233 



in preparing and putting to press, in the same magnificent stjle 

 of execution, the Records of the old Colony of Plymouth. 



Mr. Upham then described the circumstances that led to the 

 establishment of the Massachusetts Colony, and the institution 

 of the body politic, of -which these volumes are the authentic, 

 original, and official Records. 



James 1st, on the 3d of November, 1620, granted, by Let- 

 ters Patent, all that part of America between 40 and 48 N. L., 

 from sea to sea, " to the Couiicell established at Plymouth in 

 the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and 

 governing of Nevj England in America^ 



On the 19th of March, 1628, the Councell at Plymouth 

 aforesaid conveyed so much of the above tract, as was between 

 a line three miles north of the Merrimack and three miles south 

 of Charles river, and from sea to sea, to Sir Henry Rosewell, 

 Sir John Young, Knights, Thomas Southcott, John Humphries, 

 John Endicott, and Symon Whetcomb, their heirs and associ- 

 ates forever. 



On the 4th of March, 1629, Letters Patent issued from the 

 crown confirming to said Sir Henry Rosewell and his associates, 

 said conveyance, — and investing them under the name of " the 

 Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New 

 England" with absolute, unlimited, and undivided possession 

 and control over said tract. 



It is quite observeable, and will be found of great importance 

 in the result, that this charter conveyed unlimited sovereignty, 

 with the single exception of the fifth part of all ore of gold and 

 silver, and a slight duty upon goods imported into the realm of 

 England. 



The Company were required to elect annually, a Governor, 

 Deputy Governor, and eighteen Assistants from their number, 

 who should meet for the transaction of the business of the 

 Company once a month, or oftener, and there was required to 

 be a quarterly meeting of the entire body of the Company, 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. 30. 



