. The supposition or guess work of the tract is not an ex a a pl n tion. The date was probably added by some one who knew the rO er ear was 1 6 and was on the es e p p y 39, it Copi h ld “ by the Town or by some neighbours of the town

‘ ar e or s Vol . . . 1 2 2 . E ly R c d , II , p

56

o and has e r a the Sec nd, it be n p inted by the St te of Connecticut ! It relates the story of the Pawtuxet

o r and i r r c ntrove sies s he e printed enti e.

CHAR LES R .

W r u w h r as ur rus and e e o e e ee o e . e e O T ty W ll b l v d, g t y ll W s u e am arr s an er i n the o on of ho e s an bj ct, Willi H i , pl t , C l y R d I l d, hi s hum e e on resen e to us i n oun set or h did by bl p titi p t d C cill f t , th at h e and twelve others hi s partners neare forty years since purchas ed from certain I ndians a parcell of land call ed P atuxet 81 ea ea en o e the same for sev erall eares l , p c bly j y d y , ti l th ey were disturbed by some of Our E nglish s ubjects of the owne of rov en e b ut ha the difierence e ween hem be t P id c , t t b t t i n ut to an awar the e erm na on was i uen to th e P et“ g p d, d t i ti g , and th ey accordingly remained i n quiet possession and held the same for sev erall eat es un ha ned h a hree of the sa y , till it p t t t id ar ners ha n a m n to ree s u r an e and re en n p t vi g i d b d di t b c , p t di g title to the said land i n vertu e of another purch as e wch they ma e rom n ans who had more r h as he allead ed h en d f I di ig t, t y g , t th e former ; these men impleaded the Pet r i n Our Colony of the assa h use s but u on a a re r a ur h e h ad a er i M c t ; p f i t y ll by j y, v d ct i en i n his anout and a or n for some eat es a er g v f , did cc di gly y ft remai ne i n u e ossess on : h a a er h s the sa h ree er q i t p i T t ft t i , id t p sons e n restless e and of un u e S r s r n on resh , b i g q i t pi it , did b i g f rou es to th e P etlr on the same a om so ha th e ma er t bl cc pt, t t tt e n ut to an awar ar ra ors e n e u a hosen out b i g p d, bit t b i g q lly c of th e o on of th e as s a h us e s 81 t of ho e s an for C l y M c tt y R d I l d, th e greater solemnity of th e determination the Pet r and his partners did ag ai ne receive a solemue award I n th eir favour ; they did accordingly romaine i n quiet possession of th e prem sos for a o e wen eares af er but a ou the eare 1 66 i b v t ty y t ; b t y 3 , one John Harrud two oth ers who had fled from the province

i' C nn l or s Vol . . . 86 . o . Co . e R c d , I I , p 5 of Conecti cut om n w h re en e ha he had ma e a ur , c i g it p t c t t t y d p chase of the P et“ land from some I ndians who bad right to se l h e entred on a rea ar of the P et“ an s or e l , t y g t p t l d by f c , and the e r m ea n hem at law and haui n o a ne P t i pl di g t , g bt i d a ns h m a r and u mt et soe h a ned meanes gai t t e ve dict j dg it y p , by of seuerall factions 81 parties web th ey have made to wi thstand us e h a he res s ed the exe u on of ha u emen and j tic , t t t y i t c ti t t j dg t ; for re en e one allead ed ha Our Com“ e n hen here p t c ly, g t t b i g t t romse hem to reheare al l the ma er in fferen e when did p t tt di c , n ch r r n r d they returned into the said Colo y ; w ou Com eve di . The e !r ha h a so ur her set or h ha es es all th e sa P t t l f t f t , t t b id id mo es a ons he had een re uen d s u e e some me l t ti , b f q tly i q i t d, ti by the re ens ons of the owne of arwi c some me the p t i T W k, ti by owne of ro en e i n the o on of ho e s an some T P vid c , C l y R d I l d ; times by two parties of men belonging to the Colony of the assa huse ts and as a ar of men e on n to the M c t ; l tly, by p ty b l gi g Colony of New Plymou th ; all of th em i n several times pretend ing purchases made from difierent I ndians who had right to sell ; Whereas the Petr sets forth that he and hi s partners were the first pu rchas ers and took care to derive th eir title from the Chief I ndians who were th en i n actuall possession of th e prem sos s oe he rema ne u e i n hi s ur has e for a ou se en i , i d q i t p c b t v eares a er the m ro emen s ma e him and hi s ar y ft , till i p v t d by p t ners on th e rem ses more hen an oun a on of r h em e p i , t y f d ti ig t, t pt d h er r 81 n a e r oss ess o V n all wh ot s to desi e i v d thei p i ns . po ich re resen a on of rou es the e !r hav ei n m ore ur p t ti t bl , P t g i pl d O o al ro e on and ha Wee wou or er the o ernors of R y l P t cti , t t ld d G v each of those Colonies w<=h are bounding wth Rhode I sland and whose nha an s on ri u e to h s s ur an e to i e h e r i bit t c t b t t i di t b c , g v t i aide and ass istance towards the quieti ng of this matter ; and ha th e o ernors m h in ursuan e of Our o al or ers t t G v ig t p c R y l d , a ree amon hemse es to e u e some a e hones and i ndif g g t lv d p t bl , t ferent ersons to heare all difierences and to a o n a ur p , pp i t J y e ua hosen out of the res e i e o on es i n or er to u e q lly c p ct v C l i , d q i t hem i n the ossess on of he r sa an s of P atuxet i n us t p i t i id l d , if j

59 h r ri h n o And We hau i n tice t ey appea e to have g t thereu t . g referred the examination of this matter to Our Commi ttee of ra e and an a ons and h e a er exami na i on of the T d Pl t ti ; t y, ft t ma er hauei n re or e to Vs ha the e r and his ar ners tt , g p t d t t P t p t are er fit o e s of Our o al are and ro e on We are v y bj ct R y l c p t cti , here ore i n om ass on to he r on and man snfierin s t f , c p i t i l g y g , graciously inclined to order th em red resse i n the most speedy 81 efiectuall wa ha can be ro ose And Our w l and eas ure y t t p p d . i l pl i s and We doe here omman You the o ernor of Our Col , by c d , G v on of Conecticut to a o n some a e hones and n fferen y , pp i t bl , t i di t persons to j oyne with s uch others as shall be appointed by the o her res e e o ernors of Our sa o on es to wh om We t p ctiv G v id C l i , shall also send Our commands in this behalfe ; and that y ou give them full and sufficient authority to cause the differences and troubles arising to th e Pet r and his partners concerning the l ands of P atuxet to be rou h to a a re r a and ha a , b g t f i t y ll ; t t by us indifi erent and u r h ur to be in e manner a j t, p ig t j y, lik p o n e al l ma be fina e ermine a or n to us t e and p i t d, y lly d t d cc di g j ic , w hou e a : And of our ro ee n s here n to sen Vs an it t d l y y p c di g i , d a oun w h all n n n s n W u o e e ee . A so e cc t, it c v i t p do d bid yo a F rewell .

en at Our our at am on our the th da of u us Giv C t H pt C t, 4 y A g t,

1 6 i n the se en 81 wen e h ear of ur i ne. 7 5 , v t ti t y e O Re g

B hi s M a ties oman y j c d,

L L AMS . J . WI I ON

To Our rus and Welbeloved ohn nthro E s r Gov T ty J Wi p q , emour of Our o on of Conecticut and to Our Governour or C l y , Governours h ere f th m t or e ti e being . T SE TLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES .

It would now seem to have been proved that “ Wil liam Harris and his partners were not engaged in an s t al and had no res s a rs the y land e , inte t dve e to

’ grantees under Roger Williams s deed of the Paw tux t e r ll of r a ro e a s . S o a r a a l nd , fte n ly the o igin l p

ri etors r and a e had d a p of P ovidence P wtux t die , settlem ent of th e land difi erences between the men ” of Providence and “ the men of Pawtuxet was a and r s s a ttempted , the p opo ition then m de, deny emphatically the statement that certain men were

ar rs l arr s or a h e wa c n p tne of Wi liam H i , th t s on ected

r r with thei p oposed land s teal .

an a 1 6 1 82 n a r w s On J u ry , 6 a g eement a Signed by Roger Williams and William Carpenter (they being the only survivors of the original thirteen pro

rietors a and rs for the s m n p of P wtuxet) othe , ettle e t

all ffi s r a the a a ds of di cultie el ting to P wtuxet l n .

T e n of r had s a a h Tow P ovidence , on thi ccount, p

n us a r to act and s n for poi ted tr tees, with utho ity ig

‘ r1 r ol IV a e o s V . . . E y R c d , . , p 73

6 1 o er m a ar er and . a s the t wn Rog Willi , Willi m C pent , the rs r rs and as s s arr s othe (who we e the hei ign of H i ,

r o a rma and s re r s A n ld, W te n Rhode ), p e ented the

e a r er ree e a Pawtux t L nd Pu chas s . This ag m nt fin lly s ettl ed the bounds of the lands as between Providence

d r an a n e e near ea s re o s . P wtuxet, co v y d ly fifty y p vi u ly

r a r e e re rs s a r e Anothe g e m nt, which fe to thi g e me and i s a e Ma 1 68 be ar nt , d t d y 4, 9, will found in E ly

V l 1 a the s or s o . s a es Rec d , . IV. , p . 47 It t t th t divi ion h m nd ma r n a am ad ee a e a a a . b n d p d w , by C pt Willi ” “ o s our s urveior who our r er H pkin , did it by O d i n 1 er a s and ar en er 688. Rog Willi m William C p t had e s e the rs a ree e and s a reeme di d inc fi t g m nt, thi g nt wa s between the then owners of the Pawtuxet lands . The Town of Providence was not a party to this a r me as re erre n the a e a g ee nt, it f d o ly to P wtux t l nd, and a the o had n er s in th t t wn no i t e t.

s a re o of a er a was r r e Thi g ement, th ugh l t d te, eco d d mor a two ears or the r e th n y pri to fi st agreement . “ o of No of the a r of In B ok Deeds . 1 L nd Reco ds

ro e e at 1 2 i he . 2 1 6 s r or e t P vid nc , pp 5 , ec d d

a a re m re a to ese a a fin l g e ent l ting th P wtuxet l nds . “ The original will be found in the Town of Providence ” r nd i s ere 2 2 i a s a 0 . s s r al er p pe , numb d It hi to ic ly int

s and so i s o as a e ting, qu ted whole .

62 B e knowne un o all ersons h a whereas here was a it t p , T t t Controvercy e and difierence between thirteen men concerning Title of Land licing 81 situate betweene P autuxet River and ye oun s of ro en e own vi zt am e l am Har b d P vid c t , Willi Fi ld, Wi li ri s o er ams homas ne S tukel es o ze e , R g Willi , T Ol y, y W tc tt, E ki l o man ran s es on h ar a erman ohn h ro H lli , F ci W t , Ric d W t , J T ck mor on 81 ohn reene on one ar And am rno t J G ye p ty, Willi A ld , William Carpenter 81 ! achery Rhodes the assigne of Robert Coles on ye other party and thi nkei ng to put an end to ye afore s ayd controvercy e some of ye foresayd persons or their heirs or as signes became bound to stand to ye determination of Arbe trators Vi zt W l i am H ath om eazer Lusher ohn as on i l , El , J E t an se h rre i n t n now we whos names d Jo p T o y ye yes e 1 65 7 . a d e are underwritten doe find that ye determination of ye foresaid Arbetrators i s not accordi ng to that which was Comitted to hem wh h was to ar ra e e of an and he t ye ic bit t Titl l d, t y did deliver thoire determination contrarey to ye Bonds 81 made the foresayd difierence more darke 81 d ubous then it was before : And also many of ye persons th at were concerned in ye fores ayd controverc es of lan s not ut an h n to arbetrati on 81 y d , did p y t i g therefore they are not bou nd to stand to no determination of ye s ayd Arbetrators : All which acts do make ye said Arbetra tion voyd i n law Reason ; Th erefore all ye persons which were bound to ye foresaid Arbetration are not oblidg ed to stand to ye said Arbetrati on nor to imposs ebility e i n ye law : There fore i n Consideration of all those acts and actions wee whose names are und erwri ten who are at presant ye proprietors Con cerned i n ye fores ayd tract of lands of P au tuxett doe see Cause to make a lovei ng 81 mutu all agreement to devi de all of ye fore said lands equally to all th at are now Concerned i n ye d evi sion according to ye Right of ye thi rteen purchasers always provided that th ese Conditions be obs erved (th at IS) That all the persons th at are concerned i n the purch ase of P autuxett aforesaid shal l have th eire land l ayd out as convenient to 81 for one as to ao other i n Quantety Qualliti e and Conveniencey to neer thoire

63 meaddows or houses as ye land will afiord to hold out accord i ng to Every mans Right th at he h ave in ye foresaid lands : and

Also Convenient heiway es to every mans land or meadd ow. And also that all land within ye said tract of land that h ave benn bought sold or Given shall romaine 81 lye i n th e s am places as they were bought sould or given according to ye tenour of their deeds and ye specification thereof. And also th at we sh all procure a man that h ave arte 81 skeil to devide all the tract of land which lieth between P autuxet River 81 ye bounds of Providence 81 ye S alt River on ye Eas t 81 P achasett River on ye West or as farr as it was formerly layd out ; And it sh all be l ayd out according to ye Conditions man ner 81 forme as afores aid And that it sh all be begun Done 81 performed with all expedi si on that possabell may be attained unto : And th at Every man or person that h ave any Righ t or on ernmen or aw u cl a me to oresa an s or i n or to C c t, l f l y ye f id l d any part thereof sh all helpe to procure pay and ass is t the sur v ei or that wee doe name or appoynt according to every mans proportion of Right that they or wee have i n any of ye afore said land or lands . And further it i s agreed determined y t Thomas Field ye s uc cessor of his unkle William Field to whome belongeth ye Right of Thomas J ames and ye Right of Francis Weston Shall be accom mod ated with ye land of P oneg ansett N eck (so called) th at i s to say the S alt Cove called S axefrax Cove 81 P rovidence line on ye north ye S ea on ye East and also on part of ye South and on ye other part of ye South with ye fence of ye sd Thomas Field 81 Timothy Carpenter wh ere it now standeth and th e length is from ye S ea on y6 E ast to g oe neere ye midle of ye sayd land Westward to a ditch which was formerly made to b e ye West erne bounds so far as it reacheth 81 from ye S outh end of ye sayd ditch to goe on a strait line to y0 place where the Cart path which goeth to P u mcansett s tri keth out of ye common Roadway 81 on ye S outh side of ye sayd Cart path the which will be a South Westerne corner ; 81 from ye sayd corner to s trike away

64

M emorandum Whereas it is above written in ye nineteenth and twenty eth lines Convenient highways to every mans mead ow bes ides ye o n oa e wa es h a ar la is men here c mo R d y t t e yd out. It t t by th at every man of us our heirs and ass ignes shall have free Eg resse 81 Regresse to goe 81 to come to any of hi s meadow th at falls out within ye surcumfrance of anoth er mans u pland ro e he sha not d oe an ama e to ome ras se or p vid d t y ll y d g C , g any other thing by leavei ng Open of Gates or barrs ness our handes 81 scal s h r wr n Wit e t e d ay 81 y ea e above itte . nesse 81 Confirmcd i n resen of s t Wit d p ce vi .

h h urn 81 os h m h Josep Was b J ep S it . CONCL! SION .

The tract now under criticism was written on the assumption that William H arris was a partner with

a r o and a ar n r and ers in Willi m A n ld Willi m C pe te oth , some lan d scheme which woul d in some way defraud the Indian s or else the English residents of the Town of Provi dence. The references that have here been made to the original documents must have proved that this position

na . r na of a is unte ble And yet, d op the me Willi m

arr s r m the s r of m ar rs and H i f o to y the i puted p tne hip,

i r The a ha the ra has s ts . s a t ct lo t fo ce pl y no H mlet . “ William H arris and his partners are not histori cal

ma r as a are a r a in the nne cl imed, but m de p incip l

e of characters in a tal fiction. The tract is largely devoted to statements of matters that are foreign to th e question of the Forgeries and r a a r s s n e ruar 1 6 8— el te to pe iod ub eque t to F b y, 5 9.

As r a ra so a of ight they do not belong in th t t ct,

s o r is a ro i m di cussi n of them he e in pp pr ate. But any of the assertions are based upon the theory of the for

67 eri es and as i s d a has e s a g , it believe th t it b en hown th t “ the Forgery theory is without a substantial founda

o s rs r r m s a e o ti n, then the upe t uctu e u t f ll wh n the f un

a rum s and ass r o s s a d as d tion c ble , the e ti n be t mpe

r unt ue.

It is now assumed that the original documents pre sented in this tract have proved That in 1 638 a conveyance cal led the “ Towne Evi dence passed between the Indian Sachems Canonicus and Miantinomi nd o r ams and a e a R ge Willi , th t th n

a was o e e to his asso a es the whole l nd c nv y d twelve ci t , he reserving a thirteenth share to himself ; That by agreement among the thirteen a portion of the tract was set apart from the Grand Purchase to be al o rs of the irt n men and not the Speci wne hip th ee , ” to belong to the “ common lands of the Town of Providence ; That in 1 640 a division line between this special

ra and f n t ct the Town o Provide ce was agreed upon. All south of the line was thereafter cal led Pawtuxet or Pawtuxet Lands ; That this division of property and the subsequent deed s all tend to Show that the clause (called forged or interpolated) was a part of the Sachems Deed in

68 1 638 and was a part of the true wrighting as recorded in 1 658 ; That William Arnold and bis partners traded with

Pumham S ocananoco and Oseme uin for sa , q the me

a s awt s r a a M sachu l nd of P uxet, then wo e llegi nce to as setts and then got two of these Sachem s to also submit themselves and their followers to the same government and jurisdiction ; That there was no court in Providence Plantations

os s s a s or r and his ar rs wh e edict the e Indi n , A nold p tne ,

ul a and a assa s s oul r wo d ccept, th t M chu ett w d not ecog nize in her courts either Roger Williams or any of his

ar rs ss ul s m to her r s o p tne , unle they wo d ub it ju i dicti n, and this left Roger Williams and his partners (including

am arr s a to ma a n r r s Willi H i ) no ch nce int i thei ight ,

war l 1 6 8 assa s s s rre except by , unti 5 , when M chu ett u n dered all claims to jurisdiction over Pawtuxet Lands ; That as soon thereafter as was possible the Provi dence people recorded their deed from the Sachems and commenced proceedings to prove the intention of the

n a ai rma o a rs rom co vey nce, by obt ning confi ti n p pe f the then reigning Sachems and from Roger William s ; ” That the Towne Evidence was known to be in a

m la e 1 6 0 ars or was uti t d condition in 5 , eight ye bef e it recorded ;

69 That the mutilation stated to be by accident was an eration and an erasion is not an interpolation ; That an erasure of the clause would have given strength to the deeds of S ocananoco and Osemequin

l a r and his ar rs and s is su to Wi li m A nold p tne , thu g gested a motive for the erasure ; That an interpolation Of the debatable clause would have proved a st umbling block to Arnold and his friends and destroyed his deeds from S ocananoco and

Oseme uin and s all r as for s an inter o q , thu e on uch p ” lation or the commission of the Forgeries is taken away ; That the clause was not inserted at any date subse

1 6 8 and s was r r or quent to 3 , thu not a fo ge y, the commencement of any land scheme to prevent the original thirteen purchasers from enj oying their just rights ; That William Harris was not a partner of any of the

r o an Of e r r as s r m a s A n ld men in y th i pu ch e f o the Indi n , and that he did not j oin in their treachery to their associates by giving allegiance to Massachu setts ; That he defended his lawsuits by relying on the Towne Evidence for his title and always mai ntained that the dispu ted clause was a part Of the deed as origi

70 a r and a d s of Pumham n lly w itten, denied th t the dee and S ocananoco were of any val ue ; That he was not concerned in the erasure of the

a s and was not ar o s ra or an cl u e, the ch c n pi t in y conspiracy to defraud his associates or neighbors ; That the charges made agai nst his good name ap proach very closely to libel and slander ; That what have been so positively asserted to be

a s ro s and o l or fixed f ct do not p ve to be uch, w u d m e correctly be called fiction ; and that they are debat a i ble s certainly proven .