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 19th of the iith 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.]
The Preamble to the Law Against Perjury
Forasmuch as the consciences of sundry men, truly conscionable, may scruple the giving or the taking of an oath, and it would be nowise suitable to the nature and constitution of our place, who profess ourselves to be men of different consciences and not one willing to force another to debar such as cannot do so, either from bearing office among us or from giving in testimony in a case depending; be it enacted by the authority of this present Assembly, that a solemn profession or testimony in a court of record, or before a judge of record, shall be accounted, throughout the whole colony, of as full force as an oath. [1647.]
This is the more remarkable because at this time the Friends did not yet as a distinct Society, hold to the unlawfulness of oaths. And it is in complete concordance with the teachings of Roger Williams.
Acts and Orders of the Generall Assembly, sitting at Newport, May the 3, 1665.
Ordered, that this following shall be the forme for engaging all officers in this Collony, called to place of publicke concernment, &c., for the administration of justice, (viz):
Whereas, you are, A. B., by the free vote of the freemen of this Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, &c., called and chosen vnto the place and office of ——, in the said Collony, &c., doe sollemly engage true eleageance vnto his Majestye, his heires and successors, to beare, and in your said office equall justice and right to doe vnto all persones within this jurisdiction to the vtmost or best of your skill and ability without partiality, according to the laws established, or that shall be established in this said jurisdiction; [according to the Charter as well in matters military as civill.] And this engagement you make and give vpon the perill of the penalty of perjury.
The reciprocall engagement is as follows, ordered to be given by he that takes or administers the abovesaid engagement.
I doe, in the name and behalfe of this Collony, &c., re-ingage to stand by you and to support you by all due assistance and incouradgment in your performance and execution of your aforesaid office according to your engagement.