Ch. 3.5. Primary Source: Charter for Connecticut, King Charles II, 1662

In 1662 King Charles II recognized Connecticut as a distinct province (its independence from Massachusetts was still disputed) and granted it a new charter. He did so at the request of John Winthrop ‘the Younger’ (son of John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts).

1. [Motive] Whereas by the navigations, discoveries, and successful plantations of our loving subjects, several lands and plantations have been settled in New England, and thereby the trade and commerce there has increased: And whereas we have been informed by the petition of John Winthrop, John Mason [and 17 others], that our colony of Connecticut was partly purchased and partly conquered, and has been subdued and improved, thereby enlarging our dominions there.

2. [Incorporation] In consideration thereof, we have thought fit, and at the humble petition of the persons aforesaid, to create and make them a body politic and corporate, with the powers and privileges herein after mentioned, to be known as the Company of the Colony of Connecticut.

3. [Governing Officers] There shall be one Governor, one Deputy Governor, and twelve Assistants, to be elected out of the freemen of the said Company, as hereafter expressed. And we appoint the aforesaid John Winthrop to be the Governor of the Company, and the said John Mason to be the Deputy Governor, and [12 of the others] to be the twelve assistants.

4. [Elections] And we ordain that hereafter, twice in every year, on every second Thursday in October, and on every second Thursday in May, the Assistants, and freemen of the said Company, or such of them, not exceeding two persons from each place, town, or city, who shall be elected by the major part of the freemen of the respective towns, cities, and places, shall have a General Meeting or Assembly, to consult and advise about the affairs and business of the said Company; and that the Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor, and such of the Assistants and freemen so elected and present, or the greatest number of them, shall have full power and authority for electing the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistants, and any other officers as needed.

5. [Liberties & Oath] And further, we grant that all our subjects who shall inhabit the said Colony shall have all liberties and immunities of freeborn subjects of our dominions, as if they were born within the realm of England. And we authorize the Governor or in his absence the Deputy Governor to appoint two or more of the said Assistants to have authority to administer the Oath of Supremacy and Obedience to all persons who shall go into the said Colony of Connecticut.

6. [Legislation] And we grant that it shall be lawful for the Governor, or Deputy Governor, and such of the Assistants of the said Company as shall be assembled in any of the General Meetings aforesaid, or the greater part of them, to make reasonable laws, statutes, and instructions, not contrary to the laws of this Realm of England, and to organize the election of such of the said officers as are to be annually chosen.

7. [Boundaries & Tenure] We grant to the said Governor and Company all that part of our dominions in New England bounded on the East by Narraganset River, and on the North by the Massachusetts Plantation; and on the South by the Sea, with all grounds, ports, rivers, mines, minerals, and all other commodities, jurisdictions, royalties, and privileges whatsoever within the said bounds; To have and to hold forever, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, nor by knights’ service, yielding and paying therefore to us only the fifth part of all the ore of Gold and Silver which shall be obtained.