We, the Inhabitants of the Province of Providence Plantations being
here orderly met, and having by free vote chosen you ——, to public
office and officers for the due administration of Justice and the
execution thereof throughout the whole Colonie, do hereby engage
ourselves to the utmost of our power to support and vphold you in
your faithfull performance thereof. [1641.]
This Engagement was also agreed to by the Court of Commissioners and
Election. September y^e 13th, 1654.
It is ordered by the present Assemblie, that this is y^e engagement
of y^e Generall officers any former forme to the contrarie
notwithstandinge.
* * * * *
At the General Court of the 21st of May, 1661, the words: “in his
Majesties name” was added after (“now orderly met”).
* * * * *
And Att a Generall Assembly of the Collony of Rhode Iland and
Providence Plantations the 4th of May, 1664:
This Assembly alsoe declareth against any parson acting in any
publike office, except hee first take the engagement according to
the forme hear subjoyned.
You, A. B., &c., sollemly engage to be true and faythfull vnto our
Soveraigne Lord the King, Charles the Second, of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, and dominiones and terrytoryes therevnto
belonging; and to his sayd Majesty, his heirs and successors, true
allegeance to beare and exicute your commission, charge and office,
according to the best of your skill and knowledge without
partiallyty or affection to any; and that according to the lawes
already established, or to be established in this Colony. This
ingagement you make and ingage to obsearve, vnder the penalty of
perjury....
At the taking of the ingagement by any, ther must bee a
re-engagement given in the Colloneys name, to stand by and assist
such parsones in the exicution of ther offices and performance of
ther dutyes.
It is alsoe the pleasuer and appoynment of this Generall Assembly,
that none presume to vote in the matters afforesayd, but such whome
this Generall Assembly expresly by ther writting shal admit as
freemen.
The 19^{th} of the ii^{th} Month, 1645. Wee whose names are heere
after Subscribed, having obteyned a free Grante of Twenty five Akers
of Land a peece with right of Commoning, according to the said
proportion of Land; from the free Jnhabitants of this Towne of
providence; doe thankfully acsept of the same; And heereby doe
promise to yield Actiue; or passiue Obeydience to the authority of
established in this Collonye; according to our Charter; and
to all Such wholesome Lawes & Orders, that are or shall be made, by
the major consent of this Towne of Providence; As alsoe not to
clayme any Righte, to the Purchasse of the Said plantation; Nor any
privilidge of Vote in Towne Affaires; untill we shall be received as
free = Men of the said Towne of Providence. [1645.]