CHAPTER VIII.

TROUBLES IN OBTAINING A NEW CHARTER.--PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER.--DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE NARRAGANSETT PURCHASE.--CURRENCY.--SCHOOLS.

The new charter gave a democratic government, 41

Some of its provisions, 41

Religious liberty recognized by it, 42

Assembly and courts reörganized, 43

State magistrates chosen by the freemen, 44

Jealousy of Massachusetts, 44

Trouble concerning the ownership of Narragansett, 45

Attempt to dispossess Rhode Island of part of her territory, 46

The Narragansetts compelled to mortgage their lands to the United Colonies, 47

New charter obtained by Connecticut extending its bounds to the Narragansett River, 48

1663. The boundary line left to arbitrators who fix it at the Pawcatuck River, 49

The intrigues of John Scott for the purchase of the Narragansett tract, 49

Letter obtained from the King, putting the Narragansett purchase under protection of Massachusetts and Connecticut, 50

This was rendered null by the second charter of Rhode Island grant soon afterward, 51

Wampum used as money in the Colony, 52

Also used as an article of ornament by the natives, 52

1652. Massachusetts began to coin silver in 1652, 53

Rhode Island abolished the use of wampum ten years later, 53

1662. New England shilling made legal tender in Rhode Island, 53

1640-1663. First schools established at Providence and Newport, 53

Affirmation is declared to be equal to an oath, 54