We whose names are underwritten do here, solemnly, in the presence of Jehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and as he shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to all those perfect and most absolute lawes of his given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby. Exod. 24. 3. 4, 2 Cron. 11.3, 2 Kings, 11. 17. [William Coddington, and eighteen others.]
The 7th of the first month, 1638. We that are Freemen Incorporate of this Bodie Politick do Elect and Constitute William Coddington, Esquire, a Judge amongst us, and so covenant to yield all due honour unto him according to the lawes of God, and so far as in us lyes to maintaine the honour and privileges of his place which shall hereafter be ratifyed according unto God, the Lord helping us so to do.
I, William Coddington, Esquire, being called and chosen by the Freemen Incorporate of this Bodie Politick, to be a Judge amongst them, do covenant to do justice and Judgment impartially according to the lawes of God, and to maintaine the Fundamentall Rights and Privileges of this Bodie Politick, which shall hereafter be ratifyed according unto God, the Lord helping us so to do.
On the 3d Month, 13 day, 1638. It is ordered that none shall be received as inhabitants or Freemen to build or plant upon the Island but such as shall be received in by the consent of the Bodye, and do submitt to the government that is or shall be established, according to the word of God. [1638.]
From this arrangement, the first recorded Act regarding freemen in the Colony, a minority seceded, taking the Records with them, and drew up the following instrument:
By vs whose hands are underwritten, to propagate a Plantation in the midst of the Island or elsewhere; And doe engage ourselves to bear equall charges, answerable to our strength and estates in common; and that our determinations shall be by major voice of judge and elders; the Judge to have a double voice. [William Coddington, and eight others.] On the 28th of the 2d Month, 1639.
Agreeing and ordering that the Plantation now begun shall be called Newport.
The remaining members of the Aquidneck settlement then organized a new government.